Snow Joe Mj500m 16 Manual Reel Mower
Features a Large Attached Grass Catcher
The Snow Joe is easy to push and maneuver, which makes it ideal for small lawns. You can pick from a four-position manual adjustment. It has a maximum cutting height of 1/81 inches and a minimum cutting height of 0.88 inches. You can even tailor the cutting height to 1/81 inches deep. The grass catcher effortlessly cradles an impressive 6.6 gallons, detaching quickly for effortless emptying. The two large 8.8-inch wheels let you zip around your yard without getting bogged down. The metal deck has even been treated for rust resistance, so the reel mower stays looking fabulous year after year.
What We Like About It: We love that this mower is maintenance-free and easy to operate. The model is lightweight at only 22 pounds. It has an acceptable 16 inch cutting width that’s perfect for small to moderate-sized yards. It comes with a full two-year warranty, making it one of the best choices.
Cutting WidthNumber of BladesCutting Height Options
Why You Can Trust Us
My dad has one of those walk-behind mowers. Its ancient. Almost as ancient as him. He comes from the generation where you fix stuff if its broken, not throw it away. Its a pity in this case because that lawnmower is a disaster. If it goes, it leaves a lane of uneven lawn behind you. Every now and then it administers an electric shock to make sure youre not napping behind the controls. As a teenager, mowing the lawn was the worst chore of them all. The biggest blessing was when that hunk of junk broke down for the day and I could take it, yet again, to the repair shop.
When I became an adult and found myself reigning over a lawn of my own, you better believe I was on the hunt for a good mower. I was well acquainted with the worst. Now I wanted the best. Ive tested cheap lawnmowers, fancy ones, and everything in between. Ive yet to find my perfect traditional mower, but Ive tested a lot. My search continues while my knowledge and experience grow.
Are There Any Push Reel Mowers That I Can Bag Grass With
You wont always want to mulch, so there are a few mowers that include grass catchers so you have the option of bagging the clippings. The Sun Joe Mow Joe manual reel mower includes a catcher that can hold up to 6.6 gallons of grass clippings. The catcher is also removable for when you do want to mulch. Another mower that comes with a grass catcher is the GreenWorks 25052. However, the grass catcher has been shown to not work very well. It tends to come off, shedding grass clippings with it.
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Slope Terrain & Lawn Condition
The terrain and the lawn slope are crucial aspects to consider when you are getting a manual reel mower. Some are better in handling all terrains while others are not. The type of grass that grows in a particular yard can also have some effect on the performance. Since these manual push lawn mowers are light, there is little traction hence they could slide on some tall and wet grass, therefore, affecting the outcome and cutting performance.
Number Of Cutting Blades
Manufacturers produce reel mowers in a variety of designs. The cutting deck of the machine features the blade reel. Most manufacturers design and construct the blades using coated carbon steel for strength, and the coating prevents rust and reduces friction when mowing the lawn.
Its common for reel mowers to come with cutting reels featuring five or seven blades. The more blades the mower has, the finer the mowing action. Therefore, mowers featuring seven blades typically offer a finer cut and better aesthetic for your lawn.
The revolutions of the cutting deck also play a roll in the clean-cut of your lawn. You could have a seven-blade reel mower, but if the blades spin slowly, its going to influence the look of your lawn. Choose a model with as many blades as possible and a high revolution count for the cutting reel.
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What Are The Benefits Of A Push Reel Mower
Something that a lot of people believe is that manual mowers couldnt possibly have any benefits. Its 2021 surely everything must be powered? But this is not the case. There are a lot of reasons why these mowers are an excellent choice, so lets take a look at some of these now.
- Push reel mowers are much more lightweight, especially when compared to gas machines.
- Manual mowers are far more environmentally friendly and put out zero emissions.
- This type of lawn mower will provide you with a much quieter mowing experience, giving your neighbors more peace in the process.
- Manual mowers are much better for the health of your grass. Unlike rotary mowers, which can chop at the blades of grass, causing damage to them, a manual mower uses a scissor-like cutting action with multiple blades. The sharp blades cut the grass in a precise clean cut, resulting in a healthier, thicker and disease-free lawn.
- Manual reel mowers are used for most luxurious lawns as they cut the grass cleanly and short, providing that prestigious appearance.
- Push reel mowers automatically mulch, leaving the grass clippings spread evenly across the lawn and delivering much-needed nutrients back into it.
- Manual reel mowers are more compact compared to their gas/electric corded counterparts meaning easier transportation and less storage.
- Unlike other types of mowers, the push reel requires very little maintenance.
Tips For Using A Push Reel Lawn Mower
If you have been used to using a powered mower then it can feel slightly strange moving to something that is entirely different. That being said, getting to grips with your new push reel mower will be pretty easy.
To make the most of your equipment and learn to use it properly, I have put together some top tips.
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Scotts Outdoor Power Tools 2000
Model has a Comfortable Ergonomic Handle for Pushing Comfort
This classic Scotts 20-inch rotary mower features five blades on a ball-bearing reel. It also features large, 10-inch dual tracking wheels. The 1″-3″ cutting height adjustment lets you determine how tall you want your lawn to be. The blades stay sharp due to their alloy steel treatment, so you’ll rarely have to sharpen the blades. The ergonomic handle has a soft cushioning, which lets you grip the mower with ease, preventing your hands from becoming tired.
When this model arrives, assembling is effortless – it requires no tools. You can quickly get to mowing your lawn. It’s built to be solid, but the reel mower’s design is not overly heavy , meaning you won’t get tired when mowing.
What We Like About It: The 20-inch cutting width means fewer passes when you cut your lawn. The quick snap height adjusters let you easily yield the adjustable cutting height. This will ensure you get the optimum height for your grass type. Adjust it from one to three inches. You can choose from nine different height slots. The five-blade reel cuts the grass into a fine mulch, helping to promote a healthy lawn. Dual wheel tracking lets you maneuver the machine over the toughest, most uneven terrain, making this one of the best reel mowers on the market for challenging landscape. The blades neatly slice the lawn, leaving the grass looking fantastic.
Cutting WidthNumber of BladesCutting Height Options
Are Reel Mowers Better Than Traditional Mowers
Most gardeners agree that reel mowers provide a cleaner cut and better finish for your lawn. The visual aesthetic is appealing, and its a must-have tool for any manicured lawn. Traditional gas-powered or electric mowers create a vacuum under the blades, pulling up the grass towards the cutting deck. This action, along with the rotating cutting deck, leaves a torn effect on your lawn.
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American Lawn Mower Company 1304
Best Reel Mower for Getting Close to Foundations
With a five-blade cutting power, this mower cuts a path of 14 inches wide. Its 8.5-inch polymer wheels turn easily so you can effortlessly cut around flower beds, foundations, walkways, fence lines, and driveways. Adjust the mower height from 1- 1.75. It can cut through four-inch-tall grass blades without difficulty. The scissor cutting action slices through a variety of grass types, like a hot knife cutting through butter. The alloy blades have undergone heat treatment, so they stay sharp for years.
What We Like About It: The heat-treated blades won’t require sharpening for three to five years. This mower works great for compact yards.
Cutting WidthNumber of BladesCutting Height Options
Why Invest In A Push Reel Mower
Although an electric or gas walk-behind lawn mower can help you mow faster, push reel mowers are a much more convenient solution for smaller yards. Here are some advantages to expect:
- They are smaller and lighter than motorized mowers, thus easier to handle. They are also easy to store.
- They are cheaper and need almost no maintenance.
- Due to their smaller size, they are easier to maneuver in tight spaces and are ideal for yards with tight corners or awkward shapes.
- They are eco-friendly, almost noiseless, and suitable to use in all states.
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Wheel Size & Cutting Width
The cutting coverage doesnt only depend on the cutting width but also your reel mowers wheels. These two parts work together to make the most out of your passes. A wider cutting width means more grass cut per run-through. But the wider the reel, the harder it is to steer. Bigger wheels help with this because you get more control.
The Remington RM3100 Reel Push Mower has four wheels. The extra back wheels help steer the 18-inch wide reel mower through slopes or bumpy areas.
Its essential to get a reel mower that has wheels closest to the reels as possible. This way, you dont have to overlap your lanes to get a cleaner cut. It also lets you get as close to the edges so that you work less with a weed whacker.
What About Disadvantages
Despite the benefits, reel lawn mowers do have disadvantages as well. The most obvious one is that using a reel mower is a lot more work. The mower is powered by you instead of an an engine, so you will be pushing your mower all the way up and down your yard. Using a reel mower on a large lawn would take a lot of effort. Another negative is that push reel mowers are not great at cutting tall or overgrown yards. They almost all need to be used before your yard looks insane or they just push and bend over the long grasses and weeds. They also dont work on uneven or hilly yards. The last issue is that bagging your grass clippings isnt really an option with reel mowers. There are some exceptions, but reel mowers are mostly intended as mulchers, with some stand-outs in that area.
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Best For Bermuda Grass
Why We Like It: This seven-blade mower will keep that Bermuda grass looking fresh. Designed specifically for bentgrass, like Bermuda grass, this mower will get the job done. The blades are adjustable without the need for tools and youre relying on a hundred years of experience when you buy one of these.
Who Should Buy It: If you have Bermuda grass, and youre intent on keeping it in carpet-like perfection, maybe this mower can help. You can also adjust the blades a lot lower than most other reel mowers so if youre looking for a short lawn, this is the way to go.
Who Makes The Best Lawn Mower Engine
most popular lawn mower enginespowerfulenginesView the Best Cheap Lawn Mower, Below.
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Reel Mowers The Verdict
If youre struggling to choose between the models in this review, why not rely on our top picks? We have a model to suit any budget and any yard.
The American Lawn Mower Company 1815-18 is our top pick for the best overall reel mower. This model comes with a 5-blade adjustable cutting deck and razor-sharp coated blades. The ergonomic handle makes it easy to push around the hard, and it collapses for compact storage. This model is the ideal choice for mid-sized to larger lawns.
The Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Mower is the ideal choice for homeowners with larger lawns./ this self-propelled model features the patented InertiaDrive system for easy movement around the yard. You get an adjustable cutting height, ergonomic handle, and a 5-blade cutting reel with StaySharp technology.
The American Lawn Mower Company 101-08 gets another nod in this review for this reel mower. This model comes with an affordable price tag, and its a great choice for homeowners with smaller lawns. You get an 8-inch cutting deck with a 5-blade cutting reel and adjustable cutting height. This model is lightweight and easy to manage.
Cutting Width & Height
A wider mower can cut more grass at the same time and you can be done faster since youre moving across the lawn in wider lanes.
The downside is that more width brings more weight with it, and a wider model is more difficult to wield on a small lawn or one with nooks and crannies.
Different models also allow for varying cutting height. Some can start as low as half an inch, and adjustable reel mowers commonly feature settings between 1 and 4 inches.
Many people prefer a grass height of 3 inches, but whatever your preference, make sure the push mower youre getting supports it.
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How Do You Cut Tall Grass With A Reel Mower
Tallgrass is harder for the blades of a reel mower to cut. There are however some things that can be done to make it easier. The height of the reel mower needs to be adjusted to the highest cut level.
The blades must be sharpened in order to push the reel mower easily. This will make the job easier for other parts of the mower as well, and reduce wear. Its also important to make sure the lawn is completely dry. Attempting to cut whilst the grass is wet is much harder as it sticks together and clogs up the reel mower.
Disadvantages Of A Reel Mower
The only significant drawback to reel mowers is that you have to physically push them. Theyre not self-propelled, and you cannot ride on the apparatus. However, most people who find the reel mower the best choice overall have a small to modest-sized yard you wont be walking a great distance when using it. Remember that modern reel mowers now have gear-assisted pushing, so theyre easier to push than the classic reel mower from 50 years ago.
When using a reel mower, the optimum time to cut your lawn is in the morning. Mow before the sun gets too hot, or youll become uncomfortable.
Many people also complain about the height of the cutting deck. If your lawn becomes too long , the reel mower will not cut through the lawn, and youll need an electric or gas-powered mower to shear the grass. When the grass is too long, even the best mower cant cut it. Instead, it just pushes the grass downward and bends it. Make sure you mow your grass before it reaches that high of a height. Typically, the longer the grass, the greater the friction on the cutting reel, so youll have a hard time pushing the mower.
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How Easy Is It To Move
It is blindingly clear that a push mower will only be as good as the person operating it, so it is vital that the model you choose will suit your ability. If you can test the machine before you commit to buying it, that is great, however, if this is not possible, you should ask yourself two questions
How heavy is the mower?
Can you easily move it around to cover the entire lawn?
The second question will hinge on a few factors. Primarily, you should look at the size of the wheels. Larger wheels give the mower a much greater degree of stability and this can mean that you are more easily able to push it around. However, you want to make sure that this does not mean you are ending up with a heavier piece of equipment.
Flaws But Not Dealbreakers
We analyzed the negative comments at Amazon and found that most of the complaints center on the aluminum handle breaking, a plastic gear in the mechanism stripping out, or simply the realization that a reel mower is not the right choice for the owners particular lawn.
We investigated the plastic-gear complaint by removing the wheel of the Scotts mower and taking a look at the gear. As you can see in the photo above, its a pretty robust gear with deep teeth, and it interfaces with the teeth on the inside of the plastic wheel. The wheels turn as you push, and those teeth turn the plastic gear, which rotates the blades. Stripping it out is an issue to be aware of, but under proper use, the gear shouldnt be a problem. And if it becomes one, replacing the gear is a 10-minute repair job. While it would be nice if both the wheel and the gear were made of metal, such a design would likely add money to the price tag and a significant amount of weight to the mower.
One of our long-term testers also noted that when the Scotts arrived, many of the screws holding the handle together were loose and fell out within a month. Once they were replaced, no further problems surfaced.
A close reading of the user complaints suggests that owners who were using the Scotts mower on tall or tough Southern grass had the most problems, but such difficulties are likely to be common among all push mowers and not just the Scotts.
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