Abstract: A walk reel mower has a traction frame that carries at least one ground engaging member operatively powered by a prime mover The mower includes a handle assembly that extends rearwardly and upwardly from the traction frame. The handle assembly includes a handle to be gripped by a user when operating the mower. The handle guides and manipulates the mower. The mower also includes a common mount adapted to attach a reel cutting unit to the traction frame. The common mount has a first pair of laterally spaced mounting surfaces on the traction frame and a second pair of laterally spaced mounting surfaces on the reel cutting unit. The first pair of mounting surfaces face forwardly with respect to a forward direction of movement, and the second pair of mounting surfaces face rearwardly with respect to the forward direction of movement.

Abstract: A walk reel mower has a traction frame that carries a telescopic handle assembly to accommodate users of different heights. A pivotal bail on the handle assembly allows the user to slip a traction clutch to temporarily slow the mower down when turning the mower around. The handle assembly has a resilient isolator that acts in shear to permit the traction frame of the mower to maintain the quality and the height of cut when operated by users having a heavy downpressure touch on the handle assembly. A fixed head reel cutting unit or a flex head reel cutting unit can be interchangeably carried on the traction frame using a common mount therefor. Backlapping can be accomplished in situ by using an idler wheel between a driven transport wheel and the reel of the cutting unit to reverse the direction of the reel.

Abstract: A walk reel mower has a traction frame that carries a telescopic handle assembly to accommodate users of different heights. A pivotal bail on the handle assembly allows the user to slip a traction clutch to temporarily slow the mower down when turning the mower around. The handle assembly has a resilient isolator that acts in shear to permit the traction frame of the mower to maintain the quality and the height of cut when operated by users having a heavy downpressure touch on the handle assembly. A fixed head reel cutting unit or a flex head reel cutting unit can be interchangeably carried on the traction frame using a common mount therefor. Backlapping can be accomplished in situ by using an idler wheel between a driven transport wheel and the reel of the cutting unit to reverse the direction of the reel.

Abstract: A walk reel mower has a traction frame that carries a rotatable cutting reel that pushes grass against a bedknife for cutting the grass. A handle assembly extends rearwardly and upwardly from the traction frame. The handle assembly carries a handle that is gripped by a user to operate the mower as the user walks on the ground behind the traction frame. The handle assembly has upper and lower portions that have a telescopic connection to one another to adjust the height of the handle above the ground to accommodate users of different heights.

Abstract: A walk reel mower has a pivotal rear traction drum that can be selectively disposed in two different mowing positions that allow a single mower to cut grass on golf course greens as well as tee boxes with no degradation in cutting or power performance. The reel cutting unit has a pivotal rear shield to allow the rear shield to be pivotally adjusted to maintain its radial spacing relative to the orbit of the reel at a desired amount as the reel diameter decreases due to wear. The ground speed of the walk reel mower is automatically slowed during turns of the mower by a mechanical cable assembly that links a user operable throttle control and throttle reducing control to a prime mover throttle. Finally, the leverage provided by the mower handle assembly when placed in a lowered position is used by the user to more easily deploy a kickstand.

Abstract: A fixed head walk reel mower has a frame supported for rolling over the ground. A reel cutting unit comprising a rotatable reel and a cooperating bedknife has a fixed orientation on the frame. The frame pivotally carries a ground engaging pivotal rear traction drum that can be selectively disposed in two different mowing positions when cutting grass at lower or higher height of cut ranges, respectively. This allows a single mower to cut grass at lower heights of cut on golf course greens as well as at higher heights of cut on tee boxes while minimizing degradation in cutting or power performance.

Abstract: A walk reel mower has a traction frame that carries a telescopic handle assembly to accommodate users of different heights. A pivotal bail on the handle assembly allows the user to slip a traction clutch to temporarily slow the mower down when turning the mower around. The handle assembly has a resilient isolator that acts in shear to permit the traction frame of the mower to maintain the quality and the height of cut when operated by users having a heavy downpressure touch on the handle assembly. A fixed head reel cutting unit or a flex head reel cutting unit can be interchangeably carried on the traction frame using a common mount therefor. Backlapping can be accomplished in situ by using an idler wheel between a driven transport wheel and the reel of the cutting unit to reverse the direction of the reel.

Abstract: A walk reel mower has a pivotal rear traction drum that can be selectively disposed in two different mowing positions that allow a single mower to cut grass on golf course greens as well as tee boxes with no degradation in cutting or power performance. The reel cutting unit has a pivotal rear shield to allow the rear shield to be pivotally adjusted to maintain its radial spacing relative to the orbit of the reel at a desired amount as the reel diameter decreases due to wear. The ground speed of the walk reel mower is automatically slowed during turns of the mower by a mechanical cable assembly that links a user operable throttle control and throttle reducing control to a prime mover throttle. Finally, the leverage provided by the mower handle assembly when placed in a lowered position is used by the user to more easily deploy a kickstand.

Abstract: A reel mower has a double A arm suspension that lowers a reel cutting unit into a cutting position in a tail down orientation and that levels the reel cutting unit out as it lifts the reel cutting unit into a transport position. The reel cutting unit yaws during turns about a substantially vertical axis having a negative caster angle. The suspension has clamps that can be flipped open or closed to quickly attach or detach the reel cutting unit. A drive motor can be quickly attached or detached to the reel cutting unit using a pivotal wire form. An active counterbalance system automatically offsets the increasing weight of a grass basket on the reel cutting unit to maintain quality of cut. The grass basket maintains a constant spacing relative to the reel cutting unit when the reel cutting unit pitches to improve clipping collection.

Abstract: A reel mower has a double A arm suspension that lowers a reel cutting unit into a cutting position in a tail down orientation and that levels the reel cutting unit out as it lifts the reel cutting unit into a transport position. The reel cutting unit yaws during turns about a substantially vertical axis having a negative caster angle. The suspension has clamps that can be flipped open or closed to quickly attach or detach the reel cutting unit. A drive motor can be quickly attached or detached to the reel cutting unit using a pivotal wire form. An active counterbalance system automatically offsets the increasing weight of a grass basket on the reel cutting unit to maintain quality of cut. The grass basket maintains a constant spacing relative to the reel cutting unit when the reel cutting unit pitches to improve clipping collection.

Abstract: A reel mower has a double A arm suspension that lowers a reel cutting unit into a cutting position in a tail down orientation and that levels the reel cutting unit out as it lifts the reel cutting unit into a transport position. The reel cutting unit yaws during turns about a substantially vertical axis having a negative caster angle. The suspension has clamps that can be flipped open or closed to quickly attach or detach the reel cutting unit. A drive motor can be quickly attached or detached to the reel cutting unit using a pivotal wire form. An active counterbalance system automatically offsets the increasing weight of a grass basket on the reel cutting unit to maintain quality of cut. The grass basket maintains a constant spacing relative to the reel cutting unit when the reel cutting unit pitches to improve clipping collection.

Abstract: A reel mower has a double A arm suspension that lowers a reel cutting unit into a cutting position in a tail down orientation and that levels the reel cutting unit out as it lifts the reel cutting unit into a transport position. The reel cutting unit yaws during turns about a substantially vertical axis having a negative caster angle. The suspension has clamps that can be flipped open or closed to quickly attach or detach the reel cutting unit. A drive motor can be quickly attached or detached to the reel cutting unit using a pivotal wire form. An active counterbalance system automatically offsets the increasing weight of a grass basket on the reel cutting unit to maintain quality of cut. The grass basket maintains a constant spacing relative to the reel cutting unit when the reel cutting unit pitches to improve clipping collection.

Abstract: A reel mower has a plurality of reel cutting units. Each reel cutting unit is connected to a frame of the reel mower by its own double A arm suspension that lowers a reel cutting unit into a cutting position in a tail down orientation and that levels the reel cutting unit out as it lifts the reel cutting unit into a transport position.

Abstract: A reel mower has a double A arm suspension that lowers a reel cutting unit into a cutting position in a tail down orientation and that levels the reel cutting unit out as it lifts the reel cutting unit into a transport position. The reel cutting unit yaws during turns about a substantially vertical axis having a negative caster angle. The suspension has clamps that can be flipped open or closed to quickly attach or detach the reel cutting unit. A drive motor can be quickly attached or detached to the reel cutting unit using a pivotal wire form. An active counterbalance system automatically offsets the increasing weight of a grass basket on the reel cutting unit to maintain quality of cut. The grass basket maintains a constant spacing relative to the reel cutting unit when the reel cutting unit pitches to improve clipping collection.

Abstract: A walk reel mower includes a pair of inclined rigid links for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for rolling about a longitudinal axis, and a pair of vertical support arms for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for pitching about a transverse axis. An integrated gearbox houses both the traction and reel drives, including the differential that is part of the traction drive, as well as a parking brake. A flexible drive shaft powers the cutting reel from the gearbox and is made from materials that do not require petroleum based lubricants to avoid the possibility of damage to the turf or grass. A single control handle located on the handle of the mower actuates both the reel and traction drives. The reel cutting unit includes a back plate which has a portion formed as a hollow beam for strength.

Abstract: An autonomous mass damper is positioned proximate to each reel cutting unit in a ganged configuration of such cutting units. One mass damper is preferably mounted or directly carried on each such reel cutting unit. The mass damper is free to move independently of vertical up and down movement of the reel cutting unit as the reel cutting unit travels over the ground. The mass damper is connected to the reel cutting unit by a coupler or by coupling components that allow the mass damper to move in a counter motion to vertical up and down bouncing or bobbing of the reel cutting unit. The counter motion of the mass damper lessens or damps the bouncing or bobbing of the reel cutting unit to provide a more consistent height of cut.

Abstract: A walk reel mower includes a pair of inclined rigid links for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for rolling about a longitudinal axis, and a pair of vertical support arms for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for pitching about a transverse axis. An integrated gearbox houses both the traction and reel drives, including the differential that is part of the traction drive, as well as a parking brake. A flexible drive shaft powers the cutting reel from the gearbox and is made from materials that do not require petroleum based lubricants to avoid the possibility of damage to the turf or grass. A single control handle located on the handle of the mower actuates both the reel and traction drives. The reel cutting unit includes a back plate which has a portion formed as a hollow beam for strength.

Abstract: A walk reel mower includes a pair of inclined rigid links for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for rolling about a longitudinal axis, and a pair of vertical support arms for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for pitching about a transverse axis. An integrated gearbox houses both the traction and reel drives, including the differential that is part of the traction drive, as well as a parking brake. A flexible drive shaft powers the cutting reel from the gearbox and is made from materials that do not require petroleum based lubricants to avoid the possibility of damage to the turf or grass. A single control handle located on the handle of the mower actuates both the reel and traction drives. The reel cutting unit includes a back plate which has a portion formed as a hollow beam for strength.

Abstract: An autonomous mass damper is positioned proximate to each reel cutting unit in a ganged configuration of such cutting units. One mass damper is preferably mounted or directly carried on each such reel cutting unit. The mass damper is free to move independently of vertical up and down movement of the reel cutting unit as the reel cutting unit travels over the ground. The mass damper is connected to the reel cutting unit by a coupler or by coupling components that allow the mass damper to move in a counter motion to vertical up and down bouncing or bobbing of the reel cutting unit. The counter motion of the mass damper lessens or damps the bouncing or bobbing of the reel cutting unit to provide a more consistent height of cut.

Abstract: A walk reel mower includes a pair of inclined rigid links for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for rolling about a longitudinal axis, and a pair of vertical support arms for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for pitching about a transverse axis. An integrated gearbox houses both the traction and reel drives, including the differential that is part of the traction drive, as well as a parking brake. A flexible drive shaft powers the cutting reel from the gearbox and is made from materials that do not require petroleum based lubricants to avoid the possibility of damage to the turf or grass. A single control handle located on the handle of the mower actuates both the reel and traction drives. The reel cutting unit includes a back plate which has a portion formed as a hollow beam for strength.