[TheStu]

Hi everyone,

I found this forum watching Connor Ward's Youtube channel. My dad has always loved taking care of his lawn so I started showing him some of Connor's videos and now he would like to get a reel mower. I found one near me and am hoping to get some advice from the experts here. I already started reading all of the resources available here (a little overwhelmed), but we will get the hang of it. Here is the cl link https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/grd/d/gm1000-toro-greensmaster-1000/6593138600.html If I can find out enough info and feel good about it, I will pick it up next week. Thanks!

 

[Redtenchu]

Looks like a good deal, be sure to learn all you can before you go test the item out so you can make a sound decision.

 

[TheStu]

He is about an hour away so it's not the most convenient. The current owner has never used it. He purchased it on ebay from a local dealer http://www.reynoldsfarmequipment.com/. I tried calling them but they aren't open until Monday. So I will report back then if I get hold of someone.

 

[g-man]

@TheStu welcome to TLF. I live in Fishers and know the Reynolds guys. I don't think they won't know much about it. I think they got it from a trade in (switch to JD).

He has been selling it for a while now. I emailed him around 7months ago. It is an older model (I think 92)and he bought to sell it for a profit but he doesn't know much about it.

It has a lot of rust and might need a new reel. A new reel would be $400-500 in parts (reel, bearings, knife, etc), if you are doing the work. I don't know of anyone in our area that would service them. Maybe the Reynolds guys could do it. They can sharpen it.

 

[TheStu]

@g-man, thank you for the insight! It's incredible someone on here knew the exact mower I was talking about...small world. If that's the case I will most likely pass on this one. As I have been reading more and more on this forum I think I find myself leaning towards a flex model for the extra cut height. Anyways, everyone's help is very much appreciated. I don't think I could have gotten more sound advice anywhere else. :thumbup:

 

[g-man]

I don't think it is a bad deal. It has some risks and might not be ready to mow from day 1. You could try to get one from auction (global turf) and it will be cheaper but with ~$400 of shipping cost. It might also need a new reel.

 

[SCGrassMan]

Contact Greg @ Prairie Turf Equipment. Tell him me and Ware sent you.

If you're starting off at $550+400-500 for a reel, you're already at near $1000, and theres no telling what else it might need.

 

[TheStu]

Thanks @SCGrassMan, I will give this a shot. I appreciate all the help.

 

[95mmrenegade]

If you dont have a bunch of landscape edging the greens mower is the way to go. I have a tru cut and a Toro.

Both have advantages. The tru cut is a nice machine, height is quickly adjustable, the clutch setup is nice, being able to turn the reel off at the operator controls is nice, like the ability to edge closely, needs about 20# over the nose.

The Toro is also a great mower. I wish it could edge closer to hard objects. Sometimes mowing along my neighbors lawn lifts the roller due to .5" vs 3" tall bermuda. I like the lapping ease on the Toro better, groomer is a plus. Adjustment is superior for HOC and bedknife fo reel. I like about 10# on the nose of a Toro.

 

[Rockinar]

I have a JD180c. I really like it and would get another. But I would get an SL machine next time for the Speed Link height adjuster. Old system works fine, but the Speed Link looks simpler.

Dont fall in love with the first machine you see. Look around a bit. Theres tons of used greens mowers out there. Tons of them. Various conditions and deals. I bought mine for like $600+ shipping from Weeks Machinery. Cosmetically its a tad rough, but mechanically it has worked great so far.