@ReelRonSwanson pics might help people to give you some ideas.

 

Oh man....it's embarrassing. I'm trying to lower the cut gradually and it's got stems showing everywhere. I'll try to get some tomorrow.
I'm almost positive it's not the mower, though. I'm really just trying to figure out whether I should just stop with the reel in front for the season and address it in the spring, or stick with it. It's still pretty warm here and I don't suspect we'll be close to a frost for 6 more weeks. But just don't know.

 

Do you have a roller on it? Front could be thick enough and mower not heavy enough to make stripes.

 

What's the hoc?

 

@ReelRonSwanson okay, your last post helps. You can't really lower bermuda grass gradually. The brown undergrowth won't "regreen". You will have to scalp lower than your intended height and then raise the mower a notch or two to allow the green to regrow and not immediately be cut back off. I'm not sure I would recommend that with 6 weeks left in the season. I would raise the cutting height two notches, fertilize with some fast release (urea or ammonium sulfate) fertilizer at 1lb of N per 1000 sf if you haven't already, and let the grass rest for the remainder of the year. Then you can really scalp low in the Spring and start maintaining it like you want.

 

@Spammage
Thanks man. That's what I was beginning to think. Oh well, I'm patient. I'll just keep the seeded area in the back low, scalp the rest next year. I've recently put out 1/2 lb sq ft of N (6lbs 10-10-10 sq/ft). I guess a little more can't hurt. I hardly see frost within 4 weeks.