gang reel mowers

[Wilsonrl48747 0]

I have been thinking about using pull behind reel gang mowers with my horse. I was wondering if anyone had ever used them, and if so, what is your take on them. I wanted to know how they cut, and if there are any issues with having enough power to pull them. I am assuming my C120 will have enough guts to pull a reel gang but I am not sure. I saw a nice setup on CL with 7 reels. I have also thought about making my own gang set of 3 from old push type reel mowers that I will try and find at yard sales. Anybody have any plans or drawings on how to make the hookups?

Thanks

[gwgdog66 23]

I used a 5 gang setup behind an old Murray with a 16hp Briggs Twin when I was a teenager, taking care of the American Legion Baseball field. It pulled it fine in 2nd gear, third they bounced a bit. The cut looked great, but I was mowing every third day, to keep the grass in check. I wish I could remember the type fertilizer we used. I swear I could see the Bermuda growing.

[Wilsonrl48747 0]

Thanks Gary. I kinda figured you might have to mow a bit more frequently to keep things in check. I think that a 7 gang setup might be too big for my tractor, but 3 should work nicely.

[gwgdog66 23]

Your C 120 would pull three without a problem. Would probably pull 5 with ease.

[VinsRJ 723]

Gangs also work better on a flat yard. You will run into problems If the yard you are doing is lumpy and bumpy.

[mowerman1193 40]

I may be wrong here but I would think a C120 would pull a 7 gang considering the old Simplicity Broadmoor tractors with a 6hp V-shaft briggs had a 3 gang mower implement option from back in the 1960's.. Notice it in the link below..

http://www.simpletractors.com/simplicity/n...4/broadmoor.htm

With all that said... I have always heard the reel mowers do not cut taller grass very well and they do best if you keep your grass cut at 1 1/2" high or less..With that said I think you would have to keep a lot of fertilizer and have a sprinkler system to keep it alive here in Michigan..

Kevin

[piecrazy4 0]

I have a friend who has a 856 that he pulls a three gang reel set in third gear at an idle.

[W9JAB 156]

I have a friend who has a 856 that he pulls a three gang reel set in third gear at an idle.

That's because the 856 is one of the best ever made! :omg:

[mavfreak 11]

I worked on reel mowers for 18+ years. What brand a you looking to get. Some mowers are realy on the heavy side. A toro reelmaster or spartan the mower itself weighed in around 200lbs and a jacobsen fairway or blitzer was in the 250lbs ballpark. Then add in a 100lbs of frames on that. Something else is parts the small reel mower gangs out there don't offer any parts to repair. So once the bedknife is worn out your replacing the entire mower. Also the more they are used You'll have to get them sharpened in the off mowing season. Not cheap and there isn't many out there that can do it or have the equipment to sharpen the small mowers.

[gwgdog66 23]

Also the Gang set up I used were not the big heavy type. They were basically 18 or 20 inch reel's. I could un-hitch them with quick connect pins, and use one of the trail reels as a single setup. Just pop on the push handle. I wish I could remember the company name that made them. It wasn't this brand but very close. Check out what is pulling them in the video.

http://www.wikco.com/promowhr09.wmv

[KC9KAS 4,743]

I used to hang out/help an old fellow that pulled a set of 5 reel mowers with a golf cart. This fellow taught me several of my bad habits, but that is another story. He claimed the mowers were made for the cart.

They done an excellent job mowing, but the slightest stick or cigarette butt would stop the reel from rotating (cutting), and unless you mow looking back all the time, you don't notice the reel not rotating (cutting) grass until you make the next round.

[mavfreak 11]

the reels would jam cause the mowers were not heavy enough. Don't get me wrong reel mowers give the nicest cut. I wouldn't mind a set of Pennsylvania reel mowers they were heavy little buggers that were heavy built just about perfect for what we would need but can't get parts they quit making them in mid 70's and all parts soon after

[pfrederi 18,328]

Heavy mowers will cut better and your tractor will have plenty of power to pull them...but with no weight on the tongue you will have traction problems on hills/damp grass. Ag tires and/or wheel weights maybe needed

[Caleb55 0]

I've got an oldddd prob. 60's vintage 5 gang Jacobson reel mower. It is heavy, has about a 11ft. cut. I pull it with my International 300U. It's in pretty rough shape but still does a decent job on my 2 acre side yard. Like others have said, they don't cut good in tall or heavy grass.