Got Reel Mower Questions?
We’d love your feedback! Do you have burning questions about using or assembling reel mowers that we haven’t answered?
Let us know, so that we can improve this site!
Leave us a comment with your question, and we’ll do our best to answer it for you. If we don’t know the answer, we’ll look it up!
{ 140 comments… read them below or add one }
I have an old Boulavard reel mower made by F & N Lawnmower Co. It cuts great, would like to keep using it. I had a tire go bad, all that is left is the metal wheel with a ridge in the center. Is there a place to get a tire ?
Thanks…..Bob
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I’m not an expert on antique reel mowers, unfortunately.
I recommend trying http://www2.crocker.com/~jricci/ to see if they know anything. I’d say the chances are very slim that you’ll be able to find a tire for it.
Last night, as I was mowing, I discovered that sometimes when I push the mower the blade doesn’t catch and rotate. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t. Why? And more important, how I do fix it?
Thanks, John
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What kind of a mower do you have?
Typically, there is a gear inside of the wheel of the mower. When you push the mower, the gear turns the blades. In some mowers, the gear is plastic, and can wear out over time. In other cases, it could be that the wheel filled up with grass or something like that.
If the cog is worn out, you can typically get a replacement from the manufacturer for just a few bucks.
So I would take off the wheel and take a look and see if that is your problem, and then go from there.
I believe my mower is a Scotts 20-Inch Classic Push Reel Lawn Mower. (I am at work, so I can’t run to the garage to confirm.) Do those models have that particular problem?
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Yes. So you’ll want to check the wheel first, because that cog might need to be replaced.
Thanks. I’ll give it a try.
I HAVE A ECLIPSE LAWN MOWER COMPANY SERIES 1110 GAS WALK BEHIND REEL MOWER AND I NEED NEW WHEELS FOR IT .(THE RUBBER THAT GOES AROUND THE METAL HUBS). CAN YOU DIRECT ME TO SOME OR HOW TO RETROFIT IT. THEY MEASURE 7 1/2 IN DIAMETER BUT 9 1/2 WOULD BE BETTER TO MAKE IT AN EVEN CUT.
THANK YOU,
KARL BEARD
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Sorry, I don’t have much expertise in gas mowers, so I’m not sure what to suggest.
My reel mower squeals really badly and someone suggested I set the blade back a little. How do I do that? How much noise is normal for a reel mower, they aren’t silent are they? It is unbearable at this point, like opening an old rusty gate.
I tried wd-40 on the blade but feel very eco-unfriendly and it only keeps the squeal away for 1/2 the mow.
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How the blades are adjusted depends upon the mower brand and model.
Most of the American Lawnmower models have two screws on each side that adjusts the cutter bar closer or further away from the blades. You can see photos on this page that explain how to adjust the blades on a Scotts Classic. Maybe you can figure out your own mower model from looking there?
A fascinating website. I live in NJ and I am looking for a petrol powered cylinder lawn mower which has the roller at the back. All of the petrol powered cylinder mowers I have seen so far are either industrial size or are for greens and have no roller. Do you know of any USA manufacturers which make mowers similar to Atco or Suffolk in the UK?
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McLane makes gas powered reel mowers in the United States.
I don’t have any expertise in gasoline powered equipment, so I cannot vouch for them or give you any detailed information.
http://reelmowersetc.com/power_seven_blade_reel_mower.htm
I purchased an 18″ Great States/American Reel Mower with a basket to catch the grass. We have dogs in our yard, and for ease of keeping the dogs “grass clippings free”, would like to use the basket. My problem is, the basket dumps the grass blades that it catches back into the rotating blades, which in turn throws the clippings in front of and under the mower. The basket is attached by a plastic clip underneath that runs the width of the basket, onto a rod on the mower. This clip rotates up as I mow, much like a dump truck emptying its contents. There is also a chain and hook to attach to the handle above the basket. The model of the mower is 816-18. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you for your time.
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One thing that might help is emptying your basket more often. Although the basket will hold a lot of grass, as it starts to fill up, it isn’t as effective.
In general, reel mower catchers aren’t quite as effective as power mower catchers, because you don’t have the vacuum action like you get with a power mower. It’s just mechanical force and gravity throwing it back.
Hi,
I have a 20in Task-Force reel mower that works great except for ‘missing spots’ here and there. In some cases in run around the spot several times from several angles and the mower just won’t cut the grass in question. Any thoughts?
thanks
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I’m not a big fan of those Task Force mowers. In my opinion, they are kind of junky.
But to answer your question, it could be several things that are causing your problem.
1. It might be the mower itself. If the manufacturing tolerance is bad and the reel or cutter bar won’t align properly, then you’ll never be able to get it correctly adjusted and you’ll have spots where the mower won’t cut. But if that were the case, you’d probably be missing some grass with every row that you mow.
2. It might be that the mower is just not adjusted correctly. The owner’s manual of that mower should have instructions on how to adjust the blades. Check that to make sure it is adjusted.
3. It might be that you have some weird shoots of grass that just don’t deal very well with a reel mower. Is it really tall shoots that are going to seed? Those tall shoots are sometimes hard to cut with a reel mower. Same goes with things like dandelions, or any other tall willowy kinds of weeds.
Decades ago I remember seeing reel mowers that worked backwards and forwards, so that when you came to the end of a row, you could just switch the handle to the opposite side and mow the return row without having to turn the whole mower. Does anyone remember these? Do they still exist?
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I am familiar with a Black & Decker corded electric mower that works that way, but I have never heard of a push reel mower like that.
If anyone would know, if would be the gentleman who runs this site:
http://users.crocker.com/~jricci/ Reel Lawn Mower History & Preservation Project
Hi.
Want to mow my field (which I am turning into a golf course) with a gang reel mower. Are there any out there that mow higher than 3″?
Phil
I resently bought a Reel mower and am trying to find some information and/or manuals for it. It is a Pro-Master, Wheel Drive Mower. Has a sticker that sais Kato Equipment Company, Whittier Calif. There is a service sticker on the engine that Sais Ralph’s Garden Equipment in Whittier, Calif, with a phone number of, OX 8-8356. That number tells me it’s from the late “50′s early “60′s. What can you all tell me?
Jim
I am interested in purchasing the Scott’s Classic Reel Mower. My grass is a hybrid Bermuda with a recommended mowing height of 1/2″ to 1.5″ which my deck mower cannot do. Also, with the deck mower it is rather difficult to cut my grass 2 days after a rain which sometimes causes me to fall behind in my mowing. My lawn has poor drainage in certain areas. With a reel mower, can I expect to be able to mow the lawn when there is more moisture present when I otherwise wouldn’t be able to mow with my deck mower.
I have a 16″ Scott Reel Mover Turf, and you can’t push it. What’s the problem?
Ive got an American Lawn Mower Co Model 1303-14 push reel mower. Just took it out for the first time this year and only the right wheel will turn. The blades turn completely but only the right wheel is turning. Thoughts?
am wanting to buy a reel mower – The Fiskars model with 4 wheels looks nice – is it really worth the extra money ?
I need to do small slopes and shallow hills etc. Does a particular model or size work well for this?
also am wondring if the fiskars Momentum model is too heavy to push (at 43 lbs) when all the Brill models are only 15-20 lbs .
Any thoughts?
@Laura,
The Fiskars mower seems really, really heavy when you pick it up. Pushing it through the grass on a flat surface isn’t a problem, but I wonder how it would be to push it uphill. (Still waiting for the grass to start growing here to do a full test of the Fiskars.)
For the northern half of the country, a lightweight mower is typically easier to maneuver and push, because of the types of grasses. But in places where you have Zoysia, St. Augustine, or Bermuda, a heavier mower will plow through those ultra thick grasses easier and the weight works as an advantage.
Not knowing where you are or what type of grass you have, I can’t really say which mower you’d be better off with.
@Rob Volmer,
Could be grass stuck up in the inside of the wheel area, where the gears from the wheel turn the blades. Or it could be a worn out gear. Either way, if you pop off the wheel, you’ll be able to see what the problem is.
If it’s a broken part, you can order them from http://www.reelin.com.
@Sam,
It might be that the blades are adjusted in a way that they are too tight against the cutter bar, preventing them from turning.
If you need to adjust the blades, here are instructions:
http://www.reelmowerguide.com/scotts-classic-push-reel-mower-information/ Different mower, but blade adjustment is similar.
Hi,
I was helping an older neighbor move and discovered an antique
F & N Lawn Mower Co. “The Ace Lawn Trimmer” in a box.
The owner said it was over a 100 years old. The item was disassembled and all the parts appear to be there but I can’t
figure out how to assemble. Anyone help?
@Graham, A reel mower should not be any more difficult to push in moist grass as a rotary mower. You may want to begin bringing soil in to fill in the low spot which should force the water to the outer parts of your lawn.
The Razorcut 38 is another option for mowing 1/2 to 1.5 inch grass.
Jim,
Try this fellow, he is an expert on older reel mowers.
http://users.crocker.com/~jricci/
He should be able to help you out.
Good luck!
@Jim Boicourt, I also have a promaster that I bought from Ralphs in the early 80′s. They were the ones who built them, but they closed down around the late 80′s. I still have the manual for mine, but the manuals only had a few pages, with very little info.
Hi – I am trying to repair my girlfriend’s Task Force 20″ Reel Push Mower that she got from a friend. I KNEW I should have taken a picture of the smaller wheel assembly before taking it apart – but I didn’t. Do you know anywhere that I can get an assembly manual for this mower, or a good picture of the smaller wheel assembly? I can’t figure out how to reassemble it so that the height is adjustable.
Thanks for a helpful site!
@Chris
The Task Force was a Lowes exclusive, I believe. I am not aware of it being sold anywhere else. I think maybe they were just having them made in China, although I don’t know that for a fact. So your best bet would be to go there, and see if you can find one and take a peek in the manual that way.
Hi,
I manage a small (approximately 1 1/2 acre) farm and am looking for alternatives/better ways to keep the grass down (which of course doesn’t cover the whole 1 1/2 acre). I saw someone using a reel mower the other day and thought that would be super! Not sure if it’s practical though – the grass edges the farm in an approximately 10 ft wide path, and there are a few paths through the beds as well. It’s definitely uneven in places, though I’m getting the rocks out, at least. It’s mostly grass (fairly thick) and dandelions, some assorted other weeds as well. I thought a reel mower would be nice because it was environmentally friendly and seemed less cumbersome – I could get it closer to the edge of the beds and in between them more easily than the gas-powered mower we have (I’m doing a LOT of weedwacking…). I’m based in southern NH and not afraid of heavier mowers, if that makes a difference.
Is a reel mower practical, or would it even work for my conditions?
Thanks!!!
@Catherine
The problem with reel mowers is that they have wheels on both sides of the blades. So if you’re trying to mow up against an edge of some type, there is always going to be several inches of grass that doesn’t get cut. (If you envision a typical regular mower, you can see how the blades cut as wide as the mower itself.)
But aside from that issue (and it sounds like you’re weedeating already, which is the solution), I think it might work. But I wouldn’t say definitely yes.
Reel mowers don’t like tall spindly weeds like dandelions though, and will often roll right over them without cutting. So you’d need to consider that too, if you have a large number of dandelions or other tall weeds.
i just got a taskforce 16″ mower from someone on craigslist. my lawn is a bit tall, and this mower is “gagging”. i looked at it, and it seems the helical blades miss the bedknife by about 1/16″ or so. is this how the taskforce is supposed to be? it’s also not cutting areas of my lawn where the grass is sparser.
none of the blades is very sharp, and as it is right now im sure it wouldn’t cut a piece of paper unless i can move the blades closer to the bedknife. this seems to involve tightening two bolts which are currently stuck. is this what i should do? how close should the blades be to the bedknife? thanks for any info.
@Neal
Reel mowers will often choke on really overgrown grass. So it might not be the mower. The best way to handle the situation is raise the cutting height to the maximum and suffer through it, and keep it better under control in the future.
Reel mower blades aren’t supposed to be sharp like a knife, so that’s okay too.
I’m not a big fan of the Taskforce mowers in general. They are on the low end of the quality scale, in my opinion.
I would adjust the blades so that they are just barely scraping against the bedknife, evenly on both sides. If you put them in too close, the mower will be too hard to push. And too far away, there’s no contact and it doesn’t cut as well.
Hope this helps!
Great site! I have a 20″ scotts reel mower, as well as a vintage Toro Sportsman. We have loved these mowers, and they do a great job . My Scotts mower currently has a broken handle–any ideas if replacements are available, or how to repair this?
@Steph
You can get replacement handle parts for the Scotts Classic from the manufacturer, American Lawnmower. http://www.reelin.com. They have parts listed on their site, and also an 800 number where you can call in the order.
My son-in-law was going to cut the grass with my reel mower, but wanted to adjust the height, not realizing how to adjust the height, he removed the wheel, realizing this was a mistake, when he began to re-attach the wheel, the cover came off and the sprocket fell out and there was a small metal tooth like piece that was freely loose, we cant’ figure out how to re-assemble the wheel so that it will turn the blade, is there any where we can find diagrams of proper assembly and how to re-attach to the axel properly.
Thanks
@mike paulk.
My father in law would have knocked me one for something like this, sounds like you are more patient. Without the make and model I would not be able to tell you if I have a diagram or not. Once you have the manufacture name and model, try going to their site and looking it up. They will likely have the instructions on their site. Or give them a call.
I’m looking for any feedback on the McLane 17″ Hand Push -10 Blade Reel Mower. The Friskars looks promising, however, McLane has been a long standing company with their manual and gas powered mowers. I’ve got shaded St. Augustine and maintained at 2-3″.
Thanks
@Toby, The Mclane 17″ with 10 blades will be much more difficult to push compared to the Fiskars. We have tested the Fiskars mower and it did extremely well.
i have a scott reel mower the hard plactic brickets that hold the roller bar on broke where can i find a replacement?
Hi. C onsidering purchasing a reel mower for a small yard in Fla. Yard is very shaded, grass is not St. Augustine (probably mostly bahia and weeds) but there is a lot of leaves and oak tree debris especially during the spring and likely at other times. with rotary mulch mowers, you don’t need to rake unless you let the leaves pile up. How are reel mowers with yards that accumulate a lot of leaf litter??
@marti,
A reel mower is designed for more manicured lawns and does not do well with leaves and weeds. If you rake the leaves and other debris and stay ahead of the growth of the weeds it will do ok, however if you can’t I suggest an Electric Mower like this one:
http://www.cleanairgardening.com/graslaw10.html
@Kay,
Here is the customer support number. Give them a call and they will take care of you.
Consumer Hotline: 1-800-633-1501
Hello,
I ahve a Clemson Bros. Inc. reel mower that I bought used at a garage sale a few years ago. I have just about an acre of land to mow, so this mower just wasn’t “cutting” it!! I bought a Troy Built mower and would like to maybe sell the Clemson Bros. one! However, the mower has a few problems that I’m not sure how to fix…
Problem # 1: The handle bars keep falling off. I have tried to snap them back into place, but they just keep coming loose. Any suggestions?
Problem # 2: Just last weekend I was mowing and the left wheel completely fell apart! I haven’t been able to fix it the right way, so that the wheel doesn’t fall off every 5 minutes! Suggestions??
Anything you can tell me would be greatly apprecaited!! Like I said, I think somebody could benefit greatly from this mower, which is why I want to sell it, it just has a few flaws!! Please let me know what I should do!
Many thanks,
Tony
@ Tony,
Check out this site, http://users.crocker.com/~jricci/
I’m not as familiar with the older models as this guy is.
i was just wondering if someone could tell me how much a antique reel blade mower would go for? im thinking of selling it. it works great just needs the blades cleaned and sharpened.
@amy j,
Check out this site, http://users.crocker.com/~jricci/
I’m not as familiar with the older models but they may be able to put a value on it.
I just purchased a Mascot Silent Cut 18″ reel mower (for tall grasses). I live on a very hilly lot, with about 20 different kinds of grass all mixed up, and it seemed to be a nice choice. Used it for the very first time today, and I love the heck out of it. A little difficult to push uphill… I might try mowing sideways across the hills instead of directly up, next time.
My question, though, is this: as I was mowing, it would get harder and harder. I realized that the problem was that grass clippings were getting jammed in between the right wheel and the reel unit. So, if I stopped every 2 minutes or so and unjammed the grass, it worked much better, but of course I’d much rather not have to stop so often. Any ideas? Thanks so much!
What is the best way to cut grass on a slope with a reel mower?
@Sarah Jowers,
Mowing with your reel mower will likely work best if you go side to side instead of up and down. Give that a try.
Happy Mowing!
@Scott,
Reel mowers work best if you stay on top of your mowing. In other words don’t let it get overgrown, which means you might need to mow a little more often then you would traditionally with a gas powered mower. It sounds like the tall grass must be what’s getting caught up on the side between the unit and wheel. Give it a try.
Have you tried the Great States 705-16 16-Inch Specialty Push Reel Lawn Mower? I have bermuda and would like to know if this will work or just buy the silent.
Thanks
@sam zirpolo,
The best mower for thicker grass like Bermuda and St. Augustine is a heavier mower like the Mascot or Fiskars mower.
Try this site,
http://www.cleanairgardening.com/mascot-reel-mower.html
http://www.cleanairgardening.com/fiskars-momentum-reel-mower.html
I hope that helps!
I just purchased a Scotts 16″ Elite Reel Mower. Since I am “mechanically challenged” I was disappointed that they didn’t include a small manual that showed assembly, blade sharpening and adjustment in the box. I found a website that said to put the “c” rings on the handles after putting the handles on the mower. I figured out what the c rings were…and I think I have the handles on where they are suppose to be on the mower, but I can’t get the c rings to stay on. Help!!
Thanks!
I just recently picked up two old reel mowers. One looks pretty standard while the other is a half size with only one wheel and a 1/4″ steel plate on the other side. I believe it would be used along the edge of a building to get a closer cut. Ever come across anything like this or is this a rare piece from a groundskeepers past?
@Chris,
Check out this site, http://users.crocker.com/~jricci/
I’m not as familiar with the older models as this guy is.
You should be able to contact him from that site.
@Sue, I have the manual for the Scotts Classic and assuming the “c” ring is the same and the “e” ring as described in the manual you will need a pair of pliers to get it on. Basically the ring is used to keep the handle from coming off.
Using your fingers slide the “c” ring so its close to being in place, then using your pliers pinch the “c” ring into place. It would be like using your fingers to force it on but using the pliers in place of your fingers.
If that does not help try calling American Lawn mower directly. 1-800-633-1501
@John, Hey John, what all people neglect to talk about is the actual mechanism that lets you pull the mower backwards without turning the blade. None of the sites I’ve ever visited discuss or picture the mechanism. It can be this mechanism that fails to engage the gear that turns the blades. My mower (an old Craftsman) has all steel gears and there’s pretty much no way those gears will wear out in less than a hundred years. However, inside the small gear is a 3 lobed cutout. And there’s a small flat, angled on both ends, piece of metal that slides through the shaft that turns the blades. It’s this small metal piece that engages with the flatter part of the lobes of the small gear to turn the blades. I would hear a clicking sound as the piece fails to engage. All it took for me was to grease the pieces well. Give it a try. I too am looking to replace a tire for this old mower. No luck so far.
we have a great states 400-st reel mower and can’t seem to find anything about this model online. we were wondering if you could tell us when or approximately when it was made?
@randy teal,
Check out this site, http://users.crocker.com/~jricci/ I’m not as familiar with the older models as this guy is.
If that does not work try calling American Lawn mower directly. 1-800-633-1501
My mower is squeeling like crazy. I have disassembled it, lubed, cleaned and sharpened the reel/wheels and it still squeels everytime. I have reset the blades so far back only a few inches were touching and it still sqeeled where the reel hit. The only way I can use it is to rub soap on the blades; that gives me about 7min of pushing before the noise comes back. I have even cleaned and filed the self sharpening bar!
Any ideas??
@Al,
Not knowing which mower or what lubricants you have tried, I suggest you try some Silicone Spray Lubricant.
HI , HAVE YOU COMPLETED YOUR EVALUATION OF THE FISKARS MOMENTUM IN ST AUGUSTINE GRASS? IF SO WHAT DO YOU THINK?
hi, i just bought an old reel mower from a garage sale. guy said he thinks its from the 20′s, if i gave you a picture would you be able to give me an approximate manufactured year? the only numbers i could find (but i didnt look too hard) were dx2700
please email me back. thanks!
@earl, Check out this site, http://users.crocker.com/~jricci/ I’m not as familiar with the older models as this guy is.
@james, The Fiskars mower does well for St. Augustine grass, we are pleased with the results and recommend it.
Have a Pro-Master Wheel Drive Mower by Kato Equipment Co. Has only the Marking 26W B8092 (Serial “?) Would like to get a manual on it or instructions on how to properly adjust the chains.
@Odie, Try this company, they may be able to help. http://www.manualsonline.com/
How well do reel lawn mowers handle gum balls/monkey balls? My yard is filled with them.
@Keith, In short, not well. If those get caught in the reel it will stop it from spinning and stop cutting. Try blowing or raking them up before mowing and it will not be a problem.
I just bought a house in Virginia Beach, VA. I was actually wondering if you might know what type of grass might typically grow in this area. Not sure if this helps: our house is not on the water, but is fairly close to the Chesapeake bay and a smaller saltwater bay and it borders a marshy area.
If I might have the tougher Bermuda, St. Augustine, and Zoysia grasses but could have the easier grasses, would it be best to go for one of the models capable of cutting the tough grasses just to be safe?
I have a Clemson Brothers Model Super D-17 Reel Mower that came from my wife’s grandfather. Have has this thing in the loft of my garage for more years that I can remember. It’s in very good condition and looks almost new. Tires and paint are almost perfect, yellow in color. I have several questions on this and I hoping somewhere out there can help.
1. How old is this mower? Any ideas on when this model was made?
2. Like to find the owners manual for it. Anyone know of a source for theses old manuals? Or maybe someone has one that they’d be willing to scan for me?
3. Would like to know how to sharpen this as well as how to do any adjustments on it. And how to do any maintenance on these as well.
Any help is very appreciated. You can contact me directly at: oldmanriver@mchsi.com.
Thanks!! Jeff
@Jeffrey LaPage,
Check out this site, http://users.crocker.com/~jricci/ I’m not as familiar with the older models as this guy is.
@Winston, I am not familiar with this area, however a good all around push mower is the Fiskars Momentum reel lawn mower. It has a wide range of heights it can cut grass at.
Here is a link to a site that has it on sale http://www.cleanairgardening.com/fiskars-momentum-reel-mower.html
Hello,
I came across an old Toro Sportsman mower last year in an old rental garage we were cleaning. Brought it home and now that the weather is nice, got it out today. It looks old, the handle is worn and weathered wood, but it appears to be in great working order except the blades might need sharpened. My question is what is this worth? I can send photos if that would help. Not sure I have a use for it other than its pretty cool. Thank you! Mark
@Mark, Check out this site, http://users.crocker.com/~jricci/ they may be able to put a value on it.
Steve,
I am building a LEED certified second home in the mountains of NC. According to the eco friendly nature of the home we will have limited fescue grass to mow. We will be able to mow it weekly most of the season but on occasion it will be a two week growth span. We have moderate temps and can have moist days frequently. Which mower would you recommend for us?
I have a iron reel mower built by Pennsylvania Mower Works, likely dating to the late 1950′s. I need to find a pair of tires . These tires are hollow and fit over cast iron wheels. The outside diameter is 10″ and they are 1-1/4″ wide.
I have a photo, but don’t think I can paste it into this message.
Any help will be appreciated.
@Steve Rose, Check out this site, http://users.crocker.com/~jricci/ He is more familiar with older models and can help you out.
Steve:
I have been in contact with him, and nothing is being reproduced. I have been checking on ebay for about a year to find a used pair of tires, to no avail.
A search function on this valuable website might be nice as I don’t see my particular question, tho it may have been asked before. Is there a way to tighten the wheels on a older Great States mower? I’ve discovered that our cogs need replacing so maybe that’ll help a bit? They are just very wobbly with only that small cotter pin holding them on.
I just blew the crankshaft on my gas mower and am considering getting a reel mower for my 0.36 acre (with house), heavily treed lawn of St Augustine grass in Dallas. My neighbors are laughing at me, of course. Based on your site and the reviews on Amazon.com, I’ve narrowed down to: Scotts Classic 20″, American Lawn Mower 1414-16, and the Mascot Reel mower you recommend. I would LOVE to get the Mascot, but am finding it hard to justify the price over the other two. On the other had a silent cut mower appeals very much to me. What are your thoughts on these 3 mowers for someone on a budget?
Thanks.
@AMO, The Scotts will work, however when the St. Augustine begins to really get thick in July and August it will be much tougher to push. The reason I like the Mascot is it has the muscle to work in thick grass. Another mower to consider is the Fiskars, it has the greatest range in height adjustment. http://www.cleanairgardening.com/fiskars-momentum-reel-mower.html
@Cynthia Spencer, Thanks for your suggestion, we will look into it. As for the mower question, I would contact the manufacturer http://www.reelin.com
@Steve, great website and I’ll see if I can get answer from mftr.
Hi-
I’m in a new house – Twin Cities suburbs, and my front yard slopes down to the street at about a 20 degree slope. I was previously in a townhouse, so I haven’t had to mow lawns for several years. No emissions is important to me, so I’m wondering if I can get away with using a reel mower on the slopes — the lawn is maybe 2000 sq. feet in the front yard (no lawn to speak of in the back yet — my first big project). Since it is about 50 ft across, I’m hoping I can mow side to side across the slope, rather than up and down. Will a reel mower work for that? I think all in all the reel mowers are lighter than the cordless battery mowers, especially if I have to get a self-propelled cordless mower, which is the heaviest and most expensive of the cordless varieties. What are your thoughts?
@Nancy, If going with a electric mower I would use the Toro, http://www.cleanairgardening.com/toro-electric-mower.html
Its by far one of the better electric mowers on the market and the cost will be worth it in the long run. It should work on that slop with no problem. If going with a Reel Mower, the Fiskars is a great choice http://www.cleanairgardening.com/fiskars-momentum-reel-mower.html
It has a wide path and weighs just over 50 lbs.
Hello. I would like to transition away from a typical gas powered mower. I have a new house/yard, perfectly level/flat, takes about 15 minutes to mow with my push gas powered mower. Additional time and/or having to more mow often is of little to no concern. I do however like to have a slightly longer (vs shorter) grass length Probably between 3-4 inches. What is the tallest cutting, baggable reel style mower available? I like the idea of the rechargeable style units (assuming the advantage is simply more revolutions of the blade). Thanks for your help.
I have an American built reel mower. I think it is a model 13303-14. It is a 16 inch mower. Anyway I used to have trouble with the wheel locking up. I messed around, I shook it around a little but I couldn’t figure out how to get the wheel off. Now the wheel is really loose and is rubbing against the metal hub. How do I fix this. Can someone tell me how to get the wheel off.
Sincerely,
That guy that curses at his lawn mower
When I bought my house, I inherited an ancient Toro Sportsman reel mower. Sharpened the blades and it worked great. But now the left wheel has locked up. I’ve got about 2 turns of play either way and then it locks. The blades and the right wheel spin fine.
My assumption is that something is in the hub locking up the gears but I can’t figure out how to get into the hub to inspect and clean it. Do you have any tips to get into the hubs.
Also, if I’m unable to repair the gears, would it be feasible to disconnect the broken wheel and use just the right one?
@Robert, Check out this site, http://users.crocker.com/~jricci/ they may be able to help you out. They are more of an expert on older models.
@Josh, Turn it on its side, take hub cap off (little black cap) with a screw driver. Then use the same screw driver to pop off the “c” ring lock washer that holds on the wheel. It sounds like you may have bent something, maybe the axel.
I bought a Mascot 18″ 6-bladed reel mower a few weeks back. I live in central Illinois where most of the grass is bluegrass, fescue, & rye. While mowing yesterday, the right wheel started locking up at various intervals – nothing you could gauge or predict – going forward & backward. I’m thinking a stick or something has lodged in the wheel/gear area. Does this sound feasible? One of the posts mentioned a bent axle. I realize these mowers are pretty new, but would I be able to pop the wheel off myself to check? I spray the heck out of it w/WD40 after each use. Thanks for any help!
BTW – mower works GREAT on the thinner, straighter grasses. It WILL NOT cut anything over about 3-4″ though. The extra weight on the Mascots comes in handy for even slightly bumpy yards – keeps the mower from bouncing over some patches. Also, it’s obviously much quieter than a power mower, but nowhere near “silent”. I would compare it’s sound & volume to that of a sewing machine – somewhere in that neighborhood. This reel mower is a little harder to push than non self-propelled power mowers, so while you won’t have to make any trips to the gas station – or breathe in pure carbon monoxide in the summer heat – your sweat equity will increase. My yard is about 7,500 sq/ft & it takes me 2 hours to mow – but that includes a few breaks.
@Doug, You should not be having this problem and in my opinion WD-40 is not the best lubricant for this situation, if that is the problem. I suggest trying a silicon spray lubricant. As for taking off the wheel, yes, that is a good idea; maybe there is something in there getting caught in the gear. Pop off the wheel and have a look, with any luck there is something in there that can be easily cleaned out.
I have a Craftsman 18″ reel mower, have breen using it happily for 2 summers now. This is the third summer I’ve pulled it out to start mowing, and it’s tearing up the grass rather than cutting. So I bought the sharpening kit, followed the instructions, but only the middle 2″ or so sharpened – the rest of the blade width didn’t. How do I adjust the stationary blade to fix this? It seems to me if I move the blades closer that it will totally jam up in the middle? Fescue grass, Western Wa, btw…Any advice??
@Venessa, I could be mistaken but it sounds as if the reel may be warped. If this is the case it would likely be less expensive to replace than to repair. Especially since it’s tough to find someone to make the repair so you would need to do the work.
Good grief! Thanks for your input. Takin’ ‘er back to Sears to see what they can do for me…
Just recently my uncle gave me my grandfathers old Eclipse Rio Grande Reel Mower. I was just curious as to the approximate year it was originally produced, or just how old it was in general. From what I gather all the parts are fine and in very good working condition as I have taken it for a few spins across the yard and managed to cut a few sections. The wheels are solid with the notched surface and “RIO GRANDE” across the outter area, and “Eclipse Lawnmower Co.” along the outter axle area. Nothing more can be read except for a number, “906″ I believe.. can anyone help me?
Scratch that, those are part numbers I take it. I just rechecked after cleaning it with water and I got two different numbers, “908″ and “907″. Again it’s in good operational condition but with total body oxidation/rust.. nothing really that steel whool and elbow grease won’t help..
@M. Davis, Check out this site, http://users.crocker.com/~jricci/ they may be able to help you out. They’re more of an expert on older models.
I believe this mower is from the early twenties and would like to know what it is worth.
@Dave Fruth, I suggest you check out this site, http://users.crocker.com/~jricci/ they may be able to help you out. They’re experts on older models.
I have a new-to-me yard in Dallas that is part St. Augustine, part bermuda, with heavy doses of junk grass and weeds mixed in and a Mascot reel mower. I’m working on getting rid of the extra stuff, so I don’t mind weedeating/pulling the seed stems on the junk this year (dallis grass earlier, now crabgrass and bluestem), since some of that truly looks bad. Leaving some of the bermuda seed stems behind when I mow doesn’t bother me, since they’re pretty fine and not that tall, I have a neighbor who thinks otherwise. Do you have any recommendations to improve the cutting of the taller stems on the bermuda?
Would like to find out where i might get a handle cover for a Scott Classic 2000-20. ??
@c dahlgreen, You should be able to buy one from American Lawn Mower, they’re the manufacturer.
Beth, Typcally push reel mowers do not do well with taller pieces of grass, you may need to cut more often and when you neighbor comments suggest they come over and take care of it for you.
I found an old reel mower at the dump. On the wheel it is written Eureka Woodstock Canada. I want to sharpen the blades and I purchased a sharpening kit with compound. My problem is that I am unable to remove the wheel to use the crank provided. Does anybody have any idea or tip?
I’ve got a very vintage Wardmaster side wheel lawn trimmer. Something is very gummed up in it- while the wheels move and the reel will turn by hand it won’t turn when you push forward- it will turn slightly if you pull backward. Any tips on how to get into this machine to free it up?
@Eric Scott, I suggest you check out this site, http://users.crocker.com/~jricci/ they may be able to help you out. They’re experts on older models.
@Stephane, Check out this site: http://users.crocker.com/~jricci/
They may be able to help you out. They’re experts on older models.
Hello,
I’ve recently bought an Eclipse model “M” push reel mower from an Amish for $100. The mower is in awesome condition and is complete with a grass catcher with the number 5591 on it. I’m sure the mower is all original and not restored.
I appreciate any help, and can e-mail pictures if necessary.
Thanks a lot, Richard Taggart
Got a new mascot silent cut 18″. Been trying to adjust cut bar properly but not going so well. Is there a way to adjust the camber of the cut bar as well as the gap betwwen bar and blades? It will cut a piece of paper but still tears grass.
@Richard Taggart, What exactly did you need, did you have a question about this model? Since we are not experts on older models this site may be able to help, http://users.crocker.com/~jricci/ They’re experts on older models.
@Mike, Not sure what you mean by “camber” but for the most part adjusting the space between the reel and cutting bar should take care of your problem. Tighten it up the slightest amount and see if that fixes you problem.
I have inherited a reel mower, unknown brand that is seized. I need to know how to go about returning this mower to its operating condition. If you could help me, that would be great.
@Victoruia Douglas, Take it apart, lubricate it and put it back together. Check for any worn or damaged parts. It’s likely the lubrication should make a big difference.
Do you know where I can get a schematic in order to take it apart and put it back together?
I am short (5’2″). I am looking at purchasing a reel mower, but was wondering about the handle-height. Many gas-powered mowers make it difficult for me to mow, since the handle position is a good 4 inches highers than is comfortable for me to hold.
Do reel mowers have the same difficulty? Or, are they constructed differently?
@Julia, My wife is just a few inches taller at 5’4 and she has no problems with our Scotts Classic. Like rotary style mowers the handle has a range, allowing it to go up and down, but push mowers have a slightly higher range. I think you will be fine.
i have a vintage self propelled gas powered reel mower its gold in color it has the letter v on the bar that joins the handles can anyone tell me what it is i want to sell it but i dont know the value
@trish, Since we are not experts on older models this site may be able to help, http://users.crocker.com/~jricci/
They’re experts on older models.
im having some trouble with my reel mower i just bought at a flea market. everything works on it however no matter how tight i adjust the blades it wont cut my new grass. the grass just gets bruise marks on it where it pinches between the bar and blades. any idea’s?
@Cory, It likely needs to be sharpened. There are several different reel mower sharpening kits on the market.
I have a McLane battery powered reel mower,Model# 20-ec-10-sp.
And i would like some info on it,such as price,where to get parts and is it good quality battery mower to use.
ThankYou:Steve
@Steve Tatar, I found this phone number for Mclane, you should be able to call them and get the info and parts needed. (562) 633-8158
How can I find a manufacture date for an old Clemson reel mower?
I have an old Clemson Reel lawnmower. I got it at a yard/junk sale. I need to adjust it so i can mow grass? I dont have a manual, so if i could find one of those would also be nice. However, i cant find one. So, if you could direct me to a link for that, it would be great. But i mainly want to know how to adjust it, so i can mow it.
Jeff Carroll, Since we are not experts on older models this site may be able to help, http://users.crocker.com/~jricci/
They’re experts on older models.
Older Silent Scott’s Reel Mower -Model 10-M-3
Tuning up a recently acquired Scott’s 10M3 reel mower. Unit has a height adjustment on top of the frame.
The scale on the adjuster has readings from 1/2 to 2 1/4 inches. I can only achieve a maximum height of 1 3/4 inch where the adjustment is fully extended. Is there a way to ‘set-up’ or ‘calibrate’ the adjustment screw? I’d would like to have the full range of adjustment.
I have changed the position of the roller, but that does not open it to maximum (2 1/4inches).
Does any one have the assembly or parts manual for the 10M3?
I have a full set of documentation for a Silent Scott’s 16″ 5M9 mower to share with anyone who requires the information. Also have documentation on the Agri-Fab 18″ Silent Reel Mower.
We found a Pro-Master wheel Drive Mower manufactured by Kato Equipment Company in Whittier, CA The Serial # is 73673 20V
Can anybody give me info on when this mower was produced?
Hi,
I just purchased an American 16 inch, 7 blade reel mower, model 1705-16.
I’m attempting to assemble the handle.
When I attempt to fasten the 3 hex nuts on the 3 hex bolts that hold the handle
together (bullets 2 and 3 in the “Handle” part of the instructions),
the hex nuts stop rotating after only partially fastening.
This seems to be due to there being plastic inside the hex nut, so that the
thread doesn’t run all the way through. The plastic seems to block the
smooth passage of the bolt.
I’m not sure whether this is intentional or not.
Do you know whether I should just fasten the nnuts to the point of contact
with the plastic, or whether I need to use a tool to fasten the nuts
right down, having the bolt pass through the plastic portion?
Thanks!
- Farmer
@Farmer, As far as I know on that model you need to tighten them down all the way.
I have inherited a good reel mower. It is labeled Sears and the stamped tag on it says Product of Yard-Man Inc Jackson, Mich Order parts from Sears Roebuck and on the handle it is labeled SEARS. It has what appears to be a model number on the stamped tag of 123.81721. Is there any chance anyone out there recognizes this mower and would know whether there is an owners manual for it and if one could still be purchased somewhere. It seems to be an older model but in very good condition. I would like to know how to service, adjust, and sharpen it.
i have a small 14″ wide path. its an american.I like it vey much but would like to adjust my blade lower.(deeper) cut. can this be done. thank
Paul orton
@Glen, This site may be able to help, http://users.crocker.com/~jricci/
They’re experts on older models.
@paul orton, If you don’t see any adjustment screws or levers then the answer is no, but without a model and model number it’s hard to give you a definitive answer.
Are there any reel mowers that you recommend for greens grasses, such as bentgrass?
@Tim, Yes, there are a few on the market that work well for putting greens, however they’re not cheap: http://www.cleanairgardening.com/greensmower.html
I have a “Great Lakes” reel lawnmower with operating instructions – BUT other than a model #128.81201, have no idea of age (no date on instructions) – sold through Sears,Roebuck and Co.-USA or Simpsons-Sears limited in Canada. Still works great. Any idea how old or its possible worth? Thanks!!
@Ken Willcox, This site may be able to help, http://users.crocker.com/~jricci/
They’re experts on older models.
I was looking for some information on a recently acquired reel mower. On the wheels are stamped “Interstate G.L.M. Co.”. It used to be my grandfathers. Can anyone assist me with this.
@Jim W. This site may be able to help, http://users.crocker.com/~jricci/ They’re experts on older models.
I have a Kato 25″ reel lawnmower and i am missing the catcher do you have any idea where i could ordr a catcher for this style of mower.