It’s Time to Give the Push-Powered Lawn Mower a Shot
If it works for you, this old-timey contraption can be pleasant, healthy, and downright restorative.
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The time to mow is upon us. Old shoes have been unearthed, Airpods are charged, Saturday mornings cleared, and people everywhere are frantically googling information about sparkplugs and the best mower fuel.
This year, try something new. I come to you singing the praises of the reel mower. Also known as a hand mower, a manual mower, or that thing on a stick dads from the 1950s walked behind while merrily chatting with neighbors. The reel mower eschews a motor entirely, cutting each blade of grass based on the strength of the person pushing it. Despite how it sounds (exhausting), I swear that it is not difficult. In these warming days of spring, I eye my little Scotts reel mower that’s leaning pleasantly in the corner of the garage like a kindly ghost from a bygone era, and yearn to once again hear its pleasant snip snip snip.
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I was not always like this. When I first bought my house, my brother-in-law, who owns a landscaping business, so naturally has a lot of lawn mower machine prowess, bequeathed me an extra lawn mower he had lying around: an orange, tank-like thing, ready for real work. I spent one magnificent summer walking behind it, but its maintenance was more than my postage-stamp-size yard really required. Blade sharpening, spark plug changing, and winterizing (not to mention the scream of the engine and the way it occupied garage space) all made a traditional mower seem a bit like cutting a peanut butter sandwich with a chainsaw.
I mentioned at one point to my other brother—who serves, unpaid, as my home-ownership therapist—that I had been considering switching to a reel mower. “Like this?,” he texted back, sending a picture of one sitting in his garage. He offered me a temporary trade: my huge orange tank, which he wanted to tune up for fun, for his reel mower. We have quietly never traded back.
The rewards are many. The grass is healthier, each blade snipped neatly at its end rather than whacked by a merciless, spinning death machine, so it heals better. It’s better for the environment than a gas-powered lawn mower—the reel mower emits zilch in terms of carbon whereas using a gas-powered lawn mower for just one hour is the environmental equivalent of driving almost 100 miles. And it’s better for me. It has turned mowing my lawn into something meditative and aerobic that I can fit in neatly whenever I want, especially since it’s so quiet. The mower requires almost no maintenance, beyond a little WD-40 when the wheels start to squeak.
It’s a great option for anyone with a perfectionist’s eye, too. All those precision scissor cuts can create something perfectly uniform, with snips at right angles across every blade, creating a more aesthetically defined front yard. They’re frequently used to create the diamond pattern on baseball fields and to create pristine, inch-length grass on putting greens.
Despite its long list of pros, there are, of course, a few cons. Truthfully, it can be a little finicky. The mower stops dead in its tracks when a twig gets in the way. Grass will sometimes push over rather than cut, particularly if you’ve gone a day or two longer than you should’ve between trims, too. In these instances, it’s best to back up and try the patch from another angle. Lastly, it’s worth being very clear that it’s unfeasible to use one for a massive yard—mine is under 2,000 square feet, making this whole thing very doable.
To help make things a little easier, we’ve rounded up four reel mowers to help you tackle this mowing season.
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Quiet and planet-conscious lawnmower with a sturdy blade that can last for years
The American Lawn Mower 14″ 4-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower is an easy-to-use mechanical lawn mower that will cut grass up to 4 inches tall. The mower is easy to assemble and has blades that can be adjusted to help cut grass to the users’ desired length. The durable cushioned handle is comfortable and gives users a perfect grip when in motion. The American Lawn Mower Reel Mower produces powerful cutting action without emitting harmful fumes into the environment. The planet-conscious mower is lightweight, low maintenance, and will make mowing the lawn easy.
Easy assembly and ease of use, maneuverability, lightweight
The American Lawn Mower 14″ 4-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower is a manual lawn mower that is easy to maneuver and can be assembled in less than ten minutes. The cushioned handles allow users to comfortably push the mower around the lawn. The mower is friendly to all age groups, even children can mow the lawn. After use the lightweight lawn mower can easily be carried up a few steps to the porch or stored in the shed.
Years of value
The American Lawn Mower 14″ 4-Blade Reel Mower is low maintenance, safe to use, and is made of sturdy material that will last for years. American Lawn Mower Push Reel Lawn mower only requires users sharpen the mower blades every 3-5 years. Forget about the regular maintenance that non-manual lawn mowers require this lawn mower is planet-conscious and will last for years.
Natural, green, pollution/emission-free, noise-free
American Lawn Mower provides users with green options that are quiet and emission-free. Choosing to use a natural push mower provides a form of exercise to users, and is better for their health. The American Lawn Mower Reel Mower produces powerful cutting action without emitting harmful fumes into the environment. Users can now mow their lawn and protect the environment at the same time
Ideal for grass length of up to 4 inches
The American Lawn Mower 14″ 4-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower is a mechanical lawn mower that can cut grass up to 4 inches tall. The blades on this reel mower can be adjusted from 1” to 1.75” depending on preference. After using the American Lawn Mower 14″ 4-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, the even scissor action cut will leave your lawn looking better.
Great States 18 In. Push Reel Lawn Mower
Great States 18 In. Push Reel Lawn Mower
18 In. mower has a 5 blade, 4 spider ball bearing reel. Tempered alloy steel reel and bed knife blade. Steel side plates and 2 In. welded shrub bar assembly. 1/2 In. to 2-3/4 In. cutting height with adjustable 2-section roller. Cast-iron roller brackets with wing nut adjustments. Wheel height adjustable in 3 positions. 10 In. radial tread tires with composite wheels and 2-3/4 In. molded hubcaps. Chrome-plated loop handle and full length foam grip.
Great States 18 In. Push Reel Lawn Mower
Great States 18 In. Push Reel Lawn Mower
18 In. mower has a 5 blade, 4 spider ball bearing reel. Tempered alloy steel reel and bed knife blade. Steel side plates and 2 In. welded shrub bar assembly. 1/2 In. to 2-3/4 In. cutting height with adjustable 2-section roller. Cast-iron roller brackets with wing nut adjustments. Wheel height adjustable in 3 positions. 10 In. radial tread tires with composite wheels and 2-3/4 In. molded hubcaps. Chrome-plated loop handle and full length foam grip.
Scotts Classic 20 In. Push Reel Lawn Mower
Scotts Classic 20 In. Push Reel Lawn Mower
20 In. 5-spider, 5-blade ball bearing reel. Finger tip control, quick snap height adjusters. Easy-roll dual wheel tracking action eliminates drag and enhances maneuverability. Cutting height changes from 1 In. to 3 In. to meet mowing needs. 10 In. composite front wheels with radial tread tires, 6 In. rear tracking wheels. Heat-treated blades with a welded reel hood. Handle is a loop style with foam grip. 26 In. W. x 45 In. H. x 15 In. D. Color: Scotts classic green.
Scotts Classic 20 In. Push Reel Lawn Mower
Scotts Classic 20 In. Push Reel Lawn Mower
20 In. 5-spider, 5-blade ball bearing reel. Finger tip control, quick snap height adjusters. Easy-roll dual wheel tracking action eliminates drag and enhances maneuverability. Cutting height changes from 1 In. to 3 In. to meet mowing needs. 10 In. composite front wheels with radial tread tires, 6 In. rear tracking wheels. Heat-treated blades with a welded reel hood. Handle is a loop style with foam grip. 26 In. W. x 45 In. H. x 15 In. D. Color: Scotts classic green.
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