Rural Lifestyle Dealer editors were on the ground at this year's Equip Expo in Louisville, Ky. These are their top takeaways from the show.

1. Autonomy was a main theme

As a growing trend in the industry, autonomy was present at several manufacturers' booths, including a new semi-autonomous stand on prototype Husqvarna demoed.

2. DeWalt Debuted a New 'Stand on to Zero Turn' Mower

Company reps showed attendees how the new Ascent C60 from DeWalt transitions from stand on to zero turn in less than 30 seconds.

3. Stihl debuted its entry into the zero-turn market

Stihl President Terry Horan discussed at a dealer-only meeting the company's plan to enter the zero-turn mower market with 19 different models.

4. Dealers gathered to hear some tips on hiring

VP of Business Development & Speaker Sara Hey from Bob Clements International — and occasional contributing writer for Rural Lifestyle Dealer — spoke to dealers on how to shake it up with their hiring techniques. 

5. Sadly, Not All Debuts Went Smoothly

As lawn care Youtuber Copper Creek Cuts Lawn Care put it, "you really hate to see this happen." Though RLD editors didn't witness it, footage of a new DeWalt electric mower catching fire at this year's Equip Expo circulated online during the event. Kris Kiser, president and CEO, Equip Exposition and the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, said in a statement there had been no injuries as a result of the fire.

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