background image

16 

Fundamentals of Reel Mowers

 

 

TORO

 Service Training 

 

The third pattern illustrates a single streak. 
This can be caused by: 

• 

Rifled or uneven wear on bedknife 

• 

Damaged area on bedknife from 
hitting an object(s) 

• 

Loose bedknife screws 

• 

Bent reel blade 

 
The fourth pattern shows multiple streaks. This 
can be caused by heavy contact between the 
bedknife and reel, resulting in a “rifled” or wavy 
bedknife. 
 

 

 

 

It is normal for the mower to leave after–cut 
directional light and dark color paths. These 
overall color paths are due to the turf being 
rolled down in the direction the mower is 
traveling. A cut path going away from you will 
usually be lighter in color than the path coming 
toward you. Smaller, individual color variations 
can be due to differing turf types, density 
variations and straight line mower marks. A 
spongy area is evident by the momentary 
impression left by feet on the surface. 
 
Many turf discrepancies are subtle and require 
closer examination. In these instances, the 
TurfEvaluator grass viewing tool is helpful. It 
can assist turf managers in determining 
causes for poor reel mower performance and 
comparing the effective height of cut of one 
mowed surface to another. 
 

Turf Evaluator Tool - Model 04399 

 

Guide to Evaluating Reel Mower 
Performance and Using the 
Turf Evaluator - Part. No. 97931SL 

 

Содержание RM 2000

Страница 1: ...Commercial Products Fundamentals of Reel Mowers PART NO 98008SL Rev B ...

Страница 2: ...This page is intentionally blank ...

Страница 3: ...amentals of Reel Mowers 1 TORO Service Training 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 ...

Страница 4: ...s back to the 1800 s It evolved out of a need for groomed turf areas being maintained on a regular basis 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 ...

Страница 5: ...d lowered maintenance costs Although dramatic improvements have been made in reel type mowers some of the same frustrations that developed working with reel cutting units years ago are still present today 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 ...

Страница 6: ...n A reel mower cuts grass with a scissors like shearing action as the moving helix shaped blades pass over the stationary bedknife The cutting action requires that the bedknife and reel blades be sharp matched and in close relationship with each other When properly maintained and operated reel mowers provide superior quality of cut It cannot be overstated that reel mowers are precision tools It is...

Страница 7: ...te that the grass outside of the forward half clip is not easily gathered The general rule of thumb concerning height of cut vs clip is that both measurements should be within 20 of each other The best results will be obtained when height of cut is equal to or close to the clip Grass extending beyond the forward half clip yet tall enough to be within the blade path is less likely to be cut Reel bl...

Страница 8: ...cut you may notice some corrugation after the first mowing This will go away after the grass is maintained at the new height of cut over a period of time The importance of the bedknife front angle is visible from the side view 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 bl...

Страница 9: ... density and the grass acclimation or grain Grass tends to thicken at the normal maintained height of cut The denser the grass the easier it is for the bedknife and reel to gather it Grass density and grain can often override other factors we have discussed regarding the cutting action The basic requirements for good performance of reel mowers are The cutting edges on the reel blades and bedknife ...

Страница 10: ... then explain any unique methods or procedures used on your grounds A supervisor should play a key role in establishing the proper attitude and behavior patterns toward operating turf equipment A supervisor should not create the impression that a few minutes orientation on a piece of equipment will qualify the operator Operators and service technicians play a significant role in determining qualit...

Страница 11: ...recommendations listed in the Operator s Manual Some products may also have a Quick Reference maintenance decal on the machine Recommended maintenance intervals should be considered minimum requirements If the equipment is operated in particularly harsh conditions such as very hot weather during the grow in period after construction or on topdressed greens these procedures may have to be performed...

Страница 12: ...reas requiring ongoing scheduled maintenance Service Manuals and Training Guides are also available for many models Information about Service Education Materials Maintenance Schedules Service Bulletins and more is also available on the Internet at www toro com golf custsvc html Keep Thinking and Be Aware Mowing equipment is designed for a specific application and should be operated keeping those r...

Страница 13: ...nt and agronomic factors Turf conditions such as excessive thatch sponginess or attempting to cut off too much grass height may not always be overcome by adjusting the machine It is important to remember that the lower the height of cut the more critical these factors are Remember that the effective or actual height of cut depends on cutting unit weight cutting unit accessories and turf conditions...

Страница 14: ...ife and reel contact their full length with LIGHT contact and free reel rotation Note that different cutting unit models have different methods of adjusting reel to bedknife contact The top illustration shows a four bolt style adjustment mechanism The bottom illustration shows a single point adjustment mechanism Single point adjust cutting units also have an adjustment mechanism on one end of the ...

Страница 15: ...nce 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 immediately by adjustment or over tightening Do not...

Страница 16: ...ntage to have the front or the cutting edge of the bedknife lower than the back This help prevent the bedbar from contacting the ground surface in very low heights of cut It will also prevent the streaking or ruffling of the turf after it has been cut and passed over by the bedbar There is a limit on how much of a forward angle the bedbar can be positioned to If the rear is positioned too high the...

Страница 17: ...y need modifying to retain visual and playability goals Remember the setting you are making here the bench set height of cut is different from the effective or actual height of cut in the turf There are some basic patterns that can appear on turf maintained with a reel mower The first pattern illustrates good adjustment procedures and properly maintained cutting edges The second pattern shows many...

Страница 18: ... the direction the mower is traveling A cut path going away from you will usually be lighter in color than the path coming toward you Smaller individual color variations can be due to differing turf types density variations and straight line mower marks A spongy area is evident by the momentary impression left by feet on the surface Many turf discrepancies are subtle and require closer examination...

Страница 19: ...g run without light contact against one another Cutting units should be kept as sharp as possible to Promote growth of healthy grass Optimize cutting unit performance Extend the life of the mower Maximize operator mowing time Allow the tractor to run most efficiently Provide excellent finished appearance of the turf A grooved or wavy rifled reel or bedknife is most often caused by operating the cu...

Страница 20: ...nd reel GRIND the reel and bedknife There are several methods that may be used to sharpen a cutting unit The one that you choose will depend upon the condition of the cutting unit It should also make the most sense for the anticipated use For example if you are about to mow greens that have been core aerated or topdressed you may not want to grind the reels and install new bedknives As the reel bl...

Страница 21: ...nd roller brackets are true and not bent or damaged from impacts with trees posts or cart path edges The cutting unit must be aligned so the grinding wheel will travel parallel to the reel shaft This will result in the reel being ground to the desired cylinder shape Follow the grinder manufacturer s instructions for set up and operation of the grinder When grinding be careful to not overheat the r...

Страница 22: ...facture There are two methods of grinding reels This slide illustrates Spin Grinding which is also know as Flat Grinding With this method both the reel and the grinding stone are turning as the reel is being sharpened It is sometimes stated that backlapping is not required after spin grinding because the reel is a perfect cylinder when grinding is completed This depends on proper alignment of the ...

Страница 23: ...ngle blade grinding process so that the reel ends up as close to a cylinder shape as possible This will reduce the amount of backlapping needed after grinding is completed The numbers shown in the illustration indicate one example of the sequence that may be used Remember that a final grind in a spin grinder and or some backlapping will get the reel into a true cylindrical shape It will normally t...

Страница 24: ...in the mounting surface of the bedbar a new bedknife may not be perfectly flat after it is installed Because of this it is necessary to backlap or grind a new bedknife after installing it to the bedbar Follow the existing angle that was ground into the bedknife and grind only enough to make sure the top surface is true When regrinding a bedknife it is important to use the following procedures Remo...

Страница 25: ... 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 ...

Страница 26: ...nderstand the how but also give some insight into 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 ...

Страница 27: ...This page is intentionally blank ...

Страница 28: ...Commercial Products The Toro Company ...

Отзывы: