Homemade fairway mower?

DFWdude · Oct 9, 2020

Being an engineer, I have a tendency to try to solve problems with my own two hands. That being said, while mowing the lawn earlier today I was thinking about next year's switch to reel mowing, and if there was a way I could make that switch without dumping $2k into a mower that cuts at half the ground speed of my ztr, while also cutting 1/2 the width (25" vs 48").

The idea that came to mind was mounting some manual push reels to the front end of my ztr. Maybe 3 16" earthwise units in a staggered pattern. I have the ztr. I have a welder. I'm super handy... Why not make a homemade fairway mower for a few hundred?

What do I need to consider as I put these plans together? I have never been near a fairway mower, so here are my thoughts so far;

Enough weight above the reels to push them down while mowing
The ability to lift the reels off the deck for transport
Does each reel need independent up/down travel (going over bumps), or should all 3 be joined to move as one big reel?
If my ground speed is going to be beyond walking pace, will the 7 blade manual reels still work efficiently?

Help me map this idea out, and maybe come spring I'll have a custom beast in the garage!

Thanks

Edit; I could also remove the deck and fab up the reels to live in its place. But I'd fab it such that the reels could be removed, and the deck reinstalled.

MasterMech · Oct 9, 2020

Ground-driven reels will have a relatively constant frequency of clip, at walking speed, or ZTR speed. So no advantage there. And with manual reels, I would want to know more about the bearings to see if they can cope with the speed.

Have a look at an actual machine - https://www.jacobsen.com/img/products/JAC-0818_LF550_557_570_577_SS_10011-J02-dsus.pdf

Also, on Bermuda, manual cutting units are going to be pretty light. You are likely to run into problems with them floating over the turf, especially at speed.

mowww · Oct 9, 2020

@DFWdude I tried something similar last winter: https://thelawnforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=7587&start=80

The challenges for me were that the reels easily got stuck in thick grass and reaching under the mower to fix the problem was a pain (not to mention going back to find where they quit cutting and going over it again.) Weight wasn't too big of an issue on kbg.

I used earthwise 7 blade reels. If interested in waiting til December I might be driving your way if you'd like the entire setup.

DFWdude · Oct 9, 2020

mowww said:
@DFWdude I tried something similar last winter: https://thelawnforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=7587&start=80

The challenges for me were that the reels easily got stuck in thick grass and reaching under the mower to fix the problem was a pain (not to mention going back to find where they quit cutting and going over it again.) Weight wasn't too big of an issue on kbg.

I used earthwise 7 blade reels. If interested in waiting til December I might be driving your way if you'd like the entire setup.

Wow, nice fab work! When you say the blades got stuck in thick grass, you mean that they stopped spinning and were just pushed/plowed until you realized it?

Are you selling the reels or just trying to get rid of them?

mowww · Oct 9, 2020

@DFWdude Exactly, but it is possible that more weight was needed to make the wheels grab more.

All I ask is for some St. Arnold Santo for my time and transport.

DFWdude · Oct 9, 2020

mowww said:
@DFWdude Exactly, but it is possible that more weight was needed to make the wheels grab more.

All I ask is for some St. Arnold Santo for my time and transport.

Very generous sir, and the Santo can be handled

gene_stl · Oct 10, 2020

https://www.promow.com/

These folks make similar mowers that you can tow behind whatever you have. Depending on the horsepower you can have up to seven reels or as few as three.

hsvtoolfool · Oct 10, 2020

@gene_stl , do you have a ProMow reel-gang? My understanding is that "ProMow" reels are China Harbor Freight build quality. I seems like there's always a ProMow reel-gang for sale in my area on Craigslist.

gene_stl · Oct 11, 2020

I bought one used from a farmer for $500 who had a ball field.

https://www.promow.com/product/sport-5/
The frame is made in USA and reels are from China. There is nothing wrong with the quality of them.
They are sold under the Mascot name. Mascot also sells their own frame.
https://www.reelmowersetc.com/category/RME2.html

https://www.cleanairgardening.com/product/mascot-21-inch-6-bladed-reel-mower/
this is the exact mower. prices have spiked.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/American-Lawn-Mower-American-Lawn-Mower-14-in-4-Blade-Push-Reel-Lawn-Mower/1002981534
That is made the same place but the pro mows are 22 inch.
https://www.sears.com/craftsman-16inch-reel-mower-with-bag/p-07130377000P

I have not been able to use it yet because it lived outside and the reels need grinding which seems to be a tall order here in St. Louis. It may be more economical to just get new reels. ($200 each or $166 from china)

The quality looks the same to me as the earthworks reels that moww used on his ryobi project. Probably from the same factory. They are inexpensive and nobody gives you something for nothing. A previously referenced tow powered reel mower is probably four or five times the price. (https://www.toro.com/en/golf/fairway-mowers/reelmaster-transport-frames)

ProMow has some yoohoo tooob vids you can watch.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ProMow+channel

I think when you get them into decent fettle and don't expect more from them than is realistic they are probably OK. I will report when I get them beaten into submission.

Sonoran Desert Lawn · May 16, 2021

Reviving an old thread but better than starting a new one I guess. I wanted to know what justifies a Mascot/Promow price over Earthwise/Scotts? I get that the Promow is slightly heavier with an 8 blade and 21" width but is the quality that much better for $350 to $450?

Homemade fairway mower?

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