Reel Mower Question

[Barry Natchitoches]

Concerned about the cost of gasoline, I bought a Scott's reel mower from Home Depot back last autumn.


The literature that came with it says it comes sharpened, but I can't hardly get it to cut anything, even after I roll over and over on the same small area. I mean, I rolled that thing on the same five feet by 2 feet patch of grass that was about 4 or 5 inches tall probably 10 or 20 times, and most of it was still not cut when I quit.


Is there some secret to cutting with these mowers?


Or do you think my problems stem from the fact that the blades are not sharp, no matter what Scott's literature might say?


I am hoping that if gas prices get high enough, a reel mower might be the answer, but if the dern thing doesn't cut.....


And where in the world does a non-mechanical person like myself ever get those blades sharpened, if that is the problem?

 

[Head'n Home]

Barry,

These machines are the best cutting you can buy but they are work. The reel should just make contact with the stationary blade at the bottom so you will hear it. Sharpening isn't much more than keeping the reel's blade edges flat and square and the bottom blade in the form it is in right now (new). Check what the bottom looks like without wear so you will know.

It uses a shearing action and not a cutting action, if you know what I mean. It is sweaty work, for sure. I pushed one of those and followed it with a push rotary brush to pick up the grass. No one could pay me enough to do that today!

 

[Deemy]

There is a sharpening kit you can buy for it. I think Lehmans carrying them.

 

[John H]

From what I remember as a kid, you can't let the grass get that high.

They work best when it's only 2-3 " high.



John H

 

[Head'n Home]

I got called away before I finished. There is an adjustment for the single blade at the bottom and there is also one for the rollers at the back. The rollers set how high the mower cuts. There is a good chance a mower from the strore is not set up properly to avoid anyone getting cut, etc. Be careful how low you adjust the rollers in the back as you can scalp the grass which it doesn't like.

 

[Kim99]

Barry,

If you find you do need to get it sharpened, call around to some lawnmower shops and see if they sharpen reel mowers. They need to have the proper equipment for it and not all shops have it. We charge $40 to sharpen that type of mower at our shop.

 

[just me]

We just tore down an old shed and DH found an old (antique) reel mower I had purchased at an auction several years ago and forgot about. He went out and tried it on part of our lawn and it works great. I have no idea what the problem might be with yours, but they do work great when they work.

 

[Norma]

Maybe you are pushing it backwards. Hope you can get it figured out.

Norma

 

[ferret]

From what I remember as a kid, you can't let the grass get that high.

They work best when it's only 2-3 " high.



John H

John is right. You can't cut grass that tall with a reel mower. Cut the grass this time as you normally do and next week try the reel mower. It's not that hard to push when you don't let the grass get too tall. In other words, you are going to get a more frequent workout when you start relying on this environmentall friendly solution.

 

[bookworm1711]

Grass too tall.

By experience, I know that they do not make the reel mower as good as they used to.

 

[Jerry]

Barry - When you push the mower, or turn the reel by hand, you should hear a whisking sound as the blade on the reel crosses the lower shear. There should also only be a small increase in resistance as the blade crosses and then the next blade should be striking the other end. If you do not hear that whisking sound then it is out of adjustment. One can adjust the shear by two sets of screws at each end. If you think of the shear's centerline as being on a pivot, the screws will change the angle. Most screws have locknuts that will have to be loosened and then retightened after the adjustment. Remember that a little adjustment goes a long way.

As you adjust, turn the reel to listen to the reel contacting the shear. Remember that as you tighten one edge, you must also loosen the backside by the same amount. (1/4 turns are good to start). The sound and tension should be the same all the way across. Or, as Kim99 suggested, take it to the shop for a service. As mentioned earlier, you will probably have to mow tall grass several times to get a level cut. Good luck in your efforts....

 

[Samson]

I have been using a very old reel mower for years and have never sharpened it. It works great. Also I never had to adjust it, so I can not help you there.

I will tell you to be careful when sticking your hands and fingers in the blades when clearing wet grass etc...... My grandfather cut off both of his thumbs at the knuckle doing this when he was young. They reattached one and he worked as a watch maker in the family business into his 70's.

 

[eaglefeather]

As stated above.....

a reel mower relies upon a scissor cutting action between the bedknife and the reel. If the grass is too long...between the "fanning" action of the reel and the bedknife pushing the grass in the direction you are mowing.... the grass will more or less be lying down versus standing upright (which gives you the desired cut).

If you want to see what that little baby will do...... set your power mower to (almost scalping height)....mow it ......go drink a beer and let the grass clippings dry out....then come back and mow it at a right angle to the first mowing to chop up the clippings and to mow any of the grass missed (ie. still lying down) by the first cutting.....

Then the next time you mow...get that old reel mower out before it gets too long again...and put some serious stripes in your lawn (mowing back and further) at a consistent, steady pace.

You will soon be the envy of the neighborhood.

If your really want to get at it.... get one of those push sweepers ..which will stand the grass up nice and straight before your next mowing.

For a bunch of reasons... turf cut with a reel mower stays greener longer into the heat of summer and can withstand lower mowing heights.

Have fun....
an old greenskeeper ....

 

[Dinghy]

I agree that the grass was too high. I bought an old one at a yard sale last year after looking for one for years. I was so excited that I tried to cut grass with it as soon as I got it out of the truck.
I went about a foot and then almost had the handle in my guts! It just about stopped dead because the grass wouldn't cut. I quickly remembered why I got rid of the last one I had!

 

[georgia101]

I have a reel mower and love it. I have a very small yard though and just couldn't see going to the expense of a power mower. I think that you will like it once you get use to using it.

 

[ofuzzy1]

Barry,

Are the blades spinning? If not you're pushing it backwards. It should be a bit hard to push even on the driveway.

The little wheels should be facing you and the big wheels face forward. As it spits the clippings IN to your shoes.

I wear ear plugs when mowing, the blades Sing as it cuts. It is a workout, but well worth the effort.

 

[notred]

I mow 4 acres with the rider. I am about done for mowing 300 sq ft with reel mower. Life and the size of the lawn will change, I think.

 

[MrsJackpineSavage]

Hi Barry-

Where do you live? And, what kind of grass do you have?

The bad news about the reel mowers is that if you live in the South and have any type of Southern Bent Grass, the reel mower may have trouble- the grass is too fine and won't stand up so the mower can cut it.

I had a reel mower when I lived in Florida and it was hit or miss- if the grass wasn't too high, I could usually get an ok cut, not great, but ok. But if the grass gets too high or too thick, forget it.

I just got another reel mower last week and I'm anxious to try it out- I really like them when they work. Good luck- hope you can get yours working.

Mrs. Jackpine Savage