I'm not aware of any successful DIY reel grinding rigs. The process demands a level of precision not normally achieved with ad-hoc methods.

If you are 100% on wanting to do it yourself, best bet is to buy a used grinding setup and learn to use it. (Buying/renting a trailer is cheaper!) If you just want to face the bedknife, there are handheld tools for that, as simple as a regular mill file or for something a little faster, a converted angle grinder.

You can backlap the reel regularly to help maintain the cutting edges. That's something you can certainly DIY, as you only need to figure out how to adapt a motor to turn the reel in reverse. It can be as simple as using a cordless drill, socket adapter, socket, and the appropriate size bolt, or you can build/buy a dedicated machine to spin the reel. The latter is usually cost prohibitive to maintain just one mower.

It's not uncommon for some smaller golf courses to maintain their reels via a travelling service. If you ask around, I bet you could get a name or two, and maybe have your machine done when they are in the area.

 

Good deal. For some reason I was under the impression the reel had to be on the machine for grinding. Can the reel grind be done with the reel off the mower? I need to measure the current 11in. reel and see how much life is left. If backlapping is all I can do then I am fine with that. Most golf courses are a approx 30 miles or so from home. I could call around, but I feel FTF would produce a long term shop.

So is there a certain angle the relif cut needs to be?
Thanks.

 

Every mower is going to have different relief angles and primary angles, so you would need a service manual or I'm sure someone has posted it up in the company specific thread(s) here on TLF. I think some people get too caught up in the whole grinding the reel thing and as a homeowner it's something that you should rarely ever need to do. As long as you have a good relief on your blades all you really need is a good backlap and at worst a new bedknife will usually get you cutting paper razor sharp again.

 

Good deal. Well I'll stay on the search for a different reel and bedknife that I can use to cut high. Who sells reels and bedknifes for the jd 180?

Every mower is going to have different relief angles and primary angles, so you would need a service manual or I'm sure someone has posted it up in the company specific thread(s) here on TLF. I think some people get too caught up in the whole grinding the reel thing and as a homeowner it's something that you should rarely ever need to do. As long as you have a good relief on your blades all you really need is a good backlap and at worst a new bedknife will usually get you cutting paper razor sharp again.

 

Good deal. Well I'll stay on the search for a different reel and bedknife that I can use to cut high. Who sells reels and bedknifes for the jd 180?

Every mower is going to have different relief angles and primary angles, so you would need a service manual or I'm sure someone has posted it up in the company specific thread(s) here on TLF. I think some people get too caught up in the whole grinding the reel thing and as a homeowner it's something that you should rarely ever need to do. As long as you have a good relief on your blades all you really need is a good backlap and at worst a new bedknife will usually get you cutting paper razor sharp again.

https://www.green-parts-direct.com/john-deere-parts-diagrams/john-deere-180c-greens-mower-pc9597-2007-model-m0180ca010001-010411-180c-greens-mower-pc9597-2008-model-m0180ca010412-020000-180c-greens-mower-pc9597-2009-model-m0180ca020001-030000-180c-greens-mower-pc9597-2010-model-m0180ca030001-180c-greens-mower-pc9597-reel-bed-knife-frame-and-reel/AD-4275-499-493279

 

This was one of the sites I searched. There is no info on the reel and bedknife, so I assume it to be standard 11 blade and lowcut knife. I reached out to R&R as I thought that is where I saw them previously. Waiting to hear back from them at the moment.

Good deal. Well I'll stay on the search for a different reel and bedknife that I can use to cut high. Who sells reels and bedknifes for the jd 180?

Every mower is going to have different relief angles and primary angles, so you would need a service manual or I'm sure someone has posted it up in the company specific thread(s) here on TLF. I think some people get too caught up in the whole grinding the reel thing and as a homeowner it's something that you should rarely ever need to do. As long as you have a good relief on your blades all you really need is a good backlap and at worst a new bedknife will usually get you cutting paper razor sharp again.

https://www.green-parts-direct.com/john-deere-parts-diagrams/john-deere-180c-greens-mower-pc9597-2007-model-m0180ca010001-010411-180c-greens-mower-pc9597-2008-model-m0180ca010412-020000-180c-greens-mower-pc9597-2009-model-m0180ca020001-030000-180c-greens-mower-pc9597-2010-model-m0180ca030001-180c-greens-mower-pc9597-reel-bed-knife-frame-and-reel/AD-4275-499-493279

 

Got board, so I went out on a limb with my mech inclined mind lol. Used a grinder to sharpen the edge of the bedknife. Got it straight and sharp. Just a couple passes with the grinder and 80 grit flap disc following the angle of the knife. Then backlapped minus the compound. It now cuts paper razor sharp evenly across unlike when I got it. I figured what the hay I am going to get a new knife and reel at some point. Figured I'd practice on this set to see what I can do at home. Worked out great. Meanwhile I'll be on the hunt for a high cut knife and reel with less blades.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDDQc0vIz_Q&t=2s

 

Yep one of those is on my list. Looks like a must have to keep things sharp. I have seen a few versions of them online.

 

Yep one of those is on my list. Looks like a must have to keep things sharp. I have seen a few versions of them online.

FWIW...Used ones show up on Ebay for less than $100 every so often. I picked up a Neary 290 bedknife face grinder for $100 in 2020. It's basically the same unit as what R&R Products sells.

 

That's good as I am in no rush. I'll keep an eye out on ebay for one.

Yep one of those is on my list. Looks like a must have to keep things sharp. I have seen a few versions of them online.

FWIW...Used ones show up on Ebay for less than $100 every so often. I picked up a Neary 290 bedknife face grinder for $100 in 2020. It's basically the same unit as what R&R Products sells.

 

I purchased one of these a few years ago (just the head not the grinder part) and it is nice to have as it makes quick work at sharpening a bedknife especially after a sand leveling project. Doesn't take much to get the mower back to razor sharpness again.

 

Good deal man I'm all for making quick work of things.

I have a 260 bedknife. I will see if the screw holes line up with the 180. If so I'll just buy one and cut the blade to fit the 180c.

I imagine the holes will line up and JD just used a longer knife.

Here's to hoping they line up. If I am correct about the spacing of the screw holes next up will be a new reel. If I can not find a reel with less blades I will see if I can find the 14 blade reel and cut/ grind out 7 blades on it.

Things will work out. So far I am $190 in on this project.

I purchased one of these a few years ago (just the head not the grinder part) and it is nice to have as it makes quick work at sharpening a bedknife especially after a sand leveling project. Doesn't take much to get the mower back to razor sharpness again.

 

Good deal man I'm all for making quick work of things.

I have a 260 bedknife. I will see if the screw holes line up with the 180. If so I'll just buy one and cut the blade to fit the 180c.

I imagine the holes will line up and JD just used a longer knife.

Here's to hoping they line up. If I am correct about the spacing of the screw holes next up will be a new reel. If I can not find a reel with less blades I will see if I can find the 14 blade reel and cut/ grind out 7 blades on it.

Things will work out. So far I am $190 in on this project.

I purchased one of these a few years ago (just the head not the grinder part) and it is nice to have as it makes quick work at sharpening a bedknife especially after a sand leveling project. Doesn't take much to get the mower back to razor sharpness again.

It's your mower and you can do what you want but I would HIGHLY discourage you from trying to cut a bedknife to fit and removing reel blades to get the count that you want. You will have a hell of a time trying to balance the reel afterwards. Good luck and God speed if you decide to go that route.

 

Good deal man I'm all for making quick work of things.

I have a 260 bedknife. I will see if the screw holes line up with the 180. If so I'll just buy one and cut the blade to fit the 180c.

I imagine the holes will line up and JD just used a longer knife.

Here's to hoping they line up. If I am correct about the spacing of the screw holes next up will be a new reel. If I can not find a reel with less blades I will see if I can find the 14 blade reel and cut/ grind out 7 blades on it.

Things will work out. So far I am $190 in on this project.

Do you have a 180A, 180B, 180C, 180SL, or 180E mower?

 

How will cutting the blade make the reel unbalanced?*** never mind I read your post again. Well I'll never know until I try. If there were other options id give them a shot.

I plan to leave an extra inch or so on both sides.
Heres what I got from R&R:

I would suggest the RET17532 bed knife. It is the same thickness as the RMT6946, but 22" instead of 26". The holes will line up, but they are hardened, so it will be difficult to cut.

Good deal man I'm all for making quick work of things.

I have a 260 bedknife. I will see if the screw holes line up with the 180. If so I'll just buy one and cut the blade to fit the 180c.

I imagine the holes will line up and JD just used a longer knife.

Here's to hoping they line up. If I am correct about the spacing of the screw holes next up will be a new reel. If I can not find a reel with less blades I will see if I can find the 14 blade reel and cut/ grind out 7 blades on it.

Things will work out. So far I am $190 in on this project.

I purchased one of these a few years ago (just the head not the grinder part) and it is nice to have as it makes quick work at sharpening a bedknife especially after a sand leveling project. Doesn't take much to get the mower back to razor sharpness again.

It's your mower and you can do what you want but I would HIGHLY discourage you from trying to cut a bedknife to fit and removing reel blades to get the count that you want. You will have a hell of a time trying to balance the reel afterwards. Good luck and God speed if you decide to go that route.

 

I have a 180c

Good deal man I'm all for making quick work of things.

I have a 260 bedknife. I will see if the screw holes line up with the 180. If so I'll just buy one and cut the blade to fit the 180c.

I imagine the holes will line up and JD just used a longer knife.

Here's to hoping they line up. If I am correct about the spacing of the screw holes next up will be a new reel. If I can not find a reel with less blades I will see if I can find the 14 blade reel and cut/ grind out 7 blades on it.

Things will work out. So far I am $190 in on this project.

Do you have a 180A, 180B, 180C, 180SL, or 180E mower?

 

I would call Revels Turf and Tractor. Ask about Coretask reels for the 180c. They're a little cheaper than the John Deere reels and what I used when replacing on a 220b. After replacing it still took a good deal of backlapping before it cut paper cleanly. I don't think these reels come with a relief cut, hopefully someone could say from the picture?



The bedknife should be fairly cheap to start and see if it will cut paper after backlapping, get new bedknife screws when ordering.

 

Thanks!!! How did you pull that chart up? I can't see it clearly. I will contact them here in a few.

I would call Revels Turf and Tractor. Ask about Coretask reels for the 180c. They're a little cheaper than the John Deere reels and what I used when replacing on a 220b. After replacing it still took a good deal of backlapping before it cut paper cleanly. I don't think these reels come with a relief cut, hopefully someone could say from the picture?



The bedknife should be fairly cheap to start and see if it will cut paper after backlapping, get new bedknife screws when ordering.

 

Thanks!!! How did you pull that chart up? I can't see it clearly. I will contact them here in a few.

I would call Revels Turf and Tractor. Ask about Coretask reels for the 180c. They're a little cheaper than the John Deere reels and what I used when replacing on a 220b. After replacing it still took a good deal of backlapping before it cut paper cleanly. I don't think these reels come with a relief cut, hopefully someone could say from the picture?



The bedknife should be fairly cheap to start and see if it will cut paper after backlapping, get new bedknife screws when ordering.

I found it listed here. I don't know if a lower reel blade option is available for the 180c. The 220 has the 9 blade option and E-Cut I think goes down to 7.
http://www.gaturftech.com/service-manual

 

Those reels are balanced at the factory and when you start loping blades off it's going to cause it to be unbalanced and you could wear your bearings out faster and affect the quality of the cut too. Why not just buy the right parts for the job and be done with it?

 

I understand. If I can find the correct parts I need I'll put them on the list. As of yet looks like I can only " hopefully" find the bedknife. If I can't source the parts I'll make them out of something that I can find. 😁🤔

Those reels are balanced at the factory and when you start loping blades off it's going to cause it to be unbalanced and you could wear your bearings out faster and affect the quality of the cut too. Why not just buy the right parts for the job and be done with it?

 

Every mower is going to have different relief angles and primary angles, so you would need a service manual or I'm sure someone has posted it up in the company specific thread(s) here on TLF. I think some people get too caught up in the whole grinding the reel thing and as a homeowner it's something that you should rarely ever need to do. As long as you have a good relief on your blades all you really need is a good backlap and at worst a new bedknife will usually get you cutting paper razor sharp again.

We wouldn't be grinding our reels so much if we all had those Samurai sword blades on our reels like you Baroness folk. :lol:

I think it's got a lot to do with how much mowing you do with any given machine and the conditions that unit is exposed to. I mow 20k, grind at least every other season. I wrecked a reel early on, and beat up my current reel after a leveling/top-dressing project which forced my last grind in May of 2020. I'd like to grind post-scalp this year as I'm pretty much out of relief with a thick (.250") blade reel and getting it to cut well without moderate contact is becoming a challenge. A thinner reel blade and I could probably survive on back-lapping a bit longer.

 

Agreed. I just contacted revels and no luck there. Hopefully what I need is available somewhere. If not it'll be fab time😁. I'm sure I can balance a reel decent enough if its anything like balancing tires.

 

Agreed. I just contacted revels and no luck there. Hopefully what I need is available somewhere. If not it'll be fab time😁. I'm sure I can balance a reel decent enough if its anything like balancing tires.

I don't think a 7-blade is available for the Deere 180. It would be wonderful convincing R&R to produce 7 blade options for the Deere 220A/B/C/SL models along with the Jacobsen GK522. Both machines are readily available on the used market and popular with homeowners who are unlikely to need/want cut heights below .250" If we could convince them to do it for the more popular 22" machines, then perhaps offerings for the 18" models are a possibility.