Reel Lawn Mowers

Reel lawn mowers appeal to many types of people: environmentalists, the frugal, exercise-fanatics, haters of machine-maintenance, lovers of quiet and safety. However, with reel lawn mowers you must be committed to mowing when the grass is ready, not whenever you get around to it. And unless you don't mind the extra work of raking up twigs beforehand, don't use reel lawn mowers for large areas with lots of trees, since you can't ride roughshod over twigs as you can with standard mowers.

Pros

Cons

When you think of mowing, the mental image that comes to mind is that of a rotary machine, because this type of grass-cutting device has become the standard. Unlike the rotary models you’re used to, reel lawn mowers (I'm talking about the "push" type) don’t have an engine! Instead, this 19th-century invention by a man named, Edwin Budding relies on sharp blades to cut your grass, while you supply the power with your own muscles.

Environmentalists tout reel lawn mowers as a clean alternative to polluting gas-powered rotary models. Reel lawn mowers offer many benefits besides being environment-friendly, including benefits in safety, noise-level, maintenance and cost. Modern reel lawn mowers are easier to use than older models, because lightweight plastics and alloys incorporated into their framework have made them more maneuverable.

But reel lawn mowers come with some disadvantages, too. Reel lawn mowers don’t chop up twigs as do rotary machines, as twigs get lodged in the blades, requiring manual removal. Consequently, raking up twigs prior to mowing would be advisable. Nor can reel lawn mowers be employed in fall as makeshift leaf-shredders -- not an unimportant consideration for those who like to shred leaves for the compost pile. Rotary models are also better at mowing grass that's grown too high, an important consideration for those who don’t mow the grass religiously. These limitations argue that, for all but the most industrious and idealistic, reel lawn mowers may be most suitable for those who tend small urban lots.