In this OutdoorTalk webinar, Karol Weyman is joined by Jeffery Wells from Super-Krete to examine how contractors can elevate their hardscape projects by incorporating colorants, stains, textures and sealers. With a focus on transforming patios, walkways and other outdoor surfaces into premium-looking spaces, experts will share tips on choosing the right materials and techniques, addressing common challenges and maximizing project longevity. Contractors will also discover key innovations in decorative concrete that are reshaping the industry and providing more flexibility and efficiency in design.

Register now!

By Jenny Yu.  

From profitability habits to artificial intelligence, OutdoorCoffeeShop™ readers prioritized insights for long-term success. 

As outdoor living professionals look for strategies to navigate growth and change across the industry, OutdoorCoffeeShop™ readers gravitated toward content about leadership, growth and innovation in the month of May. 

The top article of the month was “Seeing the big picture” by Emma Petersen, which explored how contractors can move beyond daily operations to focus on long-term vision and sustainable business planning. The article resonated with readers looking to strengthen leadership skills while managing growth in a competitive market. Similarly, Emma’s article “When your company grows beyond you” examined how successful contractors can adapt as their companies expand, emphasizing delegation, trust and building systems that support long-term scalability. 

Another standout was “Beyond the roof: Taking care of families in need,” also by Emma, which highlighted the importance of community involvement and giving back. Readers connected with the message that strong businesses are built not only on profitability but also on supporting the communities they serve. 

Artificial intelligence stayed a hot topic throughout May, making “Is AI coming for our jobs?” one of the top-read articles. Emma's piece explored how AI is changing the trades while reinforcing the importance of skilled professionals and human expertise in the outdoor construction industry. 

Rounding out the top five was “The operational habits that separate profitable contractors from busy ones” by Cotney Consulting Group, which focused on the processes and discipline required to turn activity into profitability. The piece inspired discussions around efficiency, accountability and operational consistency. 

Find the top 5 articles here! 

5 - The operational habits that separate profitable contractors from busy ones by Cotney Consulting Group. 

4 - Is AI coming for our jobs? by Emma Petersen 

3 - When your company grows beyond you by Emma Petersen 

2 - Beyond the roof: Taking care of families in need by Emma Petersen 

1 - Seeing the big picture by Emma Petersen 

By John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group.

Preventing back and knee injuries in hardscape work.

Hardscape work demands skill, strength and precision. Every day, crews lift stone, carry pavers, kneel on rigid surfaces and maneuver awkward loads into place. It’s some of the most physically demanding work in the outdoor living industry — and because of that, chronic back and knee injuries are far more common than most contractors realize. 

You don’t always see these injuries happen. They develop quietly over months and years. A worker kneels too long on a slab, twists while lifting a paver or spends an entire shift bending over in the same pattern. By the time the pain shows up, it’s often too late. And when an experienced installer goes down with an injury, productivity suffers, projects slowand companies lose the skill and craftsmanship that keep their reputations strong. 

What the job does to the body 

Hardscape crews spend much of their day in positions the human body wasn’t designed to maintain: bent over, kneeling, lifting, carrying and pivoting with weight. Unlike a single, sudden incident, these strains build up over time. A paver only weighs 20–30 pounds, but lifting hundreds of them in a day places continuous stress on the spine and joints. 

Knee pain is widespread. Extended kneeling on stone or compacted soil compresses the knee joint, inflames soft tissues and irritates existing injuries. Add in uneven terrain and constant up-down movement and you have a perfect recipe for long-term joint damage. 

Back injuries often follow the same predictable pattern. Workers pick up materials with rounded backs, twist while carrying loads or lift from awkward angles because the staging area wasn’t set correctly. Even the strongest worker can only do that for so long before something gives. 

Prevention starts with better planning 

Preventing strain doesn’t begin with equipment — it starts with job setup. If materials are staged too far from the work zone, crews will naturally lift and carry more than they should.By reducing unnecessary movement, you relieve excessive stress. 

Before work begins, foremen should evaluate: 

• Where pallets will be placed for the least manual handling 
• How tools and materials will flow through the job 
• Whether mechanical aids like carts, dollies or vacuum lifters can reduce repetitive lifting 
• How terrain affects footing and knee load 

Hardscape work requires planning for both layout and ergonomics. Ignoring one undermines the other. 

Teach crews the right way to lift 

Proper lifting is still one of the most effective ways to prevent back injuries. Train your crews to: 

• Bend at the knees, not the waist 
• Keep the load close to the body 
• Use both hands and avoid one-sided lifting 
• Step, don’t twist, when changing direction 
• Ask for help with oversized materials 

It sounds basic, but on busy jobsites, basic safety is often the first thing sacrificed. Reinforcement from foremen and lead installers is key. When supervisors model the right behaviors, crews follow their lead. 

Protect the knees — The crew’s most valuable tools 

Knee injuries sideline more hardscape workers than almost any other musculoskeletal issue. The fix isn’t complicated, but it requires consistency. 

Use: 

• Padded knee protection (hard-shell pads, gel pads or cushioned supports) 
• Kneeling boards or mats to distribute pressure on stone surfaces 
• Frequent position changes to avoid long-term compression 
• Rotation of tasks so workers aren’t kneeling all day 

Crews often resist knee pads because they’re uncomfortable or feel restrictive. Modern pads are far better than what we had 20 years ago. The right equipment makes a difference — and so does regular replacement. 

Mechanical assistance isn’t optional anymore 

Hardscape materials are heavier and larger than ever. Large-format pavers, oversized slabs and stone veneer panels require mechanical assistance. Too many contractors rely on “strong backs” instead of innovative tools. 

Lift-assist devices, vacuum lifters and powered carriers dramatically reduce strain. More importantly, they improve accuracy and minimize material breakage. When companies invest in ergonomic equipment, they invest in their people — and their production. 

Build a culture that doesn’t ignore pain 

Workers often hide discomfort to avoid slowing the crew, but pain is an early warning sign. Encourage installers to speak up before a minor strain becomes a serious injury. Create an environment where asking for help or using a mechanical aid isn’t seen as a weakness but as a sign of professionalism. 

A crew that feels valued takes better care of themselves, their tools and the job. 

A strong crew starts with strong practices 

Hardscape contractors depend on the skill and experience of their crews to deliver high-quality, long-lasting installations. Protecting back and knee health isn’t just a safety issue — it’s a business issue. Less fatigue means better workmanship. Fewer injuries mean more consistent staffing. And a company known for looking out for its people is a company workerswant to build a career with. 

The longevity of your team is one of your most important assets. When you prioritize ergonomic practices, you protect the craft, the crew and the future of your business. 

Managing turf takes precision, timing and the right data. Flash Weather AI’s T3 Turf Agronomy solution gives golf superintendents, agronomists and turfgrass managers the weather intelligence they need to make confident decisions around irrigation, disease risk, frost, dew, soil conditions, lightning and daily operations.

T3 provides accurate, high-resolution weather forecasts to help manage tight budgets and meet the high expectations of owners and members.

With Our State-of-the-Art Forecasting, You Get:

• 13 Long Range Turf-Centric Forecasts out to 15 days
• 15 Site-Specific, Turf-Centric Forecasts out to 48 hours
• Growing Degree Day Tracker and 15-Day Forecast Tool
• Disease Forecasting Section
• Long Range Soil Temperature Forecasts
• Frost Formation and Burn Off Forecasts
• Dew Formation and Burn Off Forecasts
• Hi-Res Evapotranspiration Forecasts
• Hi-Res Cloud Cover Forecasts
• Hi-Res Soil Temperature and Moisture Forecasts
• Unique Precipitation Range Forecasts

Get you free weather command center today. 

By Flash Weather AI. 

Flash Weather AI is the first company in the world to predict lightning and hail with AI, changing weather prediction forever 

For teams operating in weather-sensitive environments, safety decisions demand more than reactive tools. Systems that rely solely on real-time detection or fixed, on-site instrumentation can provide valuable data, but they fall short when advanced notice is needed. Flash Weather AI fixes the gap by combining predictive modeling with live event confirmation. Updated every two minutes and giving hyper-local resolution down to 1 km; the platform enables crews to act with greater precision, reducing uncertainty and improving response times across rapidly changing weather. 

Why detection alone creates operational gaps 

Real-time lightning networks show events the moment they occur. Operational leaders, however, need two things: lead time to act and clarity to resume.

Flash Weather AI is engineered for that exact workflow. It sees lightning before it strikes, confirms strikes in real time and automates the All-Clear to align with your policy. The result is a consistent, auditable progression from Predict → Detect → Confirm → Clear.  

From one sensor to site-wide intelligence  

On-site poles provide value at a single point. Weather risk is three dimensional. Flash Weather AI removes blind spots with site-wide coverage: a hyper-local lightning model at 1 km refreshed every two minutes, plus integrated WBGT heat monitoring for athletes and workers. If your venue benefits from automated hardware, Flash supports portable or installable devices as a complement, not a dependency. 

Automation that mirrors your policy  

Safety shouldn’t hinge on manual stopwatch timing. In addition to its proprietary All-Clear algorithm, Flash automates with your policy to configure alerts and countdown timers that reset with every new strike, driving consistent, return-to-play/work, while also freeing staff from constant dashboard babysitting. 

Records, compliance and accountability 

When you need proof, Flash delivers historical hail and lightning lookback (two years), downloadable reports and APIs to support audits, insurance and league governance. 

Multi-hazard by design  

Operational risk is more than lightning. Flash provides a unified picture across heat (WBGT), hail, frost, wind and air quality, so leaders can see the full field of risk in one place. 

How Flash achieves hyper-local accuracy 

Traditional numerical weather models average conditions over large grid boxes, which can blur microclimates. Flash applies AI bias-correction and downscaling to reach 1 km while ingesting validated observations — preserving features like sea-breeze fronts, urban heat islands and mountain-to-plain transitions. Then we give you new data every two minutes, paired with live lightning radar and All-Clear timing. Hyper-local modeling + rapid refresh = up to 60 minutes of lead time. It all leads to better tactical choices and fewer unnecessary stoppages, without sacrificing safety. 

Industry playbooks 

Athletics and campus recreation  

• Before practice: evaluate 6-hour lightning probability and WBGT trend to set session windows and hydration plans.  
• During practice: predictive alerts + live radar, with automated All-Clear that resets on each strike to align with conference/association policy.  
• After: export logs for league compliance and training review (heat, lightning).  

Construction, utilities and field services  

• Shift planning: predict heat stress and storm timing to stage crews, concrete pours, crane ops.  
• On site: automated alerts by radius; countdown clock drives consistent stop/resume without radio confusion.  
• Documentation: site-specific history (hail/lightning) supports audits, change-orders and insurance.  

Parks, events and municipal operations  

• Parks & venues: hyper-local storm timing for evacuations; All-Clear guides reopening milestones.  
• Seasonal ops: hail/frost intelligence protects fields, amenities and schedules; WBGT informs staffing and programming.  

Implementation in three steps 

1 - Define policy parameters: Lightning radius (e.g., 8–10 miles), countdown interval (e.g., 30 minutes), WBGT thresholds by activity level.  

2 - Configure Flash: Add sites, set alerts (push/SMS/email), enable All-Clear automation and roles/recipients.  

3 - Train + test: Run tabletop drills; export sample logs; review dashboard and FirstStrike™ / Lightning Probability map behavior under different scenarios.  

How to choose lightning detection system 

Ask any provider (including us) to demonstrate:  

• Lead-time + confirmation in one workflow (not either/or).  
• Update cadence (can they show two-minute refresh in action?)  
• Spatial coverage (single pole vs. site-wide 1 km modeling)  
• Policy automation (countdown resets on each strike; configurable radii/durations)  
• Historical evidence (exportable logs; API access) 
• Multi-hazard scope (WBGT, hail, frost, wind, AQI) 

Hyper-local AI vs. detection only: Which weather platform protects better? 

Source elements: Multi-Hazard Coverage; Customizable Alerts + Automated “All Clear” Clock; No On-Site Poles Required; Predicts Lightning Before it Strikes; Real-Time Lightning Detection; Historical Logs & Compliance Reporting.

Predict + detect: The safer, faster path to all-clear decisions

Detection describes what just happened; predictive intelligence provides the lead time to stay ahead. Flash Weather AI unifies both — so you can be in control, prepared and operate with confidence.  

Visit Flash Weather AI to get a demo and see FirstStrike™, Lightning Probability, WBGT and automated All-Clear in action.

The record-breaking event served as live demonstration of the power of parks.

The TurfMutt Great Lawn at Louisville’s Waterfront Park officially was the site of a historical achievement on Saturday, May 16, as power technology company Rehlko set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORD™ for fastest mowing of an area the size of an American football field. Rehlko accomplished the feat using a mower powered by the Command PRO® 999 cc (41 hp) gasoline engine and driven by Hali Rieman, better known as the “Lawn Queen.” 

To set the record, the grass had to be maintained at a minimum height of six inches to mirror unpredictable, high-load environments. This requirement transformed the TurfMutt Great Lawn into a testing ground, proving that managed turf can handle extreme conditions while maintaining its environmental integrity. The attempt is part of Rehlko’s global “Cutting History” initiative. 

The record-breaking event served as live demonstration of the power of parks. “More than a world record, this feat is a tribute to the health, wellness and environmental benefits that managed landscapes bring to our communities every day,” says Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation, Outdoor Power Equipment Institute and Equip Exposition. 

The event also highlighted the ongoing transformation of Louisville’s urban landscape. "The TurfMutt Great Lawn at Waterfront Park is a centerpiece of our community, and we’re so proud to see it recognized on this scale," said Deborah Bilitski, president and executive director of Waterfront Park. "Through our partnership with the TurfMutt Foundation, we continue to demonstrate that these managed landscapes are more than just grass – they are essential infrastructure for health and wellness, community connection and pride."

Turfgrass is one of nature’s most impressive environmental superheroes. Living turf produces oxygen, sequesters carbon, filters the air, cools communities, helps control erosion and reduces runoff. To learn more about the many benefits of the green space around us, go to TurfMutt.com and check out the International Backyarding Fact Book.  

Homeowners who want to treat their own lawns with the same world-class care must always keep safety in mind, says Kiser. “When using a mower or other outdoor power equipment, always keep kids and pets away from working machines and follow the manufacturer’s safety precautions,” he says.

To learn more about the power of parks, backyards and other green spaces, visit TurfMutt.com.

About the TurfMutt Foundation

TurfMutt, which celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2024, was created by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s (OPEI) TurfMutt Foundation and has reached more than 70 million children, educators and families since 2009. The Foundation is title sponsor of “Lucky Dog,” the Emmy Award-winning CBS broadcast television show in support of dog rescue and rehabilitation. Both TurfMutt spokesdogs have been rescue dogs, and Mutt Mulligan is a cast character on the show, where her “Mulligan Minute” segments teach viewers about the benefits of green space. In 2024, the Great Lawn at Louisville’s award-winning Waterfront Park on the Ohio River was renamed the TurfMutt Foundation Great Lawn as part of a $1 million sponsorship. Championed by Mulligan the TurfMutt and through education partners such as Scholastic, Discovery, Weekly Reader and the USBGC Global Learning Lab, TurfMutt has taught students and teachers how to “save the planet, one yard at a time.” TurfMutt has been an education resource at the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Green Apple, the Center for Green Schools, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project, Climate Change Live, Petfinder and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2017, the TurfMutt animated video series won the coveted Cynopsis Kids Imagination Award for Best Interstitial Series. More information at www.TurfMutt.com.

About Waterfront Park

Waterfront Park is a treasured community asset and home to some of Louisville’s most exciting celebrations. Once a wasteland of scrap yards and heavy industrial uses, Waterfront Park is now a vibrant green space that welcomes over 2.5 million visitors each year. As the most utilized urban park in the city, it’s a place where Louisville comes together to celebrate our unique sense of community. Waterfront Park is a non-profit public park made possible by the generosity of Waterfront supporters. Learn more at ourwaterfront.org. 

By Jenny Yu.  

INGAGE is expanding its educational outreach with industry events and podcast discussions tailored for contractors and business owners. 

Ingage is taking its contractor outreach efforts on the road and into the digital space this quarter with a new campaign designed to help contractors connect, learn and grow. Through a combination of live tradeshow appearances and a newly launched podcast format, the company is expanding opportunities for outdoor professionals to engage with industry conversations and business-building strategies at several upcoming industry events and podcast episodes available on demand. 

The first stop on the schedule was Fast Remodeler LIVE!, which took place May 12-13, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee. The event provided opportunities for remodeling and home improvement professionals to network, explore new business strategies and hear from industry experts. 

INGAGE will also appear at the RevX Summit presented by Dave Yoho Associates from June 2-4, 2026, in Lombard, Illinois. INGAGE customers can receive three complimentary tickets to the event, with additional tickets available at a discounted rate. The summit focuses on sales growth, leadership development and operational strategies for home service companies and marks industry veteran Dave Yoho’s last in-person appearance.  

The company’s Q2 event lineup continues in Cleveland, Ohio, at the LeadGen Expo on June 10-11, 2026, where contractors can use the code ing26 during registration for an exclusive promotion. This event centers on lead generation, marketing and customer acquisition strategies designed to help contractors strengthen business growth in competitive markets. 

Beyond the tradeshow floor, INGAGE is also launching a podcast series featuring industry conversations, practical insights and real-world strategies contractors can apply in their businesses immediately. The podcast format allows contractors to stay connected with industry trends and ideas even when travel or scheduling prevents them from attending live events. 

To learn more and stay connected with the latest conversations and contractor insights, tune into the INGAGE podcast and get INGAGED.

Manually operated and autonomous models deliver superior cutting performance for commercial landscapers and property owners.

• Honda Power Sports & Products launches its all-new lineup of battery-powered manual and autonomous zero-turn-radius (ZTR) lawn mowers branded under the ProZision™ name. 
• The ProZision™ lineup includes 54-inch and 60-inch models, as well as a 60-inch autonomous model.
• Honda designed the ProZision™ battery-powered ZTR lawn mowers to provide clean, even, best-in-class cutting on the first pass; maximum comfort and convenience; and maximum durability. 
• ProZision™ ZTR lawn mowers further diversify the company’s outdoor power product portfolio, delivering an extraordinary ownership experience while providing environmentally sound turf care options for a wide variety of users, conditions and commercial applications. 
• Production of the ProZision™ ZTR lawn mowers will take place at the Honda manufacturing facility in Swepsonville, North Carolina, using globally made parts; on-sale availability for ProZision™ models is scheduled for February 2026, with the ProZision™ Autonomous available in Summer 2026.

Honda Power Sports & Products announced today the launch of its ProZision™ lineup of battery-powered zero-turn-radius (ZTR) lawn mowers, which will be presented at Equip Exposition 2025. The all-new product family includes 54-inch and 60-inch models, along with a 60-inch autonomous model — the first Honda battery-powered ZTR autonomous mower. Originally shown as prototypes, Honda ProZision™ ZTR lawn mowers are designed for professional-level durability, comfort and cut quality, building on the company’s legacy in commercial and consumer lawn care equipment. The ProZision™ name reflects professional-level features (‘Pro’), the twin-blade design (‘Z’) and precise cutting performance.

Honda developed the all-new ProZision™ lithium-ion battery-powered ZTR lawn mowers with three main objectives: to provide clean, even, best-in-class cutting on the first pass; maximum comfort and convenience for the operator; and maximum durability and reliability for the owner. The all-new mower lineup further diversifies the company’s outdoor power product portfolio, delivering an extraordinary ownership experience while providing environmentally sound turf care options for a wide variety of users, conditions and commercial applications. 

Honda ProZision™ lawn mowers are designed to provide the utmost in operator comfort — combining easy handling with enhanced ergonomics that provide the best, most comfortable driving experience. For the owner, the ProZision™ lineup offers zero-emission alternatives to gasoline-powered mowers that can reduce operating costs and help accelerate the electrification of landscape maintenance equipment. And for the end user, ProZision™ models incorporate a number of advanced features designed to produce the smooth, well-groomed turf desired by property owners.

Drive system: Motors, batteries & charging

Honda ProZision™ lawn mowers are powered by five 48-volt brushless electric motors designed to stand up to the rigors of commercial landscaping: three deck motors that rotate the exclusive MicroCut® Twin Blades and two drive wheel motors that maneuver the vehicle with precise control. In addition, ProZision™ ZTRs are fitted with six lithium-ion batteries and a 4.3-inch touchscreen display panel indicating the mower’s operation status and battery state of charge. The motors and charging system incorporate electrical quick connectors for fast and easy connection and disconnection for service. The result is easy, fast and efficient operation — more ground covered with less work. 

While some ZTR lawn mowers sacrifice travel speed for grass cutting, ProZision™ mowers provide sufficient power to mow at higher speeds while still producing a pristine cut. Three different driving modes — Rapid, Normal and Precise — let the operator control mower speed for optimal maneuverability on a variety of turf conditions.

Cutting system & deck

The integration of advanced features that groom grass to a smooth finish are what make ProZision™ lawn mowers capable of delivering a best-in-class cut. Each model uses an optimized cutting deck design and includes three MicroCut® Twin Blades, offering 12 total cutting edges, resulting in finer clippings for a professional finish with less work. The chassis and main components are constructed from durable steel, with high-strength, low-alloy (HSLA) steel strategically used in key areas to provide strength while minimizing unnecessary weight. The durable frame design and low vibration support the longevity of lawn mower components.

Operator comfort

ProZision™ ZTRs are the only models in their class to incorporate full mower suspension. In addition, the Honda industry-exclusive Ideal Operator Position System (IOPS) allows the ZTR operator to adjust the seat position, drive controls and handles together while moving the seat. These features make operating the mower easy and comfortable, reduce vibration and provide a smooth ride that results in less fatigue for the driver. 

Honda ProZision™ model snapshots 

HZ54SXB 

• Cutting width: 54 inches
• Charging: 120 volts, 16.5 hours; 240 volts, 6.5 hours
• Run time/acreage: 4.2 hours/4.5 hours; 13-14 acres (varies depending on conditions)
• Cutting system: 19-inch MicroCut® Twin Blades, side-discharge deck
• Warranty: commercial limited 3 years or 2,000 hours (whichever comes first)
• MSRP: $32,999

HZ60SXB 

• Cutting width: 60 inches 
• Charging: 120 volts, 16.5 hours; 240 volts, 6.5 hours
• Run time/acreage: 4.0 hours/4.3 hours; 14-15 acres (varies depending on conditions)
• Cutting system: 21-inch MicroCut® Twin Blades, side-discharge deck
• Warranty: commercial limited 3 years or 2,000 hours (whichever comes first)
• MSRP: $32,999

Honda ProZision™ Autonomous lawn mower  

Honda developed the ProZision™ Autonomous ZTR lawn mower to help address issues including worker safety and labor shortages, ultimately improving the efficiency of lawn care and landscape maintenance companies. The ProZision™ Autonomous battery-powered ZTR lawn mower, capable of operating in manual or autonomous mode, offers an eco-conscious, zero emissions turf management option and provides more choices in how landscapers service their customers. 

Operation & modes

The ProZision™ Autonomous model is built on the same platform as the ProZision™ 60-inch model, combining high-obstacle detection and location accuracy with industry-leading cutting performance and superior operator comfort. For manual mowing, the operator can use the ProZision™ Autonomous mower in the same way as the ProZision™ manual models. For autonomous operation, the lawn mower acquires the mowing routes and patterns set by the operator. 

To set up autonomous mowing, the operator launches the Teaching Mode — manually maneuvering the ZTR to create a mowing route using the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) for accurate location recognition. After teaching is complete, the operator launches the mower’s autonomous capability in Playback Mode, downloading the specified mowing route using the Honda web application on a tablet or smartphone. Once the mapping is established, automatic route optimization recalculates for better turns and coverage, providing consistent and stable grass-cutting quality on the first pass. The ProZision™ Autonomous lawn mower can reproduce these routes and patterns — duplicating the performance of the most skilled workers, while freeing up their time to focus on more high-value tasks and improving overall efficiency. 

The ProZision™ Autonomous ZTR is equipped with a load control system that automatically adjusts mowing speed to maintain professional cut quality; for example, under heavy loads, the mower slows to provide a clean, complete cut on the first pass, reducing the risk of uncut grass and grass clogging. Further, a wheel slip suppression system helps eliminate deviation from the intended path by independently controlling the speed of each drive motor. This ensures precise, straight-line tracking and stable operation — even on grades or rough ground. The ProZision™ Autonomous can operate on a 15-degree hill in manual mode or on a 10-degree hill in autonomous mode. In addition, the mower is equipped with an electronic deck height adjustment system that allows the user to easily select the preferred cutting height — a key function for autonomous operation when no operator is present — making it simple to achieve the desired cut finish.

The ProZision™ Autonomous ZTR also features omnidirectional sensing, providing a full 360-degree view via radar and LiDAR sensors for obstacle detection. During autonomous operation, the mower slows when an object is detected, resumes its programmed pace once the path is clear and will stop completely if the obstacle remains. Equally important, the mower features a rear-discharge deck that directs debris backward rather than sideways, reducing the risk of hitting nearby objects or people during autonomous operation. In addition, the ProZision™ Autonomous model is designed for high security, protecting owner data and protecting against theft.

Honda ProZision™ Autonomous model snapshot

HZA60RXB 

• Cutting width: 60-inches 
• Charging: 120 volts, 16.5 hours; 240 volts, 6.5 hours
• Run time/acreage: Up to 15 acres (varies depending on conditions)
• Cutting system: 21-inch MicroCut® Twin Blades, rear-discharge deck
• Warranty: commercial limited 3 years or 2,000 hours (whichever comes first)
• MSRP: Pricing to be announced at a later date

“As technology revolutionizes industries across the globe, it is also redefining the future of landscaping. Honda is unveiling the ProZision™ and ProZision™ Autonomous battery-powered ZTR lawn mowers as the industry navigates uncertainty in workforce stability, equipment investment returns and operational cost controls — across short- and long-term horizons,” said Mark Kohls, vice president of Honda Power Sports & Products, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Honda ProZision™ lawn mowers provide zero-emission options that complement gasoline-powered fleets to reduce operating costs and enhance sustainability in landscape maintenance.”

Honda will power into Equip Exposition 2025, October 21-24, inviting visitors to learn more about how quiet, reliable, top-performing products, including the all-new battery-powered manual and autonomous ZTR lawn mowers, make jobs easier and lend advanced mobility to landscape customers. At indoor booth #3134, visitors can talk with Honda team members to explore the company’s L&G power products and growing portfolio. At the show’s outdoor demonstration area, #6046D, visitors also can experience manual and autonomous ProZision™ battery-powered ZTR lawn mowers for commercial turf applications. 

Production of the Honda ProZision™ ZTR lawn mowers will take place at the company’s manufacturing facility in Swepsonville, North Carolina, using globally made parts; on-sale availability for ProZision™ models is scheduled for February 2026, with the ProZision™ Autonomous available in Summer 2026. Specifications, in-depth features and benefits and visual assets for the all-new lineup of professional-level, ProZision™ ZTR lawn mowers are available at www.hondanews.com. 

About Honda Power Sports & Products

Honda Power Sports & Products, a business unit of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., markets a complete range of outdoor power equipment, including generators, walk-behind lawn mowers, pumps, snow blowers, tillers, string trimmers, outboard marine engines and small, general-purpose engines for residential, commercial and rental applications. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., also is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and Side-by-Sides in the United States, conducting the sales, marketing and operational activities for these powersports products through independent authorized Honda retail dealers.

Honda is the world's largest manufacturer of engines for a diverse array of automotive, powersports, marine, aerospace and power equipment products. The company offers a complete line of small, general-purpose engines that supply smooth and dependable power for a broad range of products for industrial, commercial, rental industry and consumer applications. Additionally, Honda engines are some of the quietest and easiest to start of their kind, even in harsh commercial and construction environments. Such attributes have made Honda engines the popular choice for original equipment manufacturers looking to add value to their own brands. 

By Jenny Yu.  

Clear expectations, personal value, measured adoption and ongoing reinforcement help transform new initiatives into lasting company standards. 

Human nature is to avoid change, and this was the topic of focus in a recent Ingage webinar titled “From Suggested to Standard: Embedding Sales Behaviors That Stick.” In the webinar, Ingage spoke with Corey Cousins, vice president of sales and training at Destination Motivation, about how to successfully implement change without losing consistency, accountability or revenue.  

Corey laid out a four-step, standardized framework for companies to follow when implementing change: expectations, value, measurement and reinforcement. 

1 – Set clear expectations 

The first step to implementing a successful change, according to Corey, is to define what "right” looks like.  

“Expectation is the key to success, without a doubt,” Corey said. “If we know what the expectations are, you can aim to exceed them.” 

Corey emphasized that these expectations need to be specific, measurable and clear. 

2 – Communicate value 

“Give your employees a personal reason to adopt the change, a reason to believe that overcoming the pain of change is worth it,” Corey stated. 

This includes standing firm on the change itself, removing variability in implementation. Making something optional, Corey explained, signals low strategic priority. “If it's not required, it can't be that critical, right? Making something optional absolutely kills the implementation in most cases. Not only that, but it also removes urgency.” 

3 – Measure adoption and outcomes 

After communicating the expectations and reasons why a change is occurring, the next step is to measure the adoption, not just the outcomes, of the change.  

“The measurement aspect is key,” Corey said. “What isn't measured isn't managed.” 

Daily or weekly inspections can track the efficacy of the change. Corey also pointed to the power of reviewing adoption data publicly, saying, “Scoreboards are pulse checks and show that winning is non-negotiable. Transparency drives peer accountability.” 

4 – Reinforce the change 

You can have strong processes, clear expectations and the best game plan in place, but if you're not reinforcing a change, it won’t stick. Accountability is a must.  

“Everything becomes muscle memory if you repeat it enough,” Corey said. “If we don't reinforce changes, existing habits win. When things get stressful, we revert to what’s comfortable. So there needs to be comfort in the new avenue, or the new change.” 

Building this comfortability requires adopting a change into the overall operations and culture of a business. “It's never done in a single try, right?” Corey said. “Standards aren't installed in one training. They're built into the operating rhythm of your business overall. It needs to become cultural.” 

Watch the full webinar to learn more insights into how to implement change that sticks.

By Emma Peterson. 

How succession planning and fractional advisors help owners secure their legacy and their company’s future.  

In the trades, businesses often start as small, family-owned operations. And when these businesses are small, it’s natural that many owners find themselves wearing multiple hats and managing a seemingly endless list of day-to-day tasks. But as any company grows, it becomes necessary for that to change. This change is what Kristen McAlister of Cerius Executives stopped by The Coffee Shops™ to talk about in an episode of Contractor Outlook™.  

Letting go of a business that you’ve poured blood, sweat and tears into can be hard. But if you want your business to thrive long-term, planning for that letting go, for that succession, is key. Kristen explained, “Whether you're looking to pass your business onto the next generation or the next owner, succession planning is key. And the key to good planning is thinking of your legacy as the team you’ve built, not yourself.” 

What does this mean? Building a legacy means building something that outlasts you. And the way you do that as a company owner is to hire a team that can run your business without you managing every little thing. So, how do you learn to take that step back? That’s something that Kristen and the Cerius team help owners do all the time! She shared:  

We are placing a lot of experts in businesses for interim positions as fractional advisors. In this role, these experts come in for however much time the owner wants, whether that’s five hours a month or a full 40 hours a week, and are there to help them decouple themselves from the business, so it’s less reliant on them. And we're still keeping that legacy that they started the company with; we’re just figuring out how to make it so the owner could go on a multi-week vacation or eventually retire and know their legacy will live on. 

And to be clear, these fractional advisors are not placed to take over from the people who have built the company. In fact, in many cases Kristen has seen them help with the handover to original employees or team members. She noted,“A lot of owners want to hand the company to an operations person who’s grown up in the company. And we’ll put a fractional advisor in place to work alongside that person, to make sure they have the tools and skills needed to succeed. Like on-the-job coaching. And then when that person is confident and comfortable, the advisor leaves them to carry on the legacy.”  

Want to learn more about how fractional advisors can help with succession planning? Listen to the episode or Watch the recording!