I'm thinking of getting a reel push mower

[almath]

So, my lawn mower was stolen and in my quest to replace it I'm looking at a reel push mower.
Don't want to deal with the gas anymore.
Don't know what type of grass I have though, had an old old reel mower I used the first of last year, although it was old and blades needed sharpening it did the job but had to rake up grass..
What are your thoughts?

Thanks

 

[Clementine_3]

Pour green cement where your grass is

I was thinking of getting one but kept reading that they are just no good for weeds or 'tough' grass, which is pretty much my yard. I got, a lot of years ago, an electric (not corded) mower that's great in the spring and fall and in the front yard. When the crab grass (I don't care!) comes in it just can't deal with it well. I ended up getting a gas mower last summer for the back and that thing kicks ass. You can't win for losing when it comes to mowing.

 

[almath]

Pour green cement where your grass is

I was thinking of getting one but kept reading that they are just no good for weeds or 'tough' grass, which is pretty much my yard. I got, a lot of years ago, an electric (not corded) mower that's great in the spring and fall and in the front yard. When the crab grass (I don't care!) comes in it just can't deal with it well. I ended up getting a gas mower last summer for the back and that thing kicks ass. You can't win for losing when it comes to mowing.

The videos I've seen make the reel mower seem easy but difficult if you don't know the layout of your yard.
I don't want my grass too high for fear it won't work, but they say the more you mow the better the grass looks.

 

[Rob]

If I had a flat yard I'd buy one of the robot mowers they have out now! I think if you've got less than a 30% incline everywhere you can train it just like a Roomba. They cut a small fraction every day so your yard is always perfect and then they return to their base.

But I live in a city so no yard. And in some neighborhoods I'd be worried about it getting stolen.

How nice it would be though....

 

[Mikestony]

I thought about it in the past too.
I get quite a lot of tree debris (leaves, sticks, helicopters, needles, pinecones and such) in my lawn and I want to be able to pick up all that stuff, so the reel mower is out for me anyway.
On top of that, I live on a corner and get alot of cigarette butts that I need to mow up and collect too...so again, the reel mower is out for me.
(by the way, cigarette butts are the worst to mow over---they poof out like popcorn and sometimes they get thrown instead of bagged lol)

I suppose if the reel mower clipped the grass clippings small enough, and you weren't cutting tall grass, you wouldn't need to rake it up. And if you don't have a lot of other debris, or don't mind it setting in your lawn, it may be worth it.

 

[Member 1919122]

Go electric

 

[olbriar]

Find a kid in the neighborhood that needs the bucks. Give him a job.. save your back.. teach a kid how to earn an honest buck and zero concern about a future theft.

 

[almath]

Find a kid in the neighborhood that needs the bucks. Give him a job.. save your back.. teach a kid how to earn an honest buck and zero concern about a future theft.

I just don't have the funds like that at any particular time.. You free anytime soon?? 😂 😂 😂 😂

 

[almath]

I thought about it in the past too.
I get quite a lot of tree debris (leaves, sticks, helicopters, needles, pinecones and such) in my lawn and I want to be able to pick up all that stuff, so the reel mower is out for me anyway.
On top of that, I live on a corner and get alot of cigarette butts that I need to mow up and collect too...so again, the reel mower is out for me.
(by the way, cigarette butts are the worst to mow over---they poof out like popcorn and sometimes they get thrown instead of bagged lol)

I suppose if the reel mower clipped the grass clippings small enough, and you weren't cutting tall grass, you wouldn't need to rake it up. And if you don't have a lot of other debris, or don't mind it setting in your lawn, it may be worth it.

I have no trees or debris in yard, so it seems it could be a logical investment.👍🏼

 

[almath]

If I had a flat yard I'd buy one of the robot mowers they have out now! I think if you've got less than a 30% incline everywhere you can train it just like a Roomba. They cut a small fraction every day so your yard is always perfect and then they return to their base.

But I live in a city so no yard. And in some neighborhoods I'd be worried about it getting stolen.

How nice it would be though....

I have a problem with completion, I need my whole yard done and I don't know if I have the patience to watch it (like I know I will) to make sure it's done properly. 😂

 

[Bg260]

Reel push mowers work great on dry, short grass. I used one as a kid when I lived in Maine. Had to mow 2-3 times a week. If I waited too long it became impossible.

 

[Mikestony]

Reel push mowers work great on dry, short grass. I used one as a kid when I lived in Maine. Had to mow 2-3 times a week. If I waited too long it became impossible.

Hmm, guess that totally wipes out a reel mower for me lol. Sometimes I cut the grass while wet.

 

[lunatic59]

Sometimes I cut the grass while wet.

Sometimes you have to. Last year was a real b*tch for lawns around here. A lot of rain and even cutting twice a week you still felt like you were playing catchup. And with a hectic work schedule, you had to squeeze it in when it wasn't a downpour, so yeah, a lot of wet cutting and caked on clippings getting scraped off the mower.

@almath, we had a reel gas mower and pushmower when I was growing up and our yard was pretty flat. When we got our first rotary mower cutting the grass was no longer like Sisyphus rolling that rock uphill.

 

[Mikestony]

@almath, have you considered a small battery powered mower?
I suppose your yard size would be a factor too but....
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sun-Joe-14-in-28-Volt-Battery-Walk-Behind-Push-Mower-MJ401C/300565654

 

[almath]

@almath, have you considered a small battery powered mower?
I suppose your yard size would be a factor too
but....
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sun-Joe-14-in-28-Volt-Battery-Walk-Behind-Push-Mower-MJ401C/300565654

Oh that looks like an option, I don't know the Sun Joe brand I'll read the reviews. My yard is not big at all 25 min charge sounds reasonable.

Thanks 🤗🤗

 

[olbriar]

I just don't have the funds like that at any particular time.. You free anytime soon?? 😂 😂 😂 😂

I mow grass professionally almath. I'm never free but I'm readily available. Modern reel mowers are much improved over the reel mowers of years ago. There is no finer cut than what a reel mower can deliver. However, it is a constant mow situation. As mentioned above, the grass needs to be dry and groomed with less than an inch growth. A half inch growth is ideal. I've not used a battery powered mower. Battery powered tools are far superior to those of a decade ago due to the advancement in battery technology. It might be an option worthy of consideration. I am a gas mower guy. I know a great deal about grooming estates. But I'm not a great source for information about the best way to mow one lawn without a major investment. Best of luck in your shopping.

 

[mikedt]

'Get off my lawn!!!'
Fortunately I don't here it shouted too often in China.

 

[Member243850]

Maybe this will help you?

I don't know much about lawnmowers though hehe

Hopefully that helps you!

 

[almath]

I've decided to go with the electric one. I knew I'd get some other ideas from you all thanks!! You all are great!

 

[lunatic59]

You could always get a goat, and then you'd have milk, too.

 

[Clementine_3]

I've decided to go with the electric one.

Yay! Hope it's works well for you.
I really like mine, it's really quiet (for a lawn mower).

 

[Adeoti360]

awesome

 

[olbriar]

I hope it works out great for you almath.

 

[almath]

*UPDATE *
I did get the electric mower, used this morning for the first time and I had no problems. It cut both front and back on one charge. Powerful little machine.

 

[almath]

Thanks @rootabaga!