proper mower for bermuda

cas6708 – posted 26 August 2004 21:28

I live in central Texas and have a 1 year old tiff 419 lawn. I have been looking into getting a reel mower but during some of my research I read that it is not recommended to use a push reel mower on bermuda.

I was looking at getting a Brill Luxus 38. What do you guys think?

Buck – posted 29 August 2004 09:09

A push mower will not generate the force necessary to keep the reel spinning with 419; the turf is just too dense. The wheels that should turn the reel just slide.

I have a Mcclean 25″ with 10 blades on the reel. Much better than 7 or 8. 419 is so finely textured that you need a lot of blades, or a higher gear ratio, to insure they all get clipped uniformly. Kind of like Bent Grass on a glof green.

reel man – posted 02 September 2004 01:22

I also have a Mclane reel mower 20″ which works great. It is a seven blade but it cuts 419 almost the same as a 10 blade. Proper adjustment is necassary! My recommendation is for a Tru-Cut reel. It is more costly but if you have to make many turns (i.e. flower beds, etc.) this brand has swivel style front wheels which work much better around the turns. Also, height adjustment is simple and the reel and drive are separate unlike Mclane. Basically the Tru-Cut is the Cadillac where the Mclane and Trimmer models are the Chevy and Ford variety. 25 inch is a good size if your yard is larger and open however 20″ is more common and works well for a standard homeowners 60ft lot.