MOWING

PART 5 MOWING EQUIPMENT

Introduction

MOWING EQUIPMENT

Mowing can be accomplished by either a reel or rotary mower. The quality of turf resulting from the mowing operation varies depending on the basic type of cutting action utilized. On a rotary mower, the blade simply slashes through the grass leaving the end ragged and liable to turn brown. With a reel mower, the grass is cut with precise scissors-like action produced by the sharp cutting blade of the cylinder working against the bottom blade. Each blade of grass is cut cleanly and at a uniform height. The result is a greener, better looking, healthier turf.

A further advantage of a reel mower is that together with its substantial rear roller it creates the perfect striped finish that no rotary mower can quite match.

TYPE OF MOWERS

Mowing can be accomplished by 3 basic types of cutting action;

a. Reel/cylinder mower
b. Rotary mower
c. Flail mower

The quality of turf resulting from the mowing operation varies depending on the basic type of cutting action utilized. Selection of the specific mower type should be based on the size of the area and quality of the turf desired

There are 2 types of mowing units;

a. The Walker

The walk behind mower has been there since the beginning of greenkeeping days, except that the initial models did not have an engine, and needed to be pushed. To cut a field with such a push type mower often took hours, the small gasoline engine changed all that.

b. The Rider

Until the mid-1960s all fields were cut with walk behind mowers. Then came the riding mowers and suddenly it was possible for just one operator to cut fields in a short period of time.

REEL / CYLINDER MOWER

In a reel-type cutting action the reel functions in guiding the turfgrass leaf against the bed knife. The bed knife is the actual cutting blade and should be maintained in proper adjustment and sharpness at all times. The cutting action of the reel again the bed knife results in a scissor-type effect in contrast to the impact action of the rotary and flail type. 

The mowing quality of the reel type is determined by the “frequency of clip” which is a function of the number of blades and reel speed. The number of blades in the reel must be greater at close cutting height and where a more uniform surface must be maintained. Reel type mowers requires a smooth soil surface for effective operation and it is superior in terms of a clean, even cut, especially for intensively cultured grass.

The mowing frequency is more critical with reel mowers than other types of cutting units. A reel mower cannot effectively mow grass shoots or weeds that are higher than the horizontal centreline of the reel.

ROTARY MOWER

The rotary type mower is cut by the impact of a knife blade operated in a horizontal plane. If causes a certain amount of mutilation and injury to the leaf blade at the point of impact. The rotary type cutting action is not adapted to quality mowing at a cutting height of less than 25mm.

The rotary mower is a more versatile unit that can be used to cut taller grass and weeds, mulch, fallen tree leaves, and for general trimming. Scalping is more of the problem with a rotary mower where the soil surface is uneven and the mower width is wider.

There are a number of types of rotary mower available including vacuum collection of clippings. Maintaining sharpness is important with rotary mowers as with reel-type units. Cutting with dull rotary blade results in greater mutilation of the leaves that turn brown and detract from the turfgrass quality. Ejection of stones, metal and similar objects is a concern in terms of potential injury if they strike someone.

FLAIL MOWER

The flail mower involves fixed blades or free-swinging knives that operate in a vertical rather than horizontal plane. The free-swinging cutting knives are most commonly used for routine mowing operations. Cutting is by impact as with the rotary mowers. The cutting height can be adjusted with gauge rollers.

The mowing quality varies with the spacing, number, and type of knives used. Improve mowing quality is mainly associated with the number of knives per foot of cut.

Knives sharpness and rotor balance are also important factors influencing mowing quality. Flail mower types are best used on extensive turf grass areas, particularly where the contours are irregular, stones and other debris are present.  

Media Department; The RS Group.