McLane Reel Mower Review: Is It Worth Buying
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The McLane reel mower is a push-type reel mower built by Single Cylinder Repair and sold under the McLane name, and the question most buyers ask is whether a reel mower of this kind is worth the money over a rotary machine. This review answers that question for the McLane 20-inch, 7-blade, self-propelled model, using only what the listing states. The short answer is that the listing describes a commercial-grade reel mower with a 20-inch cut, an induction heat-treated reel and bed knife, a belt and chain drive, and a clutch control. Those are the features that matter for a reel mower, and they point to a machine built for a neatly maintained lawn rather than a rough, uneven yard.
Quick answer
- The listing describes a 20-inch cutting width with a 7-blade induction heat-treated reel and bed knife.
- It uses both belt and chain drives plus a rear roller drive for traction, and it has Touch-A-Matic engine clutch controls.
- Reel mowers like this one suit flat, well-kept turf. The listing gives no cutting height range for this exact model, so check the height chart in the product details before you buy.
- Expect to maintain it. Reel and bed knife wear, and the drive belt, are the parts the McLane parts listings in this group cover.
What a reel mower does differently
A reel mower cuts grass with a set of spiral blades that spin past a fixed bed knife, much like a pair of scissors. A rotary mower uses a single blade that spins at high speed and tears the grass. The result is a cleaner cut on a reel mower, with less shredding of the tips, which is why reel mowers are the traditional choice for fine turf. The tradeoff is that a reel mower needs its blades and bed knife kept sharp and in alignment, and it does not handle tall, thick or wet grass as well as a rotary machine. The McLane listing is consistent with this design, and the bullets describe the reel and bed knife as the core of the cut.
If you have never used a reel mower before, the main adjustment is to cut more often and at a higher setting than you would with a rotary. Reel mowers are happiest when they trim a small amount of grass at each pass. For a more general look at how blade styles differ, read Best Blade Style for Lawn Mowers: Rotary, Mulching, Reel or Flail before you decide.
The model reviewed here
This review covers the McLane 20-5.50GT-7 listing, which the listing title describes as a commercial grade 7-blade, 20-inch self-propelled reel mower. The model number 20-5.50GT-7 appears in the listing details, and the brand field reads Single Cylinder Repair. The listing bullets give the facts below, and nothing else is claimed beyond them.
- Cutting width: 20 inches.
- Cutting mechanism: an induction heat-treated 7-blade armor-plate reel and bed knife, which the listing describes as built for durability and precision hardening.
- Drive system: belt and chain drives for reliable operation, with a rear roller drive for positive traction.
- Operator controls: Touch-A-Matic engine clutch controls for easy and safe engagement.
The listing does not state the cutting height range for this exact model, the weight, the engine displacement or the grass catcher capacity. Where a fact is missing from the listing, this review says so rather than filling the gap with a guess.
Cutting performance: what the listing supports
The most important part of any reel mower is the cutting unit. The McLane listing describes an induction heat-treated reel and bed knife, which is a hardening process that is meant to keep the cutting edges sharp for longer and hold their shape under regular use. The seven-blade count is the configuration that a related McLane 7-blade reel assembly listing describes as ideal for a clean, low-height cut on warm-season grasses such as Bermuda, St. Augustine and Zoysia. That is a claim about the assembly listing, not this model’s listing, so treat it as the manufacturer’s stated use for the design.
Two other McLane listings in this group give the cutting height range for 7-blade reel mowers. One 25-inch model with a 7-blade reel and a B&S 5.5GT engine is listed at an adjustable cutting height from 0.25 inches to 1.25 inches. Another 20-inch model with the same reel and a grooved front roller is listed as cutting as low as 3/8 inch and as high as 2 inches. Those figures are for other models in the same family, not the 20-5.50GT-7, so use them only as a rough guide and confirm the exact range for this model before you buy.
The front roller is another part of the cutting story. The listings for the grooved roller versions say the front roller minimizes roll-down on the lawn, which gives a smoother surface after each pass. That detail is worth checking on this model’s listing, because the 20-5.50GT-7 bullets do not mention a grooved roller.
Drive, traction and clutch
The listing says this mower uses both belt and chain drives, along with a rear roller drive for positive traction. The listing does not say how the two drives are split, how the rear roller is driven beyond the phrase “rear roller drive,” or how often either drive should be serviced, so follow the owner’s manual for those intervals.
Engagement is handled by Touch-A-Matic engine clutch controls. The listing describes these as easy and safe to engage, and that is the detail to check for anyone who is not comfortable with a self-propelled machine. Engage the clutch with the engine running only when you are ready to move, and disengage it before you stop to empty the grass catcher. The listing does not describe the clutch in more detail, so read the manual before the first use.
Who this mower suits
Based on the listing, the McLane 20-inch 7-blade reel mower fits a homeowner with a relatively flat, well-kept lawn of warm-season grass, who wants a clean cut and is willing to maintain the cutting unit. It also suits someone who prefers a self-propelled machine and wants the drive to grip the turf. It is a poor match for a yard that is mostly tall grass, rough terrain or weeds, because a reel mower is designed to cut fine, regularly maintained turf. If your lawn is large, a 20-inch cut means more passes, so consider whether a wider model in the same family would save time.
The grass catcher is mentioned in the bullets for other 20-inch McLane models, but this model’s bullets do not describe one, so confirm whether it comes with the mower before you buy.
Maintenance and the parts this mower will need
A reel mower is only as good as its cutting edges, and the McLane parts listings show the components that wear. The bed knife is the stationary blade the reel cuts against. The McLane parts in this group include a bed knife listed as replacing OEM part 1103-A for 20-inch McLane reel mowers made after 1990. The listing for that Foruly bed knife says it is heat-treated and built to match the original mounting dimensions. A separate listing describes an OEM 1107-7 complete 20-inch reel assembly, pre-assembled with the bearing holders and bearings installed, and it is described as fitting all McLane 20-inch reel mower models. The listing calls for induction heat-treated metal for edge retention.
The drive belt is the other part that needs attention. One listing describes a drive belt numbered 1060 for McLane 20-inch and 25-inch reel mowers, sized 1/2 inch by 19 1/2 inches. The GW Belts listing for the same part number says that some McLanes older than 1990 use a smaller 19-inch belt and need the 4L190 size, while the 4L195 fits the 19.5-inch belt. Check the belt on your own mower before you buy a replacement, and note the year of your machine.
To keep the cut sharp, check the bed knife and reel contact at the start of each season. A dull or misaligned reel leaves torn grass tips and an uneven finish. The listings do not give a sharpening schedule for this model, so use the manual’s intervals and the general sharpening steps in How to Sharpen a Mower Blade Safely as a starting point.
Safety around the reel
The cutting edges of a reel are sharp even when the engine is off. Keep hands and feet clear of the reel, and turn off the engine and disengage the clutch before you tip the mower, clear a jam or change a part. Keep children and pets out of the work area while you mow.
For a wider set of rules for any mower, see Lawn Mower Safety Checklist for Homeowners.
Price and value
This review does not cover cost. Check the current listing on Amazon, and weigh it against what you want from the machine. The points that drive value in the listing are the 7-blade reel and bed knife, the heat-treated cutting unit, the belt and chain drive with rear roller traction, and the clutch controls. Those are the features a buyer is paying for on a reel mower.
Think about value in terms of upkeep as well. A reel mower with replaceable heat-treated parts, and with parts that are listed for the model, can be kept running for a long time. The parts the listings show, including the bed knife, reel assembly and drive belt, suggest the machine is designed to be serviced rather than replaced, which is a reasonable expectation for a commercial-grade reel design.
Close alternatives in the same family
If the 20-inch 7-blade model does not match your lawn, two other McLane listings are worth comparing. The first is a 25-inch 7-blade reel mower with a B&S 5.5GT engine, listed with an adjustable cutting height from 0.25 inches to 1.25 inches. It gives a wider cut and the same induction heat-treated reel and bed knife, with both belt and chain drives and a rear roller drive. The second is a 20-inch 7-blade grooved roller model that the listing says cuts as low as 3/8 inch and as high as 2 inches, and that adds a grooved front roller to limit roll-down. Choose the 25-inch if you need to cover more ground per pass, and the grooved roller if a smoother surface matters more to you.
A 20-inch 10-blade model with a Greens Keeper setup is also in the group, listed at a cutting range from 1/8 inch to 2-1/8 inch, which is a finer cut than the 7-blade. It is the choice for a very closely kept turf, but it is more demanding to maintain.
What the listing does not tell you
The listing does not include weight, engine specifics beyond the family name, the grass catcher size, the wheel size or the exact height range for the 20-5.50GT-7 model. It does not say how long the belt or chain should last, and it does not give a warranty term. Check each of these points before you buy, and ask the seller for any detail that matters to your decision. Where this review is silent, the listing is silent too.
FAQ
Is a McLane reel mower better than a rotary mower?
For fine turf, a reel mower generally gives a cleaner cut than a rotary, because the reel shears the grass instead of tearing it. The listing supports that design, with its reel and bed knife at the centre of the cutting system. A rotary is easier to maintain and handles tall or uneven grass better, so the right choice depends on your lawn.
Does this mower have a grooved roller?
The 20-5.50GT-7 listing does not mention a grooved roller. The grooved roller is a feature of other McLane models in the same family, so check the listing details for this exact model before assuming it has one.
What cutting height does it reach?
The listing does not state a cutting height range for the 20-5.50GT-7. Related models in the family are listed with ranges from 1/8 inch to 2-1/8 inch and from 3/8 inch to 2 inches, so use those as a guide and confirm the figure for this model.
Which parts should I keep on hand?
The parts the listings show as most relevant are the bed knife, the reel assembly and the drive belt. A bed knife for a 20-inch model made after 1990 is listed under OEM number 1103-A, and a drive belt is listed under number 1060. Check your mower’s year and model number before you order either part.
Do I need to sharpen the reel?
Yes, regularly. The listing describes induction heat-treated blades that hold their edge longer, but every reel mower needs its cutting edges kept sharp and in contact with the bed knife. Follow the manual’s maintenance intervals and check the cut quality each season.
Bottom line
The McLane 20-inch 7-blade reel mower is a reasonable choice for a homeowner with a well-kept, mostly flat lawn who wants a clean cut and a self-propelled drive. The listing supports a heat-treated reel and bed knife, a belt and chain drive with a rear roller for traction, and Touch-A-Matic clutch controls. It does not support a claim about weight, height range or warranty for this exact model, so confirm those before you buy. If your lawn is rough, tall or large, look at a wider or rotary model instead.
