As the year comes to a close, Rural Lifestyle Dealer has compiled the top articles from each month of 2020. Take a look at what stories were trending on RuralLifestylDealer.com in February 2020.

1. Kubota Announces New ‘Crossover’ Compact Tractor, the LX Series

Kubota Tractor Corp. unveiled its new LX Series to the company’s compact tractor line. The new LX Series offers three models including the affordable entry-level LX2610SU ROPS model and the well-equipped LX2610 and LX3310, both of which come with ROPS and cab model options. Designed with both residential and commercial operators in mind, the LX Series has the versatility to tackle rural residential tasks while providing the power and comfort to handle commercial applications as well. The new LX Series compact tractors will be available nationwide at authorized Kubota dealers beginning in late spring 2020.

“With the new LX Series, Kubota will bridge the gap for customers who prefer a smaller chassis size similar to the B Series but need some of the additional power and functionality of our L Series tractors,” said Kelcey Cockrell, Kubota product manager. “This new series is a crossover and will meet the needs of residential property owners as well as professional operators for snow removal and landscaping applications.”

2. Jury Orders John Deere to Pay $5 million for Tractor Death

A Payne County, Okla., jury awarded a Stillwater, Okla., woman $5 million in a civil suit that followed her husband's death in a tractor accident.

The jury found Deere & Co., the manufacturer of John Deere tractors, to be responsible for the May 25, 2014, death of James Beall, age 38, of Stillwater, when the tractor he was driving rolled over, trapping him underneath. Shylah Beall, his widow, was represented by Smolen Law, a Tulsa, Okla., firm.

3. CORRECTION: Kukje Machinery Co., LTD., Bad Boy Reach Agreement on Tractors

Kukje Machinery Co., LTD., headquartered in Korea, recently signed a contract to supply tractors to Bad Boy Inc. of Batesville, Ark.

Through the OEM contract, the company will supply tractors in the 22-35 horsepower range over the next 7 years.

4. Kubota Unveils Prototype Electric Tractors and Compact Construction Machinery

Kubota Corp. recently unveiled prototypes of electric tractors and electric compact construction machinery (mini excavators), which are currently under development, at a new product exhibition held in Kyoto City, Japan. Kubota will proceed with the continuous development by conducting demonstration experiments and analyzing the needs of local users.

5. [Video] Smart Ways to Remodel Your Retail Store

Refresh, expansion or a new store altogether — regardless of how you’re planning to improve your retail store, you want to get it right. Paige Wittman, co-owner of Miller Wittman Retail Design Group, will walk you through how to plan a new retail space that will boost revenues right away and serve the long-term needs of your dealership. Wittman has more than 25 years of experience in sales, marketing and channel development experience.

6. Open Mic Time: Manufacturer Acquisitions

Manufacturer consolidation continues in the rural equipment industry. Check out this round-up of acquisitions and share your comments on the impact for your dealership — positive, negative or will you need to wait and see?

7. Seeking Your Feedback on Briggs & Stratton’s Repositioning Plans

Briggs & Stratton announced as part of its fiscal 2020 2nd quarter financial results that it was entering a multi-week planning period to finalize steps in the company’s repositioning plan, which included a review of its portfolio. According to the report, the review is part of efforts to “best focus and simplify the business to be nimbler and compete more effectively” as well as to place a renewed focus on power application.

During the conference call about the financial results, Todd Teske, chairman, president and CEO, says, "We've had success building products, brands and markets, particularly in commercial applications. Our success, however, has also created complexity that can, at times, limit our ability compete effectively and develop certain attractive long-term opportunities. Accordingly, simplification and focus are necessary to properly execute on the significant opportunities we see in the foreseeable future."

8. 3 Questions to Measure Your Dealership's Professionalism

If you have been around our team at Bob Clements International for any length of time you know we are fanatics when it comes to your dealership generating obscene amounts of money! In order to do that, you must have a business that meets your customers’ expectations throughout the experience. Wish as you may, your business can’t exist without your customers.

Most of the dealerships we are working with sell a high-quality product, do excellent service, and have the parts stocked for when customers need them and they charge a premium price for those services. The struggle that many dealerships run into is keeping the professionalism of your team at the level it needs to be to justify a premium price.

9. John Deere Launches 4M Heavy-Duty Compact Utility Tractor

John Deere announces the launch of the new John Deere 4M Heavy-Duty Tractor. Designed with commercial customers and large property owners in mind, the new 4M Heavy-Duty delivers all the performance customers demand from their utility tractor in a compact, easy to use package.

The new 4M Heavy Duty is available in two output ratings, the 52 horsepower (37.9 kW) 4052M HD and the 66 horsepower (48.5 kW) 4066M HD. Both units feature John Deere’s innovative three range eHydro transmission with Twin Touch pedals, allowing for easy direction changes and increased productivity while decreasing operator fatigue. The eHydro transmission also includes eThrottle, LoadMatch, MotionMatch and SpeedMatch systems along with automotive style cruise control.

10. New Holland Launches 300 Series Skid Steer, Compact Track Loaders

New Holland announces the launch of the latest series of skid steer and compact track loaders. Customers in agriculture and construction will experience superior visibility, greater height and reach, a simple operator interface and enhanced productivity for any job.

The advanced technology in the new 300 Series includes the Super Boom vertical lift linkage, a new 8-inch multifunction LCD display with reverse camera, straight-line tracking improvements, fully upgraded electrical harness and much more.