Reel mowing is best suited for lawn enthusiasts and turf professionals who want a true golf-course quality cut. A reel mower delivers a precise, scissor-like cut that promotes healthier grass, making it ideal for low-cut turf types such as Bermuda grass, Zoysia, or bentgrass. Unlike rotary mowers, which tear the blades of grass, a properly sharpened reel mower ensures a cleaner cut and a smoother, more professional appearance. However, reel mowing requires more frequent maintenance and works best on level, well-kept lawns. For homeowners who are serious about lawn care and want that professional greens mower finish, reel mowing is an excellent choice—while for taller or uneven lawns, a rotary mower may be more practical.

Using a reel mower is not difficult, but it does require a slightly different approach compared to a traditional rotary mower. A reel mower works best when the lawn is mowed frequently, since these machines are designed to cut shorter grass cleanly rather than power through tall, overgrown turf. Because of their scissor-like cutting action, reel mowers glide smoothly when pushed over a well-maintained lawn, and many people find them easier to maneuver than they expect.

For those seeking a golf-course style finish, a reel mower is the ideal tool—it provides a precise, low cut that keeps grass healthier and more attractive. However, reel mowers perform best on level ground with fine-textured turf like Bermuda, Zoysia, or bentgrass. If your lawn is uneven, filled with sticks or debris, or frequently left to grow tall, a reel mower may require more effort to push or may not deliver the intended results.

In short, reel mowers are not “hard to use,” but they reward consistency. Homeowners who mow regularly and want a professional-looking lawn will find reel mowing straightforward and enjoyable, while those who prefer less frequent mowing may find a rotary mower more convenient.

Reel mowers cut better because of their unique scissor-like cutting action. Unlike rotary mowers, which use a high-speed spinning blade to chop and tear grass, reel mowers use a series of helical blades that pass smoothly across a stationary bedknife. This creates a precise, clean cut at the tip of each grass blade, much like a pair of scissors. The result is healthier turf, since the grass blade is sliced rather than shredded, reducing stress, browning, and vulnerability to disease.

This superior cut is especially noticeable on fine turf grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, or bentgrass, which are commonly used on golf courses and professional sports fields. That’s why reel mowers are the standard in professional turf management—because they deliver the smooth, uniform, golf-course quality finish that rotary mowers simply cannot match.

For homeowners and turf professionals who care about aesthetics and lawn health, the difference is easy to see. A reel mower doesn’t just make a lawn look sharper—it actually helps the grass grow stronger and more resilient over time, providing both beauty and long-term turf health.

Yes, reel mowers can absolutely be used on large lawns—especially when using commercial-grade equipment like the walk-behind greens mowers we provide. Unlike basic push reel mowers that are meant for very small yards, professional reel mowers are built wider, heavier, and more durable, allowing them to cover more ground efficiently while still delivering the precise, golf-course style cut reel mowing is known for.

For homeowners or turf managers with Bermuda, Zoysia, or bentgrass, a commercial reel mower makes it possible to achieve a smooth, uniform finish even across larger properties. The key is consistent mowing, since reel mowers are designed to clip grass cleanly at lower heights rather than chop through tall growth. With the right machine, a large lawn can look just as sharp and healthy as a golf green.

Key takeaway: With the right size commercial reel mower, maintaining a large lawn with professional, golf-course quality results is not only possible—it’s practical.

eel mowers are built for precision and can cut much lower than traditional rotary mowers. Most commercial-grade reel mowers can be set anywhere from ⅛ inch up to around 1¼ inches, depending on the model and reel configuration. This ability to maintain extremely low heights is what gives them their signature golf-course style finish.

Unlike rotary mowers that tear the grass blade, a reel mower makes a clean, scissor-like cut that keeps turf healthier and looking sharp even at lower settings. That’s why professional grounds crews and serious homeowners rely on reel mowers when they want the highest-quality results.

Reel mowers are not necessarily difficult to maintain, but they do require a bit more care than a standard rotary mower. Because the cutting action depends on sharp, precisely aligned blades, regular backlapping or grinding is essential to keep performance at its best. In addition, checking reel-to-bedknife contact, lubricating moving parts, and replacing wear items like bearings or belts over time will ensure your mower continues to deliver a clean, professional cut.

While some owners handle basic upkeep themselves, many prefer to rely on professionals for reel mower service to guarantee accuracy and extend the life of their equipment. At Low Mow Reels and Services, we specialize in full reel mower maintenance—from grinding and alignment to complete rebuilds—so you can focus on enjoying that golf-course quality cut without the hassle.

Key takeaway: With proper care, reel mowers are highly durable, and professional servicing makes it simple to keep them performing like new.

Commercial reel mowers are typically available with 8 to 14 blades, and the right choice depends on mowing height and the quality of finish you want. Blade count directly affects clip rate—the distance the mower travels between each “clip” of the grass. Fewer blades (8–9) mean a lower clip rate, which works well at slightly higher mowing heights. More blades (11–14) create a higher clip rate, giving a smoother, tighter cut that’s essential for ultra-low mowing.

For example, at 3 miles per hour, an 8-blade reel produces a clip rate of roughly 1 inch (the grass is clipped once every inch of forward travel). In contrast, an 11-blade reel at the same speed produces a clip rate closer to ¾ inch, while a 14-blade reel tightens that spacing even more. The result is a finer, cleaner finish—especially important for golf-course style turf kept below ½ inch.

At Low Mow Reels and Services, we not only sell professional-grade reel mowers, but we also help customers choose the blade count and setup that best fits their mowing goals, whether that’s a sharp residential lawn or tournament-quality turf.

Key takeaway: Higher blade counts equal tighter clip rates and smoother cuts—choosing between 8, 11, or 14 blades comes down to your desired mowing height and finish.

Backlapping and reel grinding are two methods used to keep reel mowers sharp, but they serve different purposes. Backlapping uses a lapping compound and reverse rotation to refresh the edges of the reel against the bedknife. It’s effective for touch-ups between grinds, especially when performed on a professional backlapping machine where RPMs are precisely controlled for even results.

Reel grinding, however, is the only way to fully restore the reel to factory specifications. Grinding reshapes the cutting edges and ensures perfect contact between the reel and bedknife, something backlapping alone cannot achieve. For best performance and longevity, we recommend a light reel grind at least once per season, even if backlapping is used in between.

At Low Mow Reels and Services, we offer both machine backlapping and precision reel grinding. This ensures your mower doesn’t just look sharp—it performs at its highest level, delivering the professional, golf-course quality cut you expect.

Key takeaway: Backlapping maintains sharpness, but seasonal reel grinding is the best way to guarantee top cutting performance.

Spin grinding and relief grinding are two different techniques used to sharpen reel mower blades, and each has its benefits. Spin grinding sharpens the cutting edges of the reel blades by matching the original angle and giving them a true, clean edge across the entire blade surface. This ensures the reel and bedknife meet evenly, producing a precise scissor-like cut. Relief grinding, on the other hand, removes material from the back side of each blade, creating a slight relief angle. This reduces friction, lowers operating resistance, and helps the reel stay sharper for longer between services.

Across the turf industry, there are mixed opinions on whether to spin grind only or to combine spin and relief grinding. Some professionals prefer the simplicity and clean finish of spin grinding, while others value the efficiency and longevity gained from relief grinding. In reality, both methods are valid and the choice often depends on mower type, turf conditions, and maintenance preferences.

At Low Mow Reels and Services, we provide both spin and relief grinding using professional equipment, allowing us to restore reels to factory specifications based on your needs. This way, you can feel confident that your mower is serviced according to best practices and will deliver maximum performance on the turf.

Key takeaway: Both spin grinding and relief grinding are effective, and while opinions differ across the industry, our shop is equipped to perform either method for the best possible results.

Reel-to-bedknife adjustment is one of the most discussed topics in reel mower maintenance. Some technicians prefer light contact, where the reel and bedknife touch just enough to guarantee a clean cut. Others like the idea of a no-contact setup, which reduces friction and looks impressive when the reel spins silently above the bedknife. While both approaches have merit, manufacturers design their mowers with specific adjustment guidelines to ensure consistent performance and longevity.

At Low Mow Reels and Services, we follow manufacturer specifications when setting reel-to-bedknife clearance. This ensures your mower delivers the reliable, golf-course quality cut it was engineered for while avoiding premature wear. And while a no-contact setup can look appealing, in practice it requires perfectly sharp reels and bedknives that are precisely ground—a condition that isn’t always practical in daily use.

Key takeaway: No-contact adjustments may look sleek, but the most reliable results come from following manufacturer specs—which is exactly how we set up every mower we service.

At Low Mow Reels and Services, we use only professional-grade equipment to restore reel mowers to peak performance. Our shop is equipped with a professional reel and bedknife grinder that brings blades back to exact manufacturer specifications, as well as a professional backlapping machine with controlled RPMs to maintain sharpness between full grinds. To guarantee accuracy, we also rely on a precision surface table to ensure every unit is leveled and balanced correctly during service.

In addition, we use precision measuring instruments and pi tapes to check diameters, tolerances, and alignment—so every reel is serviced with the same care and accuracy trusted by golf courses and professional turf managers. This attention to detail ensures not only a sharper cut, but also longer-lasting performance and reduced wear on your mower.

Key takeaway: With grinders, backlapping machines, a precision surface table, and professional measuring instruments, we service your mower to true factory-level standards—not guesswork.

For full reel mower rebuilds, we require full payment upfront before beginning work. This allows us to order all necessary parts, allocate shop time, and schedule your rebuild without delays. Because every mower comes to us in a different condition, we ask customers to share their unit’s specifications and details before we provide a final quote. Once we review your mower’s needs, we’ll confirm the pricing and estimated timeline so you know exactly what to expect.

At Low Mow Reels and Services, transparency is important to us—we want you to feel confident in the process from start to finish. By requiring upfront payment, we can dedicate resources to your project and ensure your mower receives the professional attention it deserves.

Key takeaway: Full rebuilds require payment upfront—once we know your mower’s specs, we’ll provide a clear quote and turnaround time.

At Low Mow Reels and Services, all payments are processed securely through our website. We currently accept major credit and debit cards for both equipment purchases and service orders. This simple, online system makes it easy to complete your transaction, receive instant confirmation, and keep your purchase records organized.

Key takeaway: Payments are quick and secure—just use any major credit or debit card directly through our website.

Yes, shipping can be arranged for both equipment and parts at the buyer’s expense. Smaller items  can usually be shipped through standard carriers, while full reel mowers or larger equipment may require freight shipping. Costs will vary depending on the size of the order and the destination, and we’ll provide an estimate before finalizing your purchase.

For local customers, we also offer convenient pickup options at our Raleigh, NC location. Whether you’re nearby or across the country, we’ll work with you to make sure your mower or parts arrive safely and efficiently.

Key takeaway: Shipping is available on all orders and can be arranged at the buyer’s expense, with clear cost estimates provided upfront.

At Low Mow Reels and Services, every reel mower and service is completed to professional standards, and we stand behind the quality of our work. Because our units are custom-serviced or fully rebuilt to customer specifications, we do not offer general money-back guarantees or returns once a rebuild or purchase is complete. However, if an issue arises directly related to our workmanship or parts used, we will work with you to make it right.

All new engines  installed as part of a rebuild are covered under the manufacturer’s warranty where applicable. We are committed to transparency, so we discuss mower condition, rebuild scope, and expected results before payment—ensuring there are no surprises.

Key takeaway: While we do not offer refunds or returns on completed rebuilds, our workmanship and parts are backed by professional standards and applicable manufacturer warranties.