Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How to Adjust the Blades of a Reel Mower
How to Adjust the Blades of a Reel Mower. Reel mowers are a popular alternative to gas-powered rotary mowers, especially for those with small lawns. Ohio State University studies have shown that lawns cut with reel mowers are consistently healthier than those cut with rotary mowers. Adjusting the blades of a reel mower is necessary over the course...
Reel mowers are a popular alternative to gas-powered rotary mowers, especially for those with small lawns. Ohio State University studies have shown that lawns cut with reel mowers are consistently healthier than those cut with rotary mowers. Adjusting the blades of a reel mower is necessary over the course of the season to make sure that your lawn is cut to the proper height at the proper time of year. A few basic tools and a few minutes of your time are all that is required.
Things You'll Need
Pliers or wrench
Tape measure
Lubricating oil
Step 1
Place the reel mower on a flat surface. Make sure that it is at a good working height where you can easily reach all of the parts of the cylinder.
Step 2
Loosen the wing nuts or bolts on the sides of the mowing cylinder, so that the rear roller, or rear wheels, depending on the configuration of your model, can be moved up and down freely. Lubrication may need to be added to accomplish this task if it has not been done for some time.
Step 3
Determine the cutting height at which you wish to set the mower. Use a tape measure and raise or lower the cylinder or wheels to the desired height.
Step 4
Retighten the nuts or bolts back in place once you have obtained the proper blade height of your reel mower. Be careful not to overtighten or strip the threads.
Step 5
Apply lubricating oil to the nuts, bolts and mowing cylinder at all points with moving parts. This will help to prevent rust, and allow for an easier adjustment the next time it is needed.
Step 6
Test an area of your lawn to ensure that the desired height was obtained before mowing the entire lawn. Repeat steps above if readjustment is warranted.
