How to Disassemble a Reel Mower
Reel mowers are perfect for small lawns, or for those who don't want to contribute to air pollution by using a gasoline-powered unit. Reel mowers utilize a series of curved blades to cut the grass as it is pinched between the blades and a flat cutting bar. Reel mowers can be disassembled for sharpening or cleaning and lubrication of the gear mechanisms. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Lay the mower on its left side. Remove the right-side drive wheel by sliding off the C-clip that holds it to the axle with a screwdriver. The left drive wheel is also taken off by removing a C-clip.
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Remove the pinion gear, found on the right-side cover plate, just behind where you removed the right drive wheel.
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Remove the rear wheels with an open-end wrench.
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Remove the height-adjustment levers (which controlled the rear wheels) with an open-end wrench.
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Remove the handle from the body. The handle is held on either with a pair of bolts or a cotter pin at the base of each side of the handle that can be removed with a pair of needle-nose pliers.
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Set the remaining body on a work table. Remove or adjust the cutting bar by loosening the bolt on each end of the bar.
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Inspect the cover plate on each side of the body. On some older reel mowers, you can remove the cover plates with a screwdriver, but on most newer models, the cover plates are riveted to the body, and cannot be removed and re-installed without permanent damage to the mower. Unless a blade needs to be replaced, most mowers won't require any further disassembly.
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Once the mower is disassembled, the blades can be sharpened. When sharpening a reel mower, sharpening paste is applied to the blades. Then the drive behind the pinion gear is rotated counterclockwise to turn the blades backward and hone them against the cutting bar.
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Tips & Warnings
To lubricate your reel mower, use a utility oil or spray lubricant like WD-40 on the wheel mechanisms, drive gears and the blades themselves.
The blades and cutting bar on a reel mower can be sharp. Use caution when working near these parts, to avoid cuts.
