Page 9 - OPE November 2019

The X52 is one of four new entry-level Wright Stander commercial models.
ZTR Mowers
full-commercial stand-on mowers will help establish the stand-on mower concept here. Although there’s that group of die-hard
stand-on adherents, Andrew believes the Wright products offer an opportunity to expand outside of his current customer base and reach more commercial contractors, as well as giving his dealers a broader product range.
Admitting that stand-ons are “just a niche market at this stage as they’re pretty much commercial money”, and fully expecting resistance from lifestyle blockers who just do a couple of hours’ mowing each week, stand-ons “make good sense for commercial mowing contractors who aren’t content to ‘make do’ with residential ride-ons.”
Existing sales and service agents will have immediate access to the Wright Stander range but Andrew and ZTR Mowers will “throw it wide open to all dealers who are interested”.
And, if the market does grow as he hopes, then he expects contractors will naturally start going for higher-spec machines that offer greater efficiency and strong value for money.
Considering ZTRs were once thought of as a “niche” product, what price stand-on mowers experiencing a similarly significant upswing? n
that up-front cutting deck and that nice bio-clip result that feeds the lawn. There are some great mulch functions out there with the out-front ride-ons.”
Actually experiencing these machines is pretty much a must for customers.
“If customers narrow their selection down to a collector tractor and a ZTR, normally the dealer will have both of those to take out to the property, which makes all the difference.
“Of course, dealer and brand loyalty drive that opportunity.”
Stand-on potential grows
Steve Middleton says he also sees great potential in New Zealand for non-traditional stand-on mowers like those offered by Husqvarna.
“Once the concept is fully understood by the customer, it’s resulting in sales for us. It’s quite unlike the traditional mower market where everyone knows how they work and it’s just a matter of what brand you buy at what price and with what features.”
Instead, he says, brands and dealers need to create awareness of stand-ons, which is why Husqvarna has a couple of in-field reps who run demonstrations on a regular basis. Plus, he adds, stand-ons are becoming increasingly visible now that there are councils and contractors around the country running these machines.
Steve Middleton says the benefits of stand-ons around speed and efficiency quickly become apparent. “There’s also that ability to easily step off the platform to pick up objects and the safety benefit of being able to step off when mowing along banks. You can put the platform up and use it as a walk- behind when you’re going in and around some tight, narrow areas.”
Husqvarna currently has two models in its local range but, looking ahead, Steve Middleton tips the family to grow.
“There may be a call for something smaller
– maybe a 36- or 38-inch for narrow areas – but at the moment we’re just rolling out the 48- and 54-inch cuts, and their market popularity is split according to application.”
Building on “the Wright stuff”
Equally upbeat about the prospects for stand-on mowers is Andrew Peacocke of ZTR Mowers, who’s making “quality, tried-and- tested” Wright stand-ons available again here and is aiming to build on a group of “die-hard Wright users who swear by the stand-on concept”.
The stand-on configuration offers several practical benefits: “The short footprint means a stand-on takes up less room on the trailer and gives better access in tight mowing situations that otherwise require push- mowing,” he says.
“And the standing position not only has ergonomic advantages but also allows the operator to get on and off faster and more easily, which saves time. You can also move your weight around effectively in keeping with the terrain and duck under obstacles.
“Stand-ons also offer an easy bail-out from a standing position if the machine slides during slope mowing.”
Visiting the Wright factory earlier in the year Andrew Peacocke says he was deeply impressed by both the US company’s approach and its build quality.
Although stand-on mowers are very much established in America where the market
has been driven along by several major manufacturers, it’s quite a new thing for New Zealand.
Still, it’s a niche that Andrew Peacocke at ZTR believes has genuine growth potential and the company’s recent investment certainly supports this.
Having acquired exclusive distribution rights for Wright’s Stander mowers in New Zealand, ZTR will initially offer six different relaxed-commercial Wright Stander B models
from 32- to 61-inch cuts, including four new entry-level commercial models (32- to 52-inch cut) released this year.
Andrew Peacocke hopes the latter’s “very competitive” price points, robust build and slightly lower specification than Wright’s
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NOVEMBER2019 NZOUTDOORPOWEREQUIPMENT 09