Really? Low quality cut , eh? What type of mowers do you see golf courses use? Reels, and besides, what type of mower are you comparing mine to? Those God-awful store bought ones like what you find at Ace Hardware, Home Depot or Lowes? Those are junk, I've tried em and they're not worth it. And it also depends on the lawn. If it's weedy, than a reel won't do well. On a good lawn, mine cuts just as well as gas mowers and I can go out as early as 7:00 and not wake the neighbors.
After seeing your video, I keep wondering if you couldn't run a lawn care business with mostly just this mower. The only deterrent is having to mow more often, but there might be enough advantages to still make it work.
You can, but if you come across a super large lawn, you'll wanna get something like the ProMow Gold Series cutting reel, the commerical one, not the Scotts Classic style residential version. The Gold Series is almost exactly what I have but 3 inches narrower. You could use a riding mower or electric if you're shooting for that ultra-green-landscaping style. If you do electric, you'd probably want 2 or 3 extra batteries for the tractor while the drained batteries charge up. :D
Oops, I meant to say the ProMow Gold Series GANG REEL. A 3 head cutting unit can easily cut 2 acres in an hour with one of those and you only need like 7 or so horsepower to pull it. a 5 head unit will need 12 horsepower but it can do 4 acres per hour, 5 with the seven head, but you need 16 ponies to pull it. Something like that would almost need a garden type sized tractor for the best traction.
Well, that's because they run fuel injection type nozzles as opposed to carbs with gasoline engines, closed versus open loop systems. Propane motors can run lean but not gasoline, the engine will run so hot it'll burn up with a quickness. For mowers, the most efficient option is the gang mower as it requires less power to cut more lawn than with riding style mowers. Even lithium weed whackers and hedge trimmers, although a bit pricy, are quite robust and have long charge durations.
Really? I thought the propane itself is what converted to vapor.... if I'm not mistaken, it's in liquid form under pressure in the tank and gaseous form at ambient pressure. That's why I read a bunch of articles of propane lawn equipment stating it was a closed loop fuel system, so I figured it was a simplified version of mechanical fuel injection.
@ITBOILSMYBLOOD I don't know what you mean by a closed loop system. But yes, propane is stored as a liquid. When it's used for a gas BBQ or a small engine, there is just one single-stage regulator connected to the top of the tank, that picks up propane vapor, and this can just be injected into the air in a simple system. For a car, there's 2 regulators, a high pressure regulator that drains liquid from the bottom of the tank, that goes to the second stage regulator/vaporizer.
I've never heard of vehicles using gasoline and switching to propane after a certain RPM level. I have heard of dual/fuel vehicles that can run on either, just incase should there be a filling station that don't carry an LPG fuel so vehicles can fill up with gasoline and not be stranded.
Another issue someone brought up is that reel mowers don't have enough height. One of the newer Amish mowers is taller than the original, and they did it by changing the size of the tire from 9 inches to 10 inches, so I don't know why you couldn't make the wheels even bigger.
Those mowers have a range of 1/2 inch all the way to 2 1/2 I believe. The Mascot and Silent Cut mowers DO have the option of 10 inch tires that raise the mowers a 1/2 inch more, hence the 3 inch mowing height. So the 10 inch models should have a mowing range of 1 to 3 inches. Besides, since those mowers cut so cleanly, lawns can be cut shorter mowing heights without harming the grass. Besides, reel mowers perform better with lower cut grasses.
You would need a jig for precise grinding, and that's just to sharpen the blades. To try to convert from a contact blade to non-contact, the ridiculously high cost would be insanely prohibitive. It would be 3 times cheaper to buy a better mower from the start. The 5 bladers are okay for $130, but the extra $70 for a much better quality of cut of the lawn is worth it. Don't use a dremel file, you'll ruin it. Mine is a Whisper Cut, but is also called Silent Cut and Mascot mower.
Nothing like a reel mower. I pull 7 of these behind my lawn tractor. My reel is similar to yours. I have the pro mow gold. Didn't buy my reels from them though. I only paid $157 for each reel on ebay. Just built a mount to put 2 of them in front of the wheels of my tractor. Now I get an even cut all around with a 10 foot cut. Do you have a big lawn?
1/4 acre, hardly any longer than with a power mower. Power Draulics doesn't sell a 21 inch version, only the 18 and the roller adjustment is different although both units are VERY similar. Some websites sells a 21 inch SILENT Cut which could be the same exact units made for ProMow, though I'm not 100% sure. Too bad most stores only carry the 5 blade design, similar to the residential type you had prior and doesn't cut as well as the 6 bladed units do.
@ITBOILSMYBLOOD Very true. The gold series blows the residential out of the water. They are built much more durable. Each of mine do a 20 and 3/4" cut. I was thinking of ordering another reel and making a handle for it for push style. Might be able to sell it for around $240-$250. One thing for sure is it would be way better than some of the cheap models out there selling for the same price. One day I'll have a smaller lawn and will be able to push like you. I hope. LOL
MAKE one? Why, they sell the WhsiperCut 18 for $225 out-of-the-box brand new. Most people would shy away from the 21 inch version due to the near 50 pounds. Most websites state the 21 is for taller people who like using heavier duty equipment. I only wish those units came with some type of tine comb to lift all the grass, even the odd growing ones, for even a much closer cut of the lawn.
So how do you sharpen your reels? Take that square pawl piece out and roll the gang backwards? I've been thinking of buy that drill bit piece from reelmowersetc and inquire more information on it. The sharpening kit for our mowers sell for $60. It has the drill bit unit, but includes the hand crank which I don't need, and I have compund and snap ring pliers.
@ITBOILSMYBLOOD Should be done same as you. I think they call it back lapping. Put the graphit compound on each blade and run it in reverse with a drill and adapter. I won't need to do it for a couple summers. I put up a video a couple weeks ago of the bracket I made to attach 2 of my reels on the front of my mower. Was working great till my tractor quit running. I hope to have it back before the grass starts looking like hay. LOL
Yeah, it is called back lapping, though we should need actual sharpening for a good 7 years at least. Still wish they had a tine comb system so even that matted down grass would get lifted up, maybe something like a Hambledon Rake Brush with the tines under the cutting reel. ATCO mowers use some type of tine comb on their mowers. Or even a grooming reel in the front might help, but I'm not sure as I've never used a mower that had one.
@ITBOILSMYBLOOD I haven't seen anything available for our type of reels. I did try and make a brush system to lift the grass before the cut but it did not spin fast enough. This is why I attached the reels in front of the wheels of my tractor.I am a little confused though on your matted grass. Is your grass matted down because it is walked on or driven on a lot? Or maybe it grows kinda funny. There are several types of grass. My lawn has three. Looks kinda funny in spots.
@supergooddeal A brush system? I'd like to think that would just push the grass away or mat it down depending on the direction of rotation. No, I'm more or less thinking of.... well, think of an upside-down rake UNDER the reel. Go to Google image and type in Hambledon Rake Brush to see what I mean. I think the idea would be to gently lift the grass into a standing upright position rather than a spinning or even a stationary brush.
@ITBOILSMYBLOOD Actually the brush system I built worked on the same concept as a grass sweeper. Only mine spun in the opposite direction. When I spun it by hand it worked great but it would need to be geared to pull it. Same as a sweeper. They gear off of the wheel. I'm going now to check out the Hambledon Rake Brush.
I've seen both types of grass sweepers that spin with and against the lawn. I still think the tine rake style would be the best solution as it would tend to lift the grass straight up rather than sweeping or brushing it in a different direction.
@ITBOILSMYBLOOD I did check out the Hambledon rake & brush. Now that I've really thought about both styles. They practically do the same thing. Neither actually stand the grass back up, but rather comb and d-tangle the grass. I'm now thinking some sort of vacuum would solve everything. Built on the same concept as the grass catchers with the blower system you pull behind. Just reverse the blower system and run a duct to the ground behind the rear tires. Wouldn't help with a push style though
I just don't know what style tine comb the ATCO mowers use. They advertise the tine comb to lift the blades of grass. I konw the tines would detangle the grass, but maybe they're referring to those wierd blades of grass that grow at a funky angle?
@ITBOILSMYBLOOD You correct about funky angled grass. One of the 3 types my father in law grew was so nice and straight. The other 2 grew like a welcome mat. I personally would love a lawn of clover. I have patches of it in areas and the real cut's it quit nicely. Almost looks like an afro hair cut when your done. So get this! John Deere fixed my tractor and said they would return it free of charge. It arrived yesterday. I had a $150 delivery on my bill. Hate to lose there business.
Grass that grows like a welcom mat? That's the blends that grows almost straight up. I saw someone's lawn that look like that, one of the best lawns I've ever seen.
wow u wasted ur money. Get a gas push mower for 1/2 the price and twice the qualitly of the cut.
bran1har 6 months ago
@bran1har
Really? Low quality cut , eh? What type of mowers do you see golf courses use? Reels, and besides, what type of mower are you comparing mine to? Those God-awful store bought ones like what you find at Ace Hardware, Home Depot or Lowes? Those are junk, I've tried em and they're not worth it. And it also depends on the lawn. If it's weedy, than a reel won't do well. On a good lawn, mine cuts just as well as gas mowers and I can go out as early as 7:00 and not wake the neighbors.
ITBOILSMYBLOOD 6 months ago
After seeing your video, I keep wondering if you couldn't run a lawn care business with mostly just this mower. The only deterrent is having to mow more often, but there might be enough advantages to still make it work.
rrostie 8 months ago
@rrostie
You can, but if you come across a super large lawn, you'll wanna get something like the ProMow Gold Series cutting reel, the commerical one, not the Scotts Classic style residential version. The Gold Series is almost exactly what I have but 3 inches narrower. You could use a riding mower or electric if you're shooting for that ultra-green-landscaping style. If you do electric, you'd probably want 2 or 3 extra batteries for the tractor while the drained batteries charge up. :D
ITBOILSMYBLOOD 8 months ago
@ITBOILSMYBLOOD
Oops, I meant to say the ProMow Gold Series GANG REEL. A 3 head cutting unit can easily cut 2 acres in an hour with one of those and you only need like 7 or so horsepower to pull it. a 5 head unit will need 12 horsepower but it can do 4 acres per hour, 5 with the seven head, but you need 16 ponies to pull it. Something like that would almost need a garden type sized tractor for the best traction.
ITBOILSMYBLOOD 8 months ago
Comment removed
rrostie 8 months ago
@rrostie
Well, that's because they run fuel injection type nozzles as opposed to carbs with gasoline engines, closed versus open loop systems. Propane motors can run lean but not gasoline, the engine will run so hot it'll burn up with a quickness. For mowers, the most efficient option is the gang mower as it requires less power to cut more lawn than with riding style mowers. Even lithium weed whackers and hedge trimmers, although a bit pricy, are quite robust and have long charge durations.
ITBOILSMYBLOOD 8 months ago
Comment removed
rrostie 8 months ago
@rrostie
Really? I thought the propane itself is what converted to vapor.... if I'm not mistaken, it's in liquid form under pressure in the tank and gaseous form at ambient pressure. That's why I read a bunch of articles of propane lawn equipment stating it was a closed loop fuel system, so I figured it was a simplified version of mechanical fuel injection.
ITBOILSMYBLOOD 8 months ago
@ITBOILSMYBLOOD I don't know what you mean by a closed loop system. But yes, propane is stored as a liquid. When it's used for a gas BBQ or a small engine, there is just one single-stage regulator connected to the top of the tank, that picks up propane vapor, and this can just be injected into the air in a simple system. For a car, there's 2 regulators, a high pressure regulator that drains liquid from the bottom of the tank, that goes to the second stage regulator/vaporizer.
rrostie 8 months ago
Comment removed
rrostie 8 months ago
@rrostie
I've never heard of vehicles using gasoline and switching to propane after a certain RPM level. I have heard of dual/fuel vehicles that can run on either, just incase should there be a filling station that don't carry an LPG fuel so vehicles can fill up with gasoline and not be stranded.
ITBOILSMYBLOOD 8 months ago
Comment removed
rrostie 8 months ago
Another issue someone brought up is that reel mowers don't have enough height. One of the newer Amish mowers is taller than the original, and they did it by changing the size of the tire from 9 inches to 10 inches, so I don't know why you couldn't make the wheels even bigger.
rrostie 8 months ago
@rrostie
Those mowers have a range of 1/2 inch all the way to 2 1/2 I believe. The Mascot and Silent Cut mowers DO have the option of 10 inch tires that raise the mowers a 1/2 inch more, hence the 3 inch mowing height. So the 10 inch models should have a mowing range of 1 to 3 inches. Besides, since those mowers cut so cleanly, lawns can be cut shorter mowing heights without harming the grass. Besides, reel mowers perform better with lower cut grasses.
ITBOILSMYBLOOD 8 months ago
Comment removed
rrostie 9 months ago
@rrostie
You would need a jig for precise grinding, and that's just to sharpen the blades. To try to convert from a contact blade to non-contact, the ridiculously high cost would be insanely prohibitive. It would be 3 times cheaper to buy a better mower from the start. The 5 bladers are okay for $130, but the extra $70 for a much better quality of cut of the lawn is worth it. Don't use a dremel file, you'll ruin it. Mine is a Whisper Cut, but is also called Silent Cut and Mascot mower.
ITBOILSMYBLOOD 9 months ago
Hey the Amish now how to make a lawn mower
ElHijodelDuce 1 year ago
Nothing like a reel mower. I pull 7 of these behind my lawn tractor. My reel is similar to yours. I have the pro mow gold. Didn't buy my reels from them though. I only paid $157 for each reel on ebay. Just built a mount to put 2 of them in front of the wheels of my tractor. Now I get an even cut all around with a 10 foot cut. Do you have a big lawn?
supergooddeal 1 year ago
@supergooddeal
1/4 acre, hardly any longer than with a power mower. Power Draulics doesn't sell a 21 inch version, only the 18 and the roller adjustment is different although both units are VERY similar. Some websites sells a 21 inch SILENT Cut which could be the same exact units made for ProMow, though I'm not 100% sure. Too bad most stores only carry the 5 blade design, similar to the residential type you had prior and doesn't cut as well as the 6 bladed units do.
ITBOILSMYBLOOD 1 year ago
@ITBOILSMYBLOOD Very true. The gold series blows the residential out of the water. They are built much more durable. Each of mine do a 20 and 3/4" cut. I was thinking of ordering another reel and making a handle for it for push style. Might be able to sell it for around $240-$250. One thing for sure is it would be way better than some of the cheap models out there selling for the same price. One day I'll have a smaller lawn and will be able to push like you. I hope. LOL
supergooddeal 1 year ago
@supergooddeal
MAKE one? Why, they sell the WhsiperCut 18 for $225 out-of-the-box brand new. Most people would shy away from the 21 inch version due to the near 50 pounds. Most websites state the 21 is for taller people who like using heavier duty equipment. I only wish those units came with some type of tine comb to lift all the grass, even the odd growing ones, for even a much closer cut of the lawn.
ITBOILSMYBLOOD 1 year ago
@supergooddeal
So how do you sharpen your reels? Take that square pawl piece out and roll the gang backwards? I've been thinking of buy that drill bit piece from reelmowersetc and inquire more information on it. The sharpening kit for our mowers sell for $60. It has the drill bit unit, but includes the hand crank which I don't need, and I have compund and snap ring pliers.
ITBOILSMYBLOOD 1 year ago
@ITBOILSMYBLOOD Should be done same as you. I think they call it back lapping. Put the graphit compound on each blade and run it in reverse with a drill and adapter. I won't need to do it for a couple summers. I put up a video a couple weeks ago of the bracket I made to attach 2 of my reels on the front of my mower. Was working great till my tractor quit running. I hope to have it back before the grass starts looking like hay. LOL
supergooddeal 1 year ago
@supergooddeal
Yeah, it is called back lapping, though we should need actual sharpening for a good 7 years at least. Still wish they had a tine comb system so even that matted down grass would get lifted up, maybe something like a Hambledon Rake Brush with the tines under the cutting reel. ATCO mowers use some type of tine comb on their mowers. Or even a grooming reel in the front might help, but I'm not sure as I've never used a mower that had one.
ITBOILSMYBLOOD 1 year ago
@ITBOILSMYBLOOD I haven't seen anything available for our type of reels. I did try and make a brush system to lift the grass before the cut but it did not spin fast enough. This is why I attached the reels in front of the wheels of my tractor.I am a little confused though on your matted grass. Is your grass matted down because it is walked on or driven on a lot? Or maybe it grows kinda funny. There are several types of grass. My lawn has three. Looks kinda funny in spots.
supergooddeal 1 year ago
@supergooddeal A brush system? I'd like to think that would just push the grass away or mat it down depending on the direction of rotation. No, I'm more or less thinking of.... well, think of an upside-down rake UNDER the reel. Go to Google image and type in Hambledon Rake Brush to see what I mean. I think the idea would be to gently lift the grass into a standing upright position rather than a spinning or even a stationary brush.
ITBOILSMYBLOOD 1 year ago
@ITBOILSMYBLOOD Actually the brush system I built worked on the same concept as a grass sweeper. Only mine spun in the opposite direction. When I spun it by hand it worked great but it would need to be geared to pull it. Same as a sweeper. They gear off of the wheel. I'm going now to check out the Hambledon Rake Brush.
supergooddeal 1 year ago
@supergooddeal
I've seen both types of grass sweepers that spin with and against the lawn. I still think the tine rake style would be the best solution as it would tend to lift the grass straight up rather than sweeping or brushing it in a different direction.
ITBOILSMYBLOOD 1 year ago
@ITBOILSMYBLOOD I did check out the Hambledon rake & brush. Now that I've really thought about both styles. They practically do the same thing. Neither actually stand the grass back up, but rather comb and d-tangle the grass. I'm now thinking some sort of vacuum would solve everything. Built on the same concept as the grass catchers with the blower system you pull behind. Just reverse the blower system and run a duct to the ground behind the rear tires. Wouldn't help with a push style though
supergooddeal 1 year ago
@supergooddeal
I just don't know what style tine comb the ATCO mowers use. They advertise the tine comb to lift the blades of grass. I konw the tines would detangle the grass, but maybe they're referring to those wierd blades of grass that grow at a funky angle?
ITBOILSMYBLOOD 1 year ago
@ITBOILSMYBLOOD You correct about funky angled grass. One of the 3 types my father in law grew was so nice and straight. The other 2 grew like a welcome mat. I personally would love a lawn of clover. I have patches of it in areas and the real cut's it quit nicely. Almost looks like an afro hair cut when your done. So get this! John Deere fixed my tractor and said they would return it free of charge. It arrived yesterday. I had a $150 delivery on my bill. Hate to lose there business.
supergooddeal 1 year ago
@supergooddeal
Grass that grows like a welcom mat? That's the blends that grows almost straight up. I saw someone's lawn that look like that, one of the best lawns I've ever seen.
ITBOILSMYBLOOD 1 year ago