A grass catcher retaining device is disclosed for a reel mower cutting unit (100). The retaining device includes a central support ring (130) on the grass catcher (112) and removably fastened to a loop (132) projecting forwardly from a lift arm (105) for the reel mower cutting unit (100). The central support ring (130) may be pivotably mounted to the top of the grass catcher (112), and may have a gate (131) that is spring biased to the closed position to engage a wireform loop (132) extending forwardly from the lift arm (105) that supports the reel mower cutting unit (100). Additionally, a rod (166) may extend horizontally from the sides of a grass catcher (112) and may be pivotably attached to the reel mower cutting unit (100).
