1996 - Volume #20, Issue #3, Page #25
[ Sample Stories From This Issue | List of All Stories In This Issue | Print this story
| Read this issue]
Reel Mower Cuts Big lawns Fast
The mower consists of a series of light-weight ground-driven reel mowers hitched to a steel frame in two rows. Four models are available ranging from 3 ft. 8 in. wide to 11 ft. 4 in., with 3 to 7 reels per unit and 5 to 7 blades per reel.
"It's much lighter weight than conventional golf course reel mowers and costs far less," says Short. "Golf course reel mowers sell for up to $20,000, but ours start at just under $1,700. The hitch is the key to the design. It puts downpressure on all wheels to make sure they get enough traction. It leaves your lawn looking like a carpet. The steel frame allows the two rows of reels to flex forward and backward and each reel can flex up and down to prevent scalping.
"There's no motor to maintain and it's safer than big powered mower decks because it doesn't throw stones and because the cutting reels don't turn when you back up. Due to the width of the mower it can't be used in small areas. However, you can keep your riding mower for those areas that the reel mower can't reach. It doesn't re-quire a lot of power - a 5 hp tractor will handle a 4 - 9-ft. mower. The blades are self-sharpening as long as you keep them adjusted properly.
"It does the best job when you cut only an inch or two at a time. You can cut taller grass but the tractor's wheels will mat the grass down, making it difficult for the reels to pick up. The reels have shear bolt protection against rocks. The outside reels on both rows fold up for transport."
A 4-ft. 3-in. model sells for $1,695 while a 9-ft. 8-in. model sells for $2,295. The 11-ft. 4-in. model sells for $3,995.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Pro Mow Reel Mower System, 8345 Clinton Park Drive, Fort Wayne, Ind. 46825 (ph 219 482-6699).
Click here to download page story appeared in.
Click here to read entire issue
To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.