Go BottomPull behind reel mower
 | kickapoobd
Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 32 Battlefield, Missouri 
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2005-03-13 107907
Just wondering if any of you are using a pull behind reel mower? I see these on the golf course, both front mount and pull behind. Just curious if anyone has had experience with reel mowers in normal yard maintenence.
I had the chance to pull an antique solid cast iron 30" Worthington Reel last weekend and yesturday (only 79˚, not bad for Southern MO). I like the cut, it also is really quiet compared to engaging the MMM. Despite the weight, there is hardly any pull on the engine versus the MMM.
I am looking at a 3 (approx 57") or 5 (72") gang reel. Any thoughts?
Troy
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 | BrendonN
Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 89 Central Kansas
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2005-03-13 107918
I have no personal experience, but I would imagine that the key to making reel mowers work well is to not let the grass get too tall. Since the grass is sissored off instead of chopped off, they leave a very clean cut that I have read is healthier for the grass. (Again, no experience to back this up; just what I have read.) As you indicated, the required horsepower-per-foot is far less than with a rotary, probably because the grass is not mulched up after being cut.
I remember that the school I went to years ago had a five or seven (can't remember) gang reel mower that was used on the football field and the recess lawn. They had an old Farmall M to pull it with. ....
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| BrendonN
Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 89 Central Kansas
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2005-03-13 107919
I have no personal experience, but I would imagine that the key to making reel mowers work well is to not let the grass get too tall. Since the grass is sissored off instead of chopped off, they leave a very clean cut that I have read is healthier for the grass. (Again, no experience to back this up; just what I have read.) As you indicated, the required horsepower-per-foot is far less than with a rotary, probably because the grass is not mulched up after being cut.
I remember that the school I went to years ago had a five or seven (can't remember) gang reel mower that was used on the football field and the recess lawn. They had an old Farmall M to pull it with. ....
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 | earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan 
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2005-03-13 107938
My buddy worked for his brother-in-law who owned a sod farm. Part of his job was to maintain the reel mowers. He said it was time consuming and very tedious work. The slightest nick in the blades or the stationary part it shears against and it was toast---like if piece of dirt got between them. Even if the reels were sharp the setting up process is where the work comes in. The other limiting factor is the width and cumbersomeness --you really have to be on-the-ball so you don't get it wrapped around a tree. Transporting and storage are another big issue. And they can be very costly compared to a MMM. This was 25 years ago and have to think not much has changed. There are tow-behind mowers that are self-powered that look like a MMM on casters with a 17hp gas engine with an offset trailer hitch. My neighbor has one that he pulls behind his garden tractor mower (offset to one side of course) and he can cut 42" with the garden tractor and another 38-40" allowing for overlap. Tractor Supply sells them. "Swisher" is one brand. Youi can also pull them with an ATV. ....
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| hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3583 iowa
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2005-03-13 107941
A relative of mine used to use a three gang mower on his "Super Size" lawn. His yard allways looked like the White House lawn, but even he with his patience of a saint he finally grew tired of all the maintinence and now uses a MMM. Frank. ....
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