From: Slavin@Gauss.Umemat.Maine.Edu (Charlie Slavin)
Subject: Re: Reel mowers - adjusting
Date: 27 Jul 1994 15:35:29 GMT

In article <misddp.72.2E3541FB@sysa.adm.duke.edu>, 
misddp@sysa.adm.duke.edu (Didi Pearce) says:


> Neely described a hardware store owner checking the adjustment on
> his by running a piece of newspaper through it until it cut the
> paper evenly.  I have adjusted mine once so far, strictly on a best
> guess basis.  There are two sets of stop screws on each side and I
> didn't know if I should adjust each of the pair or which one?  I
> succeeded in moving the blade back into contact with the fixed piece
> of metal, but I don't know if I got maximum adjustment.  For about
> 50 feet it was really hard to push the mower and have the blades
> rotate, then it eased up and the blade was definitely sharper.
> Obviously this is not a high tech adjustment that requires paying an
> expert (or spending the time transporting the mower someplace).

I, too, bought a reel mower this year after hassling with gas mowers
for far too long.  My daughter - who does most of the mowing -
complained almost immediately that it wasn't working right.  As a good
parent, I ignored her...finally she gave up, and I decided to look at
the mower. She was, of course, correct - the blades were way out of
adjustment.

Okay...get some newspaper...The screws on each side adjust that end of
the blade...the adjustments are so sensitive that you really need to
adjust each side and use those to get the middle to work correctly.
Tightening the screw farthest from the blade decreases the distance
between anvil and blade, and tightening the screw closest, increases
the distance.  [I hope I got that right.  You will know through a
little experimentation.]  Sometimes you have to loosen one to tighten
the other.

THE KEY IS: Make *small* adjustments - maybe 1/32 of a turn of the screw.

To check where you are...turn the mower over, insert a sheet of
newspaper and turn the wheels by hand.  It should just evenly slice
the paper...like a good pair of scissors.  That's exactly how a reel
mower cuts - like scissors.  Make sure the cut is even and don't be
afraid to play around with the adjustments, as long as you make them
small.

I found it a bit hard to get the middle part of the blade to cut well
- I had to go back and forth between the sides.  I found that when I
was done, the mower made a very satisfying whirring sound...

I've cut the lawn a number of times with the new mower (whenever my
daughter lets me) and I just love it...I can actually hear and a I
don't have to worry about my toes being amputated (well at least not
worry as much) or a rock being shot into my legs or those of a
passer-by.

Take care, Charlie