[kur1j]

I just replaced the bearings, reel, and bedknife on my JD 220c. I just got it all back together and back-lapped it.

One thing I was never able to figure out is how much resistance there should be when spinning the reel. It's cutting the paper really well but not sure if there is too much resistance in the spinning of the reel?

Does this look normal?

https://youtu.be/TS9zKmfh1Hw

 

[ABC123]

As long as it doesn't make an audible squeal of metal on metal. You can also do the two paper test and cut one and bend the other.

 

[kur1j]

The only slushing, chinging noise thst a reel makes. No screeching thst I can tell.

 

[ABC123]

Should be good to go then.

 

[SCGrassMan]

I was advised to keep a 0.002" gap (no contact) on mine for durability. Mines a toro gm1600 and I have Zeon Zoysia. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Ware]

I was advised to keep a 0.002" gap (no contact) on mine for durability. Mines a toro gm1600 and I have Zeon Zoysia. Your mileage may vary.

Light contact, no contact, spin only, spin-relief... it's one of those things where if you ask 4 different reel mechanics you're likely to get 4 different answers.

FWIW, the Toro service manual just says:

After the adjustment is accomplished, check to see if the reel can pinch a strip of paper when inserted from the front and cut the paper when inserted at a right angle to the bedknife.

 

[g-man]

This is for the QA5 head but I don't see why it doesn't apply (0.002in (0.05mm)of clearance).

 

[Greendoc]

Using the 180 grit, I backlap without tightening the reel further until the reel has just a trace of contact. I do not believe in zero contact. Toro explained why in their "Reel Mower Basics" bulletin.

 

[Ware]

Toro Reel Mower Basics

I had this bookmarked. Linking it to save someone a search. :thumbup:

 

[SCGrassMan]

Yeah pinching paper would probably be around 0.002".

And agreed Ware, 4 guys would probably give at least 5 answers though

I imagine the grind (spin Vs relief) and type of grass etc makes a difference.

But I can tell you at 0.002" mine is cutting great and it's quiet!

 

[Greendoc]

Here is the study that quantifies what happens when a reel is maintained with the zero contact no relief method of mower set up. I saw the shredded leaf tips and the exploded drive chains or cut belts long before reading this. The work was confirmation that I was not out of line or pursuing an agenda. Other than the agenda of non shredded leaf tips. Zoysia shreds something awful when a zero contact mower is put on it. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2031&context=farms_reports

 

[kur1j]

Here is the study that quantifies what happens when a reel is maintained with the zero contact no relief method of mower set up. I saw the shredded leaf tips and the exploded drive chains or cut belts long before reading this. The work was confirmation that I was not out of line or pursuing an agenda. Other than the agenda of non shredded leaf tips. Zoysia shreds something awful when a zero contact mower is put on it. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2031&context=farms_reports

So would that mean that you couldn't fit a .001 feeler gauge between the bedknife and reel? It's hard for me to quantify "light can't contact".

I just don't want to have to spend 250$ replacing the reel if i ruin it.

 

[Greendoc]

0.01" would not fit. 0.0001" might. i simply backlap until the reel turns very smoothly and does not sound like it is grinding hard.

 

[SCGrassMan]

@kur1j

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0752XD2YZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_2x4YAbN607PWK

Quantify away or, a single sheet of paper dragging between the two with some resistance.

 

[kur1j]

@SCGrassMan

So I already have feeler gauges but the problem for me is that if I set it at .002 across the bedknife it won't cut paper. When it's at .001 it will cut paper but seems more than "light contact".

Maybe I'm doing the whole procedure wrong.

 

[SCGrassMan]

If you're using a 0.001 and there is contact you're doing it wrong. The feeler gauges are to ensure that there is NOT contact.

When using a 0.002 feeler, when you slide it between the reel and the bedknife it should drag a little. You don't want it to ether get stuck, or completely pass through without touching.

Does that make sense?

 

[kur1j]

@SCGrassMan

Hmmm. Well I was going for the "light contact" that greendoc suggested.

So maybe my basics are all messed up for this whole procedure. Here is what I've been doing.

Set to .001 (or .002) with feeler garage all the way across. To me this where the .002 for example will get resistance when sliding between the contact point of the reel blade and the bedknife. At that point will backlap it. Using 120 and then 220 grit compound. If i do this at .002. The reel will not cut paper. It will bend the paper over, but won't cut it. .001 it will cut "mostly". Sometimes it will cut sometimes it will bend the paper over. But I can certainly hear the bedknife and reel making contact at .001. Maybe I'm not ************ it long enough?

What should my whole procedure be?

 

[Greendoc]

If a little bit of backlapping does not allow the reel to cut paper with that kind of clearance, then it needs to be spin ground and the relief angle re established. Carefully feel the cutting edge. Do not draw your finger along the length of the blade. Feel it at a perpendicular to the blade. If that edge feels rounded or not sharp. you need spin grinding and a relief grind.

 

[SCGrassMan]

I'd defer to Greendoc. I don't do contact on mine because somebody much smarter than me told me not to lol.

But I'd agree with him on checking the sharpness etc. and possibly getting it reground. Could be the bedknife too.

 

[Greendoc]

One more thing. If your bedknife has a similarly rounded cutting edge, it will not cut paper either. Facing the bedknife can work. I have seen bedknives come brand new with not so sharp edges. They get faced before mounting the bedbar on to the mower. I just re read your initial post. It can take some time backlapping with the 180 grit compound if you are trying to mate a reel and bedknife after installing for the first time.