I mentioned this in another thread, but it’s worth mentioning here as well. I bought myself a new lawnmower on the weekend, and it’s a reel mower (I might have referred to it as rotary in the other thread) which is people powered. It’s not very heavy and it does a fine job. No gas, no electric, just me or my kids getting exercise and the grass getting cut. It’s terrific.
I have not heard much about these mowers, but your description makes it sound great. Are there any downfalls to it? For example, is it more difficult to use than others? Is there anybody you would not recommend it to?
I’ve always loved these ones—they were very popular when I was a kid and then fell out of favour when the gas ones became more and more available. The old ones were heavy and made of iron. The modern ones are very lightweight and easy to push. They’re better for your lawn, apparently because of the way they cut. It’s impossible to run yourself over with them, since the blades don’t rotate when you pull backwards, and as for not using them…well my neighbour who has cancer was told by his doctor to get one for the exercise and because they’re not as heavy as a gas mower.
My 14 year old daughter now comes home from school and runs out to mow the lawn. She never did that before! Google “reel mower” for some pics and articles.
It’s great to hear that the more modern ones are easier to use. I live in an apartment, so I don’t have to worry about mowing a lawn, but I know that if I did mow my own lawn I would consider them. I looked at pictures of them, and they do seem so much more convenient compared to gas mowers.
In general, what are the prices for reel mowers compared to gas mowers?
Gas mowers were priced from $199 and up and that was for the cheapest quality as well as cheap price. The reel mower that I bought was $99.95 (so really, $100). Less expensive as well as more environmentally friendly. There’s nothing bad about that combination.
Indeed, that is a great combination. It’s a shame that they aren’t as popular. I never really see them in major department stores around here (such as Sears, etc.).
I found mine in Wal-Mart, of all places! You could look around, if you want one. Problem right now is that it’s rained every friggin day for the past four or five days and you can’t go mow wet grass. *sigh*
well I have used this mower twice so far and I really like it.
Unfortunately it does not work well on really high grass, so i had to pay a guy down the street to do that first mowing after I moved in (1 1/2 months over due).
If you keep up with the grass, once a week it is really easy and you can actually listen to your ipod or actually think because there is no noise. People look at me funny when I mow with it, but I can mow the lawn just as fast as the next guy with a gas mower and the pushing is really not that hard, although I do recomend that you mow before you workout.
Last time i worked out first and then mowed and my sholders were getting really tired.
I just got one of those also! The old ones are so heavy and bulky that I was very pleased with the new one I got at the store, it is craftsman, and cost less than a hundred bucks. IT also weighs less than 20 pounds, very light to carry down my front steps.
[quote author=“Kiwi”]I have not heard much about these mowers, but your description makes it sound great. Are there any downfalls to it? For example, is it more difficult to use than others? Is there anybody you would not recommend it to?
How have you not heard of this? Do you not watch the Brady Bunch!?
Where do you get that kind of mower? I haven’t seen any at any store ever.
I have heard about them in my school when we were talking about newer technologies to help the environment. We didn’t learn that much about them though so can anybody give me more details?
