I just can't help myself!

[JPrattico]

I didn't expect to be buying another machine, especially not during the County Fair, but here we are anyways! I picked up this nice little 1960s National Triplex reel mower a couple days ago from one of the other antique association members. What a machine these are! Everything is belt driven, you have 1 speed forward and 1 speed reverse. All three reels can cut at the same time for a 68" cut, which is quite impressive considering the whole unit is run by a 5hp engine. Once it gets home I'll definitely be using it to cut some grass, its just too cool not to!

 

[mfrade]

Love it! Although that seat looks a bit "hazardous".... LOL

 

[kmcconaughey]

That's a cool machine. Looks to be missing a guard or two.

 

[RAllison]

That's pretty cool..tell us how it runs and cuts!!!

 

[gary noblit]

That would have extremely hard to pass up...fine old iron

 

[JPrattico]

Love it! Although that seat looks a bit "hazardous".... LOL

Hah! As soon as it gets home that old seat is getting replaced with a pan seat. I've been riding it around with an old shirt laying on the seat because its a little less uncomfortable!

That's a cool machine. Looks to be missing a guard or two.

I think its missing the guard that goes around the belt that's attached to the engine. Possibly a guard around the drive belt for the rear cutting reel. Its better off than the other National that's on display though!

That's pretty cool..tell us how it runs and cuts!!!

Actually, it runs and cuts really well. They were designed for golf courses, leaving a really clean cut. I've done some mowing around the fairgrounds and it does indeed cut pretty well. They don't do well with sticks though.

That would have extremely hard to pass up...fine old iron

Very VERY hard to pass up... If I hadn't bought it the previous owner would've stuck a for sale sign on it. I didn't want to let it get away, especially with a price tag of only $250!

 

[kphill]

Safety gaurds?... We don't need no stinkking gaurds!..lol

 

[jkoenig]

$250?! That's my price range! I woulda bought it too.

 

[jbratton]

You need help. That’s what my wife would say.

 

[Brad Kamm]

Love it! Looks like they used the handlebars off a kids tricycle! Crude, but cool.

 

[PACub100]

That is pretty darn cool man

 

[Stevenovick1]

But how long will it take to sharpen those blades?

 

[Stevenovick1]

Never have to use a Pooper Scooper

 

[kphill]

Reel mowers are self sharpening..

 

[Larry Bolen]

That is just plain COOL. Back in the day the "guards" were between your ears.

 

[proper]

Not to get too far off subject, but what type of tiller is in the photo? What are the large wheels for?
Thanks.

 

[gary noblit]

It's not a tiller ,it's a cultivator..Large wheels keep it from digging too deep ,they actually are a depth gauge...The center opening allows one to straddle a row and cultivate weeds out of both sides....note they are all adjustable..

 

[proper]

Ok, it's a old ripper. Construction companies use them to clean off land to be leveled. The soil here is red clay and rocky, so the tines are spring loaded. If you only have to make 2 passes, you are lucky. Thanks Gary.

 

[JPrattico]

Gary, you are spot on with that. It's a cultivator, it was made by Simplicity in the late 50s. The owner of it actually owns 2 national reel mowers as well.

It's not a tiller ,it's a cultivator..Large wheels keep it from digging too deep ,they actually are a depth gauge...The center opening allows one to straddle a row and cultivate weeds out of both sides....note they are all adjustable..