The Benefits of a “Reel” Lawnmower
by Annie Hintsala on May 18, 2009 with 21 Comments
Reel Lawnmowers. No pollution, very little noise, lots of exercise, and you still have a well-maintained yard.
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About eight years ago I bought a ‘reel lawn mower. My old mower’s engine was finally going and I went to my locally owned hardware store and started looking at models. Riding mowers, self propelled push mowers, mowers with fancy bags, mowers with motors strong enough to power my car (and more polluting), and finally one model called a ‘reel’ lawn mower. Old fashioned, simple, and light weight. The guy at the hardware store helpfully took me outback to give it a test run (locally owned does not always mean more friendly and helpful, but in this case it does. I will even tell you that it was Cottin’s Hardware in Lawrence, KS. There you go. A free plug.). I was skeptical. It didn’t look like much, and my yard is mostly weeds, and my knees, while only thirty-some years old have been repaired multiple times…well I thought it would be too hard to push. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was and how well it cut. I was sold. It didn’t hurt that it didn’t need any gas and was practically maintenance free, and was about one hundred dollars less than the next cheaper model. Cheaper and NO pollution. The whole thing came with a sharpening tool and a little oil can and a one year warranty. Well, alright, I was ready to mow.
And mow I did! I found that I mowed my yard more often than I ever had before. What used to be a chore, became a pleasant excuse to go outside. No gas fumes polluting the planet and making me sick, virtually no noise, and I go so much exercise. The yard was well mowed, I felt good about myself and the environment and so what if my neighbors looked at me oddly (sometimes smugly) from the back of their riding mowers? I was in my yard ‘zone’.
This past year gas went up to almost $5.00 a gallon in my area. Heh-Heh. Those same neighbors who looked on with smug looks, now looked envious as I trundled along, my son able to play nearby. Eight years after I bought my mower it still works great with just a sharpening at the beginning of the season and the occasional cleaning. I love my really ‘reel’ lawnmower.
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Published in: Consumer Information
Joe Dorish | May 18, 2009 | Reply
My uncle had a small yard and he used one of these and refused to buy a gas mower.
Phill Senters | May 18, 2009 | Reply
Wow! That sounds great, a People Powered Push Mower.
Mike Roberts | May 18, 2009 | Reply
I mowed the lawn in my townhome for 6 years with one of these and a hand trimmer (lawn shears). They do work well, but have one big down-side.
They do not cut long grass, and by “long” I mean anything over 3 inches. If you go on vacation or hit a long wet week, you’re doomed.
Mr Ghaz | May 18, 2009 | Reply
Excellent!..That was very informative and well presented article..well done and thanks for sharing this great stuff.
rajeev bhargava | May 18, 2009 | Reply
i really enjoyed reading this article. the topic is really nice too as the weather is war. excellent work!
Annie Hintsala | May 18, 2009 | Reply
Mike-actually, with mine, I keep the blades super sharp and even weeds and grass that have seeded out (over a foot high) will be cut by my mower-sometimes I will go over a particularly neglected area a couple of times, but it cuts.
Christine Ramsay | May 18, 2009 | Reply
It sounds like a great tool. I really enjoyed this article. Good work.
Christine
Betty Carew | May 18, 2009 | Reply
I have used these Annie and found them as you said surpisingly easy to use. Excellent article as usual Annie
Paul Roberts | May 18, 2009 | Reply
Great job here. Yes reel mowers is all I work with 6 days a week, some push othere power driven, a good bedknife and a backlap or two and the cut is standard. Friend, fan, smile
moteintheeye | May 18, 2009 | Reply
I have one too, it helps me with my weight
Daisy Peasblossom | May 18, 2009 | Reply
I have one of these; it does fine if you don’t let the grass get too long.
rutherfranc | May 19, 2009 | Reply
going green huh.. and healthy exercise too
Melody Arcamo Lagrimas | May 19, 2009 | Reply
Very interesting.
skylite | May 19, 2009 | Reply
Intersting
Kevs | May 19, 2009 | Reply
How, exactly, do you sharpen the blades of the mower?? Just wondering.
OhSugar | May 19, 2009 | Reply
Great Article. I haven’t seen anyone use one of these for many years. Letting someone is do your lawn, nowaday, seems to be the trend.
DA Cournean | May 19, 2009 | Reply
How ironic to find your article at this time. Just 2 weeks ago, I was ready to go get a reel mower, being fed up with the rider and push mower acting up.(Or should I say not acting at all). My push mower was spared for now, since it only cost me $21.00 to get the float un-stuck. If I ever do need a new mower, I’m going for the “reel” thing!
swatilohani | May 20, 2009 | Reply
useful
ken bultman | May 20, 2009 | Reply
I grew up using one of those rascals. I mean really grew up. The article’s great…so is the concept. I have nearly an acre. ‘Nuf sed.
Deep Blue | May 22, 2009 | Reply
That’s being friendly to the environment.
tim | May 23, 2009 | Reply
What brand/model do you have?
hfj | Jun 2, 2009 | Reply
This mower was the only kind that my grandfather ever used to mow his grass, and it done a remarkable job. These mowers are coming back in a big way with this going green America theme and the price of gasoline. Great story. Thanks for sharing.