Photos! Equip Exposition Attracts 28,500 Attendees, Including Us

By Keith Gribbins October 29, 2024 View Profile

Equip Exposition 2024 overview of outdoor demo area

Equip Exposition 2024 set new records again with over 28,500 attendees. Held October 15-18, the show spanned more than 1.2 million sq ft at the Kentucky Exposition Center. We saw a vast array of earthmoving equipment at this show. It ranged from Toro’s limited edition black Dingo TX 1000 Turbo to Kubota’s super small SVL50x compact track loader. We also attended exclusive events, enjoyed awesome concerts and met with the movers and shakers in the equipment industry. With all of the photos in this post, we’ll give you an inside look at some of the coolest machines, booths and events we saw.

Unparalleled Attendance and Expanding Opportunities

Equip Exposition 2024 outdoor demo area attendees visitors

Equip Expo continues to grow year after year, breaking records in 2022, 2023 and now in 2024. This year’s increase included significant growth in contractor attendance, drawing thousands eager to see the latest innovations firsthand. Key highlights included a keynote by This Old House’s Kevin O’Connor. We also loved the live concert by Trace Adkins and that reception at historic Churchill Downs. Equip Expo is more than a show; it’s an industry experience.

A Must-See Outdoor Demo Yard

Equip Exposition 2024 outdoor demo area Bobcat booth tractor with grapples

For many, the Outdoor Demo Yard was the main attraction. This 30-acre space offered hands-on testing of everything from skid steers to UTVs and mowers. Attendees could truly “kick the tires” in real-world conditions, helping them make informed decisions on the latest machines.

Cutting-Edge Compact Equipment We Loved

Cat’s Giant 285 and 285 XE Compact Track Loaders Have Some Serious Lift

Equip Exposition 2024 Cat 285 compact track loader

The new Cat 285 and 285 XE compact track loaders are rewriting the rules for performance in compact equipment. They are setting a new industry benchmark with a colossal 12.5-ft lift height. That’s the highest of any compact track loader on the market. Equipped with a dozer-inspired E-bar undercarriage, these machines bring exceptional stability, allowing for smooth operation on uneven terrain. The 285 XE further boosts productivity with a rated operating capacity of 4,816 lbs. It’s ideal for demanding applications requiring serious lift and reach.

Caterpillar’s innovation extends to rear-facing hydraulics, allowing operators to attach a scarifier or winch to the back, giving unprecedented versatility in land management. Both models feature a closed-center hydraulic system with selectable flow options, meaning operators can adapt these machines for a variety of attachments and applications. The Cat cab also adds comfort with 22 percent more volume and customizable monitors for enhanced control. For more info, visit cat.com.

Kubota’s New SVL50x Is One of the Smallest Compact Track Loaders in the Industry

Equip Exposition 2024 Kubota SVL50x compact track loader

Kubota Tractor Corp. introduced the SVL50x compact track loader, its smallest model, at the Equip Exposition. Designed to meet the demand for narrow, cabbed track loaders in tight construction and landscaping spaces, the SVL50x features a compact 48-in. frame. Available in early 2025, this 49.6-hp Kubota model offers four configurations, from an open ROPS station to a deluxe cab. Packed with advanced features, the SVL50x includes an anti-stall system, fuel-saving auto-idling and a new creep mode for attachments like trenchers.

Operators will enjoy a quiet, sealed cab, a 7-in. LCD touch panel for key functions and a rear-view camera for enhanced visibility. The SVL50x boasts a 1,176-lb rated operating capacity, a 4,900-lb breakout force and a hinge pin height of 101.6 in., making it a powerful yet compact solution for challenging spaces. It also introduces the Kubota Shockless Ride undercarriage suspension, EH controls and radial lift. For more info, visit kubotausa.com.

John Deere Launches Gator XUV 845 and 875 with Enhanced Cargo and Precision Ag Capabilities

Equip Exposition 2024 John Deere Launches Gator XUV 845 and Gator XUV 875 Utility Vehicles

At the show, John Deere showcased its new gas-powered Gator XUV 845 and diesel Gator XUV 875 utility vehicles, designed to enhance farm productivity. Built with farmers and landscapers in mind, these models offer integrated precision agriculture options, including a versatile cargo box and increased comfort features. The new Gators boast a quieter ride due to a redesigned exhaust system and feature an elevated air intake to protect the engine from debris and mud.

Both models can be equipped with John Deere’s GreenStar Ready package, allowing easy integration of precision ag tools for tasks like boundary mapping. The updated cargo box provides 13 percent more space, with improved tie-down options, divider slots and a work-ready tailgate. Additional enhancements include a 12V power port, dedicated storage areas and mountable utility rack options, making the Gator XUV 845 and XUV 875 versatile, tech-ready tools for today’s farm, landscape or construction operations. For more info, visit deere.com.

Western’s Pile Driver XL Hydraulic-Wing Pusher Plow Is an Awesomely Versatile Snow Attachment

Equip Exposition 2024 Western Pile Drive XL Hydraulic-Wing Pusher Plow

Western sat down with us at Equip Expo to talk next generation snow attachments. The company noted its Pile Driver XL Pusher Plow with Trace Edge Technology is a game-changer when it comes to moving large amounts of snow in a wide range of properties and conditions. Available in 8- to 16-ft widths, it features hydraulic, independent 3-ft wings that provide 180-degree infinitely variable wing placement. From scooping and stacking to plowing along curbs and wide-open spaces, the Pile Driver XL pusher plow clears big lots efficiently. It also offers a clean scrape with its terrain-response advanced cutting edge (TRACE). Made up of independent 2-ft sections, the cutting edge raises, oscillates and trips to accommodate contours and obstacles in the plowable surface, removing more snow along the way. For more info, visit westernplows.com.

Engaging Education and Certifications

Equip Exposition isn’t just about equipment — it’s about education. The West Wing’s new Classroom and Certification Center offered courses on business scaling, leadership and technical skills like pesticide application. These sessions helped attendees expand their services and skills.

Find out more about some of the largest skid steers on the market.

Unique Experiences and Industry Networking

From the Equip Golf Experience to Mutt Madness, attendees could relax, network and build connections in an informal setting. Equip Expo’s community focus also showed through local initiatives, with support for programs like Blessings in a Backpack.

Preview of What’s to Come in 2025

Plans are already underway for 2025. Attendees can look forward to another Churchill Downs reception, an expanded UTV track and even a specially produced Equip Exposition bourbon. Oh boy. With even more exhibits, 2025 promises to outdo every year before it. Learn more at the Equip Expo website.