The Construction Equipment crew made it down to Louisville this October to enjoy the biggest landscape show in America. Equip Exposition has become one of the top events in America for brands to release new compact equipment, and this year (at least for us) it was all about stand-on mini skid steers. They were all over the show, with John Deere, Manitou, and Gehl announcing they will be entering the sector.  

This 2026 show also brought the crowds. It was another massive event at the Kentucky Exposition Center (October 20-23). Landscapers, construction contractors, supply shops, design-build experts, and trade editors explored indoor and outdoor booths to see, test, and talk the latest machines. And there was plenty to explore. Our video recap above takes you around the show for a look at the coolness that was Equip Expo 2026.  

Equip Expo keeps growing

The numbers tell another great story. Equip Expo has sold out its exhibit space for five frickin’ years in a row, and yet again, organizers reported increased registration in 2026. It’s no wonder the show was ranked the third-largest U.S. tradeshow in 2025 by Trade Show Executive.

Surrounding the event, there’s also lots of only-at-Expo-type attractions. There’s the Tree Care Arena, featuring live demonstrations of professional tree climbing and rigging. There’s Mulligan’s Mutt Madness, which brings adorable adoptable puppies to the show floor. It’s so hard not to adopt one each year. And there’s always solid entertainment. After hours in 2026, attendees could unwind at Churchill Downs, catch The Crashers at Fourth Street Live!, or enjoy Juicebox Heroes at the new Paristown Block Party. No national music headliners this year — like Third Eye Blind a few years ago — but Equip Expo still offered three nights of entertainment. Don’t get greedy now.

Mini track loaders take center stage

One equipment trend was hard to miss: More manufacturers are entering the stand-on mini skid steer market. John Deere and Manitou Group announced they’ll be entering the very busy category. They launched new machines at Equip Expo 2026, joining an increasingly crowded category that already includes Caterpillar, Toro, Bobcat, Ditch Witch, Vermeer, Case CE, New Holland Construction, Kubota, Wacker Neuson, Morbark, Baumalight, Kanga, Scag, Cratos, Barreto — oh, jeesh, you get the idea.

John Deere gave attendees their first look at its new 10 G-Tier and 12 G-Tier Utility Track Loaders. Built by Wacker Neuson, the stand-on machines target landscaping, installation, and construction applications, with attachment versatility designed to reduce manual labor. Manitou Group introduced two machines under its Manitou and Gehl brands: the Manitou 1050 SRT and Gehl SRT105. Both feature 23.2-horsepower Yanmar diesel engines, rated operating capacities of 1,050 pounds at 35 percent of tipping load, and the IdealTrax automatic track tensioning system. The new models reflect growing competition in a category that allows contractors to bring hydraulic-powered attachments into backyards and narrow access points. These units (also called compact utility loaders, mini track loaders, compact tool carriers, etc.) are also great at the typical jump-on/jump-off work that landscapers and small contractors tackle every day.  

Watch our Equip Expo 2026 video recap

Equip Expo continues to grow as a destination for equipment manufacturers and contractors. The show is scheduled to return to Louisville October 19-22, 2027, with plans to begin rotating between Louisville and Orlando in 2029. But enough about the numbers. Sometimes you just need to see the equipment. Check out our video recap for a tour of Equip Expo 2026. Then go to our YouTube channel and subscribe to watch similarly excellent videos.