reel mowers

[marypboland]

Do any of you use one of the newer reel mowers -- the ones that use no power. What has your experience been? Can you recommend a model? We live in the Colorado Rockies and have a lawn consisting of a dryland pasture mix. (We water it but if we didn't it would survive quite a while). We like the idea of getting away from the gas and oil and all, but would a reel mower work for us. Lawn is maybe1/4 acre.

 

[dickiebird]

I've not used a newer reel mower but I have used them in a past life (like 50 yrs ago).
If my memory serves me right I like the oil and gas model a lot better!!!!

THANX RICH

 

[thistlebloom]

I used to use a reel mower on a small lawn- about 600 square feet
and it's excercise. If you have the time, since it's also quite a bit more time consuming, then the exercise part is a good thing.
However, reel mowers aren't really designed for taller bladed grasses, like for instance, fescue mixes, and they are not great at cutting them well. At least that was my opinion when I was using one. Mine was a Sears Craftsman, and I had no complaints about the actual mower, just all the back and forthing (push/pull, push/pull) that was required to cut the blades.
Who knows, maybe they have revolutionized push reel mowers in the past ten years, but the small amount of gas I use in my power mower is well worth the time savings to me.

Good luck on your quest.

 

[seedcorn]

Agree with above comments. It is critical, beyond critical that the blades be kept razor sharp, very hard to do by the way. You can never let the grass get tall.

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

i have a somewhat newer push reel mower (about 15 yrs old now). it is good for small spaces that a gas mower can't get into or just wasteful for the gas. but like Seedcorn said, you need to keep the blades sharp and don't allow the grass to get to tall or it will not cut it down well and you will have to weed whack it to a short enough height.

my mower came with it's blade sharpener kit so i have no excuse why the blades don't get sharpened. i don't use it often anymore since we have 1/2 acre that is more lawn than landscape at the moment. i think mine is from Great Lakes but i will have to check in the morning when i can find it.

 

[Veggie PAK]

I used one as a kid and what people are saying about keeping them sharp is absolutely correct. You also have to keep the cutting edge adjusted. When using one, you also have to pick up any sticks or twigs because they will either cut them and dull the blades fast, or jam it. The lawn also has to be flat/smooth/even soil in my experience with one.

 

[Andrew]

I recently bought the Fiskars and love it.

Two main reasons I bought it: to get exercise and so I could hear my iPod... It's great for both. It is actually a really good workout.

Doesn't cut tall stuff, but I didn't get rid of my gas mower. Also very easy to adjust height. And.. A nice long handle - I'm about 6-1 and HATE low handles!

Good luck-

Andrew