Wow! You were so helpful! Going to look at a Great States 18" Reel Mow, wasn't sure what to look for or questions to ask, but now I'm a little more aware of things...THANK YOU!
Your step by step troubleshooting and tuning instructions were spot on. My reel was just spinning, no contact with the blade at all! Backed off and tighten the screws just like you demonstrated and now it work like a charm. Didn't even have to do the sharpening step. Thanks.
Awesome video I like how you take the time to explain the adjustments so you can sharpen properly I have an earthwise 7 blade but I’m still figuring out the proper way to adjust it to get a good even sharpening you have yourself a new subscriber here
Awesome, I have lots of videos on reel mowers in my playlist, but they are all mostly on Great States mowers. Have a back yard dig out reel mower I’m going to try and fix in a few weeks.
got a sweet deal on this mower, used, but fairly new. first time i cut grass with this, i had a lot of fun. i love the sound it makes and the way grass get shredded hehehe
Great video. My biggest complaint with the Great States is that it is so finicky on the adjustment, and the bolts tend to back themselves out every once in a while. (I kept a screwdriver strapped to the upright bar.) I'd love to see somebody modify it with a more user friendly adjustment method. When they are functioning well, I would pick it over a gas mower for average size suburban lawns. (especially with gas being what it is around here.)
@@markseabaugh4157 oh! The height adjustment! Yes, my 20” Scots Classic has that. That is for cutting height adjustment. The rear wheels really only adjust 1 inch, so to get the true 3” adjustment, you need to move the front large wheels up or down. Most just use the middle setting but on depending on what you need, you can move the wheels up or down. I was thinking adjusting for wear.
Very helpful video ! Bought this same mower used, watched your video, made adjustments & it works much better . I went to 3 different places looking for the grinding paste & no one carries it. Could you give me the brand name so maybe I can order it on line ? Thank you !
Hi, thank you for posting this video. It was very helpful in tuning up my great states reel mower. I did have a question about the wheels. I noticed that there are different holes on the wheels and I am wondering if that’s an additional way to adjust the height of the mower, separately from the roller. Anyone have insight on this?
@@Turbo231 my Great States reel mower only has rear wheels. It’s exactly like the one that’s being disassembled in the video. When he takes off the very first wheel; on the left hand side of metal plate…you can see three different holes. I did find a video that talks answered my question. You actually can raise or lower the wheels to change the cut height. th-cam.com/video/iRiOtK2Hm6k/w-d-xo.html Check out video, at about the 6:20 mark…he talks about lower the wheels.
One a year or five. Once going and cutting well, they don't need much sharpening, maybe the occasional adjusting of the blade but just do a paper check real quick to see if you need to. I have other videos on basic after use maintenance.
Great video. My reel lawn mower doesn't spin the blade when I push it forward. Can this be fixed? I wonder if I made a mistake by taking the bolt out;)
Great video. I always enjoy watching your mower restorations. However, the idea that reel mowers can't handle dandelions and other tall stuff is not quite right. All they need is a bit of a redesign to kick 'em up a notch. I made a video of a modified blade reel that works great for tall stuff.
True. I find that folks in this industry are pretty conservative. They're usually the last to catch on with customer-driven trends in their field. You'd think with all the electrification mods on TH-cam, every main player will have electric models on offer by now.
Just bought a used 20in Scotts reel mower off craigslist. While I haven't taken it apart yet, I'm having trouble figuring out what is wrong with it. It doesn't push consistently. I have to find a sweet spot for the angle to push, then once it gets going sometimes it will pull to one side and skip spinning. It looks as if most of the weight is on the back wheels instead of two drive wheels. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Tough one Tim, if it’s having problems seeming unbalanced, Im guessing the reel is dragging as if it was too lose you would just push it around and it wouldn’t cut. I have a few videos on maintenance, give them a view, they’ll tell you what to look for and how to adjust it. Thanks for your question.
i grew up making pocket money off one of these ... honestly i think the current generation of kids would give up 6 min after starting to use it LOL my daughter tried one got 10 feet before the complaining started
@@robburdack4361 I'm 26 and routinely have grandparents walking the neighborhood and commenting that they haven't seen one of these in ages. I like mowing my grass around 7am though and hate maintenance on gas equipment anyway.
@@TheLouisianan well ill say if for your neighborhood ... thanks for not being the jerk that starts his mower at 7 am while shift workers are getting home and run it till near lunch you good sire are a rarity and a prize to have in a neighborhood !!
You are a great teacher and a good mechanic, hats off to you for making a great video. Thank you
Thanks, greetings from Alabama- 1 mow ~1Ac 8 inch tall grass. Yes dandelions flower will generally not be cut.
No, but otherwise not too bad, but doesn’t do super tall stuff well.
Hey, just want to thank you for the video. It helped me get our lawnmower up and going again.
Awesome, glad it helped.
We’re broke kids/first time renters that just found one of these babies for 2$, thanks for the easy to understand help that’ll get it running again!
Glad it was helpful!
Wow! You were so helpful! Going to look at a Great States 18" Reel Mow, wasn't sure what to look for or questions to ask, but now I'm a little more aware of things...THANK YOU!
You are welcome. They are neat machines and knowing what makes them tick just makes you a better buyer.
Your step by step troubleshooting and tuning instructions were spot on. My reel was just spinning, no contact with the blade at all! Backed off and tighten the screws just like you demonstrated and now it work like a charm. Didn't even have to do the sharpening step. Thanks.
Yes, sharpening isn’t a required step unless your mower is really worn out.
Great tutorial. I tooled around with mine after watching this and it’s working better than ever now. Thanks.
Great instructional Video. Appreciated and subscribed.
Than you. Should have some more reel mower content is a month or two, will way early for grass here.
@@Turbo231 Np… I’m in Southern Ontario (Canada) and I’ve had to cut mine for the first time yesterday. Look forward to ur vids.
Awesome video I like how you take the time to explain the adjustments so you can sharpen properly I have an earthwise 7 blade but I’m still figuring out the proper way to adjust it to get a good even sharpening you have yourself a new subscriber here
Awesome, I have lots of videos on reel mowers in my playlist, but they are all mostly on Great States mowers. Have a back yard dig out reel mower I’m going to try and fix in a few weeks.
got a sweet deal on this mower, used, but fairly new. first time i cut grass with this, i had a lot of fun. i love the sound it makes and the way grass get shredded hehehe
Yes, I think they are great mechanical machines.
Great video. My biggest complaint with the Great States is that it is so finicky on the adjustment, and the bolts tend to back themselves out every once in a while. (I kept a screwdriver strapped to the upright bar.) I'd love to see somebody modify it with a more user friendly adjustment method. When they are functioning well, I would pick it over a gas mower for average size suburban lawns. (especially with gas being what it is around here.)
thanks for the video. very helpful. isn't there also an adjustment on the big wheels that need to be adjusted also ?
The large wheels? No, they just sit on the axle with an e-clip. I haven’t found one yet requiring adjustment.
@@Turbo231 interesting mine has three holes for adjustment. Thanks
@@markseabaugh4157 oh! The height adjustment! Yes, my 20” Scots Classic has that. That is for cutting height adjustment. The rear wheels really only adjust 1 inch, so to get the true 3” adjustment, you need to move the front large wheels up or down. Most just use the middle setting but on depending on what you need, you can move the wheels up or down. I was thinking adjusting for wear.
@@Turbo231 Thanks
Very helpful video ! Bought this same mower used, watched your video, made adjustments & it works much better . I went to 3 different places looking for the grinding paste & no one carries it. Could you give me the brand name so maybe I can order it on line ? Thank you !
I see it on Amazon regularly but will be looking for some lapping compound here shortly for myself.
Hi, thank you for posting this video. It was very helpful in tuning up my great states reel mower. I did have a question about the wheels. I noticed that there are different holes on the wheels and I am wondering if that’s an additional way to adjust the height of the mower, separately from the roller. Anyone have insight on this?
Front or rear wheels? My Scott’s classic as moveable rear wheels besides the wheel adjustment to give it further movement.
@@Turbo231 my Great States reel mower only has rear wheels. It’s exactly like the one that’s being disassembled in the video. When he takes off the very first wheel; on the left hand side of metal plate…you can see three different holes. I did find a video that talks answered my question. You actually can raise or lower the wheels to change the cut height.
th-cam.com/video/iRiOtK2Hm6k/w-d-xo.html
Check out video, at about the 6:20 mark…he talks about lower the wheels.
Super helpful, thank you!
Thank you. I know what I'll be doing this weekend.
Hope it works well for you.
How often would I need to tune up a manual lawnmower like this one? I have a medium sized suburban lawn. I cut it once a week.
One a year or five. Once going and cutting well, they don't need much sharpening, maybe the occasional adjusting of the blade but just do a paper check real quick to see if you need to. I have other videos on basic after use maintenance.
Thanks for the video! But don't use WD-40 to lube. It is really made to disperse water. 3 in 1 is a much better choice.
For most people, anything. Use anything. A lot of house holds have WD-40 and it beats nothing.
Great video. My reel lawn mower doesn't spin the blade when I push it forward. Can this be fixed? I wonder if I made a mistake by taking the bolt out;)
It means it’s too tight. I have a complete series on a Scot’s Classics on how to loosen the reel so it spins.
Great video. I always enjoy watching your mower restorations. However, the idea that reel mowers can't handle dandelions and other tall stuff is not quite right. All they need is a bit of a redesign to kick 'em up a notch. I made a video of a modified blade reel that works great for tall stuff.
We’ll, it is fun to modify they don’t come that way out of the box.
True. I find that folks in this industry are pretty conservative. They're usually the last to catch on with customer-driven trends in their field. You'd think with all the electrification mods on TH-cam, every main player will have electric models on offer by now.
Just bought a used 20in Scotts reel mower off craigslist. While I haven't taken it apart yet, I'm having trouble figuring out what is wrong with it. It doesn't push consistently. I have to find a sweet spot for the angle to push, then once it gets going sometimes it will pull to one side and skip spinning. It looks as if most of the weight is on the back wheels instead of two drive wheels.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Tough one Tim, if it’s having problems seeming unbalanced, Im guessing the reel is dragging as if it was too lose you would just push it around and it wouldn’t cut. I have a few videos on maintenance, give them a view, they’ll tell you what to look for and how to adjust it. Thanks for your question.
@@Turbo231 Thank you. I'll try adjusting the reel
Also, the Scott’s classic is a favorite of mine, I have a playlist of videos dedicated to that exact model.
Excellant!😅
Awesome, have a few more to fix up this year.
Show how to sharpen the blades
how old is it? Any new (better) one now? Thank you.
The technology hasn’t changed really in 50 years. Old ones work as good as new ones, however new ones are lighter....and new.
Exchange the inner gears from left to right and push the mower backward.
With the pawl, yes, that's correct.
Dude wd40 is not lube, it's meant to displace water. Quite the opposite in a way
Great video either way my guy👊
These things are sharp, remember that, meanwhile doesn’t cut paper! No I get it reel mowers can be a little tricky to adjust
Yeah, build quality and abuse are some prime factors for sharpness. My 20” Scott’s which has lead a sheltered life is still sharp.
i grew up making pocket money off one of these ... honestly i think the current generation of kids would give up 6 min after starting to use it LOL my daughter tried one got 10 feet before the complaining started
Yes, they can be a pain for sure, but good exercise.
@@Turbo231 did me no harm ... i learned what hard work for pay was !
@@robburdack4361 I'm 26 and routinely have grandparents walking the neighborhood and commenting that they haven't seen one of these in ages. I like mowing my grass around 7am though and hate maintenance on gas equipment anyway.
@@TheLouisianan well ill say if for your neighborhood ... thanks for not being the jerk that starts his mower at 7 am while shift workers are getting home and run it till near lunch you good sire are a rarity and a prize to have in a neighborhood !!
@@robburdack4361 thankfully no one in my neighborhood does that. Appreciate it though.