Fundamentals of Reel Mowers Table of Contents Historical Background ..................... 2 Theory of Operation ......................4 Importance of the Operator ..................... 8 Preventive Maintenance....................9 Set-up and Adjustments....................11 Sharpening........................17 TORO® Service Training...
Golf course development during the 1920’s and 30’s brought about design improvements in engines and mower drive systems. These improvements continued, allowing for lighter weight and easier to use equipment. TORO® Service Training...
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If reel mowers unique characteristics are not understood and responded to, the end result will be a poor quality of cut and expensive down time and repairs. TORO® Service Training...
To understand reel cutting theory, you must understand the concept of clip and the shear point. A shear point is any single point of contact made between the reel blade and bedknife. Clip is the forward distance traveled between successive blade contacts at one shear point. TORO® Service Training...
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This is the so called “fanning” process. This process is more a mechanical striking of the grass that it is of the commonly thought effect of a blowing action. TORO® Service Training...
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Note that the proper angle allows the grass behind the bedknife front edge to be more effectively cut. A front view illustrates the angle between the bedknife and the reel blade which is called the helix angle. TORO® Service Training...
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• The bedknife must be exactly parallel with the reel. • The bedknife should be positioned against the reel with light contact. These requirements will be discussed in more detail later. TORO® Service Training...
Operators should become familiar with the product and listen for any unusual changes. Concerns should be reported to the service technician before significant problems develop. TORO® Service Training...
“grow in” period after construction, or on topdressed greens, these procedures may have to be performed more often. Use original Toro parts when doing maintenance or repairs. These parts have been tested and designed for this specific, very demanding, application. “Will fit” parts may look the same and fit, but they can give totally different performance.
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Mowing equipment is designed for a specific application and should be operated keeping those restrictions in mind. Accidents and personal injuries can be minimized if persons will keep thinking and be aware in their every day work habits. TORO® Service Training...
To accurately maintain height of cut and performance, routinely check the following components: • Reel Bearings • Bedknife to Reel Adjustment • Attitude Adjustment • Roller Parallelism • Height of Cut TORO® Service Training...
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(not shown). This bedknife leveling mechanism could may be an eccentric pivot bolt on one end of the bedbar, or a capscrew / jam nut assembly. TORO® Service Training...
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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. TORO® Service Training...
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With the reel blades resting on a raised bar on the plate, use a piece of paper as a feeler gauge along the bottom of the roller between the roller and plate. TORO® Service Training...
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This can be caused by: • Incorrect bedknife to reel adjustment • Dull cutting edges • Mowing outside of the optimum clip rate • Not using preparation devices • Inconsistent turf texture and density • Using the wrong type of roller TORO® Service Training...
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Turf Evaluator Tool - Model 04399 Guide to Evaluating Reel Mower Performance and Using the Turf Evaluator - Part. No. 97931SL TORO® Service Training...
A grooved or wavy (rifled) reel or bedknife is most often caused by operating the cutting unit with heavy bedknife to reel contact. This condition can only be corrected by grinding the reel and bedknife – BACKLAPPING WILL NOT CORRECT THIS CONDITION. TORO® Service Training...
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Lapping is not intended to be a reconditioning process to correct severely nicked or rounded blades, rifling or taper. If, after 5 minutes of lapping, the edge is not restored, it is time to grind the reel. TORO® Service Training...
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After completing the grinding process, do a complete set–up and adjustment procedure. Remember to always wear a face shield or safety glasses when grinding or backlapping. WARNING ! Always wear a face shield or safety glasses when grinding or backlapping. TORO® Service Training...
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Fundamentals of Reel Mowers It is important to understand that Toro reel mowers are designed and manufactured to optimize available power from the engine and hydraulic systems. To help do this, we put a “relief” on every reel blade to reduce the width of reel blade that contacts the bedknife.
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This slide illustrates Single Blade Grinding (which is also know as “Relief Grinding” or “Back Grinding”). Toro recommends a 30 degree relief angle on each reel blade. The angle itself is not critical. You can put as little or as much angle on the blade as you think is proper.
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• Make sure the bedbar threads are clean. • Use new Toro screws. Apply anti– seize lubricant to the screw threads before installing. • Tighten the screws working from the center toward each end of the bedbar.
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Fundamentals of Reel Mowers When regrinding a cutting unit reel or bedknife, use the specifications from the Toro Reel and Bedknife Grinding Guidelines. See the bedknife diagram on the previous page and the reel diagram on the following page for illustrations of each characteristic listed in the charts below. If the reel diameter is less than the service limit shown, it must be replaced.
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“why” some operating, adjustment and maintenance procedures are so important. Understanding that reel mowers are precision machines requiring regular maintenance and adjustment can help achieve attractive, consistent after cut appearance while reducing downtime and operating costs. TORO® Service Training...