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This may sound dumb, but I was kind of hoping this would be electric. Reel mowers make it look like you went out and cut your yard with a ruler and scissors, they just suck to push, especially if you have a wrist injury.
If you like to torture your body it's a great deal. Doubt if it would work the old school stuff was way heavier and even than you almost died. If you use this product remember to take a running start.
I got through two growing seasons (years) of mowing 2000ish square feet of newly-sodded hybrid Bermuda using a push reel mower. But after steady applications of PGR last year, the lawn is now way too full/thick to cut with my push reel. Nonstop ripples and the bed knife won't stop hopping at anything below 1.25" or so. It's hacking and pulling constantly. And yes, the reel and bed knife are very sharp and perfectly aligned.
Desperately trying to find a deal on a used gas reel while I pray that Amazon sends me a not-damaged Sun Joe battery electric reel to try (on my third return now). The Sun Joe seems to be the only reasonably-priced electric reel mower available, but reviews seem to be extremely hit or miss. Fingers crossed it works out for me, or at least buys me time to score a nice used Toro or JD greens mower.
If you like a nice low cut, and don't want to suffer a stress-induced stroke from a shitty mower, stay away from push reels. I literally threw mine across the yard in a fit of rage last week (after struggling for the last two months with it).
I got through two growing seasons (years) of mowing 2000ish square feet of newly-sodded hybrid Bermuda using a push reel mower. But after steady applications of PGR last year, the lawn is now way too full/thick to cut with my push reel. Nonstop ripples and the bed knife won't stop hopping at anything below 1.25" or so. It's hacking and pulling constantly. And yes, the reel and bed knife are very sharp and perfectly aligned.
Desperately trying to find a deal on a used gas reel while I pray that Amazon sends me a not-damaged Sun Joe battery electric reel to try (on my third return now). The Sun Joe seems to be the only reasonably-priced electric reel mower available, but reviews seem to be extremely hit or miss. Fingers crossed it works out for me, or at least buys me time to score a nice used Toro or JD greens mower.
If you like a nice low cut, and don't want to suffer a stress-induced stroke from a shitty mower, stay away from push reels. I literally threw mine across the yard in a fit of rage last week (after struggling for the last two months with it).
How often are you cutting? Once my lawn starts really taking off, I've gotta mow 2-3 times a week with my reel mower and it's fairly easy (2nd hand Fiskars, decently sharpened recently but not aligned as good as it could be).
Only problem I have is my yard is sloped and when I switch up the mow I have problems cutting through some thick clover patches, but this is only if I'm not sticking to a mow every 2-3 days during the growing season.
I've been contemplating grabbing an electric mower for those times where im not able to keep to my mowing schedule. A bonus would be sucking up small rocks/debris that make it's way into the lawn that would otherwise dull my reel mower.
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How often are you cutting? Once my lawn starts really taking off, I've gotta mow 2-3 times a week with my reel mower and it's fairly easy (2nd hand Fiskars, decently sharpened recently but not aligned as good as it could be).
Only problem I have is my yard is sloped and when I switch up the mow I have problems cutting through some thick clover patches, but this is only if I'm not sticking to a mow every 2-3 days during the growing season.
I've been contemplating grabbing an electric mower for those times where im not able to keep to my mowing schedule. A bonus would be sucking up small rocks/debris that make it's way into the lawn that would otherwise dull my reel mower.
Last year, it quickly got up to 4x a week to maintain a 0.5" height, pretty much right after green-up. Though really it wasn't truly a "green up" because my hybrid bermuda never goes fully dormant in the first place (Southern California, it's warm enough through all of winter for it to stay green-ish). By this time last year I was already on my third application of PGR, and I kept that up every 3-4 weeks since, even through this past winter. This year, it has come in a lot fuller and, thankfully, MUCH more slowly/manageably, to where I was able to maintain 0.5" for the first several weeks at just 1-2x a week after green up. But with that thickness came the difficulty of pushing through it. I had to raise my mowing height just to get a barely-acceptable cut. But even then it's nothing like the buttery-smooth slice through the lawn as when it was newer and thinner.
What kind of grass do you have? I don't think a rotary mower will do well if you've also got bermuda and want a nice low cut. You'll just end up pulling up the runners and cutting them off, hurting its ability to spread and fill your lawn. And an electric reel won't be able to suck up rocks, it'll just get ruined. I use a quick pass with the push lawn sweeper before mowing for the rock/debris issue. I just have to barely graze the top of the bermuda so as to not pull up the stolons while doing so.
Last year, it quickly got up to 4x a week to maintain a 0.5" height, pretty much right after green-up. Though really it wasn't truly a "green up" because my hybrid bermuda never goes fully dormant in the first place (Southern California, it's warm enough through all of winter for it to stay green-ish). By this time last year I was already on my third application of PGR, and I kept that up every 3-4 weeks since, even through this past winter. This year, it has come in a lot fuller and, thankfully, MUCH more slowly/manageably, to where I was able to maintain 0.5" for the first several weeks at just 1-2x a week after green up. But with that thickness came the difficulty of pushing through it. I had to raise my mowing height just to get a barely-acceptable cut. But even then it's nothing like the buttery-smooth slice through the lawn as when it was newer and thinner.
What kind of grass do you have? I don't think a rotary mower will do well if you've also got bermuda and want a nice low cut. You'll just end up pulling up the runners and cutting them off, hurting its ability to spread and fill your lawn. And an electric reel won't be able to suck up rocks, it'll just get ruined. I use a quick pass with the push lawn sweeper before mowing for the rock/debris issue. I just have to barely graze the top of the bermuda so as to not pull up the stolons while doing so.
Not sure what I've got, but being in the PNW, its likely a fescue mix. Lots of moss in the front yard, large clover patches (that I've since worked on and should be gone by fall), doesn't look like it's ever been dethatched (and I missed out on the really good dethatcher deals already) a lot of patchy areas and very uneven lawn-- so I do end up scalping almost down to the topsoil often. Rocky/Clay soil up here so it's fairly compact right now as well.
I plan on dethatching and core aerating this fall, then adding some compost/sand mix and new seed everywhere to fill it all in So my guess (judging by your experience) is I'll probably get 1 or 2 mows in next spring before I give up on the reel mower. I love the look, especially when my neighbors on either side only mow once every other week. Mowing in the middle of the night in the summer when its cooler out is also oddly satisfying in its own way. I'm hoping I can bump the height up to match the lowest setting on the mower and still occasionally get a nice reel cut once the lawn is in good shape.
Not sure what I've got, but being in the PNW, its likely a fescue mix. Lots of moss in the front yard, large clover patches (that I've since worked on and should be gone by fall), doesn't look like it's ever been dethatched (and I missed out on the really good dethatcher deals already) a lot of patchy areas and very uneven lawn-- so I do end up scalping almost down to the topsoil often. Rocky/Clay soil up here so it's fairly compact right now as well.
I plan on dethatching and core aerating this fall, then adding some compost/sand mix and new seed everywhere to fill it all in So my guess (judging by your experience) is I'll probably get 1 or 2 mows in next spring before I give up on the reel mower. I love the look, especially when my neighbors on either side only mow once every other week. Mowing in the middle of the night in the summer when its cooler out is also oddly satisfying in its own way. I'm hoping I can bump the height up to match the lowest setting on the mower and still occasionally get a nice reel cut once the lawn is in good shape.
The good thing about fescues is you're probably cutting at a higher height, meaning a decent rotary should be able to match the height of any reel mower. My other lawn is a mix of fescues, St. Augustine, older non-hybrid bermuda, and about a billion weeds. I use my push reel mower on that one too, and I gotta agree, it's actually quite nice compared to my electric rotary. Maybe you won't ever have the same problem I have? I knew I was taking on a high-maintenance lawn when we chose bermuda for "the nice lawn", I just underestimated just how "high" that really was.
For the clover: not sure how you feel about herbicides, but have you tried End Run? It's absolutely fantastic stuff. I had an issue with oxalis and clovers in my bermuda early on (the stuff grows naturally all over the area here), but two spot treatments knocked all of it out. I'd tried a few other post-emergents and didn't have much success, but it was all dead two weeks after End Run. YMMV, but I'm hooked on the stuff.
The good thing about fescues is you're probably cutting at a higher height, meaning a decent rotary should be able to match the height of any reel mower. My other lawn is a mix of fescues, St. Augustine, older non-hybrid bermuda, and about a billion weeds. I use my push reel mower on that one too, and I gotta agree, it's actually quite nice compared to my electric rotary. Maybe you won't ever have the same problem I have? I knew I was taking on a high-maintenance lawn when we chose bermuda for "the nice lawn", I just underestimated just how "high" that really was.
For the clover: not sure how you feel about herbicides, but have you tried End Run? It's absolutely fantastic stuff. I had an issue with oxalis and clovers in my bermuda early on (the stuff grows naturally all over the area here), but two spot treatments knocked all of it out. I'd tried a few other post-emergents and didn't have much success, but it was all dead two weeks after End Run. YMMV, but I'm hooked on the stuff.
Not sure what I got, something that had clover listed on the package. I tried it out on a small area first and it got rid of it with the first application. The thicker clover I put 2 applications on and it thinned out considerably between applications. I ended up going at it with a weed whacker, cutting it all down pretty low, pulled some of the bigger heads out then sprayed with a 3rd round of the weed killer and threw a little bit of topsoil on it the next day. Probably not a conventional way to do it, but since it was a about a 5'x10' patch, I figured id give it a shot.
I've got my lawn short enough that the blades of grass don't come up past the sole of my shoe, but I think its just so thinned out and easy to cut just due to the thatch. any area's that I didn't rake out last year are still cruddy, but the areas I did rake out (small scale testing) are good. I'll check out End Run as I'm sure I'll need to control the clover again next season. Still trying to find a good pre-emergent. I've heard tenacity is great, but I haven't found a local supplier yet and it seems like it might be highly overpriced online for such a small bottle (unless a little goes a long way).
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I got through two growing seasons (years) of mowing 2000ish square feet of newly-sodded hybrid Bermuda using a push reel mower. But after steady applications of PGR last year, the lawn is now way too full/thick to cut with my push reel. Nonstop ripples and the bed knife won't stop hopping at anything below 1.25" or so. It's hacking and pulling constantly. And yes, the reel and bed knife are very sharp and perfectly aligned.
Desperately trying to find a deal on a used gas reel while I pray that Amazon sends me a not-damaged Sun Joe battery electric reel to try (on my third return now). The Sun Joe seems to be the only reasonably-priced electric reel mower available, but reviews seem to be extremely hit or miss. Fingers crossed it works out for me, or at least buys me time to score a nice used Toro or JD greens mower.
If you like a nice low cut, and don't want to suffer a stress-induced stroke from a shitty mower, stay away from push reels. I literally threw mine across the yard in a fit of rage last week (after struggling for the last two months with it).
On same boat. Used scotts 20" reel and my great neighbor cant take that and loaned his gas mower. I would say it is day and night difference.
I did cut gas on manual, but the grass grown way too tall/ thick.
I have a sun joe 40v snow blower, but cant find a lawn mower of 40v from sun joe.
I need to get one, not sure if I have to go to gas powered or the cordless at this time
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Desperately trying to find a deal on a used gas reel while I pray that Amazon sends me a not-damaged Sun Joe battery electric reel to try (on my third return now). The Sun Joe seems to be the only reasonably-priced electric reel mower available, but reviews seem to be extremely hit or miss. Fingers crossed it works out for me, or at least buys me time to score a nice used Toro or JD greens mower.
If you like a nice low cut, and don't want to suffer a stress-induced stroke from a shitty mower, stay away from push reels. I literally threw mine across the yard in a fit of rage last week (after struggling for the last two months with it).
https://www.greenworkst
Desperately trying to find a deal on a used gas reel while I pray that Amazon sends me a not-damaged Sun Joe battery electric reel to try (on my third return now). The Sun Joe seems to be the only reasonably-priced electric reel mower available, but reviews seem to be extremely hit or miss. Fingers crossed it works out for me, or at least buys me time to score a nice used Toro or JD greens mower.
If you like a nice low cut, and don't want to suffer a stress-induced stroke from a shitty mower, stay away from push reels. I literally threw mine across the yard in a fit of rage last week (after struggling for the last two months with it).
Only problem I have is my yard is sloped and when I switch up the mow I have problems cutting through some thick clover patches, but this is only if I'm not sticking to a mow every 2-3 days during the growing season.
I've been contemplating grabbing an electric mower for those times where im not able to keep to my mowing schedule. A bonus would be sucking up small rocks/debris that make it's way into the lawn that would otherwise dull my reel mower.
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Only problem I have is my yard is sloped and when I switch up the mow I have problems cutting through some thick clover patches, but this is only if I'm not sticking to a mow every 2-3 days during the growing season.
I've been contemplating grabbing an electric mower for those times where im not able to keep to my mowing schedule. A bonus would be sucking up small rocks/debris that make it's way into the lawn that would otherwise dull my reel mower.
What kind of grass do you have? I don't think a rotary mower will do well if you've also got bermuda and want a nice low cut. You'll just end up pulling up the runners and cutting them off, hurting its ability to spread and fill your lawn. And an electric reel won't be able to suck up rocks, it'll just get ruined. I use a quick pass with the push lawn sweeper before mowing for the rock/debris issue. I just have to barely graze the top of the bermuda so as to not pull up the stolons while doing so.
What kind of grass do you have? I don't think a rotary mower will do well if you've also got bermuda and want a nice low cut. You'll just end up pulling up the runners and cutting them off, hurting its ability to spread and fill your lawn. And an electric reel won't be able to suck up rocks, it'll just get ruined. I use a quick pass with the push lawn sweeper before mowing for the rock/debris issue. I just have to barely graze the top of the bermuda so as to not pull up the stolons while doing so.
I plan on dethatching and core aerating this fall, then adding some compost/sand mix and new seed everywhere to fill it all in So my guess (judging by your experience) is I'll probably get 1 or 2 mows in next spring before I give up on the reel mower. I love the look, especially when my neighbors on either side only mow once every other week. Mowing in the middle of the night in the summer when its cooler out is also oddly satisfying in its own way. I'm hoping I can bump the height up to match the lowest setting on the mower and still occasionally get a nice reel cut once the lawn is in good shape.
I plan on dethatching and core aerating this fall, then adding some compost/sand mix and new seed everywhere to fill it all in So my guess (judging by your experience) is I'll probably get 1 or 2 mows in next spring before I give up on the reel mower. I love the look, especially when my neighbors on either side only mow once every other week. Mowing in the middle of the night in the summer when its cooler out is also oddly satisfying in its own way. I'm hoping I can bump the height up to match the lowest setting on the mower and still occasionally get a nice reel cut once the lawn is in good shape.
For the clover: not sure how you feel about herbicides, but have you tried End Run? It's absolutely fantastic stuff. I had an issue with oxalis and clovers in my bermuda early on (the stuff grows naturally all over the area here), but two spot treatments knocked all of it out. I'd tried a few other post-emergents and didn't have much success, but it was all dead two weeks after End Run. YMMV, but I'm hooked on the stuff.
For the clover: not sure how you feel about herbicides, but have you tried End Run? It's absolutely fantastic stuff. I had an issue with oxalis and clovers in my bermuda early on (the stuff grows naturally all over the area here), but two spot treatments knocked all of it out. I'd tried a few other post-emergents and didn't have much success, but it was all dead two weeks after End Run. YMMV, but I'm hooked on the stuff.
I've got my lawn short enough that the blades of grass don't come up past the sole of my shoe, but I think its just so thinned out and easy to cut just due to the thatch. any area's that I didn't rake out last year are still cruddy, but the areas I did rake out (small scale testing) are good. I'll check out End Run as I'm sure I'll need to control the clover again next season. Still trying to find a good pre-emergent. I've heard tenacity is great, but I haven't found a local supplier yet and it seems like it might be highly overpriced online for such a small bottle (unless a little goes a long way).
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Desperately trying to find a deal on a used gas reel while I pray that Amazon sends me a not-damaged Sun Joe battery electric reel to try (on my third return now). The Sun Joe seems to be the only reasonably-priced electric reel mower available, but reviews seem to be extremely hit or miss. Fingers crossed it works out for me, or at least buys me time to score a nice used Toro or JD greens mower.
If you like a nice low cut, and don't want to suffer a stress-induced stroke from a shitty mower, stay away from push reels. I literally threw mine across the yard in a fit of rage last week (after struggling for the last two months with it).
I did cut gas on manual, but the grass grown way too tall/ thick.
I have a sun joe 40v snow blower, but cant find a lawn mower of 40v from sun joe.
I need to get one, not sure if I have to go to gas powered or the cordless at this time