Although the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) estimates that just over 291,000 commercial turf outdoor power equipment units were shipped for the 2005 model year (September 2004 through August 2005), a contraction of 1.9 percent from last year, front-mounted riding units have experienced double-digit growth. The shipments of total riding units have increased slightly from last year because of the growth of the front-mounts. According to OPEI, this is significant because of the fact that this is the first year mid-mounts have decreased in many years. This decrease in commercial mid-mounts may be attributed to the growth trend in consumer mid-mounts.

OPEI conducts a monthly shipments research program that represents between 75 and 100 percent of all commercial turf care shipments based on the categories shown in the table below. The OPEI Marketing Services Committee provides consensus estimates for all original equipment manufacturers that do not participate in the shipments program based on member shipment report data and their knowledge of the industry.

Source: The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI)