Push Reel Mowers
- Thread starter Beavs
- Start date
I use a push mower. My lawn isn't huge so I can get it done in an hour or so. I consider that hour of pushing the mower and walking my workout (especially on the hot and humid days!).
It's so much better than a gas mower! You don't have to spend ages trying to get the dang thing started and, for me, I'm always afraid the gas mower will blow up or something!
The only thing with a push mower is you can't let the grass get too high. Mine cuts just fine when the grass has grown a week or two but I have to go over and over spots where the grass has shot up a few inches high. Plus you might want to rake up the clippings afterward unless you have a bag attached to catch them.
I can't afford a lawn service and I can't afford yet another unreliable gas mower so I'm going to rent one just to do the first mow, then use the push mower to keep it trimmed all season.
It's so much better than a gas mower! You don't have to spend ages trying to get the dang thing started and, for me, I'm always afraid the gas mower will blow up or something!
The only thing with a push mower is you can't let the grass get too high. Mine cuts just fine when the grass has grown a week or two but I have to go over and over spots where the grass has shot up a few inches high. Plus you might want to rake up the clippings afterward unless you have a bag attached to catch them.
I can't afford a lawn service and I can't afford yet another unreliable gas mower so I'm going to rent one just to do the first mow, then use the push mower to keep it trimmed all season.
spyrosmom
Cathlete
I've been thinking about getting one for DH, but haven't done it yet. They are cheap ($100-$150), last forever if you keep them sharp, are good exercise, don't stink up the world, are good exercise, and make a nice "clip, clip" sound. They are alot of work to push around, esp if you have hills. We have mostly garden, and very little grass. About 15 steps long by about 10 steps wide, plus the parkways. I would say it would take about 1 1/2 or 2 times as long to mow with a push reel mower. I wouldn't want to do huge yard with one, but for the average house, I think it would be a great idea.
Nan
Nan
I have been debating getting one of these for a couple of years now. We have a big field that I have to hire someone to mow on a riding mower but we also have small lawn segments near the front door. I hate those horrible noisy gas mowers and no matter how often you service them they never start up. That is it. You convinced me. I am going to get one today. The store in town sells them and will take care of getting them sharpened when needed.
Pearlstrand
Cathlete
I used one when I was a teenager to cut the front lawn (back lawn was too big). I agree with the others who say that you can't let the grass get too long or it's a nightmare! The other thing is that you have to keep the blades sharpened or else they don't cut and the grass gets jammed in there.
It's a good workout -- especially with a dull blade and long grass! (Been there, done that!)
It's a good workout -- especially with a dull blade and long grass! (Been there, done that!)
janie1234
Cathlete
Ditto. I grew up using one of these but if you let the grass grow to long like perlstrand says it is really, really hard to cut no matter how fit you are. It's like riding a bike in sand. With that said I love them I think that it is an eco friendly choice and a way to get some excersize in with your daily chores.
lioness
Cathlete
I had one a long time ago when I first moved into my house. I have a huge lawn and it took me forever to cut it. My grass grows so fast that my sister had to use the weedwacker first and I would follow with the mower. I finally got someone to mow it for me. It was a fantastic workout though. I lost weight without trying.
If you have a reel mower that you like--what brand? My local harware store sells Scott and suggests the more expensive model that is $159. He claims it is easy to push and no one has ever returned one and said they didn't like it. I live in a small town where everyone knows everyone so I can say he is being truthful. Any opinions? TIA
GMonkey
Cathlete
Another thing to keep in mind with the push-mower is that the grade of the lawn and dirt must be relatively smooth. We used one our first summer at my home, and I thought that our small yard made it an ideal option--not so much. If you have any "divots" or uneven patches, it's not just a "good workout" it's a major azz pain and can actually rip out clumps of grass and then give you even more divots.
We compromised and got a rechargeable electric mower. It's not as stinky as gas and starts immediately. No shoulder-ripping pull-cord. I absolutely love it!
We compromised and got a rechargeable electric mower. It's not as stinky as gas and starts immediately. No shoulder-ripping pull-cord. I absolutely love it!
