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Sunderland Council Value John Deere - Greenaly Support

Date: 12/07/2006

(Photos show Len Harfield of Sunderland Council, plus Richard Charleton of John Deere Ltd & Jim Blakey of Greenlay.)

Sunderland City Council has bought 12 R43VO rear collect walk-behind mowers and 12 C52VK commercial rear discharge walk-behind mowers, following 10 of each bought in 2005. The council has also acquired three new X748 24hp 4WD diesel lawn tractors and a John Deere 900 27hp ride-on triple cylinder mower, with additional compact tractor models to come.

The variable speed R43VO mower features a 5.5hp engine and a 43cm (17in) aluminium cutting deck, while the new C52VK commercial walk-behind has been upgraded to meet all 2006 noise and vibration regulations.

This 52cm (21in) mower boasts a new 6.5hp OHV engine, in addition to John Deere’s variable speed transmission and TurboStar collection system. All-round durability for commercial applications is enhanced by the steel-reinforced aluminium deck, steel wheels, hardened TurboJet blade and reinforced 75 litre grass bag.

“We are gradually replacing our older generation walk-behinds to meet the latest vibration regulations, as some of the previous makes could only be used for about three hours a day,” says transport manager Len Harfield.

“John Deere’s models came out best on trial, and meet our everyday requirements for use across the city. We now have around 70 rotary walk-behinds in the fleet, which we use in cemeteries and other small areas where the bigger mowers just can’t go, especially round trees and shrubs.

“The main thing I like about John Deere machines is that they’re reliable – apart from the odd blade and cable you hardly ever see them in the workshop. The dealer service is reliable too, and Greenlay also provides full training for our operators and workshop staff on all new machines on delivery, to ensure we get the best from the equipment.”

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