[WarEagle26]

Is it pretty straightforward to replace the reel on a Toro GM 1000? I have an 11 blade reel that needs to be sharpened, but I'm contemplating just going ahead and buying a new eight blade replacement reel from R&R for about $200 instead. I will probably eventually have the other one sharpened just to have around as a backup. I just wasn't sure how difficult it was to swap them out or if any special tools were needed. Also wasn't sure if any other parts were necessary to replace when replacing the reel.

Any of you guys from the north Alabama area have any recommendations for places to get a reel sharpened?

 

[Greendoc]

Pretty easy. I change bearings and grease seals as well when the reel comes out. Worn bearings will cause a problem getting the reel to operate correctly. No special tools required.

 

[WarEagle26]

Thanks, Greendoc. This might seem like an obvious question to most and maybe it would be more clear once I started taking it apart, but which bearings and seals do you replace? Looking at the parts listed here at R&R it looks like there are several different bearings and seals.

Anybody have a video link that shows how to do this?

 

[Greendoc]

Ok. On your schematic, that would be #23,#53,#8,#64,#22 for the right hand side of the reel if you are looking at it from the front. #22,#8,#23 would be what is on the drive pulley or left side of the reel. The first time I did it, I referred to the service manual. Otherwise, replacing a reel is something I do once a year. Mine is backlapped every month and relief ground every other month. Lots of metal coming off. It would be different if I were not mowing so much Zoysia, especially not previously overgrown Zoysia. If only using it on your Bermuda, reel replacement might only need to be done once every 7-10 years.

 

[Colonel K0rn]

I'm going to throw in a question as well. I am pretty sure the guy at the course I took my reel to ground off all of the relief because 1. he's an idiot 2. he didn't know any better or 3. that's how they roll there. I'm still trying to find another course with a competent mechanic to take the head to, but in the interim, if I can't find one I'm thinking that I should go ahead with an 8 blade since I plan on keeping my lawn at 0.5-0.75 this year. If I get the new 8-blade, I'm guessing I should go ahead and get a new bedknife as well. If I get the new knife, doesn't it have to be ground to be flat once it's mounted to the bedbar? Also, should there be anything else I should add to the cart if I go this route? Thanks

 

[Greendoc]

No need to grind flat. I lap in with some 180 grit until I can cut paper with light contact. I have had to fix people's reels because they knew someone who knew someone that worked at a golf course. @sshats grind the reel until there is no relief and gives it back.

Do not remember the schematic for the Flex 21, but if there are any kind of soft bushings around the bedbar bolts, those get changed as well. Check your bedbar bolts as well. Mine get changed regularly.

 

[WarEagle26]

Thanks, @Greendoc. I really appreciate your responses. That helps me out a lot.

 

[Greendoc]

Wish I had a forum like this back in 2013. The reel that came with my mower was old, and kind of rusty. Including the welds holding the blades to the spiders. Jackwagon tree trimmers were working in one of the lawns. Some chunks of wood went through the mower and cracked the blades from the spiders. I had to figure out from reading the service manual how to strip the mower. At that time, I also put on the clip kit because removing the reel means unscrewing the drive pulley from the end.

 

[fp_911]

I attempted to remove the reel from my Toro GM 1000 at one time and gave up. Not sure if anyone has published a step-by-step instruction on what to do but I would like to know for the next time.