Answers
I am looking to make a gang reel mower to pull behind a lawn tractor, at my design is for 5 heads.
http://www.cleanairgardening.com/reelmow ers.html
This is a ProMow 7 GANG reel attachment system that pulls behind your mower. The reels can be purchased at www.promow.com They also offer a frame ...
I just bought a home with five acres of land, most of it native grass/weeds with a nice lawn nearer the house. I went out and ordered a 26HP Craftsman riding mower with a 54 inch mowing deck to get through the thicker stuff first, but then plan on getting a 5 or 7 gang reel mower so I can have a large manicured lawn where the kids can play practically anything they want. There is a 1/4 acre pond which has weeds growing around the periphery and I would like to clean this out when I mow, so some of the gang reels would get wet as I get close to the edge of the pond. Safety is a main concern, if the lawn is well manicured and relatively short, probably with zoysia grass (which is weather and drought resistant) the problems associated with fire ants and snakes will be minimized. I plan on leaving the outer edges of the property "wild" and planting three or four rows or trees, probably pines, for privacy and for the wild animals to have some refuge. Is this overkill? What do you say?
Gang reel mowers are great! They're also a lot of maintenance!!! To pull a 5 or 7 gang mower you'd need a pretty good size tractor. The reels need to be checked every time you mow -- checking the "cut". They would need to be sharpened a few times a year, especially with zoysia. Once a year this should be done by grinding them, which requires special equipment, usually only owned by golf courses. The other times they can be back-lapped.
Reel mowers give a superior cut. they basically cut like a scissors. this link will show you the cost of a good brand, but not the "top of the line" costing stuff. it is commonly used on golf courses. http://www.rrproducts.com/pdfcatalog/fit sjacobsen/fitsJacFairway.pdf
I would only suggest a three gang unit probably, though a 5 gang would get you finished faster.
What do you consider "relatively short"? Reel mowers are only good for really short heights. I would not use one if not cutting below 1 1/2". Reel mowers will not prevent fire ants.
It would be best to speak to a golf course superintendent about the maintenance of reels.
Like I said, they give a superior cut, but they're much more intensive to maintain.
Reel mower question - MyTractorForum.com - The Friendliest Tractor ...
I am sure it would pull it, but that certainly would not be my choice. Most of the reel mowers should be towed at a certain speed to get the proper cut. I would look for a larger tractor with larger rear wheels. You also want something that weighs a bit more than the gang mower set up if you have any inclines at all, especially when the ground is a little damp.
Reel Mowers
According to lawn mowing purists, reel mowers are the "real" mowers! Some people prefer the look of their lawn after a reel mower does its pruning job. If you are mechanically inclined, you may enjoy the work of pushing your reel mower through the grass and seeing the fruits of your labor spit out over the quickly revolving reels. There are two types of reel mowers:
Traditional push reel mowers for your lawn Commercial, gas powered reel mowers for greenskeeping and agricultural activitiesIf you're looking for an affordable solution to hack away at your ever-growing lawn, consider the eco-friendly push reel mower!
Push Reel Mowers:
REEL MOWER Commercial - Tow Behind - 5 Gang - 8.1 Ft Cut - Incl Lift/Wheel Kit
REEL MOWER Commercial - Tow Behind - 7 Gang - 11.4 Ft Cut - Incl Lift/Wheel Kit
9 Reel Gang Mower
3 each PROMOW PRO SERIES 18" SINGLE GANG REEL MOWER NEW
TORO REEL 7 GANG MOWER