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Reel Mowers
Posted on 4/20/21 at 7:47 am
Posted on 4/20/21 at 7:47 am
Anyone use an old school manual reel mower? We have a very large yard that I cut with a kubota tractor with belly mower. Part of the backyard is a volleyball court. We play quite a bit in the Summer and this is the area I keep fertilized and cut low, golf course look if you will. I had a cheap rider I used here since it was lighter and I cut that area couple times a week. Since that rider died I was thinking of an old school reel mower since I'm not spending $1400 on a McClain powered reel mower or that same amount on another cheap rider. Any brands to stay away from or other suggestions?
16
Posted on 4/20/21 at 7:49 am to CAT
Bump. I’ve had thoughts of doing the same for some small backyard spots.
Posted on 4/20/21 at 7:56 am to CAT
I tried a Scott's model very briefly, before deciding my yard was too big and hilly. I did a nice job though, if you have a smaller, flat area without sticks, etc.
Posted on 4/20/21 at 8:21 am to CAT
I cut 4k sq feet with American Lawn and it does the job. It gets down to 1/2” and works great in Bermuda. Can’t speak for other grasses.
Posted on 4/20/21 at 8:21 am to CAT
When I first built I put rye in a few sections around the house. Bought a Great States 18" reel. It did well. If you're only doing the court area it won't be bad at all. Not sure what type of grass you have though. I would imagine if you have St. Augustine and only cut once a week it would be a chore to push.
Posted on 4/20/21 at 8:24 am to JDat
quote:
Not sure what type of grass you have though
Bermuda; appreciate the replys
Posted on 4/20/21 at 8:29 am to CAT
Curious on this as well. I have a full acre and we actually do volleyball as well. Would like to cut the court and probably a golf hole in the back too.
Posted on 4/20/21 at 8:53 am to Verdi
quote:
I cut 4k sq feet with American Lawn and it does the job. It gets down to 1/2” and works great in Bermuda. Can’t speak for other grasses.
Man I’m tempted to order this and do my front yard which is zoysia . Backyard would probably be a nightmare getting around the kids swing set and trees
Posted on 4/20/21 at 9:15 am to CAT
I have a mascot that I used in my small back yard for a couple years. It's very high quality and cuts very well, but it doesnt lift the grass blade like a rotary mower. So it misses anything laying down in centipede and you'll see it when the wind blows.
Posted on 4/20/21 at 9:17 am to CAT
I have an American Lawn as well. I’d probably go with a fiskers stay sharp next time. As long as you mow often it works great. I cut roughly 8,000 sq feet with it so I have to sharpen the blades about every 3rd or 4th mow. If you go 4 or more days between cuts the blades will get jammed up. However it will only take 5 minutes to cut a volleyball court so cutting it every other day or so should be easy.
Posted on 4/20/21 at 10:18 am to CAT
I tried a Scott’s mowers a few yrs ago. Did not do a clean job on st aug, had to mow it twice. Delivered mower to goodwill after the summer. I looked into getting an Amish made Clipper but couldn’t swing $600.
Although I think mowing twice is somewhat normal with a reel. It was very nice to mow in peaceful quiet though.
Also, I wondered as a kid why my grandmother would pick up every small twig before I mowed her yard. After using a reel mower I figured out why. The smallest of twigs will lock the reel up.
Although I think mowing twice is somewhat normal with a reel. It was very nice to mow in peaceful quiet though.
Also, I wondered as a kid why my grandmother would pick up every small twig before I mowed her yard. After using a reel mower I figured out why. The smallest of twigs will lock the reel up.
This post was edited on 4/20/21 at 10:27 am
Posted on 4/20/21 at 10:59 am to CAT
Ordered the American Lawn one; 1800 sq ft for the volleyball court and maybe another 900 or so around the pool that connects this area. Anxious to see how it goes. Wife says I'll have a McClane before the Summer is up. Too many How to with Doc youtube vidoes lol.
Neighbors will think I've lost if they see me out there with a reel mower knowing the kubota 60in cut is sitting there.
Neighbors will think I've lost if they see me out there with a reel mower knowing the kubota 60in cut is sitting there.
Posted on 4/20/21 at 11:04 am to CAT
I have a McClane with the Honda engine. I only use it a handful of times a year just to keep it running. I would probably sell it for a reasonable price.
Posted on 4/20/21 at 11:09 am to CAT
I use a John Deere gas powered reel mower on my zoysia. A lot of work but I don't know if I can ever go back
This post was edited on 4/20/21 at 11:14 am
Posted on 4/20/21 at 11:19 am to CAT
I have a tiny yard at my rental duplex so tried a reel mower. It sucked.
Posted on 4/20/21 at 11:26 am to mikie421
quote:
I have a McClane with the Honda engine. I only use it a handful of times a year just to keep it running. I would probably sell it for a reasonable price.
BR/ Gonzalas area? I'm interested wickowick@gmail
Posted on 4/20/21 at 11:45 am to mikie421
I'm interested
Posted on 4/20/21 at 1:12 pm to CAT
Also have bermuda in back yard. For a couple of months last summer I was using the reel to keep it cut at 3/4". I would cut 3 times a week. IMO it was tough to see where you cut already due to not much grass getting clipped off. I liked to get up before work and knock the back yard out. ~4k square feet and would only take me 20 minutes. The dew made it easy to see where i cut already, and the moisture helps the blade life. Only negative thing was it would throw the clippings back toward my feet. So from mid-shin down, I'd be covered. I'd actually cut barefoot so I could just hose off after. I also have no trees so didn't have to go pick up sticks prior.
If you take pride in your grass and enjoy your time in yard, it won't be a chore.
If you take pride in your grass and enjoy your time in yard, it won't be a chore.
Posted on 4/20/21 at 1:49 pm to CAT
I have a TruCut now but I started reel mowing with an Earthwise manual reel. Couple of things to be aware of:
They can be pretty effective if you are willing to cut it low and cut it often(2-3 times per week).
If you let it get tall and try to bring it back down to a short height, you will have to do it gradually.
If you have a thick lawn, the cut will not be as good as a gas reel. You will get a wavyness in the cut due to the reel not moving as fast as it needs in order to cut it well. Go with a 7 blade over a 5 blade and it will help with this.
They just released a Sun Joe battery powered reel for about $250 this year. It may be perfect for what you need. They carry it at Home Depot. Looks like it may be sold out now but maybe you could find it somewhere else.
They can be pretty effective if you are willing to cut it low and cut it often(2-3 times per week).
If you let it get tall and try to bring it back down to a short height, you will have to do it gradually.
If you have a thick lawn, the cut will not be as good as a gas reel. You will get a wavyness in the cut due to the reel not moving as fast as it needs in order to cut it well. Go with a 7 blade over a 5 blade and it will help with this.
They just released a Sun Joe battery powered reel for about $250 this year. It may be perfect for what you need. They carry it at Home Depot. Looks like it may be sold out now but maybe you could find it somewhere else.
Posted on 4/20/21 at 2:01 pm to CAT
I've got one from HD or Lowes maybe. It's a grass cutting SOB once you get used to it. The only problem is you need a clean yard, if you have any twigs it stops you on a friggin dime and you have to shake the twig out. If you let your grass get too tall, like say a spike of crab grass or something like that it will just knock it over and not cut it.
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