do you use a reel lawn mower?

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Hi! We have one and Tom used it when we had a 'lawn' (neither of us remember the brand).
We can use an electric 'weed-eater' for what needs to be cut since all the grass died.

or

Lisa

 

[mom'sfolly]

We have a reel mower. We probably haven't started the gas mower in two years. It is hard if you let the grass get long, or if the grass is wet. It does do a decent job and actually takes less time than the gas mower did. The gas mower gives a more even cut, and handles leaves better. I like to get one gas mowing in at the end of the season to mulch the last of the leaves. We also don't bag the cuttings, we just let them lie on the lawn.

My son mows the neighbors handkerchief sized lawn with our reel mower.

 

[JetBlack]

Mark & Nique :

Howdy --

Our old gas mower (thankfully) died this morning, which was timely as we've been wanting to get a reel lawn mower.

Does anyone have one? (I've done the research, and with our small front/backyards (less than 2 hours total mowing time), a reel mower is a possibility. Plus, we have 2 daughters, so we've got the extra push-power as well.)

If you have one, what brand? Are you happy with it? Do you recommend staying away from a certain brand?

Thanks for your time and help!

I've used them in the past. The sound they make is wonderful. Wonderful. It's relaxing to mow, when using one of those!

You CANNOT let the grass get tall. If it's too tall, the mower wont' cut at all. You must pick up sticks before mowing. Pine cones are the bane of reel mowers. Even powered ones. You cannot mow too fast and adjusting the mower takes a little bit of skill. Too tight and the rear of the mower lifts up, while you try to mow and it's hard to push. Not tight enough and it doesn't cut. Just right and you feel like a mower adjusting god! Move the bed knife up evenly! EVENLY!!!!​

 

[Mark & Nique]

Thanks for the feedback.

This fits in with the reviews I read: walk the lawn before cutting because reel mowers aren't grinders nor leaf mulchers nor are they effective at mowing shaggy lawns.

I went ahead and jumped: the arrival date is 4 or 5 AUG. Our chicks will be happy as they don't -- or didn't -- like our gas mower whenever I cranked it in the past.

Now...if only I could get my neighbors to switch from blowers to brooms

!

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

Meet my lawnmowers, Fred, Boo,

& T-Bone

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

Quote:
OMG birdaholic - I have GOT to come to your ranch/farm and slip away with a few of your animals! Those are the CUTEST most adorable lawnmowers in existance! Not only 'green' lawn mowers, but 'all natural - ferilizer' as well! Then entertainment factor - I love to watch horses when they play and to interact with them - triple threat right there.

 

[Mark & Nique]

I agree -- GREAT lawnmowers!

 

[conroy]

YEah the reel is ok...as long as you stay on top of it....if it gets too long it's real hard....and if you have trees that drop l'il branches here and there...got jammed in the gut a few times with that....this year I went with landscapers

 

[bigdaddyabc]

I have both, and I use them for different things. Our riding mower is used out in the big front area where we mow about an acre. Around the house I use the reel mower.....but you have to promise not to laugh when I tell you why. My riding mower has mulching blades, it therefore grinds everything up really fine. Weeeellll, my spoiled chickens are NOT big fans of chopped salad it would seem. I get the stink eye when I throw in those clippings. They eat some of it (out of courtesy I am sure) but they don't clean up like the reel mower clippings. They LOVE the clippings from the reel mower, which are neatly trimmed and longer. I know, I know..........I feel stupid enough without all the laughter. What can I tell you, I like happy chickens!

Rob

 

[Mark & Nique]

Too funny, Rob!

I've gotten the 'stink eye' too and have taken to leaving areas of grass UNcut for our chickens to free range in. They seem to like to fresh tops of the longer grass.