Gang mowers

Lloyds Leda Gang mower

Ganging up on grass

Some simple truths about gang mowers are marking them out for a resurgence in popularity, GREG RHODES reports

Traditional gang mowers may not be the sexiest machines ever to cut grass but they have the drop on today’s high-tech kit in some key aspects, suppliers maintain.

Delivering a simple, effective mowing method for large areas and when budgets are tight, gangs can be overlooked in the rush for today’s highly specified, computer controlled machinery, they contend. But their functional simplicity is giving public and private sector buyers alike pause for thought, especially when maintenance costs of high capital value kit can really take a bite out of budgets.

“Cylinder mowing with simple land wheel-driven gang mowers has proved a preferred option for grounds professionals since the early 1900s,” says Richard Taylor, Managing Director of turf machinery specialist RT Machinery, which supplies own-brand trailed ground driven units (Tow N Mow Sportster and Junior gang mowers) as well as leading lines from Ransomes (TG4650, 3400 and TR320 triple gang mower) and Lloyds & Co of Letchworth (Leda).

Low power requirement, simple configuration and easy adjustment and maintenance equates to an effective method of cutting and recycling grass, he adds.

Today’s professional models deliver two basic cutting widths. An 8 inch cylinder meets sports, fine lawn and parkland duties, while a 10 inch diameter treats more lush growth such as golf course semirough and country parks.

Gang mowers are geared to work on good level ground and even rolling surfaces, Richard continues. “Overall unit weight is important, with frames stout enough to hold cylinders tight to the surface to maintain traction and drive cutting units, even at maximum rotation.”

Maintenance is critical if operators are to enjoy optimum efficiency from gang mowers. “A clean machine is an easy one to work on, encouraging regular greasing, lubrication checks and adjustments,” says Richard.

Replacement components and spare parts are readily available for well-known brands, he adds.

RTM Sportster gang mower set of three trailed gangs

“They are relatively straightforward to work on too. Only cylinder grinding falls outside the basic engineer or mechanical capability.

“If units are adjusted and set correctly, that’s required only every three to five years, depending on workload and regular greasing.”

So his message is: if owners and operators ignore the basic, regular checks, gangs “will cost you no different to any machine or vehicle”.

Keep gangs clean and store away dry on a hard, level surface, Richard advises. Brush or blow off each mower and frames to remove clippings and FEATURE

any moisture, clean out behind scrapers and ensure nothing is wrapped around cylinder spindles, then spray or brush over with a lubricant or oil-based fluid. Check each mower is disengaged to allow uncoupling and storage.

Gang mowers can be 100% recyclable. “Buyers should consider the whole lifecycle, to recreate traditional technology with a modern spin,” says Richard. In the right conditions, he continues, gangs’ fineness of clip (reducing need for scarifying and discouraging thatch build-up) broad distribution and recycling potential makes them serious contenders in today’s tech environment.

Gaining ground Gang mowers are gaining favour as their innate qualities impress buyers as budgets tighten. “Local authorities have been looking at costs and reducing cutting frequency and they are attracted to gangs’ lower running costs,” notes Mark Harrison, Director of specialist turf machinery supplier Ryetec.

“Also, other types of machine can present challenges,” Mark adds. “Rotaries for example can leave large clumps of grass lying on the surface when grass is cut long or when wet, and that can lead to big yellow patches underneath.”

Since 1994, Ryetec have been the UK agent for machine manufacturer Peruzzo and one of their most popular brands in the UK is the Triflex gang flail mower.

A used gang mower cutting unit ready for service and the points of adjustment, setting and grease top-up shown

Designed for large area long or short grass at uniform cutting widths between 4.2m and 5m, the Triflex has a heavyweight flail that can deliver a finish in wet or dry conditions to compare with cylinders or rotaries “at minimal running costs”, Mark claims.

“Cutting height of each deck is controlled by a fullwidth rear roller and a single front castor wheel,” Mark explains. The decks can float in horizontal and vertical planes to allow “minimal risk of scalping” on undulating ground. ”The Triflex is a more forgiving tool that can handle the rough with the smooth,” he adds.

Gangs give another benefit for operators. “If a cylinder mower hits a stone, it could put the whole machine out of action, requiring a regrind by a specialist. A flail hitting an obstruction might take the edge off only that one flail, needing only a hand-held angle grinder to make good the repair. The driver could do it in five minutes. The 5m Triflex carries 72 flails so the unit is not incapacitated.”

Of course the rise in cutting capacity of gang flail mowers needs beefier pulling power, Mark stresses. “Most councils were using 60-70Hp tractors to haul earlier gangs - flail mowers like the Triflex require 80- 100Hp units.

Leda of the pack Lloyds & Co. Letchworth are dab hands with gang mowers, manufacturing and supplying Leda units over many years. “Progression is sometimes about looking back to look forward,” says Managing Director Clive Nottingham.

When it’s on trend to have the latest tech, we may forget that time-honoured maxim that “the best solutions to common problems are the most simple”, he adds.

Gang mowers are a case in point, he believes.

Triflex mower - designed to maintain large areas of long or short grass

“It’s about the advancement of existing products and methods with sound rationale that have withstood the test of time.”

The benefits of gangs merit a long look, Clive argues. “Affordability and lifetime cost. They have a lower purchase price and overall running cost than other grass cutting machinery and can last far longer because of their simplicity and robust build quality.”If properly maintained, gang mowers deliver a fine finish and can last 15-20 years and longer, he adds.

“Even after that time, they can be reconditioned and remanufactured to bring them back into good order.” The triple gangs Lloyds supplied to Durham University many years ago are still mowing the Maiden Castle and racecourse grounds, Clive notes.

“Gang mowing offers up to 60% savings in fuel costs over ride-on, hydraulic and PTO-powered equipment,” he adds.

Gang mowers’ reliability and resilience also give them the edge, he argues.

“Accidental damage to a cutting unit may take it out of service but work can still continue with the remaining units.

And, as many operators already own or run tractors, it makes financial sense for them to haul gangs to optimise efficiency.

When budgets are tight, machine servicing costs – typically 5-10% - come under closer scrutiny, says Clive. “With good basic mechanical knowledge”, customers themselves can service and maintain the Leda gang mowers Lloyds, “with no special tools or equipment.”

Given gangs’ residual value, operators can partexchange theirs for ex-demonstration and fully remanufactured units, ready for OEMs such as Lloyds to recycle them once reconditioned. The circular economy in action and particularly handy for grassroots clubs.

Gangs’ green credentials will appeal to many buyers, with no emissions, or specialist disposal of oils and hydraulic fluids to worry about. Claiming they are nothing less than “the most environmentally-friendly method of cutting larger grassed,” Clive adds that “being made almost entirely of metal, only 10-20% of a gang mower ends up as scrap.”

Clive counters the argument ‘that gang mowers don’t cut as well in the wet and can clog up’ by stressing that this only occurs if they are old and have not been adjusted or serviced.

“Sharp, well-set gang mowers will perform well in any setting,” states Clive.

Reinforcing that sentiment, Richard adds: “I would challenge anyone to prove that there is a better, more cost-effective way to clip, present and recycle grass clippings over open larger presentable areas with a good operator using a well set up and maintained gang mower on a summer’s day.

“The cut and finish in the right conditions deliver best value and finish.”

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