Reel mower

A reel mower for cutting grass, which comprises:

• (a) a mower frame supported for rolling over the ground, wherein the mower frame further comprises:
• (i) an operator's station carried on the mower frame for supporting an operator thereon, the operator's station having a seat for carrying a seated operator;
• (ii) an open space in front of the seat that opens towards the front;
• and
• (iii) a transversely extending footrest for the operator's feet when the operator sits on the seat, the footrest extending in front of the seat and blocking access to the open space, and wherein a sufficient portion of the footrest can be selectively pivoted about a pivot axis relative to the seat to a position that is non-interfering with the open space to allow a person to reach and enter the open space from the front of the open space;
• (b) a power source carried on the mower frame;
• (c) a reel cutting unit carried on the mower frame, which comprises:
• (i) a cutting unit frame;
• (ii) a reel rotatable on the cutting unit frame about a substantially horizontal axis;
• (iii) a bedknife on the cutting unit frame cooperating with the reel to shear standing grass between the bedknife and the reel as the reel rotates to cut the grass;
• (iv) at least one ground engaging roller for supporting the cutting unit frame for rolling over the ground during operation of the reel mower as the reel cutting unit cuts grass;
• (v) wherein the reel cutting unit is located at least partially within the open space and can be reached by the person for service or for removal from the mower frame once the pivotal portion of the footrest has been pivoted to the non-interfering position thereof to clear the open space for entry by the person;
• and
• (d) a suspension for operatively connecting the reel cutting unit to the mower frame.