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All you need to know about buying & using a push reel mower!
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PUSH MOWERS How They Work How To Use How To Buy Unique Benefits Proper Care Safety Rules Give a Hoot - Don't Pollute  This site is brought to you by www.PlanetNatural.com |
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Proper Care of Push Mowers Push reel mowers provide a clean, precise cut preferred by lawn care professionals. They are low maintenance and designed to provide years of dependable service. No engine means fewer headaches. Gas, oil and spark plugs are not required and you won't be making unnecessary trips to the hardware store to get expensive parts (see Fuming Over Lawn Mowers).Proper care is easy with these simple steps: 1. Wipe your mower off occasionally. The cleaner you keep it the longer it lasts. 2. Keep the cutter bar properly adjusted, but don't over tighten. You may find that over time and with the vibrations associated with mowing, it loosens. (See your owner's manual for details.) 3. Regularly lube the lawn mower's bearings and cutting edges. WD-40 works or use a similar product. 4. Consider purchasing and using a sharpening kit on your mower's blade. Check and see what your mower's manufacturer recommends. PUSH REEL MOWER MAINTENANCE Provided by American Lawn Mower Company Minor Cutting Height Adjustments Reel mowers can be adjusted to offer a cutting height range from 1/2 to 3 inches (depending on model) simply by adjusting the roller assembly. Keep in mind that the same adjustment must be performed on both sides of the mower. • To achieve the lowest cutting position, loosen and remove the nuts on both sides of the roller assembly. • Position the bolt through the bottom hole of the plastic roller bracket and the top hole of the mower side plate. Retighten nuts on both sides of the roller assembly. • To achieve the highest cutting position, loosen and remove the nuts on both sides of the roller assembly. • Position the bolt through the top hole of the plastic roller bracket and the bottom hole of the mower side plate. Retighten nuts on both sides of the roller assembly. Other cutting heights can be obtained by positioning the bolts through other hole locations. Mower Blade Adjustments The blades have been pre-adjusted before leaving the factory. Misalignment can occur resulting in blades that are too loose or too tight. If this happens, you will notice a rough, uneven cut or a hard pushing mower. All adjustments are made from the rear of the mower (opposite from the bar with the logo decal). Each end of the cutting bar can be adjusted separately. • The cutting bar blade (located under the reel) pivots. The front screws move the cutter bar away from the blades, while the rear screws move the cutter bar toward the blades. • Adjusting the screws is a very sensitive procedure. 1/16 inch of a turn is considered a major adjustment. • Before tightening one adjusting screw, be sure to loosen the opposing screw an equal amount. Loosening the Blades The cutting bar blade must be moved further from the cutting reel. • Loosen both back screws equally by turning them counterclockwise. • Tighten both front screws equally by turning them clockwise. Tightening the Blades The cutting bar blade must be moved closer to the cutting reel. • Loosen both front screws equally by turning them counterclockwise. • Tighten both back screws equally by turning them clockwise. Checking Adjustments • Turn mower upside down. • Insert piece of paper (i.e., writing or newspaper) between the cutter bar and the reel blades, and carefully turn the reel blades by hand. All blades should slice the paper evenly the entire length of the cutter bar while the reel turns smoothly. If the mower has an intermittent cut, adjustment should be made to the appropriate side of the blades to attain proper cutting action. General Care Minimum care is required to assure smooth operation of your mower. • To avoid damage to the mower or cutting blades, keep the area to be mowed free from any debris. • We suggest a routine application of oil or lubricant (i.e., WD-40). This should be applied to all cutting surfaces, the cutting rear axle shaft and wheels. Sharpening the Cutting Blades When the mower is properly lubricated and adjusted, sharpening should not be necessary for several years. However the following steps will allow you to do the procedure yourself at relatively little expense. • Remove the "E" rings, wheels and pinion from both sides of the mower. • Remove both pawls from the rectangular slots in reel shaft and reverse their positions. • Reverse the placement of the pinion gears. • Place the left pinion on the reel shaft. Replace the wheels and "E" rings. • Spread a thin layer of lapping compound on the front edge of the reel blades. • Adjust the cutter bar blade so it has light but firm contact with the reel blades across the full width of the cutter bar. CAUTION: Do not overtighten the adjusting screws, as this could damage the cutter bar. Both screws must be tight on the final adjustment. • Push the mower backward on a smooth surface (such as a sidewalk or paved driveway). Continue to do this until the reel blades rotate relatively free and front edge of the cutter bar blades are polished. • Remove wheels; reverse pinions and pawl is on the right. CAUTION: Clean any grinding compound or debris from the cutter bar blades, reel blades, pinion and pawl. Lubricate axle and pinion with a light film of wheel bearing grease and replace wheels and "E" rings. NOTE: It is recommended to use an industrial or valve lapping compound between 100-240 grit. This is usually available at an industrial or automobile supply store. If professional sharpening is required, consult your local yellow pages for lawn mower repair services. Click here for comparisons between manual, rechargeable, electric and gas mowers. |
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