When will these come to the states!?!? https://www.mowdirect.co.uk/lawnmowers/honda-lawnmowers/honda-lawn-mowers-rear-roller

 

When will these come to the states!?!? https://www.mowdirect.co.uk/lawnmowers/honda-lawnmowers/honda-lawn-mowers-rear-roller

Interesting

 

Toro makes a pro stripe rotary with a rear roller, I know somebody here has one.

Being a warm season lawn, I'm not too sure what's appropriate but using a growth regulator would defiantly reduce mowing frequency. Not too sure how much you want to be involved though.

 

Start off with a Mclane with a roller, see if you can keep up with the cutting and if you like the results. If so, then splurge on a nicer greens mower.

 

Now I'm reading a GM1600 can cut up to 1.25". But probably need an 8 blade reel for a good cut around that height? And I guess nobody can answer if 1.25" requires cutting 1 or 4 times a week for me, depends on my environment and what I feed the lawn?

 

If you plan on cutting around +1" with bermuda, optimally I would go with a Swardsman and some PGR which would allow you to mow no more than twice a week. Not sure if a Swardsman is in your budget or not but it should check all the boxes for what you are wanting to do.

 

If you're unsure if you want a reel or want to mow higher look for a used McLane trucut or call trimmer. I was all set to buy a brand new 25" trimmer but decided to go ahead and bid on a greens mower in auction. I already knew I wanted to reel and eventually mow at .5" so in my case I'm glad I skipped the trimmer and went straight to greens.

 

When will these come to the states!?!? https://www.mowdirect.co.uk/lawnmowers/honda-lawnmowers/honda-lawn-mowers-rear-roller

Such a great question. We can't handle them! The same way that Honda made some of the best lawn tractors in the world and they pulled out of the US. Toro even makes a mower with a rear roller, but nope they don't sell it here. Another thing I can't ever figure out is that almost all UK rotary mowers use hard plastic catchers where almost none have that here. This way the mice in my shed can eat the bag every year!

We can't handle the cool gear!!!!

 

Buy a used Caltrimmer or Try Cut to try out. With cool season grass I almost never cut more than twice a week, even at 5/8" hoc. 1" to 1 1/4" will be too low for a rotary. Once you use a reel you'll never go back to a rotary.

 

Swardman is not in my budget unfortunately.

Just curious, why are you guys suggesting a cal trimmer or tru cut over a JD220 or GM1600 for mowing around 1"? I have a lead on a 220a (kind of old for my taste but local and good price), plus there are plenty of 220b-e and GM1000 and GM1600 on ebay.

 

I would invest in a newer well taken care of greensmower. Lots of repair manuals online that walk you through the processes. Don't let age scare you but I'd be a little concerned with past maintenance practices and reel bearing life. Most reels are shot at 4.5in diameter.

 

More room to raise HOC if needed, or you could just scalp when needed, I have done two mid season scalps this year to maintain 1". I have a 220e and it maxes out at about 1.25" currently I am maintaining 1", planning on .75" next year. I mow 3 times a week to maintain 1", I also fertilize at 1lb N/k a month, this play into how often you will mow.
Honestly if you're even thinking about a greens mower go for it, I kind of read your opening post as maybe you weren't sure. Check WeeksAuction for good mowers, I got my 220e for under $500.

 

Short answer? Why not!

It's not the mower that dictates the frequency of mowing, it the height of cut and rate of growth. Slow the grass down with some PGR, and run the reel over it 2x a week. You will not likely get away with 1x a week and sub-1.5" heights however so plan on that 2x a week for most of the season.

You can run 11+ blade reels at higher heights, and you will still blow your neighbors minds with how good the cut is. But you will have to watch how much growth you allow in between cuts and an 8 blade is much more forgiving. 7/8 blade reels are much more common on 26" greensmowers like the Jake 526, Toro GM1600, and the Deere 260B/C/SL.

 

When will these come to the states!?!? https://www.mowdirect.co.uk/lawnmowers/honda-lawnmowers/honda-lawn-mowers-rear-roller

https://sleequipment.com/legacy-pro-22-commercial-self-propelled-stripping-push-mower.html

 

Maybe I'm a bit too heavy handed with the PGR, but I have only had to mow about once a week this year. Mowing bermuda with a Cal Trimmer set at around an inch. FWIW!

 

Thanks for all the info guys. Jacob you found a great deal imo. I haven't been able to find anything that cheap.

Sounds like I should look for a GM1600, JD 260x or Jake 526 with a 7 or 8 blade reel. There are plenty on ebay but all over $1k. I'll start checking auction sites as well.

What if I get a GM1000 with a 7/8 blade reel. Is there any way I can mow 1-1.5" with a different front roller? My understanding is the standard front roller allows up to .5". The 1000s are much easier to find, cheaper, and the size would probably be easier for me to handle the way my yard is laid out.

 

It's pretty much the end of the cutting season, be patient and keep looking, check in HERE regularly to see if the have a random auction pop up.

 

You can get a high HOC kit for about $100 for the gm1000 through r&r. I believe somebody put them on a 1600 too but I'm not positive.

 

My JD 220 A has a max height of cut of 1.25" and I mow every 3-4 days, but if you spray PGR on your yard you can stretch that out to a week or more probably. Also, I used to hate mowing with my push rotary mower but greens mowers are self-propelled and do all the work for you and it has actually made me want to mow the yard more.

 

My JD 220 A has a max height of cut of 1.25" and I mow every 3-4 days, but if you spray PGR on your yard you can stretch that out to a week or more probably. Also, I used to hate mowing with my push rotary mower but greens mowers are self-propelled and do all the work for you and it has actually made me want to mow the yard more.

Do you run a 11 blade reel at that height? How is the cut?

The guy I found selling a 220A is asking $800 with grass catcher and wheels. He said it's an 11 blade reel that could use a sharpening. He's willing to have it sharpened or I could buy it as is and swap in a 9 blade reel from R&R ($205). Just don't know how I feel about buying a machine that age at that price.

 

Here is my opinion, Buy a Brand new Mclane 10 blade, 21 with a Honda engine. This will be around $1250.00 Spend another $150.00 on a front roller. Many of us started out this way. You have a new machine, very easy to use and basic adjustments are easy. Cutting height is 1/4 inch up to 1-1/2 with the rear axle adjustments. It will take your turf a couple seasons to be trained. There is an operating learning curve as well. If you start out with an older greens mower, you will be dumping cash into it right off the bat, It has a ton of adjustments They are faster, heavier and harder to use than a Mclane. Ask anyone on here. Start out learning on a Mclane or a comparable model. They are light, easy to maneuver, and have a great cut. You will thank me later.

 

My JD 220 A has a max height of cut of 1.25" and I mow every 3-4 days, but if you spray PGR on your yard you can stretch that out to a week or more probably. Also, I used to hate mowing with my push rotary mower but greens mowers are self-propelled and do all the work for you and it has actually made me want to mow the yard more.

Do you run a 11 blade reel at that height? How is the cut?

The guy I found selling a 220A is asking $800 with grass catcher and wheels. He said it's an 11 blade reel that could use a sharpening. He's willing to have it sharpened or I could buy it as is and swap in a 9 blade reel from R&R ($205). Just don't know how I feel about buying a machine that age at that price.

220A is a fairly old machine. Nothing wrong with them but for the money you could have something much newer.

All reel mowers are a mechanic/engineer type machine. They are purpose built to deliver a precision cut and must be maintained to relatively high standards in order to accomplish that. If you want a completely hands-off machine, I don't know of any reel mowers that accomplish that as they are ALL significantly more work to maintain than a rotary.

 

I would also agree that a sub-$1k greensmower is likely to need some work to perform reliably. I've rebuilt my cutting unit (reel, knife, bearings, seals, belts and more), I know the rear roller axle has wear issues (only a problem with the transport wheels on) and now my front roller needs new bearings which are not very easy to replace without special tools. Just about the only thing that has not needed some kind of attention is the engine. Was it worth it? Heck yeah, you can't get results like you see in so many photos here with a rotary mower.

Keep in mind that while greensmowers are built to the highest standards, it is a piece of equipment that was run for hours, daily for the majority of the season, by someone who does not own the machine, and typically has a full-time mechanic assigned to maintain the equipment.

It's all a lobor of love for sure.

 

My JD 220 A has a max height of cut of 1.25" and I mow every 3-4 days, but if you spray PGR on your yard you can stretch that out to a week or more probably. Also, I used to hate mowing with my push rotary mower but greens mowers are self-propelled and do all the work for you and it has actually made me want to mow the yard more.

Do you run a 11 blade reel at that height? How is the cut?

The guy I found selling a 220A is asking $800 with grass catcher and wheels. He said it's an 11 blade reel that could use a sharpening. He's willing to have it sharpened or I could buy it as is and swap in a 9 blade reel from R&R ($205). Just don't know how I feel about buying a machine that age at that price.

220A is a fairly old machine. Nothing wrong with them but for the money you could have something much newer.

All reel mowers are a mechanic/engineer type machine. They are purpose built to deliver a precision cut and must be maintained to relatively high standards in order to accomplish that. If you want a completely hands-off machine, I don't know of any reel mowers that accomplish that as they are ALL significantly more work to maintain than a rotary.

Mine is an 11 blade reel and it cuts great! I paid $150 for mine plus $130 to get it running, I backlapped it my self with a backlapping machine that I got when I bought the mower. Yes, it is an old machine but if the previous owners took good care of it then you'll be using it for another 20 years. Although I wouldn't pay $800 because you can probably find a 220B or 220C for that price.

 

So if I am understanding the Reel Mower Concept correctly.

If you are not willing to cut 2 to 3 times a week...its not worth the money.

OR

If you HOC is not below 1.5 inches....its not worth the money?

Am I correct?

I want to purchase a reel mower as well...love the results...but I honestly don't know once the "new" excitement wears off If I want to cut grass every other day?