California Trimmer REVIEW - 20" Classic Precision REEL Mower

I have been using the California Trimmer reel mower on my lawn for a little over two months and I wanted to provide an in-depth review on my experience with it. In the video I discuss my pros, cons, and suggestions for future improvements.
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Where to buy: www.trianglereelmowers.com/
caltrimmer.com/

[@BermudaBrian]

GREAT review. Answered every question I would have had

[@TurfCulture]

Thanks Brian! glad you enjoyed the review.

[@MeisterofMyLawn]

Amazing review! Great video my man.

[@TheLawnWhisperer]

Looks really easy to use! Love that. Good stuff man!

[@TurfCulture]

Really liking it so far, thanks brah!

[@theCastleberry]

Great review! Looks like a solid machine with great cut quality.

[@TurfCulture]

Definitely! Really enjoying mine so far, will need a back lap soon.

[@InDatParish]

Such an amazing video. You covered everything thank you

[@TurfCulture]

Thanks for watching! I appreciate the feedback.

[@thelawnanalyst7377]

Thanks for the thorough review! I am hoping to be reel mowing at some point, but gonna take some work to get there.

[@TurfCulture]

And it will be totally worth it!

[@wenli7694]

Great review. Very helpful.

[@TurfCulture]

Glad it was helpful, thanks for watching!

[@rymaster4385]

Nice review. If I ever get into the reel cut turf this is my top contender, can’t beat the price for the quality.

[@TurfCulture]

Believe me, you will catch the reel fever before you know it.

[@BudgetLawns]

Good stuff man! Hit all the major points. I'm gonna have to build a stand and pull that chain up a little bit for next season too. Nice job bro!

[@TurfCulture]

Thanks Travis! Putting some tension on the chain make a huuuuge difference in the ability to pivot the mower. The handle extension is a must.

[@trianglereelmowers450]

You can always add a smaller bolt and lock nut between the links to add a little more tension.

[@BudgetLawns]

@@trianglereelmowers450 Yup. I think I'm just gonna use a zip tie.

[@trianglereelmowers450]

@@BudgetLawns that will work!

[@kellyhansen2969]

just for kicks bought mine when i was around 25 now 68 bought mine when they were in California original location on second motor now still running have my dads unit as well ( now at my sisters home) using his when i was around 12 also still in operation both still running great k.d.h.

[@TurfCulture]

The Cal Trimmer is a well built machine that is hard to kill.

[@benjiminus04]

I'm glad you are having a better time than I am. Ordered one through Home Depot, got it and it works great on my driveway, but as soon as it hits my yard, the blade and reel stops, even with the mower on the highest level. I think i need to do a clutch adjustment, but i expected to be able to use a brand new mower without major problems straight out the crate.

[@TurfCulture]

You may want to contact Evergreen Turf Equipment and let them know what’s going on.

[@benjiminus04]

@@TurfCulture Thanks, It runs great now. I have no idea why it wasn't before.

[@Striperman]

Great review bro. It's a reel nice mower. Well built and can't beat the price for a quality mower. :)

[@TurfCulture]

Really enjoying it so far, now how can I fabricate a checkmate on this thing?

[@Striperman]

@@TurfCulture Hey don't laugh, front and rear rollers work great :)

[@TurfCulture]

@@Striperman who’s laughing? I’m dead serious brother.

[@Striperman]

@@TurfCulture My man :)

[@johnnyklassen9606]

I own that mower just I have the Briggs and I must say, this is a very good review. You missed nothing!

[@TurfCulture]

Thanks! I really enjoy this mower.

[@garythorington1600]

I recently bought a 20 inch Allett Kensington and I have no complaints of it. I am buying this mower soon. I am worried about the Allett because if it breaks down there are no serviceman for repairs. The Dreamer has a serviceman and this is the reason I am getting it incase if I have problems with the other mower. This was a great review and the Dreamer looks like a great mower

[@TurfCulture]

I wish I had a dealer near me! Thanks for watching!

[@GiovanniGiorgo]

There are reasons that you see used Mclanes for sale all the time and don't see many CTs...quality, ease of use and replacement parts prices.

[@TurfCulture]

It’s an awesome machine, I’d like to see CT produce another model with some of the design elements of the European mowers eventually.

[@felipelabomba848]

@@TurfCulture Will never happen. CT is doing just fine with this price point. Pretty much dominate the price point competition.

[@trianglereelmowers450]

Nice review! The machine is around 150lbs depending on configuration with casters or roller. I’ve never noticed any lines produced by my wheels but like you said it probably depends on height of cut, type of grass, and how dry/wet it is 👍🏻

[@TurfCulture]

The shipping weight on my unit was close to 250lbs, I guess I didn't take the weight of the packaging and pallet in to consideration for some of that. The wheel tracks might be dependent on how thick the grass is or even the grass type.

[@trianglereelmowers450]

@@TurfCulture ah yeah. That 2x4 pallet isn’t light. 👍🏻

[@donnorton7028]

My new California Trimmer arrives in a couple of weeks so your video was very helpful. Nice idea for the wood stand to raise the mower. Could you share the measurements? Thanks!

[@TurfCulture]

the blocks are 12" at the base and the smaller mounts on top are 3" if you have a circular saw or miter saw you can put them together in about 10 minutes.

[@donnorton7028]

That's great. I appreciate your help!

[@christopherortiz8713]

Great video.. have you done any type of maintenance on since you had it. If so how difficult was it??

[@TurfCulture]

I’ve changed the oil, backlapped the reel, and switched out the front roller. All of it was pretty simple, I’ll have a backlapping video out very soon.

[@PrincessCutLawnCare]

Nice piece of machine there bud, what’s the deal with the bedknife? It’s not a lousy 2 screw blade like the allet... is it?

[@TurfCulture]

8 screws on the blade by my count, if that is what you are asking?

[@michael_somers]

Great video, thanks! Any reason in particular this couldn’t be used to cut greens?

[@TurfCulture]

You absolutely can, BUT. It won’t cut low enough for a bent green and it only has 7 blades.. mowing as low as a golf course .10” usually requires at least a 10 blade reel.

[@michael_somers]

@@TurfCulture thanks so much!

[@troyhenry3267]

How often do you sharpen your reel blades? Is it very hard? Would you recommend first buying a manual reel mower to see if reel mowing is right for me?

[@TurfCulture]

I backlap my reel two, maybe three time per year. Definitely give the manual reel a try and see how you like the cut quality.

[@alceja3522]

I really want to cut low and buy one but my harsh summers in northern CA a are me. How much was the CA Trimmer,??

[@TurfCulture]

I get harsh summers in St. Louis too. $1300 gets you a nice Cal Trimmer.

[@Artpolyv]

Where you sharpening rotary knive? Can this do at home? Or this need special mashine?

[@TurfCulture]

You must take them to a reel grind service

[@joanneturkington]

I have

[@JohnLeyMystikmusic]

What did you add to keep the wheel up? I am always tearing up the turf with the drive wheel.

[@TurfCulture]

In the video I used the accessory that cal trimmer sent to me. You can also use a nut and bolt to pull a few of the chain links up.

[@christianyoung2917]

Can you please explain how to do this? I don’t understand. I’m a visual learner :)

[@kennykinyanjui2635]

Hi there. I have the same California trimmer classic 7 blade With front roller. I want to transform my creeping bent grass to a putting green. They don’t make a 10 blade or more for the 20 inch. Does anyone knows if there is company out there that makes a 10 blade or more compatible to the 20 inch California trimmer? Thanks

[@TurfCulture]

Not that I am aware of unfortunately.

[@Overpar73]

Where did you get the extensions to raise the handles?

[@TurfCulture]

www.homedepot.com/p/California-Trimmer-4-in-Handle-Extension-Kit-for-RL20H-Reel-Lawn-Mowers-HEK-HO/304781994?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D28I-028_037_OUTDR_PW_ACC-NA-NA-NA-SMART-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-SMART_SHP&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D28I-028_037_OUTDR_PW_ACC-NA-NA-NA-SMART-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-SMART_SHP-71700000079956011-58700006728091443-92700071649686167&gclid=CjwKCAjw3K2XBhAzEiwAmmgrAudfefZH96U3dabT4-P7U4-FmbA-pZQLf_pweAllx05Cmo7tl-4hxhoCGZgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[@charlieblakey9756]

Can you share the chain tensioner you used? Having issues finding one similar to yours. Thanks

[@TurfCulture]

The chain tensioner that I have is a prototype from Cal Trimmer, should be available for retail very soon. I'll send an update!

[@charlieblakey9756]

@@TurfCulture I appreciate it. It will make it better so that wheel don’t dig in when you turn around.

[@TurfCulture]

Charlie, reach out to [e-mail] to inquire about the drive roller lift chain bracket and they will send you one.

[@charlieblakey9756]

@@TurfCulture just did. Thanks for reaching out! Ready for spring!

[@MrMadeinthe80s]

@@TurfCulture Are they still offering these? Or do they come with the mower now? Just bought one to be delivered this week and would like this option.

[@kove]

Let's do a Call trimmer vs McLane. Still need to do a Hart vs Ego with Ben..

[@TurfCulture]

Are you proposing... a mow off?

[@kove]

@@TurfCulture bring it!

[@TurfCulture]

@@kove ohhh consider it brought.

[@kbgking7921]

Is that bluegrass? I’m in NKY and thinking about taking my kbg down low.

[@TurfCulture]

Yes it is KBG, time to go reel low!

[@kbgking7921]

@@TurfCulture I’m thinking about getting the Cal Trimmer HC so I can do 2”. I have a tiny bit of tttf that hopefully will be overtaken by kbg. Do you think 2” is ideal or go for broke and try sub 1”. I do have full inground irritation

[@TurfCulture]

The HC will mow as low as 5/8” so if you want the flexibility to cut at 2” or somewhere in between the HC is a good option for you.

[@bookemdano1317]

So, aren't gas mowers outlawed now in Cali?

[@TurfCulture]

I think so?

[@waltvancourt5052]

Min/max hieght of cut ?

[@TurfCulture]

3/8” - 1 3/4”

[@TurfCulture]

3/8 - 1-7/8

[@joeythomas5988]

What’s the price

[@TurfCulture]

www.homedepot.com/p/California-Trimmer-Classic-Standard-20-in-7-Blade-Briggs-Stratton-Gas-Walk-Behind-Self-Propelled-Reel-Lawn-Mower-RL207H-BS550/304781984?g_store=&source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&&mtc=Shopping-BF-F_D28I-G-D28I-028_035_WALKS-NA-NA-NA-SMART-NA-NA-SMART_SHP&cm_mmc=Shopping-BF-F_D28I-G-D28I-028_035_WALKS-NA-NA-NA-SMART-NA-NA-SMART_SHP-71700000090520794-58700007648833823-92700070330440553&gbraid=0AAAAADq61UfNrZKpghO2OBZ9svkcDJQVZ&gbraid=0AAAAADq61UfNrZKpghO2OBZ9svkcDJQVZ&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_4-SBhCgARIsAAlegrUY9OTRYSikkLEnMtaQyEYrrGWArwjVnYGw1Fr3GWzthW33--JuZNgaAuNXEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[@user-cl5oh8fl4w]

Did you say 250 pounds?!

[@TurfCulture]

Sure did! I misspoke on that, it is actually about 150lbs.. not 250.

[@W.Vanderbilt]

Thing looks like a awful generic to the Allett.

[@TurfCulture]

If you like plastic body panels, plastic gears, and a tin can bed knife the Allett is a fantastic choice.

[@W.Vanderbilt]

@@TurfCulture Oh horse shit! Just watched a video on it. The only thing that was plastic was the grass clippings basket . And why would it be almost 1500 more?

[@GiovanniGiorgo]

@@W.Vanderbilt plenty of plastic on that Allett. With the Allett you get that great feature of the interchangeable cartridges, but you lose a lot of durability. The CT is way better built as far as durability goes.

[@W.Vanderbilt]

@@GiovanniGiorgo So your telling me that the Allett has been in business for over 50 years because they make a substandard product? Lol Bias much?

[@TurfCulture]

@@W.Vanderbilt That sounds like a great question for the sales reps at Allett. Here's a video that will give more detail on the plastic panels and gears... kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3fIdICApsqFl9U Thanks for watching!