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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 23,319
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 23,319 |
If you have had experiences, good or bad, I'd like to hear them.
I've been looking at McLane, Swardman and California Trimmer
"All that the South has ever desired was that the Union, as established by our forefathers, should be preserved, and that the government, as originally organized, should be administered in purity and truth." – Robert E. Lee
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8,210
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8,210 |
Never heard of them. But I must admit, I’m not sure what a "reel" lawnmower is.
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,414
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,414 |
I don't recognize those brands. Maybe I should get out more often.
I bought a Toro rotary, probably from Lowe's, about ten years ago and it still does the job. Starts on first pull. Honda engine, no alcohol gas. I replaced the air filter about 4 years ago and sharpen the blade each spring. Good value. Maybe they make a reel?
YMMV
Last edited by Border Doc; 06/11/21.
“You must endeavour to enjoy the pleasure of doing good. That is all that makes life valuable.”
Robert E. Lee, in a letter to his invalid wife.
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 66,944
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 66,944 |
Never heard of them. But I must admit, I’m not sure what a "reel" lawnmower is. One of those daym dreadful things that gomer pyle would have used as punishment for waving his dick at school kids. ![[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]](https://i.postimg.cc/xjR4TXZh/8-B62-BDB7-FB8-F-4-D9-E-A1-C2-A63-A88-C63005.jpg)
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 25,091
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 25,091 |
Nice for cutting your personal bent grass putting green.
“Life is life and fun is fun, but it's all so quiet when the goldfish die.”
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8,210
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8,210 |
Never heard of them. But I must admit, I’m not sure what a "reel" lawnmower is. One of those daym dreadful things that gomer pyle would have used as punishment for waving his dick at school kids. laffin Phug that, I don’t want to use anything I have to take a bastard file just to sharpen!
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,167
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,167 |
I had one and the instructions said to use fine lapping compound to sharpen. Miserable torture device not suited to my once a month mowing regimen
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 50,169
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 50,169 |
Never heard of them. But I must admit, I’m not sure what a "reel" lawnmower is. One of those daym dreadful things that gomer pyle would have used as punishment for waving his dick at school kids. I guess it's a retro thing. Kinda fun to see now. It wasn't WAF 50 years ago. I'd rate it right up there with shelling peas and hauling hay.
The only thing worse than a liberal is a liberal that thinks they're a conservative.
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,128
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,128 |
I bought a California Trimmer a year ago and love it. It does a great job.
If you find yourself in a hole....quit digging
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,297
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,297 |
Never heard of them. But I must admit, I’m not sure what a "reel" lawnmower is. One of those daym dreadful things that gomer pyle would have used as punishment for waving his dick at school kids. Those damn things were harder to use than they look. Once you got the blades spinning it wasnt so bad but you had to get them spinning.
Ideas are far more powerful than guns, We dont let our people have guns. Why should we let them have ideas. "Joseph Stalin"
He who has braved youths dizzy heat dreads not the frost of age.
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 8,793
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 8,793 |
Powered reel mowers are generally used for turf grasses.
l told my pap and mam I was going to be a mountain man; acted like they was gut-shot. Make your life go here. Here's where the peoples is. Mother Gue, I says, the Rocky Mountains is the marrow of the world, and by God, I was right.
- Del Gue
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,131
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,131 |
I'll stick with my John Deere X350, thanks.
Someday someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty.
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 16,909
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 16,909 |
Have you looked into how they are sharpened ?
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,374
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,374 |
The trend now is with cartridge mowers such as Swardman or Allett. They are good but pricey. The cartridges pop out and can be sent for sharpening. A company near Atlanta called Reel Rollers sharpens and sells TruCut and Swardmans. They may also sharpen others on a drop off basis.
Your choice may depend on grass type, size of lawn, cutting height and budget. Many folks with larger lawns have been purchasing used greens mowers such as ones from Toro, John Deere and Jacobsen.
For typical lawns, cut at 1/2 - 1.25 inches, I would seriously consider a Cal Trimmer over McLane or TruCut. They are built like a tank and reasonably priced. Both Swardman (B&S engines) and Allett (Honda engines) have had some long term maintenance concerns such as plastic gears and linkage and belt issues. McLanes have soft metal reels that dull quickly. TruCut mowers are kind of bulky and operator unfriendly… IMO
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21,768
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21,768 |
Hmmm?
Part of the hard gets cut at 3", part at 4.5"(an experiment) and the rougher parts at whatever is full up on the ZTR. Guessing a reel mower wouldn't be a real good choice.
Plus, I ain't pushing this yard.
Used to do over half of it when we were young and poor-er.
The rider only had 1st gear.
Wife rode, I trimmed with the pusher.
Then started mowing.
Oh the good old days.
I miss that fit, tougher, guy who had no aches.
Don't miss being broke.
Parents who say they have good kids..Usually don't!
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 10,489
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 10,489 |
Other than the expensive stuff used by some golf courses for certain jobs I don't think I've seen a gas powered reel mower around for years. Do they still make them for regular homeowner type lawn mowing? Years ago I heard that you get a better, more uniform cut with reels than with rotary mowers.
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 45,084
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 45,084 |
We had small yards for quite awhile and I didn't see any sense in having to use gas, store it, etc.
I bought a McLane push type, no engine. I had no issue with the blades, but as mentioned, small yards didn't use up metal much. Sharpened it once or twice in a five year period.
Based on what some here are saying, I'd look into those other brands too.
If they made a battery operated reel mower, I'd be on it like the proverbial flies on poo. I love my Black and Decker rotary, but would prefer to cut the dandelions with a reel.
The desert is a true treasure for him who seeks refuge from men and the evil of men.
In it is contentment
In it is death and all you seek
(Quoted from "The Bleeding of the Stone" Ibrahim Al-Koni)
member of the cabal of dysfunctional squirrels?
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,374
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,374 |
Gas powered (as well as battery powered) reel mowers are becoming quite popular. Reel mowers have a scissors-like cut and do a much better job than rotary mowers. They do best on shorter cuts and non-bumpy lawns. The three popular "homeowner" types are Cal Trimmer, TruCut and McLane. The next level up are the cartridge types such as Swardman and Allett. The Toro Greensmaster is the most commonly used professional model used on home lawns. They are generally bought used as new models fetch around $15k + or -.
Both Allett and Swardman offer battery powered reel mowers in a mid price range. Cheap battery powered reel mowers such as SunJoe are available, but not that great IMO. They are almost throw away models.
Last edited by RicG; 06/12/21. Reason: addition
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Joined: Oct 2012
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Be a baller - Deere 220 SL
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Joined: Oct 2012
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Posts: 7,615 |
Never heard of them. But I must admit, I’m not sure what a "reel" lawnmower is. One of those daym dreadful things that gomer pyle would have used as punishment for waving his dick at school kids. I jist started cussin' my daddy when I saw this picture.
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