Reel mowers vs. rotary

[Scott]

I see that indmowing is using a reel mower which I always have believed to be a superior cut due to it's blades rotating level with the ground instead of creating a swirling effect but what about ground speed? Rotary has come along way, less blade maintenance since there is obviously less blades. Decks and blades are being designed better to collectively help create an upward lift to help raise the grass for level cutting.

[:P]<font size="5">Bauta BING!!!</font id="size5">[:P]
<b>HEY A LIGHTBULB JUST WENT OFF IN ME LIL HEAD</b>
I now know why ind.mowing doesn't have to blow after mowing. With a reel cutting machine the grass is lifted upwards, not swirling about, so it falls directly down instead of outwards. So his method in cutting grass is proper for his equipment. IND.MOWING I formally apologize for questioning your maintenance techniques and appreciate you for not getting upset when questioned on your procedures.

<b>Now for the rest of the story</b>
I used a manual rotary machine when I was a wee little lad but now I'm very curious as to how fast the motorized ones run. And I assume you always have to bag, yuk. Can you get rotary machines downunder? I would think that Husqvarnas would be available which is what I run. What about cost?

gimmie-gimmie-gimmie feedback. I neeeeed to know!!!



Edited by - scott on Aug 07 2002 09:49:23 AM

[rkbrown]

reply

Scott:

I used a McClane reel mower (consumer model with a B&S engine) for my home in Lubbock a few years ago. It was a 10 blade and cut very nicely...we had Bermuda hybrid lawns for the most part up there). I bagged the clippings back then.

Rob
Taybritt Lawn and Landscape Services

[GrassMaster]

reply

Hello Scott:

You Might want to Find out More about Running the Reel Type Mowers.

The Lawn You are Cutting must Be Extremely Level. The Slightest Dip it will go Down that Far & Cut Down into the Dirt. Cutting Dirt Dulls the Blades Quick.

We are Only Shop in Aera that Sharpens Reel Mowers, We Probably do about 200 a Year. If we Sharpen a 20" Reel, We Charge $70.

There is More Work involved with Reel Mower than a Rotary Mower, So You Must Charge More Money. The Reel Mower DOES Produce a Beautifull Quality Cut & this is the Cut You See on Golf Courses, Baseball Fields & Extremely High Maintenance Lawns.

You Will Need to Create a Market for it, If they're Not Widely Used in You Area.

Reel Mowers Just About Last Forever, It's Common for them to Come into Shop 20 & 30 Years Old.

Maybe go & Talk to Some of the Grounds Keepers at some of Your Local Golf Courses.

You Need a Very Thick Grass like Zoyzia or Bermuda Type Grass to Use it on.

The Grass Must Be Cut Very Low, a Very High Cut with a Reel Mower around here is a Whopping One Inch.

We have a Customer that we Sharpen for & he Keeps His set at 5/32" & if it's off by a 32nd of an inch either way He Pitches a Natural Born Screaming Fit.

I have a Brand New True Cut Reel Mower with a 5 Hp Honda, That is 27" Wide, 7 Blade Reel, With Grass Catcher That I Could Deliver to you this Friday & it's Only $1,650 Pus Tax oh That's Free Delivery Too? <img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

Contact me if you are Interested?

<b>Have a Nice Day!
GrassMaster - Admin -Click to PM Me or E-Mail Me!
Help this Site - Take a Survey & Visit our Sponsors!</b>

[Scott]

reply

ummm,,, I'm still researching these reel mowers,,, yeah that's it, still researching.
I've about replaced all my equipment this year from the trailer hitch back and I almost got it all paid for. Had a family crisis that came up 7 weeks ago to slow the business down almost to a screeching halt or I would've been debt free.
Ummmm,, maybe next year Mr. Administrator if it's still shiny-new and in the box.

[indmowing]

reply

Hi Ebony here, a bit slow on noticing this post, sorry about that. I will get Dean to reply to this one as he knows anything and everything about comparing a rotary to a cylinder mower.

See In Australia one state and only one state uses cylinder mowers as their preferred mower (that being Western Australia) and to put it simply the customers over there won't let you on their lawn unless you have one! In WA if you use a rotary you are thought of as a Cowboy (non Professional) while everywhere else in Australia they use 4 stroke rotary mowers and this is accepted. Dean is one of few on our side of the country that uses a cylinder mower and due to the fact he does he gets A LOT of referals!

I am not sure about your rotary's over there as really there is no comparison between the cylinder and rotary over here, as the cylinder leaves a professional cut and looks a great deal better, also much better for the lawn. Anyways, as I said I will get Dean to reply as soon as he gets a free minute!

Oh and Scott, we Aussies don't get upset. She'll be right mate.
All the best

Independent Lawn Mowing Contractors
Working together to benefit all.

https://www.indmowing.com.au

Email info@indmowing.com.au

[indmowing]

reply

hi guys the reel mowers used in australia are far superior to any in the world they have self sharpening blades 9 horse power honda motors
and yes you can cut on un even ground each contractor in the state of perth western australia has 2 mainly 26 inch cut and 36 inch cuts faster cleaner and better can go up to 5 mph self propelled admin obviously have never used a reel like ours it doesnt dig into the ground has front and rear rollers cutting blade can easily be adjusted and so can the height roller i have cut grass on lumby bumpy ground for twenty years . the rotary manufacturers dont want to see these type of machines used because less repairs and very rarely are replaced these mowers are used on domestic lawns and commercial . this is a contractors job to turn there lawn into something special any body can cut grass with a slasher u can use this mower on virtually any type of grass these mowers are for exampe 28 inch cut 3800.00 dollars australian .its not hard to create a market for quality work.

If you go to http://www.indmowing.com.au/cylinder_mower.htm you will see where we have started really explain the MEY cylinder mower. We haven't finished, but you'll get the drift!

Independent Lawn Mowing Contractors
Working together to benefit all.
www.indmowing.com.au
Email info@indmowing.com.au

Edited by - www.indmowing.com.au on Aug 08 2002 03:22:11 AM

[indmowing]

reply

<font color=green><b>DIPPY DIP DIP <img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle></b></font id=green> And despite the myth here in Australia, the reel mower will cut lawns that are not regularly maintained. <font color=green><font size=3>ZOOM ZOOM</font id=size3></font id=green>

<img src="http://www.indmowing.com.au/longg.jpg" border=0>

Independent Lawn Mowing Contractors
Working together to benefit all.
www.indmowing.com.au
Email info@indmowing.com.au

[indmowing]

reply

scott
we use rotary mowers as well they are usually honda mowers 21inch cut or we may use riders honda buffalo is priced at 750.oo dollars riders around 5000.00 dollars australian

<center><font color=green>AUSSIE EQUIPMENT</font id=green>
<img src="http://www.indmowing.com.au/bobs.jpg" border=0>

<img src="http://www.indmowing.com.au/mowers.JPG" border=0></center>

Independent Lawn Mowing Contractors
Working together to benefit all.
www.indmowing.com.au

Edited by - www.indmowing.com.au on Aug 08 2002 03:29:01 AM

[Sunrise]

Re: reply

Originally posted by GrassMaster
Hello Scott:

You Might want to Find out More about Running the Reel Type Mowers.

The Lawn You are Cutting must Be Extremely Level. The Slightest Dip it will go Down that Far & Cut Down into the Dirt. Cutting Dirt Dulls the Blades Quick.

We are Only Shop in Aera that Sharpens Reel Mowers, We Probably do about 200 a Year. If we Sharpen a 20" Reel, We Charge $70.

There is More Work involved with Reel Mower than a Rotary Mower, So You Must Charge More Money. The Reel Mower DOES Produce a Beautifull Quality Cut & this is the Cut You See on Golf Courses, Baseball Fields & Extremely High Maintenance Lawns.

You Will Need to Create a Market for it, If they're Not Widely Used in You Area.

Reel Mowers Just About Last Forever, It's Common for them to Come into Shop 20 & 30 Years Old.

Maybe go & Talk to Some of the Grounds Keepers at some of Your Local Golf Courses.

You Need a Very Thick Grass like Zoyzia or Bermuda Type Grass to Use it on.

The Grass Must Be Cut Very Low, a Very High Cut with a Reel Mower around here is a Whopping One Inch.

We have a Customer that we Sharpen for & he Keeps His set at 5/32" & if it's off by a 32nd of an inch either way He Pitches a Natural Born Screaming Fit.

I have a Brand New True Cut Reel Mower with a 5 Hp Honda, That is 27" Wide, 7 Blade Reel, With Grass Catcher That I Could Deliver to you this Friday & it's Only $1,650 Pus Tax oh That's Free Delivery Too? <img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

Contact me if you are Interested?

<b>Have a Nice Day!
GrassMaster - Admin -Click to PM Me or E-Mail Me!
Help this Site - Take a Survey & Visit our Sponsors!</b>

grass master- i have lost about 5-8 accounts because I don't reel mow and may lose a couple more by the end of this year. there is definitly a market for it, but I'm afraid of cutting the grass that low. what are the height adjustment ranges on this type mower. I have just started to look, but your price seems fair. let me know your opinions on this.

also, glad to get back on this forum again.

[Maddog]

I have used the powered reel type mowers before quite some time ago. They do cut nice but as it was said earlier it has to be fairly level lawn and cut at a lower level.

[themowerman]

I have worked on reel mowers for 20 years now and I will tell you that there isn't a better cut anywhere. Now adays you can get reel mowers from $1000.00 to $80000.00 dollars. Speed is money how fast do you want to go? You can get 51hp turbo diesels that are close to 12' widths that are full floating which means that they will follow undulations but the lawns need to be in top notch condition and around an 1" in lenghth. Typically these mowers are found on golf courses. There is a reel mower for every purpose from greens to fairways. Maint is very high since they should be backlapped every day and height set a couple of times a day. There are landscapers in our area that have walkbehind reel mowers that use them on certain customers lawns but those lawns are prestine and perfect.