Behind the Scenes: An Inside Look at the Creation of the Gravely® Pro-Qxt™ Tractor
In October, Gravely® unveiled the Pro-QXT™ Tractor at the 2015 GIE+EXPO trade show in Louisville, Ky., bringing back the popular two-wheeled tractor that launched the brand 100 years ago. A legacy product for Gravely, the Pro-QXT Tractor is designed for commercial, industrial and government facilities maintenance managers whose crews manage properties in urban environments. The Pro-QXT is a compact, walk-behind tractor with multiple attachments for completing a variety of tasks with a single machine.
We talked with Ariens Company Product Marketing Manager Trae Humphreys, who was involved with the product launch from inception to launch, for an inside look at the Pro-QXT Tractor.
Describe your role at Ariens Company and what your involvement was in the development of the Pro-QXT Tractor.
I have worked for Ariens Company for 12 years in many different roles. I'm currently a product marketing manager, but my experience includes manufacturing, product support, sales and marketing. I've been involved with the Pro-QXT Tractor launch from the beginning, which was two years ago. During the project, I worked with the internal and external stakeholders who helped steer the design of the product.
Our goal with the Pro-QXT was to make a product that our consumers truly have a need for. Landscape contractors have asked for a universal, all-season commercial product. They currently purchase multiple single-use machines that only can be used for a limited amount of time each year.
The Pro-QXT Tractor was our response to that. The tractor's quick-attach system allows users to easily switch out the multi-season attachments, meaning operators can accomplish a variety of jobs with one machine.
Why is the Pro-QXT unique from the competition?
One of the unique features of the Pro-QXT Tractor is its quick-attach system. We were challenged by one of the company's regional sales managers to make the system easy to use by one person, in a dimly-lit area, wearing heavy winter gloves, after working an 18-hour shift. That's actually where the machine gets its name. The letters QXT stand for "quick-attach." Other features that make our Pro-QXT Tractor unique are its Rapid® Control System and intuitive power steering, which make operation effortless.
What audience might find this product useful?
Landscapers and snow contractors would be most interested in this machine because of the two attachments we're launching alongside the Pro-QXT Tractor. The 44-inch brush attachment and the 48-inch blade attachment can be used for snow removal, debris cleanup and dethatching. As we add more attachments, we expect the audience for this product to grow.
The Gravely Pro-QXT Tractor will launch in spring of 2016 alongside three zero-turn mowers: the ZT XL, Pro-Turn® 400 and Pro-Turn 200.
