BACKLAPPING REEL MOWER and Mowing at 1/2 inch // Lawn Rebel

Рет қаралды 50,639

5 жыл бұрын

In this video I am showing how I sharpened my cylinder reel mower by backlapping it. I also mow the Kentucky Bluegrass at 1/2".
Big thanks to John Ware and Andrew Barry for the backlapping compound and the instructional video on how to do this. Please subscribe to their channels.
John Ware: / johnware
Andrew Barry: • DIY: Back Lapping a Po...
If you like my content please like, comment, and subscribe to my channel.
Contact: wardconnor@hotmail.com
#lawnrebel #reelmower #connorward
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Пікірлер: 143

@Thelawncarenut 5 жыл бұрын

Great music too! very uplifting.

@aguyandhiscomputer 5 жыл бұрын

Both of you have been into New Retro Wave stuff lately. It's not overbearing. Smooth and relaxing.

@shmiggz 5 жыл бұрын

This isn't new retro wave music. It would be cool if he did make video with it though.

@Thelawncarenut 5 жыл бұрын

I just use the free stuff from the KZfaq library and have for a long time now. I've been told some of it sounds like p*rn music but to me it's smooth jazz. 😂😂😂

@shmiggz 5 жыл бұрын

I love the music in your videos!

@lawnrebel 5 жыл бұрын

I like the osco/ Skaggs music 🎶 in LCN vids.

@David-oe1xj 5 жыл бұрын

My name is David and I am a former Golf course Superintendent. I have a few tips to give you. You need to backlap for about 15 min or more to get the best effect. Site One Landscaping formerly Lesco sells a backlapping machine. There also are two faces to the bed knife. Back lapping levels the top face and resharpens the reel surface. You also need to run a file across the front face of the bed knife. This is hard to describe but you might find something on youtube. Backlapping is a seasonal task but facing the bedknife can be done weekly depending on your paper cut quality. You are using a high tech mower and it will need a keen eye and some high maintenance. Good luck and contact me if you have any question.

@bmvj0213 5 жыл бұрын

David Weger is right. Taking the burr off the face makes a difference in quality of cut. I don’t do it often enough, but can’t tell a huge difference when I do. There’s a video out there of a guy teaching how to do it with a hand file while on the mower. I’ve done it both ways... with very good leather gloves on.

@TLF-ABC123 5 жыл бұрын

Facing the bedknife is one thing most overlooked maintenance requirements from a DIY standpoint Glad to see you here David! If your interested in spreading more knowledge www.thelawnforum.com has been an amazing resource for crazy lawn people.

@lawnrebel 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the advise. I realized a few things after doing this. I am new and it was my first time doing this. I realized like you said that I needed to run it for several more minutes. I did run it for about 5 minutes. I also should have rinsed the reel after the coarser grit compound. I would love to have that back lapping machine. All good things come in time and with more money. I do have a bed knife buddy that is designed to file the bedknife but I was not seeing success with that OR i was doing it wrong. It did not feel right. I prefer to have my reel ground with the pro grinder that also give the relief cut. I will for sure take your suggestions and use them the next time that I try this. Thanks for your comment.

@JeffSmith-eq3kc 2 жыл бұрын

Interesting. I tend to go by sound. Can hear when the grit is done cutting. Might be in that time frame but I've never timed it. My country club doesn't backlap at all. They grind very often and don't backlap whatsoever. On my own green I have found backlapping does improve the cut to a degree but I've been better off having the reel sharpened rather than lapping it.

@David-oe1xj 2 жыл бұрын

@@JeffSmith-eq3kc to finish the back-lapping process take a hose and rinse the lapping compound as the last step. Rinse lightly and repeat. Removal of all lapping compound with water and some agitation. The country club might have committed to a new train of thought which (sorry I forget the process name) surgically grinds the reel and bed-knife too precise tolerances. It's a British school of thought. Reach out if I can help, David

@devildesign8770 5 жыл бұрын

I still think the guys comment on yesterday’s video was great. A tshirt with a green single double pattern with the moustache mown into it with the caption “Not your average lawn...”

@jakestoe 3 жыл бұрын

This video just came up on my feed 2 years later. Man, you look at least two years younger also! I miss the music in the vids..

@brianschmitz6188 5 жыл бұрын

Unbelievable that you are able to cut a 1/2 inch and it looks absolutely fantastic. I'm surprised no one has commented on the fact you are now at 1/2 inch lawn and its incredible. Most people scalp the crap out of their lawn a 2 inches. Nice work!

@derksmedley801 5 жыл бұрын

The stache is back!

@palmdoggy155 4 жыл бұрын

After watching your stuff for the last 6 months, I’ve almost convinced my wife to let me get a reel mower.

@itshomelife 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome stuff. Reel mowing is a different world!

@SilverCymbal 5 жыл бұрын

Great video! Loved it.

@vasiledigori2920 4 жыл бұрын

Gorgeous landscape!!! Well done.

@GardenLawncareGuy 3 жыл бұрын

The slickest lapper in the west

@jamesjencarelli3873 5 жыл бұрын

Connor - really learning watching your videos! I live near several golf courses and I've reached out to a few superintendents to pick their minds relating to reel maintenance. Excellent job on your lawn, it's truly amazing!

@Norbert091081 5 жыл бұрын

Hi conor, I do it like you with my gardna cylinder mower twice per year. It works great.👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

@YardGuy 5 жыл бұрын

5:29 Boom look at that stripe! Good work Mr. Ward.

@markwegner6100 5 жыл бұрын

Nice, Connor! The stash rocks!!

@drewmania6034 4 жыл бұрын

That is Thee nicest cut I’ve ever seen on a reel mower. I might be picking up a used Greensmaster 1000 today🤘🏻

@apbarry 5 жыл бұрын

You did it! Good Work!

@williamjohnson9727 5 жыл бұрын

Love the lawn and the video.

@jets1722 5 жыл бұрын

wow, your lawn looks great!

@rymaster4385 5 жыл бұрын

Oh yeah, Nice patch!

@seanneagle9502 3 жыл бұрын

3:17 ! bang on ! wise words

@HotChowder123 5 жыл бұрын

Beautiful!

@ColonelK0rn1 5 жыл бұрын

Brave man to lie on the lush green lawn with a white shirt, but you're a rebel, so it goes without saying. Nice job sir!

@sjgoff 5 жыл бұрын

I always wonder what the neighbors and passersbys think when they see someone petting his lawn while talking to a camera on a tripod. If I saw that I would lay down next to him, stare straight into the camera and say "can I pet your lawn for a bit?"

@lawnrebel 5 жыл бұрын

I would welcome that if someone wanted to do that.

@brentk5952 5 жыл бұрын

Love it!

@thefeker6186 5 жыл бұрын

I love the passion & grit. You should take advice from people like David Weger.

@joelhenderson5526 5 жыл бұрын

Lookin good Conner!

@denisbrisebois7658 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome ... 🇨🇦

@thomaslamora1679 5 жыл бұрын

I thought i was on the wrong channel... no hat, missing part of your beard! same great content. I really enjoy your vids and learn something each time. keep up the great work.

@50Druiden 5 жыл бұрын

So.. i was getting myself some of those awesome garden flamingos. I quickly learnt that it apparently signals that you're swingers...

@andrewp.619 5 жыл бұрын

It is looking amazing, Connor! I just dropped my Reel off at the shop to have it sharpened. When I get it back, I’ll be doing the same to keep it in top shape.

@lawnrebel 5 жыл бұрын

Cool. Your insta again?

@andrewp.619 5 жыл бұрын

Connor Ward, theandrewpulido. Simple. I’ll be throwing my rye down in a few weeks. Can’t wait. I love my Bermuda, but you can’t beat the look of a low cut perennial rye.

@InstinctiveRage 5 жыл бұрын

Is the stream in your backyard? That's a little slice of heaven there. Glad the backlapping worked, too.

@lawnrebel 5 жыл бұрын

Not in my personal back yard. About a 4 minute drive away. It really is a great place.

@mowtownni4587 5 жыл бұрын

If you are having trouble seeing the stripes when cutting try wearing polarized sunglasses. Works for me.

@anthonydrexler80 5 жыл бұрын

Righteous bruddah!

@duncanbrown7082 3 жыл бұрын

Older video. It’s time for me to backslap. NICE MAPLE LEAF!

@kylejohnston4788 3 жыл бұрын

I use valve grinding compound. It breaks down as you spin to a finer and finer grit! Less sling too and you can get it at the auto parts store

@trevormuggeridge4560 5 жыл бұрын

First, great video again.😀👍👍Good to see you happier with the lawn now, smiling again.😁

@RVALawnLove 5 жыл бұрын

The mustache is making a comeback!

@JeffSmith-eq3kc 2 жыл бұрын

I cut at .150" on my bent grass putting green at home. I have a guy at my club that actually grinds my reel twice a year but back lapping really helps keep up a clean precise cut. I start at 80 and finish at 120 these days. At one point I went higher but I found it's the lower grit that really does the work. Don't need to get too tight but I tend to do two clicks on 80 and 1 on 129. Takes maybe 10 minutes. One word of advice to people is RINSE! When you're done rinsing, rinse again, and again, and again. You DO NOT want that compound on your reels as they're spinning forward.

@james-jl2ej 5 жыл бұрын

7:08 the definition of paradise

@TimeisKey1986 5 жыл бұрын

You're awesome

@dirtybiker4286 5 жыл бұрын

The sand is likely making your cutting edges dull. Nice maple leaf 👍👍 🇨🇦

@drewmania6034 4 жыл бұрын

I recently bought a 1990 Greensmaster 1000 (model# 04050). It’s a similar design to yours. The main difference [that drives my nuts] is the reel-to-bedknife adjustment uses a jam-nut / adjustment-screw design, as opposed to the click adjuster. Anyways, the reel’s pretty sharp already but I’m gonna back lap before I put her to the test. Main question: do I have to remove the belt or is it ok as long as I disengage the reel? Sorry for the long winded comment. Thanks.

@rbljackson 5 жыл бұрын

hey conner. Although I haven't done this myself yet, I would think that rinsing after the 120 and before the 180 may help also. The yard looks great. It looks great because you definitely invest time and effort in it. Great job.

@lawnrebel 5 жыл бұрын

Yeah I realized that AFTER I was all done. I would think so as well.

@Young_Star 5 жыл бұрын

I came to say the same thing. I havent ever done a reel mower but any other things you sand or polish you typically want to remove the previous grit before going to the next. In any case you probably ended up with a 120 grit sanding.

@MWillardBitcoin 5 жыл бұрын

I was the lucky number 22,000 subscriber!! BOOYA

@lawnrebel 5 жыл бұрын

Cool

@turfnerd7540 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome to see.. just grabbed a 25kg bag of 46-0-0 urea after your video from last week in case I ever get the confidence to put it down

@lawnrebel 5 жыл бұрын

Just put your spreader on a very light setting and go for it. Nothing to be scared of.

@turfnerd7540 5 жыл бұрын

Aside from being a cheap source of N is there a benefit to using Urea over other slower release synthetic fertilizers. I use a 30-0-8 quite often .

@lawnrebel 5 жыл бұрын

Not that I would say. I actually prefer the synthetic fert. I like the fast release. I also like that it costs way less coin.

@turfnerd7540 5 жыл бұрын

I live in Canada so no Milo or cheap equivalents here.. forced to used synthetics... I like synthetics in spring and fall, but don’t like it for pushing growth in July/Aug when it’s hot and dry.. tried ferrous sulphate this summer to get the green without the fert. Worked pretty good.. thanks for the advice on the urea.. just don’t want to ruin years of work...

@JEK 5 жыл бұрын

Great tutorial I've never seen blades backlapped before. Will you still get your blades re-sharpened or could this replace it?

@lawnrebel 5 жыл бұрын

Still gonna get it ground

@BCTCanadian 5 жыл бұрын

7:04 - I see your son has inherited the family "Dangit!!" I hope you intentionally put that in the video. Love it...maybe for your next T-shirt? Cheers from Canada (nice maple leaf shirt BTW)

@lawnrebel 5 жыл бұрын

I love Canada. Great place.

@MrKyle200 5 жыл бұрын

Yards looking awesome man! Thanks for the education as well!

@jarrett040288 5 жыл бұрын

Connor question what’s your recommendation on number of blades? I bought a john Deere 220a and it looks like I have the lowest number of blades available for this machine which is 11. Plane is to mow at just above 5/8 of an inch maybe 6/8. Do you think any think higher or at that height will be to long for this reel?

@ldware9 5 жыл бұрын

180 is finer than 120. The higher the number the finer the grit. Great job though. I have a Scott's reel mower I've backlapped once so far.

@fastfarrall 5 жыл бұрын

Good too see the backlapping making a difference, how often would you need to do it to keep the reel sharp?

@walowery592 5 жыл бұрын

When you see the grass blades browning after a mow

@TheActiontkr 5 жыл бұрын

At 7:50...Yes it is fantastic!

@rick9069 5 жыл бұрын

Hey, Conner just started watching your videos. Great stuff!! Being a new home owner I'm starting to enjoy the yard work and making the yard pop. Do you recommend any sites for tips/tricks what to do what not to do? Just starting out here and trying to learn the ropes! Your videos are helping but I'm not quite in you ball park....yet...good stuff man!

@lawnrebel 5 жыл бұрын

Yes... I absolutely recommend... www.thelawnforum.com when you sign up tell them that I sent you. There is a wealth of information there. So much information that it will take you a year to digest. I'm there as well.

@sbuzz5889 5 жыл бұрын

fan - tastic i wish my yard was that flat ! can i say pretty ? i know alot of work and sand

@heinzkitzvelvet 5 жыл бұрын

Awwwwwwwwwww🤗

@David-oe1xj 5 жыл бұрын

Add two more direction to your routine. In the golf world, we call them: with the shot, side to side, left to right, and right to left. The final two are 45 degrees var. Will give you the golf course look and help reduce the turf tendency to leave ruts.

@shmiggz 5 жыл бұрын

I'm sure you've answered this many times, but what do you do with all the clippings? Does your trash service take them?

@lawnrebel 5 жыл бұрын

I throw them away. Yeah they take them. I will also pile them up in my yard and then haul them off myself to the landfill when the pile gets large.

@themoistgreenorganic 5 жыл бұрын

How would you handle high spots rather than low? I kind of have this hump that I can live with but was curious how you handle that without a complete reno. Low spots just take time to fill in.

@buka1359 5 жыл бұрын

Tom S I have the same dilemma I was thinking maybe aerating and removing the plugs and the area will slowly go down.

@mrkraymnd 3 жыл бұрын

I’ve seen people use a pressure washer to break up and blow out the soil

@Blougheed 5 жыл бұрын

good video connor! since you have it its fine.. but i tend to skip the 180 grit lapping compound I find it doesnt help that much over 120... I use 80 grit on my fairway reels and 120 on greens. every time you lap or adjust your machine youll want to check your height of cut. it will change after everyclick.

@lawnrebel 5 жыл бұрын

Yeah I changed my hoc after I lapped and it was way off where I thought it was so I checked er. Thanks for your input. Good info

@dusky007 5 жыл бұрын

Can you please come do my reel too... ...and get my grass looking like yours whilst you're at it.. Thanks for the video!

@lawnrebel 5 жыл бұрын

Yes. I'll swing by

@kylebihn411 5 жыл бұрын

She’s looking purdy.

@eyekon4295 5 жыл бұрын

should wash reels with water just to add extra cooling and moisture into the blade before you backlap

@lockodonis 5 жыл бұрын

I think it should have been 120 first then 180

@ReelLowDad 5 жыл бұрын

One Hundred and Fifth!!!!!

@DiMo28 5 жыл бұрын

Why is the house in the background blurred out? Did they request that?

@lawnrebel 5 жыл бұрын

Give the minute and second

@joeking6309 5 жыл бұрын

Keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times

@twoshedsjackson6478 5 жыл бұрын

Wow, you put so much effort in. Sadly, its perfection makes it look like artificial turf on video.

@lawnrebel 5 жыл бұрын

That is my goal. Make it look so nice that it looks fake.

@bigbomber5 5 жыл бұрын

I have a Tru Cut C25 that has been sitting in my garage for 2 years because I have no idea how to work on it

@lawnrebel 5 жыл бұрын

Take it to someone. Looks up reel cylinder mower sharpening in your area

@GardenerEarthGuy 5 жыл бұрын

That's one of the best mowers ever made. That and the 1960's Toro Sportlawn.

@888HUSKERS 5 жыл бұрын

What music are you playing around 1:54?

@lawnrebel 5 жыл бұрын

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/sJ2eZ8iozKnSlWw.html

@888HUSKERS 3 жыл бұрын

@@lawnrebel Connor this link no longer works. Do you have the name of the song?

@lawnrebel 3 жыл бұрын

@@888HUSKERS dang. I'll have to look.

@lawnrebel 3 жыл бұрын

@@888HUSKERS Jeremy Blake. Let's go home

@walowery592 5 жыл бұрын

Get a bigger brush, reach out to golf courses and try and get a used Neary backlapping machine!! Don't tighten too much on the reel to bedknife, the reel should spin fast and still cut paper. Proffesional Turf Products sell gallons of compound.

@daddydustinmiller5150 5 жыл бұрын

I think you da been ok just dropping her the 1/2” and whacking that bush down into submission but hitting her with a sharp one doesn’t hurt. Love your lawn can I bring my five kids and dog for a picnic if we’re ever in town. I’d like to sunbathe on that butte.

@heinzkitzvelvet 5 жыл бұрын

Third!

@thefeker6186 5 жыл бұрын

FYI...IF THERE'S ANY SAND STILL STANDING AROUND FROM TOP DRESSING!!! After 3 passes your mower blade is dull. #1 killer of bed knifes and reel sharpness.

@andybell4329 5 жыл бұрын

...it's coming back.

@pestandlawnginja 5 жыл бұрын

So much more testosterone in this video...... I mustache you a question...... What changed.....????

@lawnrebel 5 жыл бұрын

Not entirely sure. I did chang something with my upper lip.

@damodoesall6240 5 жыл бұрын

OMG, the beard has been dethatched

@tobintripp1144 5 жыл бұрын

Great video, but RIP headphone users xD

@bigpicturethinking5620 5 жыл бұрын

Tobin Tripp you look like a discount jack black in your photo.

@tobintripp1144 5 жыл бұрын

Maybe a discount, but you'll still your full value. 😉

@brodygoalie 5 жыл бұрын

Added stress on grass for being cut so low???? You must be watering every day???

@billbrandon5936 5 жыл бұрын

Rodney wears a Yankee s hat! Your not an Lone

@lawnrebel 5 жыл бұрын

Yeah I noticed.

@jamesb8488 5 жыл бұрын

Connor, you've already done 6 passes in the same direction.... Don't do that. Put diagonals.. following your same lines will make your lawn bumpy.....

@AndrewMiguelez 5 жыл бұрын

You're thinking of mowers with wheels. This thing is applying even pressure across it's width. So it's actually flattening the ground with every now.

@jamesb8488 5 жыл бұрын

@@AndrewMiguelez they still lay indentations on the lawn especially if it's too wet on a sand below the grass. I also failed to mention that he is matting his grass down. Following the same path. I've been doing lawn care for 15 years and worked on a golf course for 2 years. Mowing bent grass which needs alot more care

@lawnrebel 5 жыл бұрын

James. I figured that was going on. I just did mow in the opposite direction. I planned to mow on the diagonal next.

@jamesb8488 5 жыл бұрын

@@lawnrebel that's cool, sir Connor. I always mowed my greens in an 8 figure pattern. I guarantee you'll have a healthier lawn. Another thing to note when sharpening, you wanna hear that smooth quiet sound.

@lawnrebel 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks James. Like I said... I am new to lapping. Never done it before. I normally have my guy grind my reel and do a relief cut. I guess the lap is good for a mid season sharpen. Thanks for your input. Comments like this are very helpful.