Page 26 - GreenMaster Fall 2024

u MECHANICS CORNER u This article is a reprint from the Toro Advantage newsletter and reproduced here, with permission.
Reel Mowers
Cut and
There are a number of elements that can affect the quality of cut on
turf when using reel mowers, such as turf conditions, sharp cutting units, and routine mower maintenance.
Turf conditions such as excessive thatch, “sponginess” or attempting to cut off too much grass height may not always be overcome by adjusting the machine. It is important to remember that the lower the height of cut, the more critical these factors are.
The “effective” or actual height of cut depends on cutting unit weight, cutting unit accessories and turf conditions. Effective height of cut will be different than the bench set height of cut.
SHARP REEL BLADES AND BEDKNIVES
Keeping your cutting units as sharp as possible is key to maintaining a high quality of cut. Sharp blades promote the growth of healthy grass and provide the best after-cut appearance. They also allow your mower to run more efficiently, which helps extend its life and your productivity.
The Toro Reelmaster 5010-H Series are precision made to maintain levelness and simplify the setup of reel-to- bedknife contact with the ability to make quick adjustments, and features EdgeSeriesTM Dual Precision Adjustment reels to help deliver a high quality-of-cut and after-cut appearance.
Sharpening is part of the required maintenance to keep a reel mower cutting unit working properly. Watch for these telltale signs that it is time for sharpening: • The grass is not cut cleanly
• The grass has a dull color or brown tips • The mower leaves streaks or stragglers • You notice cutting unit noise
Check the cutting edges of the reel and bedknife to see if they are dull, nicked, bent or running without making light contact against one another. Rounded edges will pinch or tear grass blades instead of shearing them off cleanly. When light contact is not maintained, dull edges will soon result. If there is NO contact (a gap between bedknife and reel blade), it can result in faster wear of the cutting edges and more frequent grinding, as well as long-term damage to the turf.
26 • CGSA • GreenMaster