HOW TO MOW
WALK AT A GOOD, STEADY PACE - With a manual reel mower, the rotation of the wheels turns the blade reel. The mower
will tend to bind up and skid if it is moving at too slow a pace. The faster the wheels are traveling, the faster the blade reel
turns. Therefore, moving at a comfortably quick walking pace will achieve the best results.
OVERLAPPING ROWS - When mowing a lawn, slightly overlap the row that has already been mowed. This will make the
force required to move the mower easier because less grass is being mowed at one time. Overlapping rows will also
ensure a neat cut by removing grass that has been missed on the previous row.
DON’T LET THE GRASS GET TOO TALL - Hand lawn mowers are harder to push when the grass gets too tall, therefore it is
recommended to mow on a weekly basis.
MANUAL REEL MOWERS DO NOT MOW TALL WEEDS - The hand lawn mower will tend to roll over tall weeds without
cutting them. This includes tall weeds that are more than six inches, and things like dandelions. If your lawn to be mowed
has a significant weed infestation, a powered mower may be required. Hand lawn mowers are designed to cut lawns in
fair condition.
THE METAL GUARD PROTECTS YOUR GARDEN -The metal guard not only protects your hand and feet, but also the
garden. The manual reel mower can be pushed right up to flowers and shrubs without damaging them. This feature
means the manual reel mower can cut the edges of the lawn where garden plants exist minimizing any potential damage.
SHARPENING THE BLADE - Before taking the time and effort to sharpen the blades, make sure that it needs sharpening.
Most of all issues can be solved by ensuring the blades are properly adjusted (ADJUSTMENTS section).
1. Prop up the manual reel mower so that the blade reel can be rotated by turning the wheels.
2. Check the blades for nicks and burrs. If any damage is found, it usually can be removed by holding a file flat against
the blade and pushing away from the edge.
3. Examine the cutting bar. It should just meet the blades along their entire length. (To make sure the cutting bar is
aligned correctly, grasp a wheel and turn it forward; you should hear a whispery sound as the blades pass the cutting
bar.)
4. If the bar is out of alignment, adjust using the adjustment knobs on the ends of the bar(ADJUSTMENTS section)
5. Using your fingers or a soft paintbrush, cover the blades with a thin, even coat of automotive valve grinding
compound available at automotive stores.
6. Grasp a wheel and turn it slowly backward so the grinding compound is squeezed between the blades and the cutting
bar, thereby sharpening both cutting edges as they pass each other. Be sure that each blade touches the bar as the
wheel is rotated.
7. Make about a dozen turns, applying more grinding compound when necessary.
8. Examine the blade edges. If they look sharp, wash off all the valve compound with soapy water and rinse thoroughly.
9. Test for sharpness. Insert a sheet of newspaper between the blades and the cutting bar, and rotate the reel forward.
When the blades cut the paper as easily and as cleanly as a sharp pair of scissors would, the task is complete.
NOTE: After each use,clean the mower and keep it dry. Wipe all the metal parts with a thin film of WD-40 or mineral oil
on a rag.
WARNING: Sharpen blades only by hand. The heat generated by a power grinder or an electric drill with a grinding
wheel attached can destroy the temper of the metal. Wear thick leather gloves when handling the blade reel and cutter
bar and make slow, precise movements to avoid cutting or jamming your fingers.
MAINTENANCE AND GENERAL CARE
To extend the life of the mower, store the mower during inclement weather. Minimum care is required to ensure smooth
operation of your mower. To avoid damage to the mower or cutting blades, keep the area to be mowed free from any debris.
For best results, regularly apply oil or lubricant to the mowers cutting reel, bearings or other moving parts.
Keep all nuts, bolts and screws tight to be sure the mower is in a safe working condition. Replace worn or damaged parts for
safety. Be careful during adjustments of the hand lawn mower to prevent entrapment of the fingers between moving blade
and fixed parts of the machine.
5
