Export thread
Using a push Reel Mower - What I've learned
#1
bt3
bt3
Hey gents.
I have two powered mowers (in Avatar) but I have also owned a Scott's 20" push reel mower for about 10 years. I try and mow off and on with it from late mid June to until the leaves drop with the Reel mower when I can. Surprisingly, if you set it up correctly and the conditions are right, you reely (pun intended) can do a decent job on lawns that are much larger than your typical small city lot. There are a few things I have learned about them:
1.) Don't let your grass get too tall. The scissors action of the blades will not cut tall grass, or at least, won't cut it well.
2.) Very thick grass may need to be gone over twice to get it under control.
3.) Crabgrass is a bear to cut with a push reel mower. You can cut it, but it's not easy. It feels like the mower is in quicksand.
4.) Twigs are a genuine pain in the butt. A small twig on your lawn seems to find the reels like a homing pigeon and will stop a reel mower faster than you can say "HALT!"
5.) They need very little maintenance. Just a quick cleaning, some grease and blade adjustment once a month or so to make sure all blades are hitting the cutting plate properly.
6.) They do cut in dew or wet grass, but you may not get quite as clean a cut as when on dry grass.
7.) Most weeds will remain behind and will not get cut.
8.) You can avoid wearing any hearing protection, or if you wish, your earbuds and your ipod for tunes while cutting.
9.) Your neighbors will not know you are cutting the lawn, so you can cut in early AM or when they are out back BBQing without bothering anyone.
10.) Some passers-by will stop and say, "Wow, an old fashioned mower. I didn't know that they still making those!"
11.) Trim is a bit of a pain. You have to exercise some patience with cutting around trees and bushes and landscaping. Sometimes you need a bit of "Back and Forth" to get it cut properly.
12.) They do NOT mulch at all, so your clippings just fall behind the mower or on your feet or in a catch bagger. Yet unlike rotary mowers, there is no clumping of grass clippings even with taller grass.
13.) You probably won't miss gassing or changing the oil or hard starting or the vibration of a rotary mower. You will miss the easy trimming or weed cutting.
14.) You have to "Overlap" your mowing rows. Unlike rotary mowers, the blade does not extend beyond the wheels, so you have to do a few inches of overlap on the wheel marks in your lawn. A 20" mower give you about an 18" cut with overlap.
15.) If you are not moving forward, the blades are not spinning, so sometimes you have to get a short running-start before you get to the area you want cut.
I honestly could not do 100 percent without a power mower, especially in the spring or when leaves are dropping, but otherwise, it's quite amazing what you can o with a simple push reel mower. And the gas and oil cost savings is nice. Plus you don't smell like you have been "mowing the lawn" with a gas mower when you come in. You are just sweaty and smell like cut grass.
I only paid about $79 for mine at Home Depot 10 years ago. They have gone up a bit since then. Amazon is selling them for about $135. Since mine has lasted 10 years and still looks and operates like new, that's not a bad deal.
I have two powered mowers (in Avatar) but I have also owned a Scott's 20" push reel mower for about 10 years. I try and mow off and on with it from late mid June to until the leaves drop with the Reel mower when I can. Surprisingly, if you set it up correctly and the conditions are right, you reely (pun intended) can do a decent job on lawns that are much larger than your typical small city lot. There are a few things I have learned about them:
1.) Don't let your grass get too tall. The scissors action of the blades will not cut tall grass, or at least, won't cut it well.
2.) Very thick grass may need to be gone over twice to get it under control.
3.) Crabgrass is a bear to cut with a push reel mower. You can cut it, but it's not easy. It feels like the mower is in quicksand.
4.) Twigs are a genuine pain in the butt. A small twig on your lawn seems to find the reels like a homing pigeon and will stop a reel mower faster than you can say "HALT!"
5.) They need very little maintenance. Just a quick cleaning, some grease and blade adjustment once a month or so to make sure all blades are hitting the cutting plate properly.
6.) They do cut in dew or wet grass, but you may not get quite as clean a cut as when on dry grass.
7.) Most weeds will remain behind and will not get cut.
8.) You can avoid wearing any hearing protection, or if you wish, your earbuds and your ipod for tunes while cutting.
9.) Your neighbors will not know you are cutting the lawn, so you can cut in early AM or when they are out back BBQing without bothering anyone.
10.) Some passers-by will stop and say, "Wow, an old fashioned mower. I didn't know that they still making those!"
11.) Trim is a bit of a pain. You have to exercise some patience with cutting around trees and bushes and landscaping. Sometimes you need a bit of "Back and Forth" to get it cut properly.
12.) They do NOT mulch at all, so your clippings just fall behind the mower or on your feet or in a catch bagger. Yet unlike rotary mowers, there is no clumping of grass clippings even with taller grass.
13.) You probably won't miss gassing or changing the oil or hard starting or the vibration of a rotary mower. You will miss the easy trimming or weed cutting.
14.) You have to "Overlap" your mowing rows. Unlike rotary mowers, the blade does not extend beyond the wheels, so you have to do a few inches of overlap on the wheel marks in your lawn. A 20" mower give you about an 18" cut with overlap.
15.) If you are not moving forward, the blades are not spinning, so sometimes you have to get a short running-start before you get to the area you want cut.
I honestly could not do 100 percent without a power mower, especially in the spring or when leaves are dropping, but otherwise, it's quite amazing what you can o with a simple push reel mower. And the gas and oil cost savings is nice. Plus you don't smell like you have been "mowing the lawn" with a gas mower when you come in. You are just sweaty and smell like cut grass.
I only paid about $79 for mine at Home Depot 10 years ago. They have gone up a bit since then. Amazon is selling them for about $135. Since mine has lasted 10 years and still looks and operates like new, that's not a bad deal.
Attachments
#3
S
shiftsuper175607
At least you don't sound like some environmental wacko who wants to ban all gas powered lawn mowers.
When we cleaned up at my granddad's there was a gas powered reel mower. It was sitting outside and had bad wheels. I started to get it as a memento, as I did use a push reel mower there as a kid. I regret I did not.
I have too much lawn and not enough time for anything but a riding mower now.
S
shiftsuper175607
Hey gents.
I have two powered mowers (in Avatar) but I have also owned a Scott's 20" push reel mower for about 10 years. I try and mow off and on with it from late mid June to until the leaves drop with the Reel mower when I can. Surprisingly, if you set it up correctly and the conditions are right, you reely (pun intended) can do a decent job on lawns that are much larger than your typical small city lot. There are a few things I have learned about them:
1.) Don't let your grass get too tall. The scissors action of the blades will not cut tall grass, or at least, won't cut it well.
2.) Very thick grass may need to be gone over twice to get it under control.
3.) Crabgrass is a bear to cut with a push reel mower. You can cut it, but it's not easy. It feels like the mower is in quicksand.
4.) Twigs are a genuine pain in the butt. A small twig on your lawn seems to find the reels like a homing pigeon and will stop a reel mower faster than you can say "HALT!"
5.) They need very little maintenance. Just a quick cleaning, some grease and blade adjustment once a month or so to make sure all blades are hitting the cutting plate properly.
6.) They do cut in dew or wet grass, but you may not get quite as clean a cut as when on dry grass.
7.) Most weeds will remain behind and will not get cut.
8.) You can avoid wearing any hearing protection, or if you wish, your earbuds and your ipod for tunes while cutting.
9.) Your neighbors will not know you are cutting the lawn, so you can cut in early AM or when they are out back BBQing without bothering anyone.
10.) Some passers-by will stop and say, "Wow, an old fashioned mower. I didn't know that they still making those!"
11.) Trim is a bit of a pain. You have to exercise some patience with cutting around trees and bushes and landscaping. Sometimes you need a bit of "Back and Forth" to get it cut properly.
12.) They do NOT mulch at all, so your clippings just fall behind the mower or on your feet or in a catch bagger. Yet unlike rotary mowers, there is no clumping of grass clippings even with taller grass.
13.) You probably won't miss gassing or changing the oil or hard starting or the vibration of a rotary mower. You will miss the easy trimming or weed cutting.
14.) You have to "Overlap" your mowing rows. Unlike rotary mowers, the blade does not extend beyond the wheels, so you have to do a few inches of overlap on the wheel marks in your lawn. A 20" mower give you about an 18" cut with overlap.
15.) If you are not moving forward, the blades are not spinning, so sometimes you have to get a short running-start before you get to the area you want cut.
I honestly could not do 100 percent without a power mower, especially in the spring or when leaves are dropping, but otherwise, it's quite amazing what you can o with a simple push reel mower. And the gas and oil cost savings is nice. Plus you don't smell like you have been "mowing the lawn" with a gas mower when you come in. You are just sweaty and smell like cut grass.
I only paid about $79 for mine at Home Depot 10 years ago. They have gone up a bit since then. Amazon is selling them for about $135. Since mine has lasted 10 years and still looks and operates like new, that's not a bad deal.
At least you don't sound like some environmental wacko who wants to ban all gas powered lawn mowers.
When we cleaned up at my granddad's there was a gas powered reel mower. It was sitting outside and had bad wheels. I started to get it as a memento, as I did use a push reel mower there as a kid. I regret I did not.
I have too much lawn and not enough time for anything but a riding mower now.
#4
bt3
bt3
Heck no, I love my power mowers. Hey, I even have an EVIL 2 stroke Lawnboy!
I'm not saying anyone has to go reel mower, I'm just pointing out what I learned by using one.
The property I mow with mine is about 1 acre. It takes me about 15 minutes longer with the Reel Mower, mostly because of trim and a few places where the grass just grows like wildfire and I have to go over that area twice.
It really is nice to be able to listen to tunes while I mow, without having to use ear protection. But if it's not for you, then it's not for you. Lord knows I use my power mowers extensively too. Especially when the leaves fall. My Snapper HiVac really chops them up with the Ninja blade.
I'm not saying anyone has to go reel mower, I'm just pointing out what I learned by using one.
The property I mow with mine is about 1 acre. It takes me about 15 minutes longer with the Reel Mower, mostly because of trim and a few places where the grass just grows like wildfire and I have to go over that area twice.
It really is nice to be able to listen to tunes while I mow, without having to use ear protection. But if it's not for you, then it's not for you. Lord knows I use my power mowers extensively too. Especially when the leaves fall. My Snapper HiVac really chops them up with the Ninja blade.
#5
Bob E
Bob E
#6
bt3
bt3
Great idea for the Sickle Bar.
I don't sharpen my reel blades. The cutting blade does most of the work (bottom plate), and if you have the mower properly set-up, it is self-sharpening. Of course, if you buy a used one that is duller than a stone, you will have to sharpen both the cutting blade and the reels. There are many Youtube vids on how to properly do this.
I test the reels with the cutting blade once every month with a sheet of paper and make sure each reel cuts the paper on all parts of the blade contact. This assures you have it set up right and it will cut well and stay sharp just from the scissors action.
Yes, there are negatives to any reel mowers, even powered reel mowers. My dad had an old REO gas powered reel mower from the 50's and it cut the lawn beautifully, but keeping it tuned up and cutting well was a PITA. Rotary mowers are just easy. Unless you have a tiny city lot. Then I'd only have a push reel. My lots are big, and on the verge of being too big for any push mower, let alone an unpowered reel mower. But I look at it as a free workout. One less day I have to spend in the gym. But I sometimes wish I had never sold my lawn tractor!
I don't sharpen my reel blades. The cutting blade does most of the work (bottom plate), and if you have the mower properly set-up, it is self-sharpening. Of course, if you buy a used one that is duller than a stone, you will have to sharpen both the cutting blade and the reels. There are many Youtube vids on how to properly do this.
I test the reels with the cutting blade once every month with a sheet of paper and make sure each reel cuts the paper on all parts of the blade contact. This assures you have it set up right and it will cut well and stay sharp just from the scissors action.
Yes, there are negatives to any reel mowers, even powered reel mowers. My dad had an old REO gas powered reel mower from the 50's and it cut the lawn beautifully, but keeping it tuned up and cutting well was a PITA. Rotary mowers are just easy. Unless you have a tiny city lot. Then I'd only have a push reel. My lots are big, and on the verge of being too big for any push mower, let alone an unpowered reel mower. But I look at it as a free workout. One less day I have to spend in the gym.
But I sometimes wish I had never sold my lawn tractor!
#7
Bob E
Bob E
#8
KrashnKraka
KrashnKraka
#9
bt3
bt3
#10
KrashnKraka
Elsewhere I have seen pix of lawns to a streetscape (USA) which would suit a
reelmower - doing a far improved job/finish. The "lawnboy" is using a 50" ZTR!
It would cost more to get it off the trailer than time spent mowing.
With DC motor technology improving every other week it wont be long
before we see electric reel mowers which work to a price point.
Be a cottage industry opening up supplying rotor sharpening
KK
KrashnKraka
Elsewhere I have seen pix of lawns to a streetscape (USA) which would suit a
reelmower - doing a far improved job/finish. The "lawnboy" is using a 50" ZTR!
It would cost more to get it off the trailer than time spent mowing.
With DC motor technology improving every other week it wont be long
before we see electric reel mowers which work to a price point.
Be a cottage industry opening up supplying rotor sharpening
KK
#11
bt3
bt3
#12
bt3
bt3
#13
bt3
bt3
#14
B
bertsmobile1
Electric reel mowers have been around since the 40's.
Even more dangerious than electric rotary mowers.
AFAIK no one does an battery reel which would be a big improvement.
Down side is the limited range of cutting heights, You have to cut low so you have to cut very frequently and water a lot in summer so there is a limited suitable weather zone where they would do well.
Down here in summer the golf courses mow everything daily and greens some times twice a day.
B
bertsmobile1
Elsewhere I have seen pix of lawns to a streetscape (USA) which would suit a
reelmower - doing a far improved job/finish. The "lawnboy" is using a 50" ZTR!
It would cost more to get it off the trailer than time spent mowing.
With DC motor technology improving every other week it wont be long
before we see electric reel mowers which work to a price point.
Be a cottage industry opening up supplying rotor sharpening
KK
Electric reel mowers have been around since the 40's.
Even more dangerious than electric rotary mowers.
AFAIK no one does an battery reel which would be a big improvement.
Down side is the limited range of cutting heights, You have to cut low so you have to cut very frequently and water a lot in summer so there is a limited suitable weather zone where they would do well.
Down here in summer the golf courses mow everything daily and greens some times twice a day.
#15
bt3
bt3
#16
bt3
bt3
#18
bt3
bt3