Comments on: Disadvantages of manual reel mowers

By: Yoshi

Yoshi — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:34:17 +0000

Love my 18″ reel mower. I’ve got Bermuda, in a really small front yard (the lot itself is much bigger, naturalized). In high summer in Atlanta I may get out there and cut it twice a week. Takes only a few very comfortable and relaxing minutes. I can cut my well established lawn barefoot. Very little in the way of noise (as compared to one of my neighbors who can rattle the windows with his leaf blower for an hour at a time). No exhaust, no oil, the mess is organic, and I have a very nice time with my lawn.

Sweet stuff.

By: lars

lars — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 15:35:47 +0000

@Phil

Yes, that’s correct. But when someone lives on a half acre lot, they typically have a house, and driveway, and flowerbeds, and sidewalks, back deck, front porch, etc. The amount of actual grass that you have to mow is usually in the 8,000 square foot range.

By: Phil

Phil — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 21:28:40 +0000

8,000 square feet is nowhere close to a half acre! It’s only about 0.18 acres.

By: steve

steve — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 18:05:44 +0000

@Jim Adams,

Both St. Augustine and Bermuda can be frustrating grasses to mow with a reel mower but it can be done successfully. Not knowing which mower you have puts me at a disadvantage. Are you sure it’s adjusted correctly? Make sure it is as well as make sure you cut the lawn when it’s dry, this can make a difference.

By: Jim Adams

Jim Adams — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 20:19:56 +0000

I have Bermuda and try to keep it cut once a week. Problem I have is binding with the reel. It’ll do just fine for quite a while and then just bind up. Found I have to reverse the blades several times with my foot (wear well covered shoes). That tends to get the bind out…sometimes take several attempts.