Reel Mowers

Brill Luxus 33: All Time Favorite Light Reel Mower

by blair

The Brill Luxus 33 is an incredibly popular small manual reel mower. So much so that you probably won’t be able to find one in stock. The website warns that shouldn’t be tempted to order from a company that might not have it.

So my advice is for you to read the blurb and then have a look at the brand new, “retro-futuristic” Brill Razorcut 33 Reel Mower that is being offered in its place. This is apparantly the newest reel mower around, and it has a great, improved handle – far better than the Brillux 33 handle.

Brill Luxus 33: All Time Favorite Light Reel Mower

I only say look at other models, because I understand that the Brill Luxus 33 has been discontinued. On the website is says: “This is a discontinued product”.

Now you might want to look at the Luxus 38 instead of the Brill Razorcut 38, because the Brill Luxus 33 is in fact identical to the Luxus 38 – unless of course the Luxus 38 and Brill Razorcut 38 are the same mowers. Names can be a bit confusing. Anyway, the main difference between 33 and 38 models are that the 33s cut 33 cm (or 13″) of grass while the 38s cut 38 cm (15″). So you’ll work faster if you use a 38. Why bother with a 33?

One thing I am sure about is that Brill is a German-made mower and it is lighter than many competing mowers. So hopefully their 38 models will be lighter than other mowers with a 15″ cutting width. Brill mowers also feature the so-called silent cut design, which means there’s less friction between all the bits of metal, and the mower works like scissors.

Whether you go for a 33 or a 38 model, the manufacturer says you shouldn’t have to sharpen the blades for ten years. All metal components are finished with a hardwearing dry powder coat and there’s a two-year warranty for your protection – and for the protection of the mower.

If you’re not sure, have a look at some other reel mowers. They’re easy to push, quiet and they don’t pollute the air. None of them do.

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How to Assemble the Sunlawn MM2 Manual Reel Mower

by blair

In this quite lengthy video, Ken shows us how to assemble the Sunlawn MM2 Manual Reel Mower which is a red, yellow and green, silent cut design. He also shows us how to adjust the height of the mower, and then goes on to explain its features.

Assembling the Sunlawn MM2 reel mower

It’s really just the handles of the lawnmower that need to be assembled, as well as a metal plate that fits inside the reel mower itself, on the side that doesn’t move. All you do is push the plate in so that it sits nicely. When you move the fitted plate, you will see that it goes up and down (although he says that it rotates).

Next step is to loosen the wheels on either side. Then lift the mower up and adjust so that it is in the highest mowing position and then loosen the wheels. The handle comes in three sections. Before you attach the widest section of the handle on the black part of the mower on each side, you will need to re-tighten the wheels. Once this section of the handle is in place, take the two pins and washers supplied with the mower, and use these to secure the handle. If you struggle for any reason, the video shows you exactly how to do this. Then all you do is slot the other two handle parts on and secure these with the wing nuts and bolts that are also supplied with the mower.

Once it’s assembled, you will see just how lightweight the 25 lb mower is. Ken picks it up and moves it in the air, up and down, to show those of us who haven’t yet purchased a Sunlawn MM2 reel mower.

Then he shows how to adjust the height of the mower by turning the little handles at the sides of the mower. Clearly it is easy to adjust. He then goes on to explain that a silent cut design means there isn’t any contact between the blades of the mower and the cutting bar. The advantage of this is that the blades won’t wear out quickly. In fact, he says that you won’t have to replace or sharpen the blades for about ten years. He doesn’t give a lifespan of the whole mower though. Hopefully it’ll last a lot longer than ten years.

Other features of this reel mower are that it has a cutting range of between 1″ and 2.8″. It’s mowing range is 16″. Also, it has seven reels or blades which makes it very effective if you want to cut your lawn really fast. There’s also the option of a grass catcher, but Ken doesn’t think this accessory is necessary because you can rather use the cuttings for mulch on the lawn. That’s a newish and seemingly sound idea, but remember that the experts advise you not to remove more than 1/3 of the height of the grass if you’re going to leave it to fall back as a mulch. Otherwise it may do more harm than good.

If you listen to the video carefully, you’ll hear birds in the background, which is really sweet.

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FAQ: BRILL Razorcut vs Luxus Push Reel Mowers

by blair

This video is entitled FAQ Brill Razorcut vs Luxus Push Reel Mowers. So what do you suppose is the difference?

Start out by studying the two mowers shown by Lars in the video. They certainly do look totally different to one another. The shape is different. The mower section looks completely different. The handles are a totally different shape. But why are we bothering to compare these two lawn mowers if they are so obviously different?

Quite simply, as Lars explains, the Brill Luxus on the left is a discontinued mower. But the Raxorcut Push Reel Mower on the right is still being made. The thing is that the Razorcut is actually the new version of the Luxus. Both mowers are 38 models – which means they have a 38 cm or 15″ cutting width – and both have exactly the same blade system, so both mowers produce a very similar cut.

The reason the mower section looks so different is that it has an extra “spoiler” piece on the back. Lars explains that this results in the cut grass being knocked back onto the ground more effectively.

The handle looks a lot stronger too, and Lars confirms this, saying that it is “a lot stiffer.”

The other major change is that the tires have a much better tread. You can see this immediately when you see the two wheels together. The new wheels are rounder and slightly more substantial, which Lars says results in better traction in the grass.

So if you liked the Brill Razorcut 38, you’re going to just love the Luxus version. Guaranteed.

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Are Brill Reel Mowers Heavy?

by blair

The question asked by the good looking young blonde women in this video is: Are Brill Reel Mower’s heavy? Clearly not. She can pick hers up with one hand!

The thing is, she says, that from time to time they get calls from customers wanting to know how heavy the reel mowers are. These very same customers have tales to tell about how their grandparents used to use reel mowers, but these weighed around 90 lbs. Now that is heavy, so it’s not much of surprise to hear that they found them difficult, if not impossible, to push. But, she says, this is not the case with modern reel mowers. For example, the Brill Reel Mower 38 only weighs about 17 lbs. That’s a fraction of the old time mowers.

“They’re really easy to lift up,” she says, proving her point.

Then comes the funny part. You can even hang your reel mower up in your garage. That’s cool. All you do is hammer in a nail and hang it up. It won’t fall down or get in the way, and you won’t stub your toes on it either. The problem is knocking the nail in the wall. If yours is a masonry wall, you’ll struggle and might chip the plaster or brickwork. If yours is a dry wall, the nail’s going to go right through the board. Nailing into timber might work, depending on its thickness. Rather drill a hole and then use the right bolt for the structure. Then it really won’t fall down. Because if the nail falls out of the wall, your lawn mower will crash to the ground. This might damage it, and if you aren’t careful you might trip over it, never mind stub your toes.

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Quick, Easy Assemble of Scotts Classic 20″ Reel Mower

by blair

George from CleanAirGardening.com is a past master at assembling reel lawn mowers and he enjoys sharing his skills on video. In this particular video, he shows us how to assemble a Scotts Classic 20″ Push Reel Mower which, by all accounts, is one of the favorites on the market.

Of course the Scotts Classic mower comes with a manual, but it’s so much easier to watch someone else do the job and the copy what they have done. I mean, who on earth reads the manual? You could even do it step-by-step, following George every step of the way. It’s much easier than actually reading the manual.

In case you didn’t already know, the Scotts Classic, like most other reel mowers, comes with the mower body already assembled. That certainly simplifies the assembly task you are going to be faced with. It’s the handle you have to worry about. This comes in five parts and you have to put it together and screw the given screws into the correct holes, without stripping any of the thread. There, that’s that challenge.

You don’t have to learn any skills to do this job, but you have to be meticulously accurate, by lining up piping and holes, as George will remind you. You also need to slot the right pieces together.

George will show you how to assemble all five handle pieces first. Then all you do is slot the assembled handle onto the mower itself. You’ll need a screwdriver and your finger to do this. Watch George as he gets to that satisfying final click!

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Tough Prison Reel Mower for Jailbirds

by blair

If you need a reel mower that will take a bit of a beating, then look no further than the type that prisons and other correctional facilities normally opt for. It’s called the Prison Reel Mower (which is a bit bizarre) and it’s a pretty basic model, although it does have cushioned grips on the handles. The pinions and wheels of this prison mower are made of cast iron and the side plate is steel, and supposedly unbreakable. But then most reel mowers come with an unbreakable steel side plate.

Prison Reel Mower for Correctional Facilities

The cast iron clearly adds a bit of weight to the mower which weighs in at 32 lbs. It has five blades, which is pretty average for the lower priced reel mower models, and it has a relatively narrow cutting width of 16″. You can adjust the cutting height from ½” to 2¼”, which makes it as versatile as any other average reel mower. The roller has four sections and it’s also adjustable, same as any other mower roller, although some have more sections to them.

This mower comes fully assembled in a box, except that you’re going to have to fit the handle to the body of the mower. But the instructions assure you it won’t take more than 15 minutes. Not sure why it should take that long, but then that’s another norm on reel mower instructions. Perhaps some people don’t find this task too easy.

Basically this prison model is what they call a low-cutting mower, so if you want your lawn to be longish, it’s not going to work for you.

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Brill or Scott? Which is it To Be?

by blair

If you’re wondering whether to buy a Brill push reel mower or a Scotts push reel mower, then have a closer look at this video presented by Lars from CleanAirGardening.

He says that “Which is better?” and “Which do I need?” are questions that they get asked all the time. But there’s no easy answer, because Lars likes them both! You’re going to have to decide which of the two is right for you.

In most cases, either mower will do a good job cutting your lawn, he says. It just depends what you want and what type of grass you have growing.

Lars explains that the German-made Brill is a lighter lawn mower. But unless you have one of those thick grasses growing, like St. Augustine, Bermuda or Zoysia, then you’re safe because it’ll work perfectly well. However, you’re going to need a heavier mower if you have a thicker grass type. Apart from that, Brill mowers have a 15″ cutting width and a maximum cutting height of about 2″.

Scotts mowers are great for thicker grasses, says Lars. He is speaking from experience here because he has St. Augustine in his yard, and he uses a Scotts mower. American-engineered, but now made in China, the Scotts gives a maximum cut of 3″ and a bigger cutting width of 20″, which, as Lars points out, is much the same as a regular power mower.

So consider your lawn and then weigh up your own personal pros and cons regarding which of these two push reel mowers to buy.

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Developments in Reel Mowers

by blair

Push reel mowers have definitely come of age. They just keep getting better and better.

In this video Lars explains how the new Brill Razorcut 38 Push Reel Lawn Mower replaces the older Luxus 38 Push Reel Lawn Mower. Have a look for yourself to see whether the new model is better than the older one. It certainly is a whole lot better than the push reel models of years gone by.

But back to the present.

A lot of the changes from the Luxus to the Razorcut, says Lars, are purely cosmetic. The new handle, however, is a lot more than cosmetically changed. The new handle design that you will find in the Brill Razorcut 38, he says, makes the mower a whole lot easier to push.

Since this mower weighs less than 20 lbs, it is also easy to pick up and maneuver.

So what other features does the new Brill Razorcut 38 Push Reel Lawn Mower have? Well it has five blades that are made from flame-hardened, welded steel. It is also a silent-cut design which means that the blades don’t connect with any other part of the mower, making it quieter and longer lasting. Lars says that the mower should last for at least ten years without you having to sharpen the blades. Not sure if these are differences, but they are advantages.

And? Well, the mower has a cutting height of between ¾” and 2″. It’s versatile and easy to use. It is also really easy to assemble. CleanAirGardening and Lars say this one is a favorite.

This is a very short video to watch and it will show you what they like about this particular mower. So why don’t you check it out for yourself?

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McCullogh MCM2011 16″ Reel Mower

by blair

McCullogh’s MCM2011 is an environmentally friendly push reel mower that has a cutting width of 16″ – that’s what they mean when they talk about the “16″ cutting swath” in the literature that goes with the mower. It is a relatively lightweight design – 36.3 lbs – although there are push reel mowers that are a lot lighter. Funny thing is it looks lighter than this, so there might be a bit more metal that has been used to make it.

McCullogh MCM2001 16" Reel Mower

This push reel mower has only three blades (which should spell less metal) and a cutting height that ranges from 0.666″ to 1.333″. In metric terms, that means it will range from something like 16 mm or 17 mm to about 33 mm. In all, there are four height adjustments that you will be able to make, although you will need to check in the owner’s manual to see exactly what these are. The blades are, however, rust resistant and made from long-lasting steel, and the blade spindle has a ball bearing – if that’s important to you.

McCullogh’s MCM2011 is a simple-looking yellow reel mower with just two tires. These measure 9″ x 2″, making them quite small as push reel mower tires go.

The handle, which probably has to be assembled out of the box, has a soft and comfortable foam grip, which is fairly obvious from the photograph.

McCullogh mowers come from the American company Husqvarno, said to be a global leader in outdoor power products. This mower, of course, only uses people power.

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Examining the Push (Reel) Mower Option

by blair

Why use a reel mower? Indeed, why? In this thankfully short video, a man called Kevin Ronhko does his bit to tell us why. Most of what he says should be common sense to anyone who cares about the environment.

First and foremost, gas powered mowers cause dangerous fumes that pollute the air.

Secondly, reel mowers are just as easy to push as any gas-powered mower.

Thirdly, this is a safe alternative to keeping your grass trimmed. Well that’s what Kevin says anyway. He also says that it is a “gentle way” to keep your lawn trimmed. As he explains, gas-powered mowers tend to rip the grass out, while manual reel mowers work quietly, clipping the grass rather like scissors would.

Fourth, reel mowers are quiet and gentle on our ears.

A push reel mower can help to keep you neighborhood “calm and tranquil”, says Kevin. “That is if you have any neighbors.” In any case, he adds, “your ears will thank you for using a reel mower.” I don’t think Kevin will ever make it as a real politician – but he might make it as a reel something else.

It doesn’t stop there. He says that he believes you might want to mow more often with a reel mower. I’m exhausted at the thought. But Kevin feels that “your neighbor and the environment will thank you.”

The titles at the end of the video tell all: Kevin Ronhko produced this video after talking to his neighbors about how best to mow his lawn. Where are the neighbors? Does he have any? Maybe he did before he started the video. And now?

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