A system to clear stuck reels (111 - 115) on a grass mowing machine (100) with a reversible electric or hydraulic motor (116 - 120) connected to a cutting reel (111 - 115). The reel motor (116 - 120) can rotate in a forward direction and a reverse direction. A controller (121 - 125) provides electric signals to the reel motor (116 - 120), and commands the motor to reverse direction if the reel motor (116 - 120) does not rotate in the forward direction at a rotational speed at least as high as a preset minimum speed, or rotate a pre-specified number of revolutions.