Reel Mower Sharpening

An important part of maintaining a golf course is the sharpening of the green, tee and fairway mowers. Reel mower blades require different maintenance than a residential rotary mower because they must be sharpened and adjusted at a much higher level of precision. Reel and bedknife mowers are capable of cutting turf at very short heights and are used to cut greens tees and fairways. During the winters in Utah we grind all our reels and prepare them for the upcoming season so that if we need backups or new sharp mowers we can pull them off the shelf instead of having to grind a reel when machinery is often breaking and watering grass is the main priority. This is an inside glimpse into how we keep our mowers and turf looking sharp.
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reel sharpening foley united toro reel sharpening reel grinding
spin grinding

[@Helix-E-M]

One of the best reel sharpening videos on youtube. Loved it.

[@ericschneiter]

Appreciate the kind words. We have another one in the works for our new Foley Accupro. It will be fun to show.

[@chosen1one930]

This average stuff but most average people could never do this without the expensive setup. Back lapping will eventually cause issues with the reel and this needs to be done, on a golf course this is a monthly process, if you don't keep the reels in good condition you'll be able to tell with turf health especially on the greens which are usually cut 6 to 7 times a week, private courses usually take mondays off but sometimes we have tournaments

[@toninhoferreira3197]

Having declared my dissatisfaction with this sharpener last night kzbin.infoUgkxDcr-y2Pf6xdnrFHrSP7dl9kpKaCozcSQ I thought about the problem some more. It occurred to me that I might be undoing each attempt at achieving a sharp edge by the repeated attempts. So, I tried to clean up the unsatisfactory result by honing with only positions 3 and 4.Miracle!! A really nicely sharpened chef's knife, more than enough to handle my needs. Admittedly, it did not reach professionally sharpened razor-fineness, but it is now significantly sharper than it was. A bout of breaking down carrots convinced me. So, major apologies to the manufacturer, Amazon, and all happy and potential owners! Follow the directions: don't buy it if you have ceramic blades; and don't overwork your knife blade.

[@irakas23]

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.

[@izalman]

Nice.... loved how the grinding guy knew the old machinery and all its foibles.. Put a young pup on there .... he'd be snookered and screw up a few reels before they got it sorted. Interesting detail re grinding the rear angle on the cutting edge.

[@Pterodactyl-kn3ve]

The amount of work and attention to detail is incredible. Well done!

[@SuperDouginator]

It’s actually just standard engineering

[@martinneumann9345]

Nice hat Mr. Crowley.

[@danielespinosa6421]

Thank goodness this knowledge is passed on keeping it true to good old hand me down knowledge from old timers thank you for your dedication and patience keep up the good work at a boy....

[@captainkendall7886]

This channel needs more subscribers. The videos are such high quality, love the channel

[@ericschneiter]

Appreciate it man! As long as we have quality people who subscribe the numbers will work themselves out! 👊🏻

[@trailervert]

Old School, bravo boys!!! New kids have no idea. FREAKING LOVE IT!

[@user-hz5fm1gk1c]

speak for you boomer self.

[@trailervert]

GenX not Boomer.

[@chrismechanic6164]

Great video. Few people know or understand the work that goes on behind the scenes to keep a golf course manicured.

[@duncanedgin9433]

Been at a golf course for about 4 months just a laborer, been loving it so far and I applied for a assistant irrigation/mechanic position at the same course that opened after and I got it this week. This is very cool and helpful so I can have somewhat of an idea before I actually do it. Thanks guys.

[@himagzikan]

what golf course did you work?

[@chrismechanic6164]

Curious to know how it's working out for you. This is a trade for which there are not really any schools for. Been doing it for 20 years now myself. Was an auto mechanic that stumbled into it when I was between jobs. Love working on golf courses.

[@duncanedgin9433]

@@chrismechanic6164 well I've moved into the irrigation tech position, almost 2 years at the course so far. I do love it honestly. We are just a small municipality, so we do what we can. But I hope to be in the industry some way or another for the next 25 years.

[@duncanedgin9433]

@@chrismechanic6164 I wish I would have stayed in the maintenance position longer to learn more on the reels and general mechanics, because the guy we have now isn't learning shit and our mechanic is gonna retire in a few years. And mechanic makes more than the irrigation

[@claytonchar9232]

Excellent video! Enjoyed watching your video. Loved the attention to detail.

[@ericschneiter]

Thanks! We’ve got another one in the works for our new Foley Accupro. Should be a fun process to show.

[@standslanted]

Awesome Video!

[@Karzy25]

As a CNC machinist and golf lover in Utah I love this channel! I can't wait to play your golf course this year! Thanks for the info on your equipment!

[@ericschneiter]

K.J. Thanks for watching man! Let me know when you’re coming up and we can meet up! What type of machining do you do/ what machines you running?

[@btownsmostwanted]

Subbed. Great video. Hope more to come!

[@Eli-9]

With metal shavings flying around one would think eye protection would be a good idea.

[@ahorsenamedoaks1377]

Wish my sharpener was that modern.

[@boostedfools]

Finally a video showing how this sharpening is done in detail. Thank you. I just had my reel sharpened and bedknife replaced and the reel to bedknife is very tight so I wonder if the new bedknife wasn't grounded down like you show in this video... I was expecting the butter smooth cutting action that you had here...

[@ericschneiter]

It’s probably fine. You’ll just wear the bed knife faster if it’s super tight.

[@Jknudsen0523]

Very cool video.

[@ericschneiter]

Appreciate it! Thanks for watching. 🙏🏼

[@Rab-km7my]

This is so coooool

[@brucebonkowski9568]

dear eric i been using locke mowers for many many years,but i not changed the bed knifes or reels how do you know when they need work

[@joadirkuster6261]

Top!

[@terrycrowder8430]

Love it 😅

[@ericschneiter]

🙌🙌🙌

[@thewholls7176]

They used to test these with telephone book paper which is even finer…… But no-one has telephone books any more…..

[@danschenck9442]

what is and where csn i get that angle guage ? Can i use that guage on the reel to determine angle of cut in reel

[@G10Jon]

Looks like a Jacobsen. Where is your course?

[@alceja3522]

Question just bought a used Mclane- should o take it in to get grounded or just backlap it myself. It’s pretty dull but the blades are in good condition

[@ericschneiter]

Depends on the kind of cut you want. I’d say give her at least a spin grind but you’ll have to see if there’s anywhere around you can get it sharpened. Sharp blades should last a homeowner a few seasons I would think.

[@TickyTack23]

I'm looking to do this, but on a smaller scale. I just got a 20 year old california trimmer, the reel and straight blade were all rusted, and had a warp in it. I already milled the straight blade, and got the bow out of it, now I have a way to put the reel on my lathe, but I need to make a jig for a grinding wheel.

[@ericschneiter]

Let me know what you find. Could you possibly try and just turn it with a turning tool at a slow federate? If not just get a hand grinder and make yourself a tool post attachment that is rigid enough and I think it would work in theory.

[@TickyTack23]

@@ericschneiter I did initially try to use tool steel, but it was wearing out the tool really quickly with the constant chatter. I don't have carbide, so I couldn't try that to see if it made any difference. I am now looking at making a jig to attach an angle grinder to the tool posts t-nut with some angle irons. I've got plenty of scrap metal and a welder. I should be able to manage something.

[@ericschneiter]

@@TickyTack23 I think that could work awesome. I don’t think we spin any faster than about 300 rpm max and the grinding wheel is 6 inches but as long as you have a way to swing across the reel you should be able to get those things dialed in. Just make sure you walk it in slow at first. You’ll get it. Keep me posted I’ve wanted to try this.

[@TickyTack23]

@@ericschneiter To follow up... I did make the bracket for my angle grinder, and I was able to use it on the lathe. But after a while, it just started feeling very unsafe to use, as an angle grinder is very high rpm's, and grinding against the blades intermittently. I feel like if I had a speed controller on the grinder, or a grinding wheel with a larger surface area, it would work out well. But an angle grinder alone with a standard grinding wheel, kinda scary.

[@ericschneiter]

@@TickyTack23 that makes sense. You may need a bigger stone and then use the $20 harbor freight speed controller. Seems sketchy for sure though. Let me know if any other iterations work.

[@reviewmystuff1785]

So those reels came off a Jacobsen HF-15. Where do you buy the parts?

[@harveygarcia5292]

Just subscribed great content bud! What model foley is that

[@PushaDee]

600 looks like

[@derekallen3738]

I have the same set up of gang mower. Could you post a video of greasing and changing bearing or just give some pointers on how to do it?

[@ericschneiter]

Derek, what bearings are you trying to change? The ones inside the gearbox or the rollers?

[@derekallen3738]

Checking Inside bearings and need to pack with grease for sure. I just haven’t ever messed with them. Do I take the side cover off to pack it with grease?

[@ericschneiter]

@@derekallen3738 we take the side cover off. Use 90 weight and put it inside the screw cap on the top of the case if you’re changing the bearings. They are angled roller bearings and they are held in place with the gear. You’ll need to make surw the engagement dogs are in correctly so you can engage and disengage the reels when you turn the handles that point upward. I can get you some parts info if you want for the bearings.

[@derekallen3738]

@@ericschneiter Alright, thanks man. I am going to give it a try this evening. Thanks again

[@rushymoto]

Angle finder ??? Inclinometre.

[@rotarycomptech]

Can you spin grind a bare reel or does it need to be assembled in its housing?

[@ericschneiter]

I don’t know of a method unless maybe you had a lathe style grinder with a live center.

[@rotarycomptech]

@@ericschneiter thanks for the quick reply I just acquired a Jacobsen tri king 1900 and the reels are pretty jacked up and they have to come apart. I thought I might get the reels ground in the bed knife ground separately and then assemble them.

[@ericschneiter]

@@rotarycomptech find your local toro or Jacobsen dealer. They can probably grind them for you for a decent price. Having matching angles for the top and front face of the bed knife as well as a good relief grind on the reel is important. You’ll sacrifice longevity and cut quality without it.

[@rotarycomptech]

@@ericschneiterthanks!

[@jeffreydavis2999]

Thank you bro!!.. ten years of schooling wrapped up in a tight little time frame. Can I hit you up for advice

[@ericschneiter]

Any time man! I respond sooner on Instagram if you are on there. @eric.Schneiter. But thanks for the kind words. Glad you were able to utilize it.

[@jeffreydavis2999]

@@ericschneiter super quit heading into winter.. but your video was able to help me finish up off-season duties. Now.. my stock has risen

[@chrisxavier3782]

Did you sell that bedknife grinder?

[@ericschneiter]

No, keeping it on hand in case we ever need a backup.

[@raullaguerre4561]

where is the location i will like to learn how to do that can i volunteer because my friend bought a golf course and i am trying to help is call Scott corners in Montgomery NY He also have a giant Jacobson mower he want to sell for cheap

[@rcmoot]

Use anti siese. No torch needed..

[@louisarmstrong8863]

Right at the start I pressed pause !!!!!!!!!!!!! want is it with you people BUT then you characters have your followers strange characters .

[@marcelolopez143]

No debes calentar la bedknife nunca

[@ericschneiter]

El solo lo hizo para quitar los tornillos. No lo calentamos antes de cortar.

[@r.castano4325]

cant hear what your saying because, someone dubbed obnoxious music on top of your video

[@kozy15x]

Jesus could you make it MORE complicated??

[@ericschneiter]

Hahaha sorry I tried my best. 😂🤷🏻‍♂️

[@douro20]

This is what it takes. Precision is everything when mowing a golf course. The height and finish of the grass has to be extremely consistent to conform with regulations.