If you’re a proud owner of a cylinder mower, you understand the importance of a clean, precise cut on your lawn. To achieve that immaculate finish, regular maintenance is key, and one essential process you should master is backlapping. In this blog, we’ll delve into the process of backlapping your cylinder mower and why it’s so crucial.

Understanding Backlapping:

Backlapping is the process of maintaining the cutting edges of the reel blades and bedknife on your cylinder mower. It involves running a specially designed abrasive compound (also known as backlapping paste) between the reel and the stationary blade, known as the bedknife. The abrasive compound hones the edges of the blades, ensuring they maintain their sharpness.

Why is Backlapping Important?

1. Maintains Precision: The primary goal of backlapping is to ensure your cylinder mower maintains its cutting precision. Dull blades can tear grass rather than cut it cleanly, leading to a less manicured appearance and potentially harming your lawn’s health.
2. Enhances Lawn Health: Clean cuts promote healthier grass. Torn or ragged edges can leave the grass more susceptible to disease and pests. Backlapping helps your lawn resist these threats by maintaining a pristine cut.
3. Reduces wear/Increases Efficiency: A well-maintained cylinder mower that has undergone backlapping operates more efficiently. Reduced contact while achieving a quality cut results in less stress and wear on reel/bedknife, drive line and engine.  

The Backlapping Process:

1. Preparation: Before you start, ensure your mower is clean and free from debris. Remove the grass catcher and any obstructions. Have a drill or hand crank ready with socket or adaptor to suit your machine. Get your long handle backlapping brush and backlapping paste ready (both can be purchased via our website). Most square edge reels will benefit from a course paste (80-100 grit), if backlapping is not preformed regularly.
2. Adjustment: Carry out the reel to bedknife adjustment according to your particular mower, ensuring even adjustments on both sides to reduce coning of the reel. Set contact slightly greater than your preferred setting.
   
3. Apply the backlapping paste: Attach your method of turning the reel to either the reel drive sprocket bolt or engine drive sprocket bolt. Clutch to be disengaged. Set reel spinning in a reverse direction at a slow speed.  Apply the backlapping paste to the blades using a long handle backlapping brush. This compound acts as the abrasive that sharpens the blades. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the right amount.
   
4. Monitor Progress: While backlapping, visually inspect the blades and bedknife to ensure they are evenly sharpened. The process may take a few minutes, so be patient.
5. Wash Down: Wash the reel and bedknife thoroughly and check cutting edges. 
   
6. Check Blade Sharpness:  If initial adjustment was correct for the amount of backlapping performed then the unit should pass a paper cut test and be ready to go. If adjustment is required, carry them out and retest. Further backlapping may be required if not cutting satisfactorily. 
7. The Sad Part: Backlapping is loved, hated and everything in between in the turf industry. There is no doubt that it is a necessary process that can maintain cutting edges well beyond usable grind life. It can clean up a slight reel ping and add some life after renovations. But it cant preform magic!  If the unit is still not cutting correctly after a couple of attempts it may be time to chat to us at Turf Equipment Solutions to see if its time to grind.

Frequency of Backlapping:

The frequency of backlapping depends on usage and the quality of the cut you desire. 

Mastering the process of backlapping is vital for maintaining a healthy and well-manicured lawn. It ensures that your cylinder mower consistently delivers a clean, precise cut. So, if you want to take your lawn maintenance to the next level, make backlapping a part of your regular mower maintenance routine. Your lawn will thank you with a beautiful, pristine appearance.

If you’re a turf enthusiast in Geelong, Ballarat, Colac or Melbourne, you understand the importance of a well-maintained cylinder mower. Keeping your turf in pristine condition requires regular maintenance, including bedknife and reel sharpening or grinding. In this comprehensive guide, brought to you by Turf Equipment Solutions, we’ll delve into the world of cylinder mower grinding, offering tips and insights to help you maintain a lush, healthy lawn all year round.

1. Understanding Cylinder Mower Components:

Before we dive into the details of grinding your cylinder mower, let’s understand its key components. The bedknife and reel are essential parts of your mower. The bedknife is a stationary blade, while the reel rotates against it. Precise contact between these two components is crucial for an efficient cut. Over time, they can become dull, leading to uneven and ragged grass cutting. This is where Turf Equipment Solutions comes in, offering expert cylinder mower grinding services in Geelong, Ballarat, Colac and Melbourne.

2. Benefits of Cylinder Mower Grinding:

Regular cylinder mower grinding offers several advantages. It ensures a clean and precise cut, promoting a healthier lawn. Sharpened blades also reduce the strain on your mower’s engine, extending its lifespan. Turf Equipment Solutions specialises in delivering top-notch grinding services, helping you save time and effort while enjoying the benefits of a well-maintained mower.

3. Professional Grinding:

When it comes to cylinder mower grinding, Turf Equipment Solutions has the expertise and specialised tools required for optimal results. Investing in their professional grinding services ensures the longevity and efficiency of your mower, giving you a lawn to be proud of.

4. Finding Cylinder Mower Grinding Services

To maintain your mower’s top performance, trust Turf Equipment Solutions for reliable cylinder mower grinding services in Geelong, Ballarat, Colac and Melbourne. Our experienced team has a proven track record in delivering outstanding results. A quick online search or asking for recommendations from local Golf Courses or sporting ground facilities will lead you to Turf Equipment Solutions, the go-to choice for cylinder mower maintenance.

5. Maintenance Tips:

To prolong the time between needing grinding sessions, follow these maintenance tips:

• Clean your mower after each use to prevent grass build-up.
• Regularly inspect the reel and bedknife for damage.
• Adjust reel to bedknife contact/clearance as needed and perform backlapping as required to avoid excessive wear.

Turf Equipment Solutions is your partner in achieving the perfect turf in Geelong, Ballarat, Colac and Melbourne. By understanding the components, benefits, and the option of professional cylinder mower grinding services, you can ensure your turf will be lush and healthy . Trust Turf Equipment Solutions for expert guidance and impeccable maintenance.

A cylinder mower, also known as a reel mower, can have several advantages over a traditional rotary mower, depending on the circumstances and desired outcome. Here are a few reasons why a cylinder mower may be preferable:

1. Precision Cutting: Cylinder mowers are designed to make a precise cut, which is particularly useful for maintaining a smooth and level lawn. The rotating cylinder contains a series of sharp blades that cut the grass against a fixed cutting bar, resulting in a very even cut.
2. Healthier Grass: Because cylinder mowers cut grass with a clean, sharp cut, they produce less damage to the grass blades, which can promote healthier growth over time. This is especially true for shorter grass, as rotary mowers can tear and shred the grass blades, leading to brown tips and an overall unhealthy look.
3. Environmentally Friendly: Cylinder mowers are often powered by manual effort or electricity, which means they produce no emissions or noise pollution, making them environmentally friendly. In contrast, gasoline-powered rotary mowers can produce significant emissions and can be quite loud, which can be disruptive to both the user and neighbours.
4. Lower Maintenance: Cylinder mowers require less maintenance than rotary mowers, as they have fewer moving parts and are less likely to experience mechanical problems. Additionally, because they make a cleaner cut, there is less likelihood of grass clippings clogging the blades or chute.

Overall, if you are looking for a precise, environmentally friendly, and low-maintenance way to maintain a smooth and level lawn, a cylinder mower may be the right choice for you.