Imagine this: a perfectly manicured lawn, striped with precision, radiating a vibrant green hue. It’s a testament to a well-maintained reel mower, one that slices through grass with ease, leaving behind a clean, even cut. But like any tool, a reel mower needs care, and that care includes sharpening its blades.
This guide will walk you through the essential steps to sharpening a reel mower, ensuring your lawn stays picture-perfect. We’ll cover the tools you need, the process of sharpening, and maintenance tips to keep your mower in top shape.
A Quick Overview of Reel Mower Sharpening
Sharpening a reel mower essentially involves honing the blades to a razor-sharp edge. This ensures a clean cut, preventing grass from being torn or bruised, which leads to a healthier, more vibrant lawn. The process involves using a specialized tool called a honing guide, which helps maintain the proper angle and sharpness of the blades.
Understanding the Basics of a Reel Mower
Before diving into the sharpening process, it’s important to understand how a reel mower works. Reel mowers consist of a horizontal cylinder with multiple blades that rotate against a stationary bottom blade. This shearing action creates a clean cut. As the blades wear down, the cut becomes uneven and ragged, leading to a poor-quality lawn.
Identifying When Your Reel Mower Needs Sharpening
Recognizing the signs that your reel mower needs sharpening is crucial. Here are some key indicators:
- Grass is being torn or ripped instead of cut cleanly.
- The cut is uneven or inconsistent.
- The mower feels heavy and difficult to push.
- The blades are dull or chipped.
Gather Your Supplies: Essential Tools for Reel Mower Sharpening
Before you start sharpening, gather the following tools:
- Honing guide: This tool is essential for maintaining the correct angle and sharpness of the blades. You can purchase a specific honing guide for your reel mower model or a generic honing guide that works with most mowers.
- Honing steel: This is a specialized steel rod used to remove burrs and smooth out the blades. It has a fine abrasive coating that helps restore the sharpness.
- Flat file: A flat file is helpful for removing any significant nicks or chips from the blades.
- Screwdriver: Used to loosen the reel and bottom blade assembly for access to the blades.
- Gloves: Protect your hands during the sharpening process.
- Work surface: A sturdy, flat surface to work on.
Step-by-Step Guide: Sharpening Your Reel Mower
1. Disassemble the Reel:
- Remove the reel assembly. Use a screwdriver to loosen the bolts or nuts holding the reel to the mower.
- Separate the reel from the bottom blade. This step allows you to access the blades for sharpening.
2. Prepare the Honing Guide:
- Secure the honing guide. Follow the instructions provided with your honing guide to attach it to the reel. The guide should be securely fastened, ensuring it remains stable during sharpening.
3. Hone the Blades:
- Place the honing steel in the guide. Position the honing steel within the honing guide, ensuring it runs parallel to the reel blades.
- Start honing. Move the honing steel back and forth along the blades, applying gentle pressure. Use a consistent motion and avoid excessive pressure.
- Repeat on each blade. Hone each blade individually, ensuring you cover the entire surface.
4. Remove Burrs with a Flat File:
- Inspect the blades. After honing, inspect the blades for any burrs or imperfections.
- Use a flat file to smooth out any burrs or nicks. Hold the file at a slight angle to the blade and move it gently back and forth.
5. Reassemble the Mower:
- Attach the reel to the bottom blade. Align the reel with the bottom blade, ensuring the blades are properly positioned.
- Tighten the bolts or nuts. Secure the reel to the mower using the screwdriver.
6. Test the Cut:
- Cut a small patch of grass. This will help you determine if the blades are sharp enough.
- Adjust the cutting height. Adjust the cutting height as needed, using the lever or knob on the mower.
7. Enjoy a Perfectly Cut Lawn:
- Mow your lawn with ease. The sharpened blades will glide through the grass, providing a clean and even cut.
Tips for Maintaining Your Reel Mower
- Regular Sharpening: Sharpen the blades after every 10-15 hours of use or if you notice any signs of dullness.
- Clean the Mower: Clean the mower regularly, removing any grass clippings or debris that can accumulate and hinder performance.
- Lubricate the Blades: Apply a light coat of oil to the blades to prevent rust and corrosion.
- Store Properly: Store your reel mower in a dry place, preferably indoors, to prevent rust and damage.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using the wrong tools: Ensure you use a specialized honing guide and honing steel, designed specifically for reel mowers.
- Applying excessive pressure: Too much pressure can damage the blades. Apply gentle pressure throughout the honing process.
- Ignoring signs of dullness: Don’t wait until your blades are completely dull to sharpen them. Sharpening regularly ensures a clean, even cut and a healthier lawn.
Alternatives to Sharpening: The Reel Mower Doctor
If you’re not comfortable sharpening your reel mower yourself, or if your mower requires specialized attention, consider contacting a reel mower professional. They can provide expert sharpening services and maintenance, keeping your mower in top condition.
Conclusion
A sharpened reel mower is the key to a beautifully manicured lawn. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure your mower cuts cleanly and efficiently, resulting in a healthy, vibrant lawn. Remember to sharpen regularly, clean the mower, and store it properly to prolong its lifespan. And if you need professional assistance, don’t hesitate to seek help from a reel mower specialist.
With a little care and attention, your reel mower will continue to deliver a flawless cut, leaving you with a lawn that’s the envy of the neighborhood.
FAQ
Q1. What are the benefits of using a reel mower?
A reel mower is a great option for those looking for a more environmentally friendly way to cut their lawn. Reel mowers are powered by human energy, so they don’t produce any emissions. They also don’t require gasoline or electricity, which saves you money in the long run. Additionally, reel mowers are known for giving your lawn a cleaner, more precise cut. They also help to promote a healthier lawn by reducing thatch buildup and encouraging root growth.
Q2. How often should I sharpen my reel mower blades?
The frequency with which you need to sharpen your reel mower blades depends on how often you use it and the condition of your lawn. As a general rule, it’s best to sharpen your blades at least once a year. However, if you use your reel mower frequently or your lawn is particularly tough, you may need to sharpen the blades more often.
Q3. Can I sharpen my reel mower blades at home?
Yes, you can sharpen your reel mower blades at home with a few simple tools. All you need is a sharpening stone, a flat surface, and some elbow grease. You can also use a sharpening steel, which is designed specifically for sharpening reel mower blades.
Q4. What are the different types of sharpening stones?
There are two main types of sharpening stones used for reel mower blades: water stones and oil stones. Water stones are generally considered to be more durable and produce a finer edge, but they require soaking in water before use. Oil stones are less expensive and easier to use, but they may not produce as fine an edge.
Q5. What are some signs that my reel mower blades need sharpening?
There are a few telltale signs that your reel mower blades need sharpening. If you notice that your mower is leaving behind uneven patches of grass, or if the blades are noticeably dull, then it’s time to sharpen them. Additionally, if your mower is making a grinding sound when you’re mowing, this could also be a sign that the blades need sharpening.
Q6. Can I use a rotary lawn mower to sharpen my reel mower blades?
While it’s tempting to try, you should never use a rotary lawn mower to sharpen your reel mower blades. Rotary mowers use a spinning blade to cut the grass, which can damage the delicate edges of your reel mower blades.
Q7. How can I keep my reel mower blades sharp for longer?
There are a few things you can do to keep your reel mower blades sharp for longer. First, make sure you’re using the right type of sharpening stone for the job. Second, always sharpen your blades in a single direction, using smooth, even strokes. Third, clean and lubricate your blades after each use to prevent rust and corrosion.