"It's our weapon of choice where 60in outfront rotaries are concerned," says Angus Lindsay, The Landscape Group's head of assets and fleet. "The preference is the result of a long-term review of the front mowers we use, in which the John Deere models consistently came out as the best and most reliable machines.

"They were also the most favoured by our drivers, which is crucial - if an operator feels at home on a machine there is a definite increase in productivity, which we monitor daily on all our equipment."

The 1570s were bought outright using John Deere finance. "John Deere Financial's rates are extremely favourable and the process is very quick - what with one manufacturer suppling both the machine and the finance," says Angus Lindsay.

"BS Mowers was chosen as the provider for a specific reason - where possible, with all our machinery manufacturers, we use the local dealer so our managers have support close by. John Deere is not the lowest cost make, but buying on price is not the driver. The dealer and manufacturer back-up is key, and BS Mowers and John Deere are very proactive.