Reimagining of the Workman light duty range, coming this summer!
Have you ever wondered why an old favourite sometimes disappears and another product appears in its wake? Or perhaps you’re intrigued to know what the product manager was most excited about when they launched the product?
At BTME we had the pleasure of meeting Marissa Garin, Product Marketing Manager at The Toro Company. She was at the exhibition launching the latest addition to the Toro Workman range and gave us the insider take on the new light-duty Workman LTX series, which replaces the Workman GTX series.
The LTX is the next generation in the Workman series
The Workman GTX is coming up on ten years in the market. During that time, you learn what works great, what could be improved, what customers absolutely need and what they can live without. Like a series of automobiles, televisions, appliances, and the like, you seek to make the product better, embrace new technologies and incorporate feedback from customers.
Each decision made with purpose
The LTX provides customers what they want – not too much, not too little, exactly what they need in a light duty vehicle. It has the ideal capacity and hauling capabilities of a light duty vehicle, enough conveniences, but most importantly the reliability needed when you switch the key on to begin the workday.
Solving real-time customer issues
We knew a new utility vehicle needed to respond to the continued customer demand for multiple power source options and we satisfied that brief by including both a lithium model and a EFI petrol model in the range with more configuration options.
All lithium models utilise Toro HyperCell batteries. HyperCell batteries give customers the option for expanded runtime, quiet operation, zero engine emissions, and reduced maintenance. There are two batteries as standard, with the option to add another for extended runtime if customers need it. We listened to feedback and more and more customers want to add maintenance tasks to the early morning routine, when quiet is key.
Historically, it’s cutting teams who would be out first, at dawn break, on their rounds which is why electric mowers have made such a difference to productivity, but increasingly clubs want to get ahead with morning maintenance rounds too. We expect electric utility vehicles to contribute to club efficiencies in a similar fashion.
All LTX EFI models have a new petrol engine in the Briggs & Stratton Vanguard 400 EFI, providing fuel efficiency, consistent power, and reduced environmental impact. This engine has specific features we knew customers would respond well to. There’s an integrated oil level sensor and automatic engine shut-off, which ensures the machine operates under optimal conditions, preventing damage from inadequate oil levels. There’s an over-temperature protection which will shut off the engine to prevent overheating and ensure proper operation too.
Customers also specified the option for a lithium battery powered crew vehicle. They want to leave the workshop in the morning with the blower, greens mower, rakes, and shovels, bringing the tools to the jobsite to complete the tasks with the team on board. So we now have the kit to extend both the lithium and EFI petrol model with an additional row of seats for up to four passengers or a larger bed. This removes the guess work when it comes to logistics, timing and trips needed and ensuring maximum efficiency to get the morning jobs done.
Delivering what was asked for
In addition, customers told us they wanted:
- More configurations so added options to lift, extend or keep at standard height. There are kits that include larger wheels and higher suspension for more ground clearance and a longer 1.8m flat bed
- Updated, intuitive, automotive style dash layout with LCD display to receive important vehicle information such as battery level, speed, engine speed and fault codes to diagnose any issues that may arise
- Electric parking brake on all lithium models. This is a convenience operators really appreciate. They get off the vehicles and the parking brake engages, the accelerator is pressed and it disengages
- The seat has been redesigned to marry the best of a bench seat and a bucket seat, which were two separate options on a GTX. The touch of the embossed bullhorns adds to the seats’ premium, modern feel.
Designed to be as simple or complex as the customer needs
After selecting the desired powered source and a steel or plastic bed, the vehicle is pretty much ready to operate as intended. But the real beauty of the LTX is that there are dozens of configurations to make it your own, from more rows of seats, higher volume beds, rollbar, higher ground clearance, canopies, cab, range cage, and more.
Personal influences in the product design process
I’m often asked if personal influences affect my role in the product design process and the answer is yes. My background is not the typical path into this type of role – many are former superintendents and studied agronomy at school/university. My experience and appreciation for turf and outdoor maintenance stems from growing up playing sports competitively and being exposed to a chapter of my dad’s work – he owned a landscaping company and early on I realised how the beauty of turf influences so much around you, whether that be a golf course, your backyard, or a sports field..
It’s the dash for the win
It’s always tricky picking a favourite feature because we work so long and hard on all aspects, but in this case I really like how the dashboard turned out. There is so much storage despite being a compact vehicle. I appreciate the large cup holders, the layout of where the switches are located, the LCD display and also the now essential USB A/C port. The dashboard is deliberately and simply functional, adding further ease to using the Workman – no searching, nothing ambiguous, no distractions, just helping you on your way.
It takes a village
Over two dozen individuals came together and worked directly in the redesign, whether that be engineers, test department, industrial design, sales, manufacturing and marketing.
First impressions count
We launched the product at BTME and it was so exciting walking up the stairs to the Reesink booth and seeing the Workman LTX front and centre and hearing feedback from UK customers. Customers were drawn to the design and new look and asked further questions about more “under the hood updates”. It’s always a great sign when their last question is: “when can I get one?”
Opinions for all budgets
We always make sure there are varying levels of price points. The standard height EFI model is the entry level, most price friendly model and from there it depends on the spec – add the lift spec and that comes in at a slightly higher price point. There are options for all budgets, but all have the same new modern, sleek and updated design.
Complementing other utility vehicles in the range/customers’ sheds
Toro is able to offer the widest range of vehicles to complete every job on the golf course. Whether it’s a light duty vehicle, 4×4 utility vehicle, heavy duty cargo hauler, high ground clearance terrain climber, or comfy people movers for the clubhouse. But let’s concentrate on the role of a light duty UTV and why it was so important to get the spec, design and build right. This LTX is highly manoeuvrable, ideal for navigating narrow trails and pathways, move easily between buildings or trees and access areas too tight for larger vehicles. It is cost effective to own and operate and yet efficient for hauling, towing and transporting. It really fills that critical gap perfectly.
Always looking for ways to be the best vehicles supplier to all our customers
We are always listening and learning what will make our customers jobs more efficient and what their needs are. Whether that be new technology, product evolutions or as simple as a new accessory for one of our current vehicles.
It’s on its way!
The LTX will be available to order in the UK this summer 2026. Speak to your Reesink rep or local Toro dealer now about pre-ordering or arranging a demonstration.