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Picked up an attachment for the RAM!

2K views 28 replies 16 participants last post by  BolensChrisUK 
#1 ·
Went for a little drive to get a reel mower for the RAM. Its in great shape other than the wheels have been swapped out for some plastic ones. Should be able to get that taken care of with a couple parts reels I've got. Its also missing the tag which bums me out a bit. Nice thing is that the wood rollers are in decent shape.

Plant Wood Road surface Asphalt Grass
Wheel Motor vehicle Table Asphalt Toy
Musical instrument Motor vehicle Bench Toy Gas
 

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#3 ·
Nice Find!
I assume you already have the front hitch?
No that I'll be getting in a month or so. Need to get the tractor tuned up first anyways.
 
#5 ·
It the wrong color just like the tractor. It'll do for now though. Trying to get a shop at home set up for painting. Once its done I'll be getting green paint by the drum to get caught up with my painting.
 
#6 ·
Oh I'm sorry, I forgot to post the rest of the pics....he he!

Wood Tin Gas Auto part Metal
Tire Wheel Vehicle Motor vehicle Automotive tire
Wheel Automotive tire Motor vehicle Toy Asphalt


Thanks again Adam and Michelle for bring this up to MN for me. Looking toward to meet up with yous again soon.
 

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#8 ·
For the RAM??? What is that? What is attraction of the reel mowers? I've heard only good if you keep lawns real short, and also not good on rough and rolling lawns. Plus, seems much more work to set one up and keep sharp! To me seems like out-dated technowledgy (sic). Guess you have to be a Bolen's collector and like the old stuff then, huh!
 
#9 ·
For the RAM??? What is that? What is attraction of the reel mowers? I've heard only good if you keep lawns real short, and also not good on rough and rolling lawns. Plus, seems much more work to set one up and keep sharp! To me seems like out-dated technowledgy (sic). Guess you have to be a Bolen's collector and like the old stuff then, huh!
Rideamatic
 
#10 · (Edited by Moderator)
For the RAM??? What is that? What is attraction of the reel mowers? I've heard only good if you keep lawns real short, and also not good on rough and rolling lawns. Plus, seems much more work to set one up and keep sharp! To me seems like out-dated technowledgy (sic). Guess you have to be a Bolen's collector and like the old stuff then, huh!
How could you not Love a Ride-a-Matic sporting a full set of reels!!??? :poke:
 

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#17 ·
Some people have the 'nose' to 'smell' out those kind of deals. Real nice set up your have there Nate. Wonder how those would work to clear you drive from the snow, or mow the rocks you guys have up there. Take care and keep digging for those finds!
 
#18 ·
For the RAM??? What is that? What is attraction of the reel mowers? I've heard only good if you keep lawns real short, and also not good on rough and rolling lawns. Plus, seems much more work to set one up and keep sharp! To me seems like out-dated technowledgy (sic). Guess you have to be a Bolen's collector and like the old stuff then, huh!
Golf courses couldn't be all wrong... They have been using them forever... My lawn isn't that smooth, so I don't need one...Plus, the rollers help smooth things out abit...And think of how many blades that are actually cutting...Sticks and stones do not play well with them either... so stay away from the gravel drives...

I Still like them.......Nice score Nato...
 
#19 ·
As a professional gardener here in the UK, the cylinder mower, or the reel mower as you guys know them as, should be used to cut the lawn at least twice a week. The more blades thee are, the finer the cutting finishing will be. As a rule of thumb, an inch of grass is a tad too tall to cut with a cylinder mower.

I would love to have a front mounted reel mower on my RAM.
 
#20 ·
I have a reel for my 900. The reel needs restoration but it will be a nice small project in a year or so.

The true difference between a "reel" mower and a "rotary" (deck type), mower is the quality of cut. The comment about Golf Courses is spot on. The rotary mower, no matter how sharp the blades are, the blade essentially whips the grass off. When I was kid I had the same discussion with my grandpa about these very differences. His comment was "you can cut grass with a broom handle if you can swing it fast enough". If you get right down and look at freshly mown lawn that was cut with a rotary mower the cut ends of the blades of grass will have a slightly jagged edge to them. These jagged edges turn slightly brown after a day or two, which changes the overall tint from green to slightly brown.

The reel mower on the other hand actually does "cut" the blades of grass. If you examine the freshly cut blade of grass after mowing with a reel mower you will find the cut ends are perfectly flat. This is achieved by the sharp blades of the reel drawing the blades of grass to the base of the mower and trapping them against the mower plate at the bottom of the mower. This leaves the lawn with an overall greener look until the next "cutting" which is more aesthetically pleasing and gives the impression of a healthier looking lawn. Thus the reason the Golf Courses use them. When mowing with a reel mower, more frequent cuttings are necessary due to the limitations of the reel. However since the cut edges of the grass are not jagged as in rotary mowing they do not loose near the moisture and can be cut shorter and the lawn greener using less water.

The disadvantages are reels are typically narrower due to the power required and it takes longer to get the job done. If you try and cut with a reel two fast or through grass that it too tall (more than about 4 to 5 inches) or that is too thick, a traction drive "gang" reel mower will simply be dragged around, a push type will wear you out and a PTO driven unit will continually clog.

NEVER try to un clog a reel (or rotary type) mower that is engaged. The best and safest practices for any power equipment is to disengage the PTO and STOP the engine before attempting to clear clogs or determine malfunctions. The plethora of safety devices on modern power equipment are the direct result of a population of people who cannot use common sense and good judgment and then blame everything from the manufacturer to their neighbors cat for why they did something stupid.

That's my dissertation!
 
#21 ·
The disadvantages are reels are typically narrower due to the power required and it takes longer to get the job done.
I respectfully disagree!

Locke reel mowers would cut a 75" swath, and provide traction drive, with a (1930's B&S model K) 3hp engine. .....By the 1970's they were using 9hp B&S engines due to changes in engine progression, not because more power was needed.

Early 20"-21" reel mowers were often powered by 1/2hp to 1-1/2hp engines.

It is my opinion that rotary mowers require more power than a reel mower.
 
#22 ·
Bruce, I believe we have agreement on some of the power requirements for reels. I guess I would better articulate to say that I think to cut the same swath at the same ground speed as a rotary would require more power.Of course I still could be wrong. I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken.

I respectfully disagree!

Locke reel mowers would cut a 75" swath, and provide traction drive, with a (1930's B&S model K) 3hp engine. .....By the 1970's they were using 9hp B&S engines due to changes in engine progression, not because more power was needed.

Early 20"-21" reel mowers were often powered by 1/2hp to 1-1/2hp engines.

It is my opinion that rotary mowers require more power than a reel mower.
 
#24 · (Edited by Moderator)
I would have to agree with Bruce, that a reel mower takes considerably less power to operate compared to a rotary deck. Reels are simple and often are direct chain drive with two bearings, rotary decks often have multiple bearings, sheaves which takes a good amount of power to turn them, for example if you had your eyes closed and engaged the PTO on my EK10 with rotary deck you would hear the engine drop a bit, compared to the reel where you cant even tell you powered it up.

My 0.02 :D
 
#25 ·
I respectfully disagree!

Locke reel mowers would cut a 75" swath, and provide traction drive, with a (1930's B&S model K) 3hp engine. .....By the 1970's they were using 9hp B&S engines due to changes in engine progression, not because more power was needed.

Early 20"-21" reel mowers were often powered by 1/2hp to 1-1/2hp engines.

It is my opinion that rotary mowers require more power than a reel mower.
Ryan's National cuts a 7' swath and propels itself and the driver. All with a 9 hp Wisconsin.
 
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