McLane 20-5.50GT-7-GR Reel Mower Review

The McLane 20-5.50GT-7-GR is a walk-behind, gas-powered front-throw reel mower built for residential and prosumer use on fine turf. The reel sits at the front and throws clippings forward into a catcher, and the machine is pushed forward by its rear roller rather than by wheels.

The model number spells out the machine. 20 is the 20-inch cutting width, 5.50GT is the Briggs & Stratton 5.5 GT engine, 7 is the number of blades on the reel, and GR stands for grooved roller, the front roller that defines this version.

What the grooved roller does

The grooved front roller lifts grass blades upright just before the reel cuts them, so the cut lands clean instead of folding the blade over. The grooves also let the mower ride over slight unevenness rather than digging in, which is the main reason to pick this version over one with front caster wheels.

Drive and clutch

A rear roller drive pulls the mower forward for positive traction, and both a belt and a chain carry the power for reliability and a steady, smooth mowing pace. The Touch-A-Matic engine clutch control engages the reel.

Build and catcher

The chassis is all-steel and heavy duty, and the reel is induction heat treated for durability through precision hardening. An HDPE grass catcher is included, and the mower is made in the USA.

The McLane 20-5.50GT-7-GR is built around one job: a clean, low cut on fine-bladed grass, and it does that job with the parts that matter for it.

• Precision cut on premium turf. It is designed for Bermuda, Paspalum and similar fine grasses, and the 7-blade reel gives a clean, scissor-like cut.
• Reduced roll-down. The grooved roller and the reel design help avoid the flattened, bruised look that rotary mowers leave on fine turf.
• Striping. The rear roller drive and the grooved front roller produce the striped pattern homeowners want from a reel mower.
• Positive traction. The rear roller drive plus the belt and chain drive keep the mower moving steadily on level turf.
• Durability. The all-steel chassis and the induction heat-treated reel are built to take seasons of use.
• Clutch control. The Touch-A-Matic clutch gives smooth engagement of the reel.
• Catcher included. Clippings are collected cleanly instead of being left in rows.
• 15 cutting-height positions. A wide adjustment range lets you dial in the cut you want.

The McLane 20-5.50GT-7-GR is a specialty tool, not a general-purpose mower. It is built for fine, level, warm-season turf, and it is not the right machine for cool-season lawns or rough, uneven ground.

• Weight. At 180 pounds it is heavy.
• Narrow 20-inch swath. It covers less ground per pass than wider reel mowers, so large lawns take longer.
• No reverse power-assist. The drive is forward-only through the rear roller.
• Reel and drive are linked. The reel runs whenever the drive runs, so moving the mower under power means the reel is turning.
• Maintenance is part of ownership. Reel-to-bedknife adjustment and sharpening are required to keep the cut clean, and the manual directs sharpening and backlapping to a properly equipped service center.
• Short warranty. Coverage is limited and split between residential and commercial use.
• No electric start, no headlight. It is recoil start only.
• Gas engine upkeep. Oil changes and carburetor care are part of owning it.

The 15 positions and the grooved roller are the two specs that most affect the cut quality and how the mower behaves on fine turf. The 180-pound weight and the 20-inch width are the two that most affect how you move it and how long a mowing session takes.