Thread: Push reel lawn mowers

I have one. It is much nicer than having to deal with the hassle of remembering to get gas for a regular mower, and it really does not take much more effort than a powered mower. The one thing that I don't particularly enjoy is having to do a pre-mow walk around the yard picking up any small twigs so they don't get caught in the blades.

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

That's a great photo, Seraphim

It is a nice photo, however, it is not mine I copied it off of an Amazon ad

I used one for several years; however, went to a gas mower this year. I found that it cut grass beautifully but had a difficult time on weeds. I would often have to do two or three passes then follow it up by pulling the longer pieces that it couldn't cut. We have a herbicide ban in Halifax which unfortunately turned my lawn into a weed farm (today the weeds are the only thing keeping the yard green).

Originally Posted by rastewart

I love these too, though ours need sharpening and I need to learn to do that.

Sharpening is usually done with some abrasive paste and a crank handle that would fit into a square socket on one of the shafts on the side... at least that how the old ones were sharpened. I can't imagine the new ones being any different. Most manufacturers have a sharpening kit available for their mowers.

Regards

Christian

Originally Posted by kaptain_zero

Sharpening is usually done with some abrasive paste and a crank handle that would fit into a square socket on one of the shafts on the side... at least that how the old ones were sharpened. I can't imagine the new ones being any different. Most manufacturers have a sharpening kit available for their mowers.

Regards

Christian

yep... I do mine with some valve polishing compound and a crank to turn it backwards. I wanna say this is called "backlapping" but I might be remembering wrong. I'm totally with the guy who has a yard of weeds, mine is the same way and since I'm next door to a daycare, I'm not allowed to spray roundup all over. If anyone in North Texas wants a reel mower, pm me, I'm going to break down and buy a gas mower once it gets cool enough for the grass/weeds to grow again.

Originally Posted by rsrick

I used one for several years; however, went to a gas mower this year. I found that it cut grass beautifully but had a difficult time on weeds. I would often have to do two or three passes then follow it up by pulling the longer pieces that it couldn't cut. We have a herbicide ban in Halifax which unfortunately turned my lawn into a weed farm (today the weeds are the only thing keeping the yard green).

How long should I use one before attempting an against the grain pass?

Originally Posted by foundlingofdollar

How long should I use one before attempting an against the grain pass?

Check out www.reelmowerplace.com

Originally Posted by kaptain_zero

Sharpening is usually done with some abrasive paste and a crank handle that would fit into a square socket on one of the shafts on the side... at least that how the old ones were sharpened. I can't imagine the new ones being any different. Most manufacturers have a sharpening kit available for their mowers.

Regards

Christian

Originally Posted by jockeys

yep... I do mine with some valve polishing compound and a crank to turn it backwards. I wanna say this is called "backlapping" but I might be remembering wrong. ...

Thanks, gentlemen, I will check into this.

Rich

I have used nothing but reel mowers for the past 25 years. On the rare occasion that I get behind and the grass gets too tall, I just do a fast swinging buzz of the tall stuff with a weed wacker. I love using reel mowers. If you keep them sharp, they do a better job (sound familiar?), they require minimal maintenance, they don't pollute, and I can (and have) mow at midnight without annoying the neighbors.

Originally Posted by Utopian

I have used nothing but reel mowers for the past 25 years. On the rare occasion that I get behind and the grass gets too tall, I just do a fast swinging buzz of the tall stuff with a weed wacker. I love using reel mowers. If you keep them sharp, they do a better job (sound familiar?), they require minimal maintenance, they don't pollute, and I can (and have) mow at midnight without annoying the neighbors.

Where do you get enough light to mow at midnight without annoying the neighbors? I'd love to be able to do that