Leeds City Council manages the city’s parks, green spaces, roundabouts and roadside verges, as well as some school sports contracts, all within the city boundary.
Covering over 43 square miles, Leeds is the third largest city in England. Recently, the council replaced its ageing gang and rotary mowers with fifteen new Major MJ71-400 3PL Roller Mowers, supplied through GGM of Colne, Lancashire.
Visit the Major stand (F090) at SALTEX to see the MJ71-400 and other models from its professional grounds maintenance range.
The Leeds upgrade was driven by the need for more efficient, reliable equipment. According to Workshop Engineering Manager Stephen Whiteside, machines are typically replaced every five years to minimise maintenance costs and downtime. When reviewing tenders, the council considers warranty, delivery, after-sales service, lifetime expectancy and cost - with cost being the main factor.
The MJ71-400 offers a three-year warranty, competitive pricing and proven durability from previous Major models used by the council. Importantly, the new mowers improve performance: unlike gang mowers that often left grass clippings behind, the MJ71-400 pulverises and returns them to the turf, leaving a cleaner finish.
With a 4.0m working width, folding wings for easy transport and a capacity of up to 11.4 acres per hour, the mower is highly efficient. Its six rotors and twelve blades operate at 75 metres per second, ensuring clippings are finely chopped. Built from Strenx 700 MC steel and hot-dip galvanised, the machines are both lightweight and exceptionally strong, offering long-term resistance to wear and corrosion.
By investing in the Major MJ71-400 fleet, Leeds City Council has modernised its mowing operations, ensuring greater efficiency, durability and cost savings. The new machines will support high-quality green space management across the city, delivering better results for residents while maximising value.
