McLane Reel Mowers are manufactured right here in America, unlike any other brand. In continuous operation since 1946, McLane is the #1 selling Reel Mower in America!

McLane Mowers are designed to be serviced easily and many of our customers actually do the maintenance themselves.

Our experience has proven that a very high percentage of mechanical problems are almost always caused by the use of aftermarket engines, rollers, drive belts, pulleys, and other important components.

1. Replacement Engines

Only use original Briggs & Stratton® or Honda® engines on your McLane Reel Mower. While there is no shortage of comments on social media which will disagree with this, other engines, including the "Predator" engines simply do not properly fit or perform as well.

These aftermarket brands must often be shimmed or installed with washers or spacers underneath which tends to cause repeated drive belt failures and premature wear. The engines are often installed with crankshaft diameters and lengths which alter from the OEM engines and require a different sized pulley. This will cause the belt to often be misaligned, to often come off, and will prevent proper adjustment.

2. Aftermarket Front Rollers

Aftermarket Rollers, while common, are the most frequent cause of an uneven cut, premature reel & bedknife wear, and many other problems. The McLane® OEM Front Grooved Roller is the only roller which will install properly and have the correct clearance between the reel and roller. Other rollers also prevent the use of the McLane grass catcher, which was designed only for use with the factory-made roller.

3. Replacement Drive Belts

We recently purchased samples of aftermarket drive belts from several sources including Amazon, Ebay, and also other private-company e-commerce stores known for selling replacement parts for McLane Reel Mowers. All of the belts we purchased were not the correct size, without exception. Each was a different length, width, and diameter. When installed, all of the belts failed to align properly and performed poorly. Almost 100% of the service calls we receive regarding drive belt problems are the result of inferior aftermarket belts.

Beginning in July of 2024, a new Long-life Kevlar drive belt is available which will for all McLane 20" & 25" Reel Mowers, including the GK and GK2 series. To order the new style belt , or any McLane replacement part, go to the PARTS DEPARTMENT tab on the left or call (800) 992-0177.

4. Aftermarket Backlapping Kits

No aftermarket backlapping kit will provide the correct or constant speed required to properly backlap a McLane Reel Mower.

The McLane OEM backlapping kit allows you to use the engine on the mower to spin the reel backwards against the bedknife. Unlike aftermarket kits that use a variable speed drill or electric motor, this OEM kit provides the constant speed required to correctly backlap your McLane mower.

The kit includes everything including lapping compound & brush, and can be ordered above on the tab which reads "BACKLAPPING KITS".

5. Inexpensive Drive Roller Wheels from stores such as "Harbor Freight".

This is another example of a "social media hack" that will prevent your McLane Reel Mower from performing as it was designed. The hack begins with buying cheap lawnmower wheels for less than $10 each and then removing their centers with a hammer and using them as a replacement for the McLane Drive Roller. The wheels are manufactured from an inferior material which provide a service life of only 10-20% of the original McLane Drive Roller. They are a different diameter, width, and thickness than the OEM brand. Most importantly, they will prevent the mower from cutting properly and evenly.

In summary, most all of the problems we hear of are the result of aftermarket parts.The use of any aftermarket parts or accessories not manufactured and approved by McLane Manufacturing immediately voids any applicable warranty. Please use only genuine McLane parts and accessories to prevent possible damage to your mower!