5-Blade vs. 7-Blade Comparison

Blade Reel GraphicIn order to provide you with the most effective and efficient cutting experience for your lawn, all California Trimmers come equipped with either a 5-blade reel or a 7-blade reel, depending on the type of application you require. Confused about what sort of blade reel would be appropriate for your grass? You’ll find everything you need here to make an informed decision.

The choice of a 5 or 7 blade reel should be determined by several factors outlined below, but in general the 7-blade reel is best suited for cutting hybrid bermuda, tiff, bent grass and zoysia, and the 5-blade reel is best suited for cutting wet grass or areas that have a great amount of moisture (rain). The general rule: the tougher the grass and the finer the cut you want, the more you want the 7-blade; the wetter the grass, the taller the grass, the chunkier the lawn, the more you want the 5-blade.

Ask the commercial operator, what kind of lawns do you deal with and which blade reel do you use for them? If the lawn is maintained every week, they need the 7-blade. If they deal with lawns that have not been cut in a long time, the need a 5 blade.

  • Wet Climate: 5-blade
  • Common Bermuda: 7-blade
  • Hybrid Bermuda: 7-blade
  • Zoysia Grass: 7-blade
  • Bent Grass: 7-blade
  • Junky Grass: 5-blade

The California Trimmer lawnmower is used primarily to cut hybrid Bermuda, tiffs, bent grass and zoysia. It will cut any type of grass, however fescue and bluegrass are traditionally cut with a rotary mower at the height of 1 ½” to 3″. These types of grasses are generally sensitive during the first three months of growth. After the initial three month development they can be cut shorter if desired.

The California Trimmer reel lawnmower should never be used to cut dry grass. The use of the mower while cutting dry grass can cause an excessive amount of friction causing a heating of the blades on the reel and the cutter bar. Without moisture, friction is created and cutting dry grass can cause warping of the cutter bar. If you have to mow brown grass, turn on the sprinklers or hose it down first. The moisture in the grass provides lubrication for the cutter bar and the reel. The mower should never be run over blacktop or pavement unless the reel has been lubricated. The reel will heat up, expand, and lock up /seize if it is run without any moisture or lubrication. This will not damage the machine but it must cool down before it can be operated.

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