Oorah, killer! I'm in the process of dominating my lawn and have been learning new techniques to get the best of out of my lawn. I've been reading a lot and seeing many either move from traditional mowers or strictly use reel mowers and the results are amazing. So I'm searching on Google for decent reel mowers and came across this video. Semper Fi!
Well after watching your video more than once Lol my new 23" Mclane Low Cut Reel Mower arrived today and I did receive the free grass catcher by putting "DOC" in the comment area. Great value with free grass catcher. free shipping and no sales tax. Next step oil in the engine; fill the gas tank and adjust the cutting height. I truly appreciate your insight and explaining the use from manual to auto use when cutting the grass. Goodbye rotor lawn mower and my new Mclane will make my bermuda lawn look even better. Cheers from South Carolina.
That is a smooth running machine and seems so much quieter than a standard mower. 100% USA made ! I will have to do some major leveling on my lawn to use one. I was expecting the price to be much higher, to be honest.
Just ordered this from your recommendation, and got the free grass catcher too.Talked to a guy named Mark very helpful.I opted for the 2023 closeout 25 inch with the Briggs XR950 engine.Getting it delivered for 2220.00.Can not wait to try it out on my Bermuda lawn.Had a tru cut cr 25 that I kept in excellent condition ,and sold for 1700.00 so did not have to pay much more for a brand new thxs for the videos DOC keep them coming!
I have a 17’’ manual greenskeeper it took me 2 years of looking ! It doesn’t have the drop drive like the one you have it has like 6 wheels that run across the with of the mower IT MAKES AWESOME STRIPES! ! I wouldn’t trade it for ANY of these new models coming out 👍🏻
Great video thanks for showing how the reel mower is used. Your thoughts on the newly released reel mower from Reel Rollers out near Buford GA? I believe it’s called the Revolution 26.
I have a McLane that I bought three summers ago and my yard is 4000 sqft. I mow two to three times a week. I had to replace the belt this year. The wheels need to be replaced and the chains constantly maintained. Even with all of this I like my McLane. I wish they would have done some better updates with this new model. Made height adjustment with a screw like they had on there old green mowers. Also, allow it to go lower for scalping. Install a heavier belt or change it to a chain. Have a collapsable handle for storage in small garages.
Once again Doc. I sold my Tru cut. My limp leg won't let me walk that fast anymore. So im back to my stand by single blade with wings 33inch hivac Snapper with twin bagger, which i think is a 90 percent match to my tru cut.
Mclane is a perfect balance of cut and ease of use. My lawn is insane, and it's been part that the Mclane is easy to cut, and I don't hate my constant mowing.
I've been researching reel mowers for a few years now. I haven't bit the bullet and purchased one. I want to make sure I'm getting a reliable machine. You might have convinced me.
Just upgraded to a gas powered 25in 7 blade 2024 model from my battery powered reel mower. I have to say this thing has a ton of power, drags my ass all over the yard, lol.
Great video. I love my Mclane for all these reasons. Would love to make a suggestion for a video if possible on how to know when it’s time to buy either a new reel or bed knife for a Mclane.
Sounds good... FYI to all the REEL mower fans out there, IF you need a REEL mower in CA? get 1 NOW as ALL GAS mowers will be discontinued starting in the year 2024. The remaining stock supply will not be replenished. HONDA will no longer be selling their smaller motors here in the USA starting next year as well. I live in Ca. and I purchased hopefully will be my last mower. McLane & Cal Trimmer owner here.
I’m very interested to see if you get your hands on the new revolution 26 and how that compares to this mower. Idk where the revolution is made or assembled
When I raise my drive wheel it lowers my cut lower than I was cutting with the drive wheel down. So annoying and hoping there is a way to fix this issue.
i have a 25" McLane. it's been great, im considering the mew mower from reel rollers. Drum, independent roller engagment for the price of a McLane...plus a Honda engine. Another good option is a used Toro or JD. the reels are much cheaper to replace.
I would have bought one years ago but no rear drum for stripes. Only gripe i had with it. I do want that Reelrollers mower they are releasing this winter though. I have a Swardman that i love BUT i hate sending the reel out to get sharpened
I purchased the old style McLane 25 using your link 3 months ago but I opted for the Briggs XR and I love it. Very easy to start on the 1st pull and I leave the throttle closed at its slowest setting. I chose the Briggs for parts availability and ease of starting now that they have the deep bowl carburetor. I am that person who asked about your maintenance on the Billy Goat with the Briggs Vanguard engine. Even though the Vanguard is the Briggs premium engine, I like the control setup on the XR more with separate fuel shut-off and kill switches. Other than the red handles, what else was changed on this new model?
Nothing is new. Cuts a tiny bit lower but that’s it. The xr uses a Honda style carburetor which fixed a lot of the issues they had. I have an XR on mine as well and have only had to clean the carb once to get rid of some surging.
We are going to try and find a made in USA rotary which is hard. So far cub cadet and one other are in the running. The EGO is nice but you really need two batteries which pushes the price way up.
Thanks for the detailed review. I received my new 25” reel low cut mower in three days with a free grass catcher. Does anyone know of a quick drain adapter for the B&S XR engine?
I have tried all of them for home use….I still prefer Tru cut. There can be problems with parts. I will only buy a mower with a Honda engine. Also the problem with a drive wheel is that it scuffs the grass upon engagement.
When you mentioned that you were going show us a new mower a couple weeks back, I thought for sure you were were going to show us the new Revolution 26. Oh well, same old Mclame.
Doc what is the difference between this low cut model and a standard model? Would I be able to cut my zoysia lawn if I can cut for a week or two while on vacation?
Hey Doc, I just purchased the Mclane 25 reel mower with the Honda engine. How can you adjust the handle bar height? I’m 6’ 3” and literally have to crouch to use the mower. I love the mower but kills my back.
How does this mower work on a slope? I have a fairly steep slope in part of my front yard and was wondering how difficult it is trying to push it up hill?
Hey Doc, have you seen or tried the new Reel Rollers 26" mower? It is also US made, somewhere around your neck of the woods in GA. Not trying to start anything, just wondering, so I can spend my money most wisely.
Mclane is the only USA made reel mower. TruCut is also made in the USA but not with all USA parts. My understanding is that it is a MASPORT which produces all mowers in China now.
I have this mower cuts clean only thing that has been a problem is right drive chain,even with correct tension it likes to jam up.?? Any thoughts would help.thanks.
Fine, our previous home had many inclines, but it's always best to cut inclines ACROSS the slope. All reel mowers have an issue with cutting height going uphill vs downhill.
I have an old sears craftsman. It looks just like the mclane only green. When I mow without the drive wheel, mine cuts an 1/8 inch or so lower. Is this normal?
Reel mowers are designed for lawns that are cut low. (1.5" down to 1/2" usually) Mostly warm season grasses but also some shorter cool season varieties as well.
Love all your content and have used your calendar and extensively but I have to disagree about the mclane. After three years of ownership this thing is junk. The reel to bed knife constantly needs adjustment. The engine constantly has issues, the deadman clutch hardly works and when it does the belts snap and the throttle cable has gotten looser and looser each year no matter what I do. I’ve had to replace ball bearings on the handles, and several other parts. The mower is three years old and I wish I had just bought a better one
Hi there - stumbled across your channel and I am new subscriber here. I appreciate your content. As for Mclane reel mowers. I was wondering your thoughts and what to look for when buying a 25 inch used Mclane reel mower that was supposedly used for 1 season. Thoughts? thanks
I would love for McLane to offer a battery version of their reel mower. The ones that are out there are so overkill with the changeable cartridges and cost way too much. Just give me a basic, quality reel mower that does not have a gas engine to maintain.
The 2024 low cut series is a reel (sic) nice mower for shorter people. I'm 6'4" and the handle reaches only mid thigh forcing a hunched over position to mow. The cut is great and the drive is smooth but the resulting back pain is pure misery. The Briggs engine is strong and mowing only requires partial power. The documentation is really awful. For example, the Briggs manual begins with 25 images of various engine versions. "Features and Controls" of the first 5 images are labeled and explained. The Briggs engine on the McLane is not among the first 5 images. The important controls are in image 9. Information on which control is fuel, choke, etc. along with distinctions between forward and aft positions, is buried in notes three paragraphs after instructing the user to pull the starter cord.
Not a fan of the single rear drive roller. I tears the grass up on engagement. 3/8 of an inch is not a low cut mower. Not sure what you are talking about with the pirouetting turn? All cylinder mowers I have used can turn 180 easily or be moved manually by disengaging the drive. As for lightweight, that is a big drawback for a true height of cut. I have not used a McLean to be fair but am not really seeing any benefits at all.
Oorah, killer! I'm in the process of dominating my lawn and have been learning new techniques to get the best of out of my lawn. I've been reading a lot and seeing many either move from traditional mowers or strictly use reel mowers and the results are amazing. So I'm searching on Google for decent reel mowers and came across this video. Semper Fi!
Same here Devil Dog
I purchased a Mclane the beginning of the last year and I love it, the cut is great and it moves across the Bermuda real smooth.
Well after watching your video more than once Lol my new 23" Mclane Low Cut Reel Mower arrived today and I did receive the free grass catcher by putting "DOC" in the comment area. Great value with free grass catcher. free shipping and no sales tax. Next step oil in the engine; fill the gas tank and adjust the cutting height. I truly appreciate your insight and explaining the use from manual to auto use when cutting the grass. Goodbye rotor lawn mower and my new Mclane will make my bermuda lawn look even better. Cheers from South Carolina.
cool mower dude!
dont have my mclane anymore but i did enjoy the time i spent with it
Thank you for your USMC service.
That is a smooth running machine and seems so much quieter than a standard mower. 100% USA made ! I will have to do some major leveling on my lawn to use one. I was expecting the price to be much higher, to be honest.
Just ordered this from your recommendation, and got the free grass catcher too.Talked to a guy named Mark very helpful.I opted for the 2023 closeout 25 inch with the Briggs XR950 engine.Getting it delivered for 2220.00.Can not wait to try it out on my Bermuda lawn.Had a tru cut cr 25 that I kept in excellent condition ,and sold for 1700.00 so did not have to pay much more for a brand new thxs for the videos DOC keep them coming!
Nice... enjoy.
Yes Sir Doc I used your code and received my free grass catcher
I purchased my McLane 25in GR series from your link last season I luv it thanks for sharing ✌🏾
Great unit... still have our old original here as well.
Didn't know you were an old Marine like me...liked you before but love you now bro! Semper Fi
👍
I have a 17’’ manual greenskeeper it took me 2 years of looking ! It doesn’t have the drop drive like the one you have it has like 6 wheels that run across the with of the mower IT MAKES AWESOME STRIPES! ! I wouldn’t trade it for ANY of these new models coming out 👍🏻
Great video thanks for showing how the reel mower is used. Your thoughts on the newly released reel mower from Reel Rollers out near Buford GA? I believe it’s called the Revolution 26.
I'd like to know Doc's thoughts on that mower as well.
Very good video. One has to do that with a drive rotary also. Never used a reel mower.
I have a McLane that I bought three summers ago and my yard is 4000 sqft. I mow two to three times a week. I had to replace the belt this year. The wheels need to be replaced and the chains constantly maintained. Even with all of this I like my McLane. I wish they would have done some better updates with this new model. Made height adjustment with a screw like they had on there old green mowers. Also, allow it to go lower for scalping. Install a heavier belt or change it to a chain. Have a collapsable handle for storage in small garages.
Once again Doc. I sold my Tru cut. My limp leg won't let me walk that fast anymore. So im back to my stand by single blade with wings 33inch hivac Snapper with twin bagger, which i think is a 90 percent match to my tru cut.
We use a Honda WING at the back beach and an EGO on the pond. Most people actually use a rotary.
Mclane is a perfect balance of cut and ease of use. My lawn is insane, and it's been part that the Mclane is easy to cut, and I don't hate my constant mowing.
Thanks... good old American made simplicity.... not perfect... but simple.
You sold me DOC
I've been researching reel mowers for a few years now. I haven't bit the bullet and purchased one. I want to make sure I'm getting a reliable machine. You might have convinced me.
Have bought 5 and they sent me this newer version free to demo. Have GK and GRs and they are EASY to work on.
Just upgraded to a gas powered 25in 7 blade 2024 model from my battery powered reel mower. I have to say this thing has a ton of power, drags my ass all over the yard, lol.
OooRah! Semper Fi Doc!
👍
Is there a way to try before you buy? In short, do they have a demo that can used before I lay out $2,800 or more for a machine.😊
Thanks Doc!!
Great video. I love my Mclane for all these reasons. Would love to make a suggestion for a video if possible on how to know when it’s time to buy either a new reel or bed knife for a Mclane.
The only time I know of is if it gets damaged. I've seen 20+ year old models with the same reel and knife.
Sounds good... FYI to all the REEL mower fans out there, IF you need a REEL mower in CA? get 1 NOW as ALL GAS mowers will be discontinued starting in the year 2024. The remaining stock supply will not be replenished. HONDA will no longer be selling their smaller motors here in the USA starting next year as well. I live in Ca. and I purchased hopefully will be my last mower. McLane & Cal Trimmer owner here.
The honda bit is only half right, they are discontinuing their walk behind mowers, their engines are still available though
The GX series correct
Move😂
I’m very interested to see if you get your hands on the new revolution 26 and how that compares to this mower. Idk where the revolution is made or assembled
Looks like a good unit, just doesn't meet my filters.
Weren’t these around $1,600 about 2 years ago? Now they’re close to $3,000?
every mower is that way now
When I raise my drive wheel it lowers my cut lower than I was cutting with the drive wheel down. So annoying and hoping there is a way to fix this issue.
Sadly... it's just the way it works. It applies a downward pressure so the cut varies slightly.
i have a 25" McLane. it's been great, im considering the mew mower from reel rollers. Drum, independent roller engagment for the price of a McLane...plus a Honda engine. Another good option is a used Toro or JD. the reels are much cheaper to replace.
I would have bought one years ago but no rear drum for stripes. Only gripe i had with it. I do want that Reelrollers mower they are releasing this winter though. I have a Swardman that i love BUT i hate sending the reel out to get sharpened
Do the drive wheels always tear up the turf when you engage it to start moving?
I purchased the old style McLane 25 using your link 3 months ago but I opted for the Briggs XR and I love it. Very easy to start on the 1st pull and I leave the throttle closed at its slowest setting. I chose the Briggs for parts availability and ease of starting now that they have the deep bowl carburetor. I am that person who asked about your maintenance on the Billy Goat with the Briggs Vanguard engine. Even though the Vanguard is the Briggs premium engine, I like the control setup on the XR more with separate fuel shut-off and kill switches. Other than the red handles, what else was changed on this new model?
Glad you got my maintenance confessions... 👍
the new one will cut lower. 3/8 inch on the web site.
Nothing is new. Cuts a tiny bit lower but that’s it.
The xr uses a Honda style carburetor which fixed a lot of the issues they had. I have an XR on mine as well and have only had to clean the carb once to get rid of some surging.
I just got my hands on a Baroness LM56 and that thing blows the McClane out of the water.
Doc, why is the shield flapping on the left side of the mower? Your left as you are behind it.
I need to adjust it. It's a free floating side piece.
Doc ...I have tall fescue grass. It requires a rotary mower. I noticed you have Ego. What do you think about Toro, DeWalt rotary mowers?
We are going to try and find a made in USA rotary which is hard. So far cub cadet and one other are in the running. The EGO is nice but you really need two batteries which pushes the price way up.
Is there a “try before you buy” program? Hate to spend this kind of money and have it not work out for me. Please advise.
Not that I know of.
I wish I knew this before I bought the GK series
Thanks for the detailed review. I received my new 25” reel low cut mower in three days with a free grass catcher. Does anyone know of a quick drain adapter for the B&S XR engine?
Doc...I noted you were using a drill adapter to backlap. This is your preferred method v using the McLane back lapping kit? Semper Fi!
I have tried all of them for home use….I still prefer Tru cut. There can be problems with parts. I will only buy a mower with a Honda engine. Also the problem with a drive wheel is that it scuffs the grass upon engagement.
What do you think of the Revolution 26 from ReelRollers?
Hey Doc, it looks like it tears up the grass when engaging the drive system. Like the tire spinning? Maybe it's the video...
It's the mud pit in the back yard and that is stopped by slowly squeezing the lever vs jamming it like I was doing to show the engagement.
The drive wheel lowers too quickly so it skids and rips up the grass. It also doesn't rise high enough for turning when it's disengaged.
@@andrelecomteI was about to say that. It’s one of the things I hate most about my mclane.
Next time I'll consider buying an Allett, Toro or John Deere.
Watch my latest video
Other than the cut height, has anything else been changed on the 2024 model? My 25" McLane is 2 years old and it looks just like the 2024.
Pretty much the same thank goodness. That means all the parts have not changed.
Tried the "DOC" code and didnt work! Ive been wanting a reel mower since I started using the Lawn Care guide from Doc!!
Yeah I entered the DOC code too and it did not work on 09.23.23 @ 08:10pm.
Just enter the code and the catcher will be included.
Just enter the code and the catcher will be included.
Do you suggest a 7 blade or 10 blade GR 2 Low Cut series?
7 unless you have a putting green
When you mentioned that you were going show us a new mower a couple weeks back, I thought for sure you were were going to show us the new Revolution 26. Oh well, same old Mclame.
Doesn't meet the filter list.
Doc what is the difference between this low cut model and a standard model? Would I be able to cut my zoysia lawn if I can cut for a week or two while on vacation?
Range of cut is really the only difference. Yes, I cut my zoysia at the beach house with it and the rest of the time it's done with a rotary.
Doc...can I use this reel mower with a yard that has some bumps and not completely flat?
Yes, our back yard id horrible and the wider the better
The Honda motor is made in America?
No motors under 12 hp are made in America anymore.
Wow. No kiddin.
How often do you need a professional grind on these machines?
If only they would update the reel to bedknife adjustment.
I have learned a trick I will show in an upcoming video.
I know that's what it costs to get a professional reel mower, but I simply can't afford them.
Hey Doc,
I just purchased the Mclane 25 reel mower with the Honda engine. How can you adjust the handle bar height? I’m 6’ 3” and literally have to crouch to use the mower. I love the mower but kills my back.
I've asked Mclane to come up with a solution.
How does this mower work on a slope? I have a fairly steep slope in part of my front yard and was wondering how difficult it is trying to push it up hill?
It's pretty good on slopes. We like to cut ACROSS the slope because all reel mowers cut slightly different going up and down.
How can order one
I heard months ago that Honda was getting out of the small engine business. Briggs may be the only option.
Only for homeowner stuff. They will still be doing commercial engines
Where did you get that hat from I want one!
Gold Coast Hats for most of my sun hats. That one was from Walmart $13
What the best grass seed to plant under the shade at this season in Wylie Texas ?
Hey Doc, have you seen or tried the new Reel Rollers 26" mower? It is also US made, somewhere around your neck of the woods in GA. Not trying to start anything, just wondering, so I can spend my money most wisely.
Mclane is the only USA made reel mower. TruCut is also made in the USA but not with all USA parts. My understanding is that it is a MASPORT which produces all mowers in China now.
@@HowTowithDoc Do the grass catchers on my other 25 Mclane fit the new low mow models?
That's nice looking machine.Can short people work them ?
Yes, the girls use them easily and they are like 5'3"
I have this mower cuts clean only thing that has been a problem is right drive chain,even with correct tension it likes to jam up.?? Any thoughts would help.thanks.
I've never seen that issue before... my GUESS is that it might be a sprocket issue.
@@HowTowithDoc thanks.
Not sure if I missed it in the video, but does your new mower have a variable speed drive wheel? Or it has a single speed only?
Clutch and RPM control the speed. Go as slow or as fast as you want.
How does it handle inclines? Unfortunately I have a lawn that rises a fair amount.
Fine, our previous home had many inclines, but it's always best to cut inclines ACROSS the slope. All reel mowers have an issue with cutting height going uphill vs downhill.
@@HowTowithDoc Thanks for the response. My inclines are on two different planes. Sounds like I’m stuck with my cruddy rotary mower. Oh well.
I have an old sears craftsman. It looks just like the mclane only green. When I mow without the drive wheel, mine cuts an 1/8 inch or so lower. Is this normal?
What is best grass to have for reel mower?
Reel mowers are designed for lawns that are cut low. (1.5" down to 1/2" usually) Mostly warm season grasses but also some shorter cool season varieties as well.
How do you do the reel to bedknife adjustment.
How do you back lap it?
Videos on channel
@HowTowithDoc thanks I found them after and realized the older models are the same procedure
What kind of work boots do you wear? Thanks
Hey Doc..is that the 7 blade or 10 blade mower?
That one is the 7 blade. I don't think there really is a need for the 10 for most.
Love all your content and have used your calendar and extensively but I have to disagree about the mclane. After three years of ownership this thing is junk. The reel to bed knife constantly needs adjustment. The engine constantly has issues, the deadman clutch hardly works and when it does the belts snap and the throttle cable has gotten looser and looser each year no matter what I do. I’ve had to replace ball bearings on the handles, and several other parts. The mower is three years old and I wish I had just bought a better one
I think reel mowers are great but why would you cut that short except for fall?
Bermuda likes to be cut between 1/2" and 1.5"
Hi there - stumbled across your channel and I am new subscriber here. I appreciate your content. As for Mclane reel mowers. I was wondering your thoughts and what to look for when buying a 25 inch used Mclane reel mower that was supposedly used for 1 season. Thoughts? thanks
Hmmm... hard to say. Maybe just give a test run. Most of the parts if needed are pretty cheap.
13:30... btw, if you did a 360, you would be going back in the same direction!
Math.... who needs it. 😂
I would love for McLane to offer a battery version of their reel mower. The ones that are out there are so overkill with the changeable cartridges and cost way too much. Just give me a basic, quality reel mower that does not have a gas engine to maintain.
Agreed... the next big seller will be a lightweight one battery reel mower.
I believe Hudson is made all in the USA.
Push mower yes.
Coupon code doesn't work?
You no longer need it. All orders on the LC series will get it for the next few weeks.
The 2024 low cut series is a reel (sic) nice mower for shorter people. I'm 6'4" and the handle reaches only mid thigh forcing a hunched over position to mow. The cut is great and the drive is smooth but the resulting back pain is pure misery. The Briggs engine is strong and mowing only requires partial power. The documentation is really awful. For example, the Briggs manual begins with 25 images of various engine versions. "Features and Controls" of the first 5 images are labeled and explained. The Briggs engine on the McLane is not among the first 5 images. The important controls are in image 9. Information on which control is fuel, choke, etc. along with distinctions between forward and aft positions, is buried in notes three paragraphs after instructing the user to pull the starter cord.
Anyway to adjust the handle bars?
I just purchased the Mclane 25 and I have the same issue. Kills my back and I’m a landscaper!
Hey Doc, the coupon code isnt working..gives me this response "Sorry, the coupon code you entered does not exist."
OK thanks. If you order they'll include the grass catcher. I have told them.
The code for the grass catcher is not working online
Add the code and the grass catcher is free. Don't add the catcher
Losing weight Doc?
Down 38 pounds in 90 days.
Carnivore diet?@@HowTowithDoc
I think you mean 180’ half turn
Math.... 😄
Semper Fi love your videos, Blairsville, GA
Mel Gibson doppelgänger?
Not a fan of the single rear drive roller. I tears the grass up on engagement. 3/8 of an inch is not a low cut mower. Not sure what you are talking about with the pirouetting turn? All cylinder mowers I have used can turn 180 easily or be moved manually by disengaging the drive. As for lightweight, that is a big drawback for a true height of cut. I have not used a McLean to be fair but am not really seeing any benefits at all.
I doesn't tear up the ground is you engage slowly, I was jamming it down.
If you haven't used one, then you really can't comment intelligently on how they work, now can ya?
Ok mate, you buy one and see how it works out for you.@@bssmith3333
doc dont get political
It's not political... and I DON'T do politics. It's a matter of supply chains and parts. We all should have learned that over the past few years.