Reel Mowers 23
Toro University Technical Training
Parallel, Light Contact and Sharp
“ Pull, and cut ”:
When the paper is used as a feeler gauge to set
even contact across the bedknife, it is held parallel to
the bedknife. The reel should pinch with the same
amount of resistance at both ends and the center.
The “feel” of this measurement should be somewhat
the same as pulling the paper between your fingers
while applying moderate pressure with your fingers.
The paper must be held perpendicular to the
bedknife in order to check sharpness by cutting the
paper. If it is not perpendicular it can be pinched
between the reel and the bedknife. This is possible
even if the components are sharp.
Properly adjusting the bedknife to the reel is one of
the most effective preventive maintenance practices
for reel mowers. The amount of contact, and how
frequently it is checked, are major factors in
performance. A light contact adjustment, if
maintained, will help keep cutting edges sharp on the
reel and bedknife. This requires that the adjustment
be checked frequently at a predetermined time
interval. Dulled cutting edges cannot be corrected by
adjustment or over–tightening.
Don’t wait until
quality of cut
deteriorates
Do not wait until the quality of cut has deteriorated to
check the bedknife to reel adjustment.
If the cutting edges on the reel blades and bedknife
are not straight and sharp the mowing results may
not be acceptable. This is true even if all other set–
up procedures are correct.