The Classic Reel Lawn Mower
One hundred years ago, gasoline engines were huge clunky things and there
were no gasoline lawn mowers. So how did people cut their lawns? With good
old fashioned human power pushing a reel lawn mower, that’s how.
A reel lawn mower? If you are over the age of 40, you might remember your
dad or grandfather pushing one of these around the yard. They consist of
rotating blades that cut the grass as you push the machine.
The truth be told, reel lawn mowers are still manufactured and there a many
who advocate their use. A reel lawn mower doesn’t use fossil fuel or
electricity, it’s quiet, almost maintenance free and will keep on cutting
your lawn for years with nothing more than an occasional blade sharpening.
The reel lawn mower of today is basically the same machine as a hundred
years ago, but there have been a few improvements. Heavy metal frames have
been replaced with aluminum or tubular steel, and some of the parts are now
made in plastic. The overall weight of a reel lawn mower has been reduced by
about 20 pounds in today’s machines.
For small yards, a reel lawn mower is ideal. There’s no need to worry about
keeping a supply of gasoline on hand and you don’t need to change spark
plugs – this mower is always ready to go. Not only that, they are so quiet
that none of your neighbors will complain even if you cut the grass at 6
o’clock in the morning!
Not only are they environmentally friendly, they are also good for your
lawn. Instead of tearing the grass the way a rotary blade does, the reel
mower cleanly clips each blade of grass and spreads the finely cut clippings
evenly back over the lawn for the full recycling benefit.
They are good for your health, too! Pushing a reel lawn mower around the
lawn for 20 minutes or so provides a good aerobic workout while doing your
gardening chores.
With all these benefits, why is anyone using power mowers? Well, power
mowers are good for efficiently cutting larger areas, and if you make a
living cutting grass, you can go a lot faster and make more money if you use
a power machine. But for the average lawn mower and lawn care homeowner with a small yard, a reel
lawn mower is ideal.
There are still a fair number of manufacturers that make these mowers, and
you can easily find a model to suit your budget. When buying a reel lawn
mower keep in mind features like cutting height adjustment, wheel size,
cutting width and the number of blades. Whichever model you choose, you’ll
find a reel lawn mower a satisfying investment.
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