Was reading a different post here and steve_o mentioned his reel mower for his lawn.

I've been considering one of these, but have been hesitant since most of the info I've found on them has been from the manufacturers as opposed to actual users.

So....

Any recommendations? Will these work on uneven ground? (I have a fairly level piece of property in general, but lots of little hollows and bumps).

Any opinions, suggestions, experiences are welcome.

Thanks!
:)
Dee

they generally need a fairly even surface to operate on.

you also need to gain knowledge on blade care and maintenance they are a little more involved than rotary type mowers as the blades cut like scissors do so they need to be adjust so they make the right contact also need not to cut hard objects even some very hard twigs from trees can cause misalignment of the cutting surfaces.

but once you master the art of the machine a good make will do a very nice cut.

len

I haven't had any problems with hills or uneven ground. It works best on dry grass. Sometimes it's hard to tell where you mowed and sometimes if the grass gets too long it needs to be gone over twice. Other than that, it's been trouble free and easy to use.

I really liked the way it cut the grass though.

You might want to try pushing different models around to see if you are bothered by the weight. I think ours is easy to push. Last summer a neighbor borrowed it to try, and found it too heavey.

I love my reel mower. I wouldn't want to go back to a powered mower (n.b., there are powered reel mowers out there, too). However, there are a few things to consider:

- They are not good at cutting high grass. The highest my Brill will cut is around 2-1/2 inches; the Scotts cuts a little higher. Which means that, in the spring, I'm mowing every six or seven days, like clockwork. OTOH, I enjoy mowing now, so it isn't much of a penalty. But you will not be happy trying to use a reel mower to take down 2-3 weeks of unmowed lawn.

- Twigs can be a problem. Like althea, I pick up the bigger twigs (and, in my case, the black walnuts) before I mow. At least if I miss one, the mower simply stops -- it doesn't chuck the item out the chute at whatever is in its path. And if your lawn is small enough to consider a reel mower, it's not really taxing to do a recon run on the lawn first.

- The art of sharpening reel blades is a dying art. You can't just take the mower to the closest hardware store and expect them to know how to sharpen the blades. It helps to buy a mower in which the blades do not contact the bed. My Brill is like that; the Scotts was not. Without the metal-to-metal contact, the sharpness lasts much longer. The mower also is quieter.

That said, using my reel mower is more like gardening. No more uttering the "Tool Time" grunt while wrangling a power mower. I like that I can mow at 7 or 8 a.m., when it's cool out, and not bother my neighbors. I appreciate that I don't have to handle toxic materials (gasoline, starter fluid, etc.) and spew pollutants into the air just to mow my lawn. Yes, I'm lucky my lawn is small enough and I can get around well enough to manage a reel mower. But it works very well for me.

I had the funniest thing happen a few times last summer. On at least a couple of occasions, people walked up to me and asked what I was doing and what that "thing" was? They had never seen a reel mower before and thought the whole concept was very funny. People, people, people..............

Kevin

I was wondering about the stick thing. I have a lot of oaks and there are constantly sticks on the ground. I guess I have to decide whether I want to keep on bending over to pick them up!

I have about an acre of land, but about a quarter of that is woods, and then there's the house and a quite large asphalt area at the end of the driveway. I don't even really have a "lawn" per se, lol. Almost one quarter of the mowable area is moss (or something moss-like), and the rest is weedy, patchy grass with lots of moss mixed in. My goal is to eventually get almost no lawn, and to fix-up the lawn that is left so it is even and lush.

Anyway, I've got an American Express gift check and I think I may use it to try out one of these mowers. Maybe I'll try a Brill.

Kevin, when I was a kid we had a yard that was about twenty feet wide by fifteen feet deep, with a three-foot-wide sidewalk going through it. We had a reel mower, and I think many of the neighbors (with similar yards - a street with rowhouses) also had these. While they are not seen much nowadays, I think it's kind of funny that there are those who don't know what they are!

I already know my neighbors will think I've really lost it when they see me out there. I might just have to mow REALLY early in the morning just to avoid them!

Thanks again everyone!
:)
Dee

Here's another way to look at reel mowers. Yup, they are a bit more work, but I simply consider all these manual things additions to my regular workouts. We all need to workout more - right? So as you're pushing this thing around and becoming more fit, trim and eventually ending up with the body of a Greek goddess, who's going to be laughing then? Your neighbors the slugs? I think not. HA! You'll be running circles around all of them.

Kevin

Not that I do, of course, despite the lifting of 40lb bags of manure and the lugging of New England rock (not to mention my cinder block beds!) Actually, it's not even the physicality of bending over so many times - its the repetitiveness of it and thinking, "*#@$!! Another %$#& stick!"

I suppose I could make it a punishment for my kids. "What do you mean you didn't do your chores? Go pick up every twig on the front lawn this instant!"

:)
Dee

I slapped my rear end and said "Right here!"

He got a big chuckle out of that.

Unfortunately, the reel mower, like preserving the environment, is one of those things which people find more exciting to think about than act upon. In the U.S., most reel mowers are marketed to those considered too cheap to buy a "regular" powered mower; the good ones are imported (from Sweden, Germany, etc.). The guys on the lawnmower forum here tend not to think about reel mowers unless they're caring for a golf course -- and then, of course, it must be powered. :-p It's a shame, really, that reel mowers don't have the mindshare that other "green" products do.

I wonder if the idea of getting a reel mower makes sense to me because my grandfather had one. His reel mower and my father's powered mower seemed completely appropriate for the particular lawns they were used on. I'm not too cheap to use a "regular' mower, it's just that my new reduced lawn shouldn't need one.

Thanks Flora. One of the links led to another link to a hardware store. Who knew hardware store sites could be such fun. Oh yes, and I got some good info too. I'm going to ring the local branch tomorrow. Knowing some brandnames should help.

I wasn't being cheap, either. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me to go to the trouble of buying a reel mower to save on the pollution and hazardous materials involved with a power mower, only to have to junk it after 2-3 years because it cannot be repaired economically. Besides, I have a little lawn on a city lot. I sure don't need a big rider. :-)

Maybe it's just me, but I like a lot of things which supposedly have been "new and improved" today. I still enjoy playing vinyl albums (though CDs sound good, too, and I own an iPod), I shave with a 40-year-old metal safety razor, and I'm just as comfortable with my old manual-focus SLR as I am with my new digital. Certainly there are many things which are better than they used to be. But I'm convinced that sometimes we are sold a bill of goods on good stuff being "improved".

If you haven't already made your purchase, check out
Lee Valley Tools online (order their free catalog while
you're at it - it's a major resource!). I got their
medium-sized, 18" reel mower, and couldn't be happier. . .
my whole neighborhood cracks up when my macho-neighbor
starts roaring around his postage-stamp sized front lawn
on a ride-on mower (!), and then I invariably "materialize" out of nowhere pushing my 24-lb.
beauty and zip around my postage-stamp sized front lawn and
finish in much the same amount of time, but quite silently
(except for all the muffled laughter coming from behind
neighbors' front windows). . .

And with one of these "blasts-from-the-past", now you can
safely let mowing the lawn be the kids punishment!

Carl

No, I haven't made a purchase yet, so thanks for that link. I do actually get the Lee Valley catalog, but didn't think of them for a reel mower. Can you tell me is your mower actually a Lee Valley brand, or is it another brand which is sold through Lee Valley? I just want to make sure I get a good quality mower. My DH already thinks I'm wasting my money, so if I get something that does not last or does not do a good job, I'll never hear the end of it, lol! I'm willing to spend a bit more if it means I get better quality.

Thanks!
Dee

And here's the way to encourage the old man to let you
"experiment": Lee Valley offers an iron-clad guarantee
on their products ("if for ANY reason you're not satisfied") for a full three (3) months!
In over twenty years of buying everything from garden tools to shop equipment to antique hardware, from them,
I have NEVER had to take advantage of that guarantee. . .

Lots of luck!

Carl

DISCLAIMER: I am not now, nor have I ever been, an employee
of Lee Valley, Inc., nor do I own any stock in the
company. . .just a satisfied customer!

I have a Brill Luxus 38 which is a is nice, German made pus reel that is silent and VERY light weight - its limitations are that it will jam on every little twig, the maximum height of cut is 1.8", and only cuts a 13" wide swath, and it does not cut zoyzia, St. Augustine or Bermuda grass.

To replace the Brill, last year I bought a used Locke 30" power reel, the cut from this behemoth is simply stunning, but I found it to be overkill for my suburban lot, and I could not find ANY maintenance shops near me to service it, so I sold the Locke.

So, this year I bought a Sunlawn MM-2 which is like the Brill Luxus 38, except it has a 7 blade reel instead of 5, it has a more solid feel to it and it cuts a wider swath (though nothing like the Locke) and it has larger tires and it cuts up to 3". All great, except the first one I bought came from the factory with what I suspect is a warped bed-knife. I have it adjusted properly, but it is leaving a strip of high grass in the middle of the blade. ARRGH.

The joys of a properly adjusted reel mower are many, but they sure can be a PITA.

Oooh. Gotta check out that Sunlawn ... as soon as my Brill dies. Whatever decade that is.... :-)

:)
Dee

I did do some googling and it seems that Sunlawn IS Brill, or vice versa - one of their mowers was the Brill Sunlawn something-or-other. And the Locke website led me to believe that they only sell huge mowers for professional use. Maybe I'm missing something.

Gee, I hate making decisions! :)

Dee

Sorry to bring up an old post...but i too am in the market for a reel mower - but i wanted to see what a reel mowed lawn looks like.....does anyone have any pics they can post of thier lawn that was reel mowed> ? I appreciate it.

Coop

All this time I've spent trying to decide which reel mower to go with, and at the same time wondering if it would be worth the $200 to spend on this, if it wouldn't get much use. (I would probably be the only one to use it, but my DH and DS do most of the lawn care.)

So I saw an ad for a used reel mower for $20. Turns out that one was taken, but the seller was nice enough to dig out one from his dad's garage, an old Scott's mower. He was also kind enough to grease it, paint it, and test it out to sell it to me. I just picked it up today.

I thought perhaps it would be a good test to see if I should invest $$$ in a new one. I'm sure there will be some major differences - I would suppose the newer ones may be easier to push, and I think they have a wider swath - but in the meantime I'll give this one a shot. And knowing how frugal I am, if it works, I may not even bother with a new one, lol!

:)
Dee

Then, yesterday I ventured onto the lawn mower forum, and did a search on reel mowers. I could be reading things wrongly, but from what I read I was led to understand that that hitting of the blades was exactly what dulled them! So now I'm not sure what to think. I will admit to being a bit too intimidated to actually post and ask on that forum, because I'm way out of my league there, lol!

Any suggestions on the sharpening theory? (I feel a lot safer asking here, lol!)

Thanks,
Dee

Using the grit compound is called "back-lapping" and it's roughly equivalent to steeling a good knife. It helps to keep the blade sharp, but calling this mower "self-sharpening" is being generous.

Well, either way, I'll give it a try over the summer, and see how it works out.

Thank you all for your input on this thread. Much appreciated!

Dee

I really think sometimes that I was born a century too late.
:)
Dee

got it for $15AUD not sure what these 16" models cost new but guess around the $80AUD mark or so? there was 2 at the time one was a newer model that had been used a bit apparently incorrectly, unfortunately the budget wouldn't stretch to buying the 2, so someone else got a good buy as well.

but again i itterate whether you buy a powered model or push model learn the art of blade care and adjustment, too easy then. there is no push and pull needed we just walk up and down in rows and it cuts perfect each pass, that's the beauty of a good brand model like flymo/husqvarna they have a lot of precision in the blades. so each mow i give the blade a set check/adjustment and my lovely glady mows the lawn.

len

I'm working in the far end of the yard this afternoon, and I look up and see the neighbor kid running - literally running - across my yard with my "new" push mower. I went over and told him if he wanted to cut the grass he was welcome to, and I'd even pay him, but he couldn't "play" with the mower.

Came home later in the evening, found the mower in the garage, and something is wrong with the darn thing! One of the tires/wheels won't roll. And my grass isn't cut! Goodness only knows what the darn kid did to it. And me being so handy (she says sarcastically).

Good thing I only paid $20 for it, huh?

:)
Dee

I have a lot of the problems that others have mentioned. It stops dead at twigs. And I have to cut the grass frequently. If it gets too long then the mower will just flatten it without cutting it. Then I have to take out my electric weed whacker. Except that I can't use that on the front lawn because my cord doesn't reach.

It is a great workout. I study karate, and between the gardening and the yardwork I should be built like a brick (cough!) outhouse in no time.

I have to admit, a cordless electric model is on my list for the future, but I'm not going for a gas-powered anything. I don't even own a car.

Then there's the Huck Finn effect - my neighbors always want to know if it's hard to push - so I let them! They're all amazed at how easy it is. Get one - you'll love it.

these modern good quality hand mowers are no harder to push or work with than what it is to start and use a petrol mower. the push and pull isn't there anymore if you learn the art! all you do is push a somewhat light weight machine around. there's no fuel to buy or mix or dump when unused, there are no filters to service or oil to change.

oh and most importantly very low noise factor.

len

But, yeah, I wouldn't go back to a rotary mower again if I could help it. :-)

I love these forums, keep up the great posts!

I had an OLD reel mower about 26 years ago..and loved the independence from a power mower. Have been jonesing for a new one for a couple of years, especially when I get the bill from the yard guys.

DH doesn't do yards....

Like everyone on here that has tried a reel mower, it is addicting. I look forward to cutting my lawn. This was never the case after the third or fourth time with my Snapper. I bought that gas mower new and it was exciting for a little bit, but that grew old. The reel mower has not.

I became interested in reel mowers about two years ago. Did lots of research and reading on the topic. I now have my own website dedicated to my enthusiasm for reel mowers and lawn sweepers. My old neighbor used one and that alone got me really interested.

No-Contact Types
Brill, Sunlawn,and Flymo/Husqvarna are the most well-known, marketed, no-contact reel mowers (also referred to as silent reels) sold in the marketplace. They all claim to keep a sharp reel blade and bedknife for over 8 years. But like any tool, cleaning it and greasing the edges of both the bedknife and the reel blades are necessary, period. You just can't let gunk build up and expect for it to perform as well as it did new.

Agri-Fab Silent Cut 18'/ Sears Craftsman Silent Cut/ Scott's Silent Cut
In my use and opinion though, the past made Agri-fab Silent Cut 18' was and still is the best American made reel mower, ever. It's a six reel blade mower. Agri-fab quit making the mower about four years ago. What a shame! Yes, it is much heavier in weight (usually around 40 pounds), but it is ALSO a no-contact/non-contact reel, just like the Brill, Sunlawn and Flymo. In fact, Scotts used to have a model, built for it by Agri-fab probably, that was called the Scott's Silent Cut, an exact copy of the Agri-fab 18'. Occasionally you can find one on Craigslist or E-bay. These were also a 6 blade. These mowers are very easy to push, and hug the ground. They do not bounce around. I highly recommend looking into them. They can only be found as used reel mowers these days. There is a site that is selling an identical version of the same mower though. They sell for over $220 and are worth the extra money.

Contact Types
American Lawn Mower Company out of Shelbyville, Indiana sells the most reel mowers in the USA, perhaps the world. It's been in business for many, many decades. AML Co. makes nearly all of the reel mowers sold at Lowe's and Home Depot and your independent hardware chains (like Ace, True Value and Do It Best). The AML Co. private label build names you will see in these stores are Scott's, Task Force, Great States, McCulloch, and some other private labels. The build of this brand of mower is easy to identify. Most all of them are 5 blade, but AML Co. does make a 4 blade and a 7 blade (I believe the 4 blade is a 14" and the 7 blade is a 16" reel). Someone on here posted correctly that the current Scott's reel mower line is made by American Lawn Mower Co. All of the reel mowers made by American Lawn Mower Co. are 'contact' reels. They will need to be sharpened more frequently since they are contact blades, but if kept up with light spraying of WD-40 on the bedknife and wiping down the reels every two cuts or so, you should extend the blade life between sharpening. You can also backlap for home sharpening and it is really simple to do. Depends on how picky you are and whether you are allowing your reel to cut twigs and stones.
___________

Two other things to consider when purchasing a reel mower.

WEIGHT - Lighter is NOT always better!
Weight is not a major factor if the reel mower is calibrated correctly. Contrary to sales and marketing pitches, you are really expected only to push a reel mower, not lift it up and down. Obviously if you have a 'contact' mower, it is going to be a little harder to start the push, no question. But not that much really. The no-contact reels though are extremely easy to push. I like a heavier reel mower (despute its heft, mine is still a no-contact reel mower!). The Sunlawn MM-2 is the closest thing I'd consider purchasing outside of mine.

My reel mower is made of 100% solid steel and is engineered very well. I have three reel mowers, but the one I like to use is my no-contact reel, an older Craftsman 18"(that was built by Agri-fab for Sears); it is dreamy. Has six blades and the thing spins very freely, and quietly. I like the additional weight and the large tubular roller on the back. It hugs the ground and makes great cuts. A lighter, plastic like make will bounce more on bumpy terrain. Consider that when you shop.

WHEELS vs. ROLLER
On the back side of the reel mower - consider getting one with rollers versus wheels (a good example of one with wheels is the Scott's Classic 20'). I definitely prefer a roller over wheels. Wheels can dip down into small holes and then that side of the reel will dip down and possibly bottom out the reel blade. A roller does not dip into holes and keeps the reel blade level or even.

Go green this spring and consider a reel mower!! Write me if you have questions and I'll try to help.

Jeremy in Indiana

Check out the reel mower resource pages at www.ecomowers.com

Cheers!