At the centre of Mike Day’s flourishing busines are two Kress Commercial pedestrian mowers – the KC720 with a 47cm cutting deck and the KC711 with a wider 51cm deck.
Both machines share the same commercial-grade platform, delivering up to 3kW of power and high torque from zero rpm, which Mike says is immediately noticeable in day-to-day use.
“We push them to the absolute limits,” he says. “If we’ve got lawn renovations and the grass is knee-high, we just put the side discharge chute on and away we go. The mower just cuts through everything. There’s nothing we’ve put them on that’s made them struggle.”
That power is backed up by a robust build, including a reinforced steel deck and a self-propelled rear-wheel drive system with adjustable speeds up to 6.4 km/h, allowing the team to maintain a steady pace across different sites.
“They’ve never cut out, not once,” Mike adds. “There’s no drop in performance or sign of it bogging down, they just keep going – even in wetter conditions.”
For Mike, though, performance means little without a quality finish. Both mowers feature a precision cutting system with a 20 - 80mm height range and a two-point adjustment, allowing the team to adapt quickly to different conditions.
“The quality of cut is brilliant,” he says. “We use the high-lift blades, and they’re built properly – meaning we have confidence that they will last. You can really feel the difference compared to other brands the very first moment you get behind them.”
Combined with Kress’ LiftStream deck design, which improves airflow and maximises collection, the mowers also help streamline routine tasks.
“We can blow everything out of the beds and borders straight onto the lawn and just mow it all up in one go,” he explains. “Before, that would be clearing, raking, then mowing. Now it’s all done in a single pass, which saves a huge amount of time.”
Versatility is another key benefit. Both models offer 3-in-1 functionality: mulching, bagging and discharge, along with a range of blade options, allowing Mike and his team to tailor their approach.
“If we’re overseeding, we’ll switch blades so we’re not disturbing the surface. The mulching option is great as well because it reduces waste. It just gives us more flexibility.”
Noise reduction has also made a noticeable difference to day-to-day working.
“They’re incredibly quiet,” says Mike. “Even on full power, it’s a smooth, low sound. Some battery machines have a high-pitched whine, but these don’t.”
That quieter operation benefits both the team and their clients.
“I can have my headphones in, listen to podcasts, and even take calls while I’m mowing. It just makes the day more comfortable, and it’s less intrusive for customers as well.”
Having tested multiple battery platforms over the years, Mike is clear about where his future lies.
“We’ve tried a lot of different brands, but we’ll be staying with Kress,” he says. “It just works. Without it, we’d still be using petrol. It’s as simple as that.”
