Whether we’re talking to customers on the phone, at a tradeshow, on social media, or at one of our independent sales/service dealerships around the country, there are a handful of questions we’re asked over and over again. Here’s a look at the top five, complete with our candid responses.
1. Where are Grasshopper mowers built?
Every Grasshopper mower is built at our factory in Moundridge, Kansas. It’s not just an assembly operation, either. The factory makes every mower from domestically sourced raw steel to a finished product. We are proud to say our mowers are Made in America, and were even included in the Made in America Product Showcase at the White House in 2017.
We’ve also worked hard to build long-standing relationships with leading suppliers of engines, transmissions and other components that help bring each Grasshopper mower to life. Those close relationships have resulted in tighter collaboration, which has led to innovative solutions like our exclusive T-Drive™ Hydrostatic Transmission.
2. Why are you called Grasshopper?
The name precedes the time when our manufacturing company, Moridge Manufacturing Inc., began manufacturing the mowers. Leroy Stucky, a gentleman in the Moundridge area, created the first mower for personal use back in the mid-1960s. Once people saw it and recognized how unique it was, Leroy started getting phone calls from folks wanting one of their own. He figured he better give it a name. “Grasshopper” was the first thing that came to mind, so that’s what he decided to call it.
Moridge Manufacturing was designing and manufacturing grain dryers at the time. As Leroy’s Grasshopper business grew, he leaned on Moridge for manufacturing support. A few years later, in 1969, Moridge took over all facets of the Grasshopper designing and manufacturing business. While the mowers themselves have evolved tremendously over the years, there has been no reason to change the name.
3. Why would I purchase Grasshopper over a competitor?
We were the first company to commercially manufacture a zero-turn radius mower in 1969, and later in 1973 introduced the first zero-turn with dual swing-out levers. So we’ve had more grass time than anybody. Our engineering team spends countless hours perfecting our designs to ensure that engines and transmissions are precisely integrated, belt tension is optimized to ensure superior cutting capability, and that the overall mower is durable and smooth to operate.
Grasshopper also offers a range of mower styles including MidMount™, FrontMount™ and Stand-On mowers. Whether you’re a homeowner, farmer, landscape contractor or municipal groundskeeper, Grasshopper has a mower that will fit your specific application. We also offer a range of implements that allow users to do a lot more than just mow grass.
It’s also important to recognize that a Grasshopper isn’t just any lawnmower. We build a high-quality machine that’s engineered for commercial use. Even our “entry-level” models for residential users are backed by commercial warranties. To put it simply, every Grasshopper is built to last and outlast any competitor.
4. Why don’t I see Grasshopper as often as other mowers in my area?
The majority of our customers have at least an acre or two to mow, so the majority of our dealers are situated in more rural and suburban areas. When you get into those types of areas, there’s a much better chance of seeing the operator in the seat of a Grasshopper–whether it’s a farmer, rural homeowner, landscape contractor or municipal groundskeeping crew.
Additionally, and perhaps more importantly, Grasshopper is very particular about how it delivers its equipment to market. Because we want to provide the best mower possible, backed by the best service and support possible, we only sell our products through independent sales/service dealers.
Furthermore, we don’t recklessly establish new dealers just for the sake of trying to sell more products. We build relationships with our dealers and want to set them up for success. When someone asks about becoming a Grasshopper dealer, a thorough evaluation process takes place. We want to make sure the area represents a good market for the types of mowers we specialize in. We also want to make sure the potential new dealer has what it takes to properly sell and support our product. To us, quality is far more important than quantity.
This discussion leads into the fifth most common question we are asked.
5. Why can’t I buy Grasshopper at a box store?
We’re a family-oriented Midwestern manufacturer, and we like it that way. When a customer calls our factory, there’s a good chance they’ll talk to the same person they talked to five years earlier. We like to keep things personable, and we like to build our business on relationships.
Selling exclusively through a trusted network of independent sales/service dealers is the best way to be personable and build lasting relationships. Our dealers operate their businesses on the same principles that guide our company. They are oftentimes family-oriented businesses, too, with employees who’ve been working there for years, even decades.
Grasshopper dealers are also dedicated to the equipment they sell. They have the focus, expertise and resources to help customers make the right lawn mower buying decisions, and then support those purchases with the service and parts necessary to ensure a long, satisfying experience with a Grasshopper mower.
Keep an eye out for Part 2 of this article in coming weeks where we’ll discuss five more common questions people ask about Grasshopper.