Reel Mower Test Drive
 

well, went out and bought a reel mower because the gas mower crapped out recently. after looking on a green site that rates them, decided on the Scott's Classic 20 inch 'cause it was the highest rated under 200 USD.

not much to report so far as wet weather has not made it's way yet. the blade does take a while to dial in just as described in a review.

this 4 wheel variety is very easy to push and steer as it weighs ~30lb. mowing can be done in an upright walking position unlike some gas mowers.

i would def not recommend a model w/ under 20 inches of blade unless of course a very small yard is to be mowed. sticks and long weeds do make things frustrating, but it is recommended to pick up sticks and weed eat or power mow before starting w/ reel mowing.

no prob here as our trees are now all gone. with trees, the buyer would need to decide for him/herself.

more to come as the rains make their way(hopefully)...

I've never known what those types of mowers were called before. I learned something new today!

My Grandfather used to have one, a two wheel one that was never properly taken care of. It would go for about two feet and seize, back it up and then go for two more feet and seize. Pretty frustrating for a 10 yr old kid to push.

That was precisely my experience with reel mowers. Fortunately my grandfather lived in a suburb so the lawn was pretty small. I'm kind of curious to try one that was in good shape.

I've used gas powered reel mowers before. Pretty sweet! My dad has a push one that he makes his kids now use. I'm happy I had my lawn boy.

I've used reel mowers before, but in my experience it just beats the grass down. I had to run with it to get the blades to spin fast enough to actually cut. I didn't think it was safe running with exposed blades in front of me like that, in case I tripped (And with my screwed up feet I would). Also, I just didn't have the stamina to run with it the whole time. Maybe the new ones are better. I used a 50 year old one to try it out.

-Jay

They are supposed to cut the grass like scissors. A blade adjustment would have probably fixed that one Jay!

exactly, and they aren't even as sharp. my guess is momentum(the faster the better) is more important than sharpness. that said, a dull blade can make it very tough. blade sharpening is said to be relatively infrequent, but necessary none the less.

I sold it to some poor tree hugger at a yard sale for $40... ;)

This brings to mind the following...


https://www.craigslist.org/about/best/sea/70873822.html

My house has a huge field and my ex and I briefly considered getting a goat (or two) to keep it down. Since I couldn't figure out a good way to winterize the goat we didn't go that way.

Goats do a pretty good job of winterizing themselves... They generally grow a nice thick winter coat.

here it is BTW...

https://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...egoryID=528365

and for a better price...

https://www.amazon.com/Scotts-2000-20...8704266&sr=8-1

hmm my only problem with reel mowers is well as above thier expensive nowadays...when i can go to walmart and buy a 20" cut gas mower for $60 when A it takes little effort from me B cuts easier (and more, no need to pick up small sticks and weeds) not to mention can find a good used one for $50 or less

id consider a reel mower if they were cheaper....

im interested to see how good it cuts so let us know. (btw i heard the grass has to be absolutely dry)

Reel mowers would be cheaper in the long run, not requiring gas, oil, or very much maintenance (just sharpen the blades and maybe squirt some oil or pack some grease occasionally).

I assume most of the cost results from it being sort of a specialty item.

this is the least expensive wal-mart model that i know of...

https://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=10854262

and for you non-DIYs...

https://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=4806189

What about this one for $99?

https://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ndingMethod=rr

yup, maybe what i looked up showed available models only. for $99, i imagine they go quickly especially this time of year.

For some reason, when you search "mowers" and sort price low to high, the $99 one doesn't show up, but it was at the bottom of the $129 mower's page under "People who looked at this also viewed".

Personally, now is the perfect time to get a mower. You will see them on the curb on trash day. Most of the ones being thrown out just need an oil change and fresh fuel in the tank and they fire right up. I haven't bought a new one in years.

-Jay

Good time for bicycles, too, and treadmills.

I bought an elliptical right before the serious downturn. My car too, actually. I've refused to look at the prices now. At least I sold stock to buy them, so I was effectively selling near the market high.

an update on the reel mower...

i enjoy the quite, fumeless, dustless, mow, but i am having difficulty adjusting to the cut height. in the past, i've cut VERY low to minimize frequency. i've had to mow much more often, but being an exercise nut, this poses a non-issue. besides, as stated before, the kids help.

sometimes i'll mow when it may not necessarily need it, like on my day off. at those times, i can't tell the grass has been cut, except for the grass trimings going everywhere.

we've had a LOT of rain in recent weeks, so the amount of mowing required would be above normal even for a gas mower. that said, i'm glad i kept one of my gas mowers, as the weeds are springing up all over.

having some issues there as well. it's a mower w/out height adjustment, so it too makes visual mowing difficult. anyone have this problem and use shims to lower the blade?

I can't help but think of this... Mr Choppy, the crpatastic lawnmower!

https://www.craigslist.org/about/best/sea/70873822.html