How To Back Lap Your Reel Mower

This video will help teach you how to back lap your reel mower. I show you how to adjust your reel to bedknife, apply grinding paste, and how to see check if your reel is cutting properly.
#reelmower #backlapping #lawntips
Bedknife Tool: reelsolutions.bigcartel.com/p...
Grinding Paste: www.lawntips.net/lawnequipmen...
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Lawn Tips is run by myself (Ben Sims) a qualified greenkeeper that works on a golf course in Australia in Orange, NSW. Subscribe to learn more lawn tips that I use on a golf course every day.
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Check Out My Website: www.lawntips.net

[@TheSlaveofhardcore]

Saw this vid last week. Sourced some backlapping compound from a local mower shop, followed your directions, got it done and now my mower is sharp as. Thanks man! Big ups to Toowoomba Mower Centre for their help.

[@sachaleia]

Works great! kzbin.infoUgkxprGGPRQoChQaA8u58dt7miEpxQBKiWeJ More difficult with longer grass, though, but I was expecting that. I have a small back yard, it seemed like overkill to buy a lawnmower with an engine. This is easy to carry in and out of the basement through the bulkhead. Very sharp (be careful). At the back of the mower are little wheels, which I use when pulling the mower backwards, so it's easy to readjust direction. I'm including a photo which shows the before and after for my lawn when it was at its longest. For long grass like that you really have to put some muscle into it, and I needed to go into a new section of grass with some momentum, but when the grass is only an inch or two higher than regular cut height it's quite easy. The lawn is still patchy and full of weeds, but at least it's a good height! A step in the right direction.

[@anth1839]

Good video mate! Mines getting done ready for spring.. didnt realise it was that easy! I should do it my self next time

[@GordonCunningham]

Good Vid - learned something here! - Thanks for getting the cap - got it the mail - walking around Bunnjngs now like a lawn god!

[@LawnTips]

Gordon Cunningham haha legend!

[@ricbaker4739]

Keen for an update on your brothers lawn.

[@BudgetLawns]

Gotta love those updates!

[@LawnTips]

I’m planning to go there this arvo. 😉

[@AsLawnandLandscaping]

Nice video!

[@iankidd6654]

Great Video thanks. Please can you advise were I can get back lapping paste from (I live in WA). I have valve grinding paste, I guess that would do but it only comes in small pots

[@abhipk8241]

My mower’s bed knife was ground . But didn’t end up in a good job. Looks like it’s been warp when I put together . Don’t think regrinding will help. Any way how much of material is removed with 120 grade? Can I just use a corse grade for roughing and finish of with 120. Right now one end and middle is only cutting the paper.

[@paulmckee476]

Finally had some time to catch up on your content and ask a question. Does backlapping provide any benefit on a double relief ground reel? I've never got a clear answer from the mobile grinding man who does it for me at work. I just tighten the bed knife up a touch as normal but wonder if a backlap every so often will help.

[@natskis]

I've got the bug. I'm living in Pyrmont near Sydney's CBD in an apartment. We're moving to the Blue Mountains. I'm dead set keen to having a great lawn with a putting surface. Do you have a recommendation on where to start with reel mowers?

[@dylantomlinson6750]

Yo Ben love your stuff but i will throw something in here... In order to avoid any unnecessary strain on your sprockets, chains, clutch pads and especially your drill you should actually remove your chains from the sprocket that is attached to the cylinder blade. Then place your socket on the nut that sits directly on the cylinder blade itself. This way you have less chance of something bad occurring (Such as forgetting to remove a spark plug and the clutch grabbing causing the engine to start.... Yes Ive seen it happen to my friend, luckily he wasn't injured but unfortunately his brand new Dewalt drill did not survive). Just remember, the less moving parts you need the better. Otherwise great job! Keep up the awesome content mate!

[@garyd8600]

Good Video.......Looking for a video on how/ when you should grease a cylinder mower

[@TheLawnTools]

Ok now I’ll subscribe

[@LawnTips]

Thanks mang

[@Shirley-hr8tx]

Good vid,very well explained!

[@nippy2013]

Good video.. Will help me with mine this spring 👍👍

[@mrjughead87]

Good video :-) I thought back lapping would have been a more difficult process.

[@dcautomotivebathurst3264]

Hey Ben, Not sure if you’ve found someone but there is Panorama cylinder grinding in Bathurst.

[@peterschmidt1453]

Very useful info. I just bought a second hand one and so much grass is uncut, now I know why.

[@HowToHydroponics]

How is backlapping different than grinding? Reel and blade look sharp.

[@petern6336]

Thanks for the great vid Ben. I feel more confident giving it a crack myself now. Is 120 grit the best?

[@LawnTips]

No worries mate! 120 grit is great if you have a thinner blade. Won’t take out as much of the blade when you back lap. I prefer 120 anyway.

[@SRM_NZ]

What happened to this...I got to the 9 min mark a couple hours ago when the video just disappeared???? What I was going to type back then was.....I've had a 'premium' KZbin account since it was called 'red' [and a long time b4 they changed the name]..........I've watched thousands of how to video's...this video has been [one of] the most valuable video's I have ever watched. I use my reel mower nearly every day with some days on multiple lawns......I usually take it in for sharpening or back lapping every couple to 3 months at a cost of $180.00 every time......I'm not a mechanic in any way shape or form....I'm a gardener and turf manager - that's where my strength lies....but I'm not a rich man....there's no money in being a gardener.....you just saved me about a grand a year - thanks Dude!

[@LawnTips]

SRM NZrcboats haha sorry about that. I had to reupload to fix up an error. Appreciate it man! Legend!

[@jordanfraser4438]

sweet intro tune

[@michhes]

Yo mate. I've set up my SB so it doesn't cut paper... cuts grass just fine though (nice clean cut on the grass blade). Would love to see you confirm this alt approach in a vid someday or otw hear your thoughts

[@LawnTips]

Sure can work man! You’ll probably just have to adjust the contact more often. That’s perfect though. There is a few ways to set them up. Depends on how it got ground as well.

[@marciopascoal5025]

good afternoon, lawn mower helical cylinder?

[@nicksharples3277]

Hi mate Just bought a second hand masport. How the hell do you control the fuckers 😂 when you engage the roller the thing takes off at a million miles an hour. Is it a throttle thing or being able to feather the roller thing?

[@picklemat4619]

i think that the cutting blade on them are like safety or cut throat razor. where you need to clean it after every use and then dry it as the stuff on the blade and water can dull the blade.

[@JC-un4bg]

Hey great vid .can you get vert reels for this brand of mower .

[@nathanwotwot]

J C yeah you can. They are a fair few kicking around the place. If you are in Perth, check out trident mowers, they will also deliver.

[@BudgetLawns]

If we're not mowing, we're talking about mowers and mowing. People must think we're nuts!

[@marccueto2149]

I think I’ve seen you have a swardman also. Would you backlap the swardman reel? Ive read the contrary on the lawn forum just wondering your opinion

[@LawnTips]

I haven’t tried tbh I’ll have to look into it

[@johnhayman132]

What is the tool, how to use and where did you get it??

[@TheLawnGuardian]

Reel nice video, bro. I need to mow someone's lawn that has a reel mower some day. I've never used one.

[@LawnTips]

You would love it man! It’s the best 👌🏽

[@just4may]

How often to back lap it?

[@chrisb4957]

Love this!

[@LawnTips]

Chris Baird ❤️❤️

[@joshsims9372]

You had a quick wardrobe change for like one shot there. Had your boots on then back to the jeans and joggers

[@LawnTips]

Josh Sims Ye mang

[@JNP737]

When you test the cut with paper, can you use normal paper? I have just had my cylinder mower "sharpened" tested the cut when I got it back and found it didn't cut the paper cleanly, when I said to him it's not cutting paper cleanly he replied "your not using the correct paper, it has to be glossy magazine paper." Is this true or is he having me on?

[@LawnTips]

Yeah that’s not true. Should cut any paper

[@JNP737]

@@LawnTips Cheers man, thought that was the case. Had a feeling he was lying, he's charged me £140 ($285) to get it sharpened, and I doesn't even cut paper. he even told me that very few people do cylinder grinding in the UK because "the government have made it illegal to sell cylinder mowers." That's also clearly not true, can still easily get cylinder mowers and I can't find anything about it being illegal online. Your videos are awesome, learning so much from them. Keep up the great work 👌🏻👍🏻

[@BuiltByBlake]

I love that you have genuine Toro test paper? hahaha is that what im seeing there?

[@jdrobbi]

2nd time's the charm. Not much use for this w/my rotary mower 🤣, but I'll help the watch time a little anyway. YNWA P.S.: Soon, mate...very soon 😉

[@LawnTips]

Haha, thanks legend. Mate!!! Not long at all now!!

[@kyles8396]

Why are your mailboxes so elaborate in Australia?

[@RickSirl]

bed-knife to reel contact seems a little to tight. you should be able to cut paper and not hear the contact when spun (or very little). if you have to spin the reel with more then one finger it is too tight, and it can cause the bed-knife to heat up and warp. Also time between grinds will be greatly reduced as will wear of both reel and bed-knife. just a suggestion i have been a golf course mechanic for over 20 years so not trying to be some back yard know it all

[@alexsallery]

If you can't cut paper unless you have a big amount of contact does that tell you your reel needs a backlapping or maybe even a grind? My reel is pretty hard to spin even with 1 hand, if I loosen it so it spins easily (with 1 finger) it won't cut paper

[@TPGMatt]

Hi Rick, so if you have it backed off enough where the bedknife contact is minimal, but you're still not cutting paper, does it mean you have to get your reel and bedknife sharpened?

[@Danmaz97]

Awesome vid , I’m always learning from you which makes my life easier , thanks mate

[@LawnTips]

No worries at all legend! Thanks for watching

[@romeogolfbravo]

If I paid someone to do this, what skirt of price would you assume ?

[@LawnTips]

Reece Burnett not sure what people would charge man. You need to think about labour I guess.

[@brentsiebritz7200]

Ben so that’s all done disengaged right?

[@LawnTips]

Brent Siebritz correct sir 👌🏽

[@ryelor123]

I had no idea those kinds of mowers could have engines on them. All of them I see over here in America are engineless ones that people only use once before giving up on them.

[@guywilliams1305]

Is that a TPE mower (now the Cox)

[@guywilliams1305]

Sorry, I watched the vid & it's a Rover

[@trevormuggeridge4560]

Last Aussie 😁 A grinding good time 😁👍👍

[@Daathoman]

When is the next live qna

[@LawnTips]

Mitch Higgs hopefully this week! Depends on what night I can fit it in haha

[@enricotobio2515]

Why don't you rinse your reel after any mow?

[@jackwollaparoo2470]

Caution......oil can fill the cylinder head when tilting the engine. Found that out via Dr KZbin after recoil cord jammed. Drain manually or sit engine upright overnight.

[@theunkownmr.562]

a sheet of paper is around 4 thousands of an inch. If you can set it to 2 or 3 thousands of an inch then you're golden.

[@christoespach1744]

So you hear a word... "backlap" and you have no idea what it entails (I dont have a cylinder mower) but then see a Mate's youtube video, so you gotta watch it - any reason to watch an LTV.

[@teraldothebuilder4653]

Are you watchin those #howridiculous boys?

[@LawnTips]

I’ve seen a few man! Those guys are awesome

[@teraldothebuilder4653]

You’re Australian, so of course you’ve seen them HAHA! especially since this South Carolina boy found them.

[@peterbailey6081]

WRONG! From a workshop supervisor of "Scott Bonnar & Rover mowers" 1978-1982, Indroopilly Golf course, Course Technician 1982-1987, almost right, have to remove the short link chain from the drive sprocket otherwise you will damage the plastic engine clutch drive assy, there are three grades of grinding paste, Course/Median/Fine, I would recommend Fine paste for domestic use, if you have a good backlapping program in place you will never need to have your cylinder ground which will double the life of your cutting cylinder.

[@arkzup]

Why the re upload?

[@LawnTips]

Made a silly mistake. I thought I’d just fix it early instead of having to explain my mistake in every comment

[@liamtomkins7352]

Pretty sure you're moving the bedknife not the cylinder

[@michaelthibault7930]

Late, late to the party, but... I strongly suspect that the ubiquitous catch-phrase ("righty- ...") does more to fuck up people's understanding of how threads work than is commonly thought. There is no 'right' and there is no 'left' in circular or axial motion. The only people who understand what the catch-phrase is _trying_ to encapsulate and to convey understand threads in an entirely different way.

[@sonycrack1]

Send your cutting bits to Sydney, ppfff nobody got time for that.... backlap boi!!

[@LawnTips]

Nobody ever has time for that crap.

[@tyrionlannister6769]

Allett Mower Cylinder cartridge removed for back-lapping - kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6aTiH-qp6eAmpo