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Swardman Reel Mower Questions

235K views 1K replies 158 participants last post by  Gavin 
#1 ·

Hi everybody, who really care about your turf and admire reel mowers. Everybody knows here Tru-Cut, McLane, Cal-Trim, or brands like Toro, J.Deer,... If you are trying to choose one, check one more brand ... Swardman. Reel mowers for residents. All steel, replacable cartridges, great design, rollers, etc. If anybody would have a questions. Let me know. I use it. So I can tell or show pretty much of it.

 
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#781 ·
Killbuzz said:
Anyone try to back lap their Swardman yet? I just scalped my front and my reel is dull.
Swardman does a spin grind that they claim will last an entire season. The reel it self is pretty hard (I ran a file across the trailing edge of the reel)
After doing a triple cut on my yard. The equivalent of about 23k sq ft. I needed to bring the bed knife up.
Did you use a folded sheet of standard copy paper to set the reel to bed knife clearance?

In any case, my intention is to send it in at the end of the season to put a relief on it. So I can backlap going forward.
 
#782 ·
I am looking to replace my JD greens mower. Very interested in the Swardman but can not find a video of one cutting zoysia grass. My concern is that it is a lighter mower and that it may not cut zoysia as good as my greens mower. Any and all help with this decision is greatly appreciated.
 
#785 ·
bbbdkc79 said:
I know that they were going to start offering it, but hadn't heard if it was out yet. I've not had a problem with the Kawasaki at all, but you're right about servicing. Keeping my fingers crossed with maintaining the oil and filter changes will keep me going for a while.
Sorry I'm just catching up on the posts. We've had zero problems with either engine. Briggs is all we have now in stock, but the parts for both are very accesssable and we will also always have them in stock.
 
#786 ·
Reelrollers said:
bbbdkc79 said:
I know that they were going to start offering it, but hadn't heard if it was out yet. I've not had a problem with the Kawasaki at all, but you're right about servicing. Keeping my fingers crossed with maintaining the oil and filter changes will keep me going for a while.
Sorry I'm just catching up on the posts. We've had zero problems with either engine. Briggs is all we have now in stock, but the parts for both are very accesssable and we will also always have them in stock.
@Reelrollers I'm not saying I'm right, but I've had more than my fair share of experience over 30 years of using equipment with B&S engines. The Edwin was high on my wish list, but I'm having serious second thoughts now that it comes only with the B&S and not that Kawasaki.

I paid my way through undergrad by starting to mow lawns at age 12 and it grew from there. I learned very quickly when buying equipment to stay clear from the B&S. I replaced 3 B&S engines due to issues. Never, ever once replaced the Honda's or Kawasaki's.

I'm sure the B&S may be a fine engine. But it would be enough to keep me from buying one based on my personal experience.

ETA: Along with regular push mowers I had Bunton Commercial mowers at the time so we were using the B&S commercial series of engines.
 
#787 ·
I just ordered one to be shipped to Canada and I chose the Briggs over the Kawasaki based on Michal's personal preference for the B&S engine. You got me second guessing but I'll be mowing my 2000 square feet 2 times a week during east coast Canadian lawn season I think I'll be good.

I guess I'll just need to maintain it. I don't think it's too late for me to switch engines since they just started production.
 
#790 ·
bbbdkc79 said:
Has anyone with the Edwin 55 have an issue with the drum not propelling through the grass as it did when it was first bought? Mine seems to be struggling, which is making me push it through the grass a little bit.
This may sound odd but check the bearings in the front roller to make sure everything is 100%. I was experiencing the same symptoms but what was causing it was that I had a bad bearing in the front roller causing a lot of drag.
 
#791 ·
bbbdkc79 said:
Has anyone with the Edwin 55 have an issue with the drum not propelling through the grass as it did when it was first bought? Mine seems to be struggling, which is making me push it through the grass a little bit.
Also, engine off, engage the drive paddle with the side cove removed and make sure the drive belt has good tension. The control cables stretched a little on the demo mower I had. I had to adjust them.
 
#792 ·
bbbdkc79 said:
Has anyone with the Edwin 55 have an issue with the drum not propelling through the grass as it did when it was first bought? Mine seems to be struggling, which is making me push it through the grass a little bit.
You may need a new drive belt. I have not had issues with the drive belt, but I am on my 3rd belt for the reel. I did a lot of dethatching earlier in the spring and I think it may have stretched it just enough.
 
#799 ·
Well, if anyone was curious about the Edwin's durability/ ruggedness, I found out today.
I had just finished mowing and parked the mower On the right side of our Tahoe so I could clean it up. My wife came out and was in a hurry to get to a meeting. As she backed out and swung around to back out of the driveway she tagged to mower with the bumper. The bumper hit the height adjustment handle and the mower spun about 115 degrees.
My wife stopped and looked at me with astonishment and asked if she broke the mower.
It was my fault for leaving it there in the blind spot of the vehicle.
But... the mower took it like a champ!
Everything is straight. The height is right where I left it. The only damage was the paint on the adjustment handle is marred. And the plastic plug that goes inside the handle is gashed.
Not bad. Not bad at all

 
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