Pete, zero contact is ideal right after being ground. You can use two pieces of paper, cut one, tear one. After a few cuts you may have to adjust it into light contact to cut right. This will give you the longest cut time between grindings. Wish I was close enough to help you out.
The Green and Gold Life has the best how to I have seen on reel to bedknife adjustments. He folds a piece of paper in half and makes sure it only cuts the first half so it isn't too tight.
@@GCITurf can’t wait my friend! We’re getting some warmer temps in south eastern Alabama so I’ve thrown down my pre emergent, 10-10-10 and starting mowing at 1 inch and giving some water to soak it all in. Really excited for this year. Also having the house landscaped with some nice contours that you would love!
That’s a correct adjustment. If you go too tight the blades will get “ scalloped “ . Then they would have to be resharpened. I had Locke reel mowers for over 30 years back when they were popular and I was in business.
Pete, check out my Allett tips & tricks video. I cover the distance of the reel to bed knife. Also, Fluid Film the reel edges. Cut like butter and super quiet.
You could back that off even further. They way we set them up at work, if you double up that piece of paper and spin the reel, it should cut the top piece of paper and leave the bottom piece of paper. And we have virtually no contact at all.
Can't comment on the Allett, but with my Toro Greensmaster, you want zero contact between the reel and bedknife, and have a gap between .001" to .003" clearance, measured with a feeler gauge or a piece of thin paper. Keep in mind that when the reel spins, centrifugal force will cause the reel to slightly expand, which is why you need the gap. The manual does say that whisper contact is ok, heavy contact is not. Hope this helps.
Also, I do a quick 3-5 minute backlap a couple of times a year. I'm not doing a full backlap and taking a ton of material off, just a quick one to put a sharp edge back on the reel.
@@GCITurf You can get a feeler gauge off Amazon or at any auto parts store. It has nothing to do with the brand of mower, it is just used to measure the gap between the reel and bedknife.
As an FYI, I use 120 grit backlapping compound when I backlap during the season. It puts a fine edge on the reel. Some people use 80 grit, but in my opinion that's too harsh. If the reel is in really bad shape, use 80 grit as it is more aggressive.
On a spin ground reel with no relief angle, there cannot be much if any contact between reel and bedknife. In order for that setup to even be usable, you need to be able to spin grind the reel as often as weekly. The more practical set up is to have a relief grind ground into each reel blade, some contact maintained, and backlapping done to keep the blades honed to maintain a cutting edge. I do not believe in the spin grind only reel mower set up. I have been reel mowing grass for over 30 years.
@@GCITurf Page 22 and on from there, "pinch" a single paper thickness, then hold that paper like you see those fancy UA-cam folks do it and see if it cuts. No one shows the "pinch" of the paper first.
@@hoosierhillslawncare yeah I am. The climate is entirely different. We just had our false spring and now highs for the next 10 days are mostly 40s with some 30s and one 60 🤣
Looks a lot better than before Pete, nice work
Pete, zero contact is ideal right after being ground. You can use two pieces of paper, cut one, tear one. After a few cuts you may have to adjust it into light contact to cut right. This will give you the longest cut time between grindings. Wish I was close enough to help you out.
Perfect, you got the right idea Pete. Least amount of contact possible while still slicing the paper cleanly. 👍
The Green and Gold Life has the best how to I have seen on reel to bedknife adjustments. He folds a piece of paper in half and makes sure it only cuts the first half so it isn't too tight.
Can’t wait to see you reel mow the Bermuda and Kentucky blue grass!!!
Same here. I’m leveling the blue Monday so about 2-3 weeks from now ITS ON!!!! #stripecentral
@@GCITurf can’t wait my friend! We’re getting some warmer temps in south eastern Alabama so I’ve thrown down my pre emergent, 10-10-10 and starting mowing at 1 inch and giving some water to soak it all in. Really excited for this year. Also having the house landscaped with some nice contours that you would love!
@@Y0u.kn0w.wh0 I’m sure it’s gonna look great sir!
That’s a correct adjustment. If you go too tight the blades will get “ scalloped “ . Then they would have to be resharpened. I had Locke reel mowers for over 30 years back when they were popular and I was in business.
I set my real to bed knife gap to .002 using a feeler gauge. It's the best way to get a nice even setting.
Now that’s a crispy cut! Hey Pete let me know when you want to sell your Stinger!
Look at that bed nife thickness - the real deal👍🏼
Pete, check out my Allett tips & tricks video. I cover the distance of the reel to bed knife. Also, Fluid Film the reel edges. Cut like butter and super quiet.
Get me a link to it bro.
@@GCITurf ua-cam.com/video/5NtClQvotHE/v-deo.html
@@GCITurf Allett Kensington Tips & Tricks ☀️ (S2E20)
ua-cam.com/video/5NtClQvotHE/v-deo.html
I'm sure it's a spin grind with no relief. You don't want too much contact but don't worry too much. You're good there.
I have zero contact and cut perfect after a fresh grind and new bedknife.
I can only comment from watching other channels. That looks/sounds right to me
You could back that off even further. They way we set them up at work, if you double up that piece of paper and spin the reel, it should cut the top piece of paper and leave the bottom piece of paper. And we have virtually no contact at all.
That is 100% correct. The more contact you have with the bed knife, the faster you will wear that bed knife out
Can't comment on the Allett, but with my Toro Greensmaster, you want zero contact between the reel and bedknife, and have a gap between .001" to .003" clearance, measured with a feeler gauge or a piece of thin paper. Keep in mind that when the reel spins, centrifugal force will cause the reel to slightly expand, which is why you need the gap. The manual does say that whisper contact is ok, heavy contact is not. Hope this helps.
Where can I buy a feeler gauge at? And do you know if it will work with an Allett?
Also, I do a quick 3-5 minute backlap a couple of times a year. I'm not doing a full backlap and taking a ton of material off, just a quick one to put a sharp edge back on the reel.
@@GCITurf You can get a feeler gauge off Amazon or at any auto parts store. It has nothing to do with the brand of mower, it is just used to measure the gap between the reel and bedknife.
@@scottfairchild3566 roger that sir. Thanks!
As an FYI, I use 120 grit backlapping compound when I backlap during the season. It puts a fine edge on the reel. Some people use 80 grit, but in my opinion that's too harsh. If the reel is in really bad shape, use 80 grit as it is more aggressive.
UA-cam lawn mower amateur expert here. Looks good to me 🤷♂️
The .001 to .003 will give you the longest time between adjustments and reduce wear.
You need a feeler guage to check the couple thousandths of a mm clearance, to get all scientific with it. Sounds and looks good though!
Shoot that looks reel good 👍🏼 😝
Is anything you can't do? Pete, you are a Master Jedi.
I appreciate the compliment fried. I really do. Thanks!
No problem, buddy. It's great to have Men like you lead and teach. I've learned a lot from you, Pete. Keep up the amazing work.
On a spin ground reel with no relief angle, there cannot be much if any contact between reel and bedknife. In order for that setup to even be usable, you need to be able to spin grind the reel as often as weekly. The more practical set up is to have a relief grind ground into each reel blade, some contact maintained, and backlapping done to keep the blades honed to maintain a cutting edge. I do not believe in the spin grind only reel mower set up. I have been reel mowing grass for over 30 years.
Piece of paper is what I heard
Least is right, some folks go as far as .001 off for zero contact if it will still cut clean.
I’ll have to research that. I have no clue how to get it at .001. Whatever that is. 🤣😂🤣
@@GCITurf Page 22 and on from there, "pinch" a single paper thickness, then hold that paper like you see those fancy UA-cam folks do it and see if it cuts.
No one shows the "pinch" of the paper first.
@@GCITurf feeler gauge will get you an accurate reel to bed knife measurement. Recommendations will vary my manufacturer.
back to the stone age we go
😂
First!
Where in Indiana are you?
@@ColeSpolaric Tell City friend
@@hoosierhillslawncare I'm all the way pretty much due north of you. You know, that area of the state that the rest of the state disowns 🤣
@@ColeSpolaric I love the whole state, the climate up there is so different from ours down here. Are you in the Chicago area?
@@hoosierhillslawncare yeah I am. The climate is entirely different. We just had our false spring and now highs for the next 10 days are mostly 40s with some 30s and one 60 🤣