It might sound charming or antique, but a reel lawn mower is still a perfectly feasible tool. Occasionally called a push mower, they have actually been boosted throughout the years. However, they'll still offer you a respectable workout, naturally. As well as they'll get the job done and help your lawn stay healthy as well as attractive.
We will not enter into what size lawn is ideally matched for a reel mower. That's totally approximately you and relies on just how much energy and time you want to put into it. "Smaller" is a great criterion, but nothing is stopping you from trimming the back 40 with it if you have the moment and stamina!
Advantages and disadvantages Of A Reel Lawn Mower
So, what are the advantages and drawbacks of using a reel lawn mower? Here are a couple of.
Environmentally Friendly
A reel lawn mower isn't adding air pollution to the air or consuming energy other than what you utilize to push it. It depends just on human power.
Finer Cut
Think it or otherwise, a reel mower cuts far better than a powered one. The rotating blades imitate scissors, meaning the grass is "reduced" as opposed to "torn".
Less costly
Given that it does not require a complicated motor, the in advance price of a reel mower is less than electrical or gas designs. And considering that it does not require other sources of fuel, the operating expense is additionally less.
Less Likely To Break Down
Given that it's a piece of simpler equipment, the reel mower does not have as many things that can go wrong with it.
Extra exercise
When utilizing your reel mower, you'll burn more power. That means you'll be healthier in the long run!
Obviously, not every difference goes in the "win" column. There are a number of disadvantages, as well.
Takes Longer
Given that a reel mower depends more solely on human power, it can take a bit longer than with various other kinds of the mower.
That's not the only point that slows the job down, though. Many powered lawn mowers do a far better task at mulching the cuttings and also spreading them evenly. With a reel mower, the fallen turf clumps a lot more so you'll need to go back and spread it out or choose it up. However, if you prepare to bag the turf, there are reel lawn mowers that use these attachments.
Cut More Often
A lot of reel lawn mowers have problems with taller turf. That means you'll want to trim more frequently to maintain the yard much shorter. So not only does each cutting take longer, however you additionally have to do it a lot more on a regular basis.
What To Look For In A Reel Lawn Mower
There are several factors to think about when it comes time to choose a reel mower.
Initially, you want it to be durable. Obviously, that's a quality you look for in any device. With a reel mower, however, you want to have actually a machine made of top quality components that can endure some banging around. Odds are that you'll hit a stone or a root at times, even if you're cautious. You likewise may require to raise it up staircases or over barriers, so it may obtain knocked around a little bit. Also under the most effective of conditions, too, the blades will certainly be boring gradually. So you want to make certain the materials as well as construction will certainly hold up under normal usage.
At the same time, you desire a light-weight reel mower. And that's for a lot of the very same reasons that it requires to be resilient. Even if you have simply a postage-stamp-sized lawn, you don't intend to be pushing around a gadget that's heavier than essential. That goes double if you need to relocate up or down stairways!
The variety of blades additionally matters. More blades assist the mower cut much better. However, it also makes it harder to get going or to transform. , if you have a thick yard, 6 or even more blades are best. However, if you have a thinner yard, you can escape 4 or 5. If you discover that even more blades make it too tough to take care of, you can choose less, however, you'll likely need much more passes to get the job done. Five blades are most typical, and all the models we'll review have five.
When taking into consideration the mower's size, your strength is also vital to think about. A bigger blade (they add to about 20 inches generally) gets the job done quicker however makes it harder to push. On the smaller-sized end, a 14-inch-wide blade might take more passes however is a lighter machine that's easier to press.
You may intend to also consider whether the reducing elevation of the lawn-mower is adjustable. When the grass has grown a bit much longer or when you want to trim it much shorter to prepare for winter, this can make it much easier to get the work done.
There are also 2 basic kinds of reel mowers: silent-cut and also get in touch with. The "call" refers to the blades touching the bed knife; in silent-cut reel mowers, this isn't needed. The silent-cut lawn mowers are incredibly silent as well as also cut much better. They do call for an annual modification but this is simple. Silent-cut dominates the marketplace nowadays.
Scott's 16 in. Guidebook Walk Behind Push Reel Lawn Mower
This slim reel mower from Scott's is a popular alternative that offers terrific worth and a great set of functions.
The 5 blades measure 16 inches vast and the general size is 18 inches. It has 10-inch wheels, making it simple to dominate little rocks, roots, or slightly uneven patches of lawn.
There are 5 adjustable blade settings, ranging from 1/2 inch up to 2 1/2 inches. The blades are made from tempered steel so they will certainly hold up well to normal use.
The grasps on the deal with are a nice touch as is the minor angle they're placed in. These elements make it a little bit extra comfy to make use of.
Assembly is simple and no tools are required.
It weighs in at 27 pounds, which is excusable for manipulating around the backyard. We offer it a sort of "meh" as far as weight-- a couple of extra pounds lighter would certainly be nice, yet it's okay, either.
There's no trimmings bag consisted of with this. It does not appear that it is designed to add one, either.
The only complaint we've seen (we really did not experience this ourselves, though) was that the mower can obtain stuck on even little twigs. On the one hand, we comprehend; that's not what a lawn-mower is for. But it seems like, in many cases, it was a major annoyance.
Remington 18 in. Handbook Walk Behind Reel Lawn Mower
This 5-blade, 18-inch reel mower from Remington offers a great cut and includes a grass-catching bag. It's a bargain for the cost.
The Lawn Mower supplies a wide range of changes beginning at 3/4 inch as well as increasing to 2 1/2 inches. There are 9 settings feasible, which indicates it has quarter-inch increments, permitting you a fine range of setups. There are bars by the wheels to change them easily.
The blades are made of a steel alloy. The overall weight of the system is 28.4 extra pounds. Considering its dimension, that's a good weight.
The assembled width of the device is 24.5 inches, a rather large contrast to the blade dimension. Still, it's only just over two feet, so it won't be hard to shop.
The handle is cushioned to make it a lot more comfy to utilize.
Obviously, the turf bag is a positive function. It does get rid of several of the post-mowing jobs you'll require to do. Nevertheless, it's not the best layout, and also a great deal of lawn still gets tossed either past or beside it. It's helpful, but much from ideal. Some owners likewise state the bag has a tendency to diminish.
American Lawn Mower Company 14 in. Handbook Walk Behind Reel Lawn Mower
The American Lawn Mower Company uses a terrific 5-blade reel mower that's 14 inches large. It's lightweight at just 19 extra pounds and is terrific for those that need something very easy to maneuver as well as store.
It is a bit large-- the overall width is 24 inches, which suggests it has a lot of expenses for the wheels. The wheels themselves are 10 inches in diameter. There's likewise a back roller bar that assists maintain it well balanced as well as relocating well.
The T-shaped handle has some cushioning to aid you to cut more comfortably.
There are 3 settings for the cutting elevation, from one inch to 1 3/4 inches. While those are limited choices, it is enough for most reducing requirements.
Assembly is basic and doesn't call for any tools. No yard catcher is included, however, you can include one from the manufacturer.
There's a one-year service warranty on this item.
Conclusion
A reel mower is a wonderful choice for little lawns. It gives you some added workout while additionally aiding the environment. Of course, they're extra economical, as well. If you have a little backyard, they could be simply what you wish to obtain the turf cut!
