Question 1

What are reel mowers?

Accepted Answer

Reel mowers are lawn mowers with blades that spin vertically and use a scissoring motion to cut the grass. A reel lawn mower generally has three to seven blades. They are usually healthier for grass as they snip, making a clean cut. Reel lawn mowers are often people-powered but usually move via tractors or other machinery in places like golf courses.

If you have a small urban lot or want to give your grass the absolute healthiest look possible, a manual reel mower may be an excellent choice. Reel mowers will be more work when you use them, but as they are people-powered, you won't need to mess around with spark plugs, gasoline, motors, or anything of the sort.

Question 2

Do reel mowers cut better?

Accepted Answer

This topic is quite the debate! Push reel mowers are healthier for your lawn and cut with a different motion than gas-powered lawn mowers. Reel mowers cut grass like scissors instead of lobbing off the top of the grass. This scissoring motion creates a cleaner cut and is healthier for your lawn. Reel mowers have limitations, though; they are not an optimal choice for rocky and uneven yards and cannot cut tall grass.

While reel mowers cut do make for a healthier lawn, which is, in turn, better overall, they aren't suitable for all yards. Reel mowers also struggle with some types of grass. You should consider your lawn size, terrain, and height before deciding if a reel mower will cut your grass better.

Question 3

Are reel mowers dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Reel mowers are safer than regular gas-powered lawn mowers. Since there are no engines, spark plugs, mechanical parts, or other issues, they are safe to use. Rotary motors can go from convenient tools to appendage munchers in the blink of an eye. More than 75,000 Americans each year are injured by rotary lawnmowers. Hot engines can cause burns as well.

If your reel mower hits a rock, forgotten toy, or another object, instead of spitting it out as a flying projectile, it simply jams, keeping you and any passersby injury-free. While some dangers are still associated with push lawn mowers, they are exponentially safer than the alternative options.

Question 4

Are reel mowers hard to push?

Accepted Answer

Each manual reel mower comes with different dimensions, cutting paths, and weight. The heavier a reel mower is, the harder it will be to push. However, the widest lawn mowers need fewer passes because of the size of your cutting path. So you may get the job done faster.

Assessing your lawn's size and what you can reasonably push is essential before deciding on a reel mower. You will get a workout cutting your yard with a reel mower regardless of size and weight, but how much of a workout depends on the above factors. Some newer models also have new technology that makes them easier to push.

Question 5

Can a reel mower cut wet grass?

Accepted Answer

Regardless of what kind of lawn mower you are using, it is generally not a great idea to mow damp grass. Reel lawn mowers will damage your lawn if mowed while wet less than a traditional mower because of how they cut, and their weight shouldn't change the terrain of your lawn as much as normal lawn mowers would.

If you choose to mow your lawn with a push mower while the grass is wet, you will experience increased resistance, and you will burn more calories for sure. It'll be more complicated than if the grass is dry, but if a workout is what you're after, then using your reel lawn mower after a rainstorm might be a decent idea.

Question 6

How to sharpen a reel mower?

Accepted Answer

While most might assume you need a knife, blade sharpener, or other instruments to sharpen the blades on your reel mower, this is not the case. You will need three items, a crank or object to turn the blades, a lapping compound, an abrasive suspended in a thick goo, and something to apply the lapping compound with, like a paintbrush or other instrument.

To start, you want to adjust the mower blades so that they are as close to coming into contact with the bed knife as possible without actually touching it. Then, apply the lapping compound to the very edge of the blades. After you apply, you can use a crank or other instrument to move the wheels backward and continue applying until each blade has some lapping compound. Now, crank for about ten minutes or so, still backward. After a while, your arm may tire, so it might be a good idea to have another person who can take over cranking duties. After a while, you should start seeing the shiny edges appear with a bit of corrosion. To check the progress of your blades, remove the compound. If they aren't totally shiny, apply more compound and keep going. Once you think your mower is sharp, test it with a piece of paper, it should cut like scissors.

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