I've searched the net far and wide looking for a video as thorough as this, THANK YOU so much. I have the same mower and it was starting to cost too much money taking it in for this minor maintenance runs. I appreciate the knowledge being shared here.
You're very correct it doesn't take much. I watched the mechanic at my country club backlap all his Toro GreensMaster machines and it took him less than a minute, probably 30-45 seconds per reel. It was a learning experience for sure for my own GreensMaster. Many UA-cam videos show people backlapping for minutes.
Finally a Tru-Cut video that takes the mystery and misery out of how to keep the mower cutting sharp....p.s.waiting for your mower to start needing clutch plate adjustments on either reel side or drive side. Headed to the garage - Thanks Doc
Doc, one thing to call out is that you don’t have to remove the chain in order to backlap or make reel/bedknife adjustments on the Tru-Cuts. I’m by no means an expert on Tru-Cuts but I do own one and have been doing this for years. Might save you a little time on your next backlap by not removing and reinstalling the chain. All bolts are accessible with the chain still on.
Hey Doc, just a couple recommendations I've learned by experience. 80 grit compound is pretty aggressive and will wear into your bedknife quickly. I use 120 grit compound for my typical backlapping. If I have any major blade dings then I would use an 80 grit at the beginning to knock down the defects fully clean the compound off and then transistion to 120 grit compound. You will end up with a much finer edge. Also, I completely clean all the grit off before I run the blades in the cutting direction. You ran your blades while you were rinsing. You can dull the cutting blades and bedknife if you have any compound left on the blades when operating the mower.
question: there are two slotted screw bolts with jam nuts on them on both sides of the frame up behind the reel. the left side is hard to get to because of the motor chain to the drive system but the right side is very visible and easy to get to. i have looked and looked in manuals and onlne to see what these screws are for and what they adjust. any idea what they are for . ? you help would be greatly appreciated
Doc, Great videos, to the point, informative and enjoyable! Can you answer for me: I'm in the middle of Utah, can't find anyone to sharpen the blades of a reel mower and I have looked. Don't have a mower yet, but doing my due diligence before buying one and can't see getting one if I can't get it sharpened when needed. Many say blades on a reel mower should be sharpened once a year or more, what exactly does back lapping accomplish? If it's done several times a year does it or can it replace sharpening?
So that third bolt on the bottom doesn't get torqued down the same as the others? It's just finger tight and then turned as needed for finer height adjustments?
Thanks being really informativ. You tell that it should be adjusted several times and how much. One Q? How about the other blade nr 2 down at the bottom, is it something you have to considering about?
Do you back lap a brand new blade wheel? I have one i just put on it has so much resistance when I spin by hand but it the only position it will do the paper cut test.
@@HowTowithDoc wow...I've had mine for 3 years now and cut about 3 times a week and still dont need to back lap. I check to make sure its cutting every week using a piece of paper. I guess how tight the reel is to the bedknife and rpm is a factor when it comes to wear.
Hi Doc, really like your videos and products, but wanted to know the price difference from July to now for the PGF Complete? Is there a way to contact you?
The honest answer... because the front catcher was 200 yards away in my shed and I was hot as hell. lol.... That area does not have good thatch so I like to leave them on.
@@HowTowithDoc I would love to see it. I have a 20 inch older mclane and have been using the duct tape around the sprocket method with some success. reel rollers sells an adapter now.
Yes PLEASE don’t buy from the robber who is hogging PFG and trying to sell it for $80!!!! Thanks for the great tips Doc!! They say you need to learn something new everyday, I just did!!! PFG is the best hands down !!! After 2 stacking treatments and 4 weeks our Bermuda has overcome the summer burnout and looks great!!!
Great, helpful video. Insane how hard it is to find good info on blade adjustments for Trucut. Hate to criticize, since it's the best vid out there on it. But I would love if you did a shortened version, start to finish, showing each adjustment you make. It's already my spring primer vid, but I've had to make a cheat sheet with time stamps of the steps. But I do thank you for this one!
Doc. Really good tutorial on back lapping. Now I'm looking for a front roller. I've looked all over various lists for a used one because new is about $160 plus. Do you know where I can pick up a used one in decent shape for a 27" Tru-cut? Thanks.
Sorry for the off-topic question, but any idea when PGFC will be for sale again? Amazon only shows third party seller selling it for $85 with an arrival date of October. Clearly a BS posting.
You call this a simple process? Holy cow, looks like a lot of work! What is sharpening the blades? Rubbing on the rear back cover? Doesn’t that eventually run away so future backslapping is impossible since it rubbed away?
trevor muggeridge you watch the same UA-cam channels as me mate. What area do you live? I’m in Geelong. Got to wait another month before I start a Reno, bloody cold down here
Did you rinse your mower off spinning forward when there was still backlapping compound on there? That's not a good idea... Seems much more complicated to do the backlapping process on this mower than on a Greensmaster but I guess they all are a bit different. It's amazing what backlapping can do for the sharpness of the reel, as well as aligning the reel to bedknife surface up.
thanks for video, only thing is that drill goes way too fast for backlapping. Need to get a backlapping machine that goes a significant amount slower. 4-5 minutes and let it slowly work.
Doc, Your video is the first one I've ever seen on backlapping a Tru-Cut mower . Thanks for doing that the tips were especially helpful .thks again
Doc you helped me out a ton with this video! Bought a used Tru-Cut and the adjustment screw info made all the difference. Cuts like a ginsu knife.
I've searched the net far and wide looking for a video as thorough as this, THANK YOU so much. I have the same mower and it was starting to cost too much money taking it in for this minor maintenance runs. I appreciate the knowledge being shared here.
Excellent video Doc!!! I've been binge watching your channel for 2 days now. AWESOME!!
You're very correct it doesn't take much. I watched the mechanic at my country club backlap all his Toro GreensMaster machines and it took him less than a minute, probably 30-45 seconds per reel. It was a learning experience for sure for my own GreensMaster. Many UA-cam videos show people backlapping for minutes.
Finally a Tru-Cut video that takes the mystery and misery out of how to keep the mower cutting sharp....p.s.waiting for your mower to start needing clutch plate adjustments on either reel side or drive side. Headed to the garage - Thanks Doc
lol... a LOT of research and testing went into this silly video. Most won't understand... but if you own a trucut, you will.
Finally a tru cut backlap video. Thanks Doc!
You can always count on Doc!
Doc, one thing to call out is that you don’t have to remove the chain in order to backlap or make reel/bedknife adjustments on the Tru-Cuts. I’m by no means an expert on Tru-Cuts but I do own one and have been doing this for years. Might save you a little time on your next backlap by not removing and reinstalling the chain. All bolts are accessible with the chain still on.
True... but for safety doing it with a handheld drill, I think people should remove the chain. I can see a shirt getting caught in it.
@@HowTowithDoc Excellent point. Good call Doc!
Hey Doc, just a couple recommendations I've learned by experience. 80 grit compound is pretty aggressive and will wear into your bedknife quickly. I use 120 grit compound for my typical backlapping. If I have any major blade dings then I would use an 80 grit at the beginning to knock down the defects fully clean the compound off and then transistion to 120 grit compound. You will end up with a much finer edge. Also, I completely clean all the grit off before I run the blades in the cutting direction. You ran your blades while you were rinsing. You can dull the cutting blades and bedknife if you have any compound left on the blades when operating the mower.
Where do you by the grit compound?
Just picked up the summer attachment "reel mower" for my 72' ariens snowblower! So here i am!
Thanks Doc, I just bought a True-cut a week ago. Very helpful!!!
question: there are two slotted screw bolts with jam nuts on them on both sides of the frame up behind the reel. the left side is hard to get to because of the motor chain to the drive system but the right side is very visible and easy to get to. i have looked and looked in manuals and onlne to see what these screws are for and what they adjust. any idea what they are for . ? you help would be greatly appreciated
you can get that compound at an outo parts store.. ask for valve grinding compound
You didnt show us how to grease the fittings
Doc, can you do a detailed video on adjusting the height on the McLane? Thanks
Doc, Great videos, to the point, informative and enjoyable! Can you answer for me: I'm in the middle of Utah, can't find anyone to sharpen the blades of a reel mower and I have looked. Don't have a mower yet, but doing my due diligence before buying one and can't see getting one if I can't get it sharpened when needed. Many say blades on a reel mower should be sharpened once a year or more, what exactly does back lapping accomplish? If it's done several times a year does it or can it replace sharpening?
So that third bolt on the bottom doesn't get torqued down the same as the others? It's just finger tight and then turned as needed for finer height adjustments?
How do I know if the bed knife needs to be replaced.
Thanks being really informativ. You tell that it should be adjusted several times and how much. One Q? How about the other blade nr 2 down at the bottom, is it something you have to considering about?
Not really sure or clear on your question. I don't worry about the bedknife but maybe once every 2 years.
Good afternoon how are you nice video
Let me ask you where you buy the black lapping compound thanks you
do you have a driver to sharpen a locke mowers reels
Do you have any advice to back lapping a McLane reel mover? It doesn't have a nut to turn the blade but just the sprocket that the chain goes on.
Keep them coming doc!
Do you back lap a brand new blade wheel? I have one i just put on it has so much resistance when I spin by hand but it the only position it will do the paper cut test.
Don't worry too much about the paper cut. It will cut fine. Watch the new video.
what size is your driver nut
does it already need to be backlapped or is it just a how to video? Thought you just purchased that this year.
Great question! I've been wondering how often it needs to be done!
Yes, Deep cutting and multiple yards. It's only a 15 min process so good to do when you feel any rounding.
@@HowTowithDoc wow...I've had mine for 3 years now and cut about 3 times a week and still dont need to back lap. I check to make sure its cutting every week using a piece of paper. I guess how tight the reel is to the bedknife and rpm is a factor when it comes to wear.
Thanks for the backlapping video. Please remember to wear hearing protection when using the Trucut..... Tinnitus will be on the horizon......
Hi Doc, really like your videos and products, but wanted to know the price difference from July to now for the PGF Complete? Is there a way to contact you?
It's a third party seller being stupid on Amazon. Wait about 6 days and it will be back in stock for the $31
Great video! Easily understood and will use that knowledge with mine moving forward. Where do you recommend to get a backlap kit?
What size is the drill bit you use for this?
If your clippings won't sink in, then why don't you use a bagger?
I was wondering the same thing.
The honest answer... because the front catcher was 200 yards away in my shed and I was hot as hell. lol.... That area does not have good thatch so I like to leave them on.
Doc, do you have the speed reducer kit on your TruCut or do you just control ground speed with your thumb?
I really could not see the need for one unless I'm missing something.
Have you back lapped your Mclane 25in yet?
Keep putting it off.... this week probably
@@HowTowithDoc I would love to see it. I have a 20 inch older mclane and have been using the duct tape around the sprocket method with some success. reel rollers sells an adapter now.
One day... ill have one lol Thanks Doc
Did you have to use the special wrench?
Nope....
How did you kill off those weeds?, nice lawn by the way.
Yes PLEASE don’t buy from the robber who is hogging PFG and trying to sell it for $80!!!! Thanks for the great tips Doc!! They say you need to learn something new everyday, I just did!!! PFG is the best hands down !!! After 2 stacking treatments and 4 weeks our Bermuda has overcome the summer burnout and looks great!!!
I seen that guy on Amazon selling that PGF for 3 times the cost.
I remember it was Blackjack seed that you used for the miracle plot.
Great, helpful video. Insane how hard it is to find good info on blade adjustments for Trucut. Hate to criticize, since it's the best vid out there on it. But I would love if you did a shortened version, start to finish, showing each adjustment you make. It's already my spring primer vid, but I've had to make a cheat sheet with time stamps of the steps. But I do thank you for this one!
Doc. Really good tutorial on back lapping. Now I'm looking for a front roller. I've looked all over various lists for a used one because new is about $160 plus. Do you know where I can pick up a used one in decent shape for a 27" Tru-cut? Thanks.
Sorry for the off-topic question, but any idea when PGFC will be for sale again? Amazon only shows third party seller selling it for $85 with an arrival date of October. Clearly a BS posting.
Truck leaving for Amazon today.... will take about 5 days to be in stock. Then another truck leaving next week as well. Should be all good soon.
How To with Doc thanks for the reply! Very anxious to try it out. Hope I don’t miss my window of opportunity!
Thanks Doc, I've been needing to see how to backlap a tru-cut for a while!
You call this a simple process? Holy cow, looks like a lot of work! What is sharpening the blades? Rubbing on the rear back cover? Doesn’t that eventually run away so future backslapping is impossible since it rubbed away?
First Aussie 🤣 got ya Trevor taking me a month to get you.
Jarred , great work, have a great day😎
trevor muggeridge you watch the same UA-cam channels as me mate. What area do you live? I’m in Geelong. Got to wait another month before I start a Reno, bloody cold down here
Great channel, I need answers to some Bermuda Lawn questions that I have, can they be asked here ? Thanks !
Is taking the chain off necessary? Very thorough video. Thanks!
It's good practice as it's safer.
Did you rinse your mower off spinning forward when there was still backlapping compound on there? That's not a good idea... Seems much more complicated to do the backlapping process on this mower than on a Greensmaster but I guess they all are a bit different. It's amazing what backlapping can do for the sharpness of the reel, as well as aligning the reel to bedknife surface up.
How to replace a blade on lawnmower
Doesn't the fact that you're re-cutting your clippings on each pass, reduce the performance of the cutting capability of the mower?
Very informative! Thanks!
What back lapping compound do you recommend?
I use 80 grit but many go with 120. www.amazon.com/s?k=reel+backlap+compound
thanks for video, only thing is that drill goes way too fast for backlapping. Need to get a backlapping machine that goes a significant amount slower. 4-5 minutes and let it slowly work.
Master link...