#584- Does mower engine type really matter?

Summary

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LCR Media Podcast #584 – Does mower engine type really matter?

Host: Naylor Taliaferro
Guest: Nino (Relco)
Date: August 6, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode, recorded live at the Lawn and Landscape Technology Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, features a conversation between host Naylor Taliaferro and Nino from Relco. The primary focus is on the importance of mower engine types in the lawn and landscaping industry, the recent Guinness World Record event powered by the new Command Pro 999 mower engine, and upcoming innovations and opportunities to demo Relco’s lineup at the Equip Expo in Louisville. The discussion also touches on industry trends, the logistics of major trade shows, and the growth of networking in the lawn care community.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Industry Networking & Conference Atmosphere

• Location Matters: Both Naylor and Nino share their excitement about exploring new places due to conferences. (00:41–01:25)
  • “I get to explore new areas... never been to Arizona until this year.” – B (Naylor), 00:41
• Value of Networking: These gatherings offer valuable opportunities for connecting and building community. (2:05)
  • “Engage the landscape community,” notes Nino, emphasizing networking’s role in business growth.

2. Relco’s Transition and the Power of Community

• Nino discusses Relco’s ongoing transition from their previous brand and their focus on engaging landscapers through events and innovation. (02:05–02:36)
  • “Every kind of initiative can bring value... and this is one of the biggest value[s] to involve and engage the landscape community.” – C (Nino), 02:05

3. Demo Day Experiences & World Record Event

• Demo Recap: Naylor recounts demoing both Skagg’s 888 engine and Relco’s 999 engine at a Richmond event. (03:12–03:24)
• The Guinness World Record Narrative:
  • Event took place at Louisville’s Waterfront Park, using the Command Pro 999 engine.
  • Guinness adjudicator present; Hayley Riemann (“The Lawn Queen”) drove, mowing a football field in 14:51—well below the one-hour requirement. (03:24–04:29)
    • “The record should have been below one hour. She did it in 14 minutes and 51 seconds.” – C (Nino), 04:26
  • Emphasis was not just on the feat but the engineering and quality processes behind the engine.
    • “The engine allowed the machine and the driver to make the record.” – C, 04:29

4. Engine Lineup at Equip Expo – Innovation and Opportunities

• Command Pro Family: Three new engines to showcase:
  • 999 (41hp, “world record” engine, new flagship)
  • 888 (recently introduced, available commercially)
  • 747 (update of a legacy 700cc engine)
• All three engines show improved torque, fuel efficiency, and low noise. (06:42–07:27)
  • “The common value proposition...performance connected with great strong torque density and power density, low fuel consumption, low noise...” – C, 06:42
• Brand-First Demo Experience: For the first time, Relco will let showgoers test engines outdoors at Equip Expo (October 2026).
  • “We are keeping and riding the enthusiasm after the Guinness record. So we need people to really prove the engine, test the engine…” – C, 07:27
  • Hayley Riemann (“Lawn Queen”) and the actual record-setting mower will be on site.

5. Technical Deep Dive: Why Engine Type Matters

• Standout Power: The 999 engine offers 41 horsepower; currently, it’s the highest in the industry.
  • “You guys are the first ones with the 41 horsepower engine. Like, talk about a big block.” – B, 11:23
• Hands-On Feedback: Naylor shares his impressions:
  • “Of course there’s nothing like my favorite thing is starting up the, the 999... sounds like quite the powerful engine... it’s like you have a truck.” – B, 10:52
  • Nino adds, “The 41 horsepower is something that can really make the difference.” – C, 11:00
• Industry Innovation: 999 is EFI, available from this year, and prepped for rollout across OEMs.
  • “I hope with the model year 2027 to see this engine on different machines.” – C, 11:30

6. Equip Expo & Industry Show News

• New Format: Equip is alternating venues between Louisville and Orlando due to industry growth and facility renovations. (14:00–16:56)
• International Access: Nino discusses travel ease and why logistical changes will benefit global attendees.
  • “Probably the hospitality of the city will be completely different. And maybe I believe that a keep expo is growing.” – C, 15:21
• Expansion Plans: Kentucky Expo Center’s upgrades reflect a growing industry and demand for innovation platforms.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The record should have been below one hour. She did it in 14 minutes and 51 seconds.”
  — Nino (C), 04:26

• “You guys are the first ones with the 41 horsepower engine... talk about a big block.”
  — Naylor (B), 11:23

• “The engine allowed the machine and the driver to make the record.”
  — Nino (C), 04:29

• “When you have in mind ideas, it’s really, it’s a pleasure to see when idea comes and becomes true.”
  — Nino (C), 12:23

• “I felt like, man, I wish I was there. But I wanted to be there for my son. But I was very grateful that I was able to have kind of a unique experience to demo it in my hometown.”
  — Naylor (B), 09:52

• “For these three products, there is like the common value proposition...provide performance connected with great strong torque density and power density, low fuel consumption, low noise...”
  — Nino (C), 06:42

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Important Segments & Timestamps

• 00:21 – Show introduction & conference setting
• 02:05 – The value of in-person industry networking
• 03:12 – Demo day recap, mower testing
• 03:24–04:29 – World record event: setup, execution, meaning
• 06:35–07:34 – Details on the new 747, 888 & 999 engine line, Equip Expo plans
• 10:52–11:30 – First in industry with 41-hp engine; hands-on demo impressions
• 14:00–16:56 – Trade show expansion, international growth, logistics
• 17:15–17:28 – Closing remarks, what to expect in October at Equip

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Takeaways for Listeners

• Engine Choice Does Matter: New technologies, notably the 41-hp Command Pro 999, are reshaping productivity and performance expectations.
• Try the Tech Yourself: Equip Expo 2026 will be a rare opportunity to demo and compare advanced engines side-by-side.
• Industry is Growing Fast: Expect further global expansion, bigger networking opportunities, and more innovative product rollouts.

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Summary in Original Tone

The conversation was friendly, informative, and full of good-natured humor. Both Naylor and Nino are clearly passionate about pushing boundaries in the turf care industry, with a focus on real-world results—whether through breaking power equipment records or building community at leading lawn care events.

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For more info on upcoming demos and the Equip Expo, start planning early and stay tuned to LCR Media!

Transcript

[A]

Here we go.

[B]

So back here at the Lawn and Landscape Technology Conference at Pod Row, and I found a good friend of the show, Nino, with Relco. I've been Ryan. That's a whole lot of rhymes there. I didn't intend all that. I'm a poet and I know it, but I didn't intend it. So welcome back to the show, Nino.

[C]

Thank you. And it's always a pleasure meeting you and your team here.

[B]

Yes. Yeah. So last year we were in Vegas at Pot Row and Long Landscape. And this year we're in Scottsdale, Arizona. So I'm exploring. Part of the things I like doing this is I get to explore new areas. Like, I had never been to Vegas until last year, and I never have never been to Arizona until this year.

[C]

Also, for me, this is the first time in Arizona.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. Or you've been in Arizona.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Gotcha.

[C]

But first time in Scottsdale, actually, you know, I'm Italian. I need to go to the. I need to Google Scottsdale because I didn't know where it was, where it was now. Yeah, it's a great. It's a great, nice location. And of course it's too hot, but it's the end of July, so it cannot be different.

[B]

Yeah, it's pretty high. It's kind of hot everywhere. But Arizona is a different type of hot. I've been telling some of the people here that I like this heat better than Virginia. Francesca will tell you it was humid. Virginia heat is very humid. So we were just like, just doing nothing and just sweating buckets. You know, she had to change into shorts. Like, I need to go change. So, yeah, it's. It's a whole. Another whole another level of. Of heat. Like here, it's like a dry heat. So it's a different. It's a different feeling. It's still hot, get me wrong, but it's different. But I'm enjoying being out here and always being able to network and make new connections and old connections. Right. And reconnect. I guess I should say.

[C]

Yes. This is also our goal. We are still in the phase of transitioning from color to Railco. And every kind of initiative can bring value. And of course, this is one of the biggest value to involve and engage the landscape community. And this is a great appointment. Absolutely. So the Tech Days together with the summit yesterday and the ceremony award was a great occasion for networking. And so we are very pleased about what we have done in these days.

[B]

Yes, for sure. And so I wanted to talk about what we can expect in October at Louisville, Kentucky at Equip. And but before that like I actually got to personally demo the world record because at my event in Richmond we you guys were kind enough to ship the the mower to. To us. And we were able to get local folks and people that were attending my event to demo. Yeah, I did. I tested it and my dealer brought the. The new skag with the 888 engine on it.

[C]

Oh great.

[B]

So I got to test the 888 and I got to test the. The 999. Yeah, so it was fun. We did races. I don't know if you.

[C]

I saw some video Francesca showed me. Yes, absolutely.

[B]

Yeah, we had a fun time.

[C]

Yeah, that was the also one of the SC initiative. So last year in Vegas we just introduced the concept talking together with you. And at the Keep Expo we presented the project. But now we can say that we hold a record because we were able to find the driver. And the driver was Elie Riemann that is known on social media as the Lone Queen. She won a contest on social media. We find the location. The location was an amazing location. We were able to win work with the waterfront park in Louisville. That is exactly the city of the Keep Expo. So every connection was already in line. Yes, I heard we designed on the park the American football field. So the dimension was really certified. And the adjudicator from Guinness World Record was there and we got it. So Eddie did the record that. I mean the record should have been below one hour. She did it in 14 minutes and 51 seconds.

[B]

14 minutes 14.

[C]

Yes, 1 4. And it was really amazing. Not because, you know, I'm the one that invented the initiative. So I'm pride. It's one of my pride is like my son, right. But it was an amazing event. But for all the things that brings. Because it was not just the event itself. We when we were there and it was maybe we arrived with a set of contents that we developed from January to May. And the contents were not connected with the event. The content was connected with the engine. Because the engine make the history. The engine allowed the machine and the driver to make the record. And the content that we developed were connected with the technical design, with the quality process, with the assembly line process. So we tried to give a lot of messages around how we build engine and how important the quality of the processes are for us in order to provide a quality product to the customer. And all of this at the end was celebrated with the award given by the Guinness World Record. So it was the completion of a presentation and the engine that was the common Pro999 will be again one of the main actors on the stage of a Keep Expo. So we are bringing there the Common Pro family this year. We have the ambition to say that the command promotion set the new standard for the turf industry. There will be three different engine models presented. The 999, the engine of the Guinness World Record, the 808 that we already introduced two years ago and is already available in the market. And Skagg, for example, is one of the customers that already keep their machine, the Tiger Cat 2 with the 808. But we are also going to present the 747. So we are going to have three different engine, three different displacements. So 700, 800 and 900.

[B]

And the 747 is kind of like a new updated version of the Legacy.

[C]

Yes, absolutely. And for these three products, there is like the common value proposition. So provide performance connected with great strong torque density and power density, low fuel consumption, low noise, so providing value like more productivity or great responsiveness for the end user. And the big news of Keep Expo 2026 for Reiko is that these engines will be available on the booth, but you can inside the venue. But in the outdoor space, there will be another booth where people can can drive and test the machine power with that engine, which.

[B]

That's new for you all.

[C]

Absolutely.

[B]

I don't think I've ever seen an annual engine manufacturer have a demo area.

[C]

Yes, it's the first time, so is. So we are keeping and riding the enthusiasm after the, after the Guinness record. So we need people to really prove the engine, test the engine to better understand the performance. So we are going to have this opportunity. Hayley Riemann will be there as well. So we will have the machine of record together with other two machines, one with the 747 and one with the 888. And people can have fun, test it, and of course understand by hand the value of the products.

[B]

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[A]

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[B]

Yeah, the 888. So when I tested both, unfortunately I wasn't able to attend the world record, the Guinness World Record, because it was my son's 21st. I remember it was like once a year, I mean, once in a lifetime. I can't miss that. So it was unfortunate timing, but I was living vicariously through like Paul Jamison podcast is live and everybody. But you know, I was like, so I was like getting fomo, you know, missing out on it, but a fear of missing out. I felt like, man, I wish I was there. But I, I, I wanted to be there for my son. But I was very grateful that I was able to have kind of a unique experience to demo it in my hometown in Richmond, Virginia. And then like I said, my dealer brought the 888, so I was able to try that as well. And that's a very powerful engine. You know, like they were both very fast and very powerful. But of course there's nothing like my favorite thing is starting up the, the 999. That, that, that world record engine is, is something, it sounds like a, like a quite the powerful engine. It's like, it's like you have a

[C]

truck, it's 41 horsepower, so you can feel it.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

All of them driving.

[B]

Yeah, of course it's powerful.

[C]

It's, you can see really the difference. Not mentioning any other competitors, but of course there are. The 41 horsepower is something that can really make the difference.

[B]

Yeah. And, and you guys have. That's the biggest engine now, right?

[C]

Oh, for us is our flagship product.

[B]

Yeah, but. But I don't think anyone has a 41 horsepower. Correct.

[C]

Not.

[B]

Not yet.

[A]

Right.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

You guys are the first ones. There you go. You should be talking about that too. The first ones with the 41 horsepower engine. Like, talk about a big block. There you go.

[C]

Absolutely. Is a 999 and it's a, an EFI engine. So it is available starting from this year and I hope with the model year 2027 to see this engine on different machines. Yeah, of course.

[B]

So everyone gets to try out, go to the demo area at Equip Expo and get. Which is, you know, October 20th. I mean that week, the week of October 20th. So Wednesday, Thursday, Friday you can go out and demo that and you get to demo the 747, which is. No, I was just a 747 which isn't a. Isn't a brand brand new engine. It's a new updated version of an engine that you already had.

[C]

Yes, the 700cc.

[B]

But the 888 is a brand new engine that's been out for a little while and then the 999 is a brand brand new engine.

[C]

Yes, of course.

[B]

So everyone gets to try out all three of those. So that's exciting.

[C]

We are really, we are really happy and pleased because this is, you know, when you. So you know, I work in marketing and when you have in mind ideas, it's really, it's a pleasure to see when idea comes and becomes true.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And also the activity outdoor is something that we push a lot to have it. Not internally. I mean, because to find a space at the keep is very difficult. There's a long wish list of potential attendees or. And exhibitors and so we work very hard in order to have it and at the end we got it. And so we are really happy that this thing also. This thing has become true.

[B]

Yeah, that's exciting. I'm happy and excited for you as well. And I can't wait to see all three of them because the 747, I haven't seen that one yet. So that'll be nice.

[C]

That would be new for you.

[B]

Yeah, it'll be new for me as well, so I can experience that. And thank you for Roko always being a part of the morning show. So be looking forward to that on Thursday morning. So those of you that are listening and you're planning your trip for Equip, I know it's July, but it's right around the corner. You know, the earlier, especially with Equip, it's such a big show. The earlier you plan, the better. Get your hotel room, plan your transportation, start saving up now. Right. You don't have to pay for all of it yet, so just. But you have to get these dates in line and start planning your week, you know.

[C]

Oh, yeah, exactly. So, you know, coming from Italy is more difficult as well because you have.

[B]

Right.

[C]

And you know, when you do it for a company also, the block of room is something challenging to find.

[B]

Yes. Yeah.

[A]

Well, what.

[B]

This is like a side topic here, but what, what do you think of the. Of Equip? Because I just had Chris Kaiser on recently and he was talking about the changes, you know, the elephant in the room of how they're going to alternate, you know, show show locations with Orlando and, and Louisville. And he was saying it's going to be a lot easier for international companies or companies coming from international. Like I wouldn't necessarily say Ro's international, but a lot of you come from international.

[C]

It'll be easier to get from Ital. Okay.

[B]

So easier to come into Orlando than Louisville. So how do you feel about that?

[C]

Well, actually for me is not a big difference.

[B]

Really.

[C]

Yeah. Okay. I can, I should have to remind myself if there's a direct flight from Milan to Orlando, but probably Orlando's pretty, pretty, pretty direct. But I'm quite used to go through Newark. So like even to be here in Scottsdale, I flew to New York and then right to Phoenix and then I drove to Scottsdale.

[B]

Right.

[C]

But even if I go to other location, Newark is a kind of United hub and I travel United. So that is my first step into the US So probably won't change it that much. Would be different. Would be different as a location.

[B]

Probably a lot more variety of rooms and everything.

[C]

Yes, yes. So probably the hospitality of the city will be completely different. And maybe I believe that a keep expo is growing.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

So probably they will try to identify the opportunity to increase the level of exhibitor and visitors. So that could be an option.

[B]

Yeah. He said there's a lot of international vendors that are having a hard time getting to Louisville and the Kentucky Exposition center can't hold anymore. They've used every square inch of that place. And then now they're going to be going through multiple years of renovation and building, new building, a new building and rebuilding. And so there's going to be a lot of phases of expansion at the Kentucky Exposition Center. So in, in between all that, they're trying to like, you know, shift to go to Orlando, which will hopefully get more people to come from international as well. And it's a growing show. It's growing fans, you know, for.

[C]

If I think about the keep, I think about Louisville. So we are. So is the tradition. So probably they want to test and see how it goes. Going to another.

[B]

Right. But they're going to come back, they're going to alternate.

[C]

They're going to go back, they can alternate. But. Yeah, yeah. Well, there will be a strategy.

[B]

Yes. Yeah, we'll see. We'll see. Enough said. Yeah. So it's part of the challenges of having a growing show, right? It is.

[C]

Yes. Please. I'm. I believe that Chris knows the right strategy.

[B]

Chris, Pretty sharp.

[C]

Yeah, absolutely. And I will take the occasion to say very. A big thank you to Chris because he really strongly support the initiative of the Guinness World Record Store in the waterfront park in Louisville. So, yeah, it's.

[B]

Well, he's a Louis Louisville native, so he's really.

[C]

We are in good hands working with Chris.

[B]

Yes, for sure. For sure. Well, is there anything else that we're leaving out to update our listeners to get excited for October, or do you think we hit everything we have?

[C]

Everything. Yeah. Awesome.

[B]

Well, thank you, Nino, for being on the show and it was good seeing you again.

[C]

Thank you.

[B]

And I look forward to seeing you in October and, you know, who knows when we might touch base again in between then? But at the very least, we'll see you back in October. See you on Wednesday out in the demo area and Thursday morning at the morning show.

[C]

Absolutely.

[B]

Having a good time. So thank you guys for listening. Thank you to Toro Company for sponsoring the LCR Media podcast. And once again, thank you to the Lawn and Landscape Landscape Technology Conference for giving us this space for second year in a row. So we can't thank you enough. And you heard it here first. They're inviting us back next year and it's going to be back in Vegas. So that's going to be exciting to go back there and get some more great content and more networking connections. So thank you all for listening. And until next episode, this is Nino and Naylor signing off.

[A]

This has been an lcr media and Mr. Producer production.