Comments on: Reel Mower Review

By: Eric Burke

Eric Burke — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 04:11:23 +0000

Since few people seem to be responding to what I actually wrote, and now people are attributing words like “conspiracy” to me…things I never said…comments are now closed on this entry.

By: rach

rach — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 03:39:20 +0000

OK, I am a 5 ‘ 2″ mid-30’s female, and I have used a reel mower (Scotts, the smaller, cheaper one) for five years. I was overweight when I started…not anymore. It takes me about 30 minutes more to mow my 1/3 acre hilly lawn than when I used a gas mower, but then it starts when I want it to, it’s quiet, it doesn’t smell horrible, and I don’t have to constantly stop to refuel, clean anything out, or, well, do anything other than have a nice walk on my lawn. Even the very first day I used it, I was amazed at how much easier it was to push than either of my gas mowers, and how much better I felt afterward. Oh, the lawn looks better than ever, since the grass is being cut, not chewed.

Maybe, sir, just maybe, some of us actually do prefer a reel mower and can operate one without whining…or maybe you’re right and it’s some kind of conspiracy on Amazon to mislead YOU personally.

By: KT

KT — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:17:35 +0000

Golly, what delicate flowers some of you guys must be. I am a 47-year old female with a pretty big yard, and I am using a Scott’s Classic. I love it. I love how it sounds, how it feels, and the fact that I don’t get pebbles exploding in my face. I love that if a neighbor walks by I can stop and talk. Or continue mowing and talk.

If you were expecting a reel mower to be as easy as using a walk-behind gas mower that propels itself, then that’s just silly. Why would you think that? We have a landscaper type gas mower that you have to push with your own power, and the effort it takes to push the Scott’s is comparable to pushing that type of mower. And I don’t think it takes that much longer, either. Now I do think that 17,000 square feet is probably a bit much. The only bad thing for me is that it won’t cut those stalky weeds that grow faster than anything else. And if you have a lot of sticks, you probably want to rake beforehand. But those of us who love their reel mowers–we’re not lying.

By: Guillermo T. Cancio

Guillermo T. Cancio — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:32:58 +0000

To the original entry writer

I have not laughed so hard, matter of fact cried while reading your post in a long time. I too am in the market for buying my first lawnmower and have seriously considered buying the Scott’s 20″ reel mower.

Yes, I’am sure it’s all hard work because the pusher is in fact the engine. However, my question is at the end of cutting your lawn, was the appearance nice and neat? Also, do you by chance live in Miami, Florida where I can see your reel mower and try it on my lawn. If so, please e-mail me so I can perhaps buy your reel mower.

Again, thanks for giving us the honest 411 on reel mowers. I tell ya, Iam going to re-read your post. You are one funny dude.

Take care,

Guillermo
Miami, Florida

By: Mr. Nichols

Mr. Nichols — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 01:02:07 +0000

I just purchased a Scott’s Classic despite the negative reviews here. I live in a single wide trailer on a normal lot with lots and lots of small broadleaf weeds. Impressions from my first mow:

Overall I am pleased, but the handle is a POS! Do they make better aftermarket handles?

Performance is adequate. A traditional powered mower seems to cut better (though I cannot quantify it), marginally faster (barely noticeable on my small lot), and requires less muscle. But what do you expect, the traditional powered mower represents a quantum leap in technology. The thing is, in a small yard like mine, the disadvantages of the new technology far out way the benefits.

I purchased the mower because it uses no gas, and requires little maintenance. I am definitely no tree hugger, so the $4/gallon, the mess, and the need to keep a gas can in the shed meant more to me than the environmental impact. Although I would not call it “fun” to mow with a reel mower, there is satisfying feeling that comes from the quiet mow, the low environmental impact, and using muscle power

After one mow, I am happy with my purchase.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:04:01 +0000

I’ve got a 20 inch reel mower (name brand chinese knockoff), I mow 1/2 acre once a week. I have very a tall grass bahia, bermuda and weeds/sticks galore.
After 3 months of owning it, I’m fit enough to mow the entire yard in 2 hrs 15 minutes.
IT IS HARD WORK, and worth it. I have a desk job which would turn anyone soft, but now I’m so damned tuned up I can sprint to my car through the rain, and I don’t even get winded. It used to kill me.

This thing weighs 30 lbs, and in heavy grass I have to lock my arms and lean into it. When the grass is very dense, it leaves the edges of a swatch a bit ragged, but the cut is still very clean. I use motor oil on the blades 2 or 3 times during the mow, and it really helps.

Also the sweat you work up is so intense, its actually cleansing. I come in the house WITHOUT A SHRED of grass or dust on me, and absolutely BLASTED! I’m not even sore anymore.

There are folks who do well with thick grass, and large yards! I won’t be using a gas engine mower again, unless I’m coming back from a 2 week vacation.

It leaves the wildflowers intact, and baby never wakes from her nap when I mow. Thatâs a nice plus, cause she likes to pick wildflowers.

I canât store gas in the house Iâm renting, no need for gas anymore.

I canât afford the time or money for a gym membership, and donât need a membership anymore!

I never rip my arm off starting it.

I never feel like tis going to drag me into the ditch

It never throws debris like a missile

I never worry my feet will get chewed off

I come in CLEAN after mowing, thatâs a first. I used to get allergy attacks on my riding mower. Try sneezing while driving a lawn tractor around trees.

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:46:25 +0000

I bought a TaskForce 20″ reel from Lowes last fall, and it has worked great. A gas powered mower IS easier to use, and it is faster.
But I truly enjoy the reel mower, and I think my lawn is slowly getting healthier because of it. It’s great exercise, and it only takes me perhaps 10 more minutes than with a gas pushmower.

By: sst

sst — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:18:22 +0000

I have to agree that my Scotts Classic takes twice as long to use but my lawn looks great! The first two weeks I was mowing either very early or very late at night so my neighbors couldn’t see what I was using. But after a few of them commented on how nice my yard was, I am now mowing in broad daylight! I have not fertilized since early spring and my grass is very green and healthy. And I also agree that it is a serious workout (I am 43 & female). My 67 year old mom can even use it, just not for very long. I did not make any blade adjustments to it and my grass is Bermuda. After six weeks I have noticed sometimes it feels like it is a little bumpy or slippng. I’m hoping it just needs WD40, since I haven’t done that at all and the instructions said to do that every time. So far, I have been really happy with it-and I’m finally getting some exercise!

By: Eric Burke

Eric Burke — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:40:09 +0000

The point is that people defending reel mowers say things like “There is NOTHING about a gas-powered mower than makes it easier to use, and gas-powered mowers do not save any time, especially when you consider all the peripheral needs of owning one.”

These people are liars. The Scotts reel mower is about 2x the work.

By: RM

RM — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 06:03:23 +0000

You guys putting down the reel mowers just do not understand there are some differences you have to learn or get used to. As already mentioned you can’t allow the grass to get too long. A reel mower is not going to peform well if you are cutting more than 1″ or so. Longer and the grass will tend to just flop over and roll around the reels. If you are used to waiting a week and breaking out the rotary mower with a bag to cut the grass and don’t want to change your habits, then reel mowers aren’t for you. They are for finish work and regular maintenance. The are not intended to be used in the same way one would typically think of using a rotary (i.e. once a week, etc.).
And they do in fact cut better like a scissors, which is better for the grass. Some you can even get with self sharpening blades or blades that require little regular sharpening. Yes you have to periodically check and adjust the bar, but what mower doesn’t require periodic maintenance? Even a rotary requires periodically checking bolts, the mower blade and especially removing and sharpening the blade (a task that most people used to rotary mowers tend to put off). A dull blade on a rotary mower wacks and tears grass instead of cutting it which can lead to disease. Then there’s the inevitable spilling of gas from a leaky fuel line or whatever, not to mention gas is now $4+ /gallon.
As for not being worth it unless you have a postage size lot–that’s nonsense. We have 5000+ sq feet and it took about 1.5 hours to cut it, and that’s using a proper overlap (and we don’t even have a perfectly flat yard–a good sized slope in the back yard actually) You just have to have a different mindset to use these things. It’s true you do have to keep up on the regular cutting and it’s helpful to alternate directions for a more even cut. It’s beneficial if you cut only 1/8″ to 1/4″ or so at a time and don’t use a catcher. This very small amount of cut grass breaks down quickly, putting a little nitrogen back in your lawn. If you want to wait longer, you can always use a catcher on a reel mower. If your grass grows too tall too fast, consider cutting back on the N in your lawn fertilizer, possibly switching to an organic which typically will have a smaller N. Reel mowers are used on golf courses btw, where of course they are always keeping up on the maintenance.