Looking for a reel mower...

[Azxster]

My lawn is very small, and will get smaller in the future so I am looking for a maintenance free reel mower. I noticed Canadian Tire has the Yard Works on sale but am unsure of the quality and to get the 2 wheel or 4 wheel design.

http://canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444213 3093&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396672659&bmUID=1175722178111

http://canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444213 3089&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396672659&bmUID=1175722178581

What do you guys think of the Yard Works brand? I've read that they offer mediocre products. Lee Valley Tools has one for 150, and Walmart has one for 70.

[Dealz-4-U]

Im also looking for something like this. My front yard is small but the backyard is somewhat huge. Will this do a good job cutting the grass like a gas powered or electric powered mower? Im a total noob to lawn mowers, and am curious if after cutting the grass with one of these do we have to pick them up or just leave them there? lol I feel like a newb. :lol:

Thanks

[Kanus]

I found the following thread in archives.
www.redflagdeals.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-271945.html

I've seen Gardena reel mowers in Home Depot. I also remember seeing a cordless Gardena reel mower there last summer. I can't remember what they cost. I had a friend who owned a Gardena reel mower and he loved it. Reel mowers work fine if you keep the blades sharpened and don't let the lawn get too long between mowings.

I'm sure the Lee Valley ones are fine too.

[venice_it]

I use one and I like it. I find I have to go over the lawn twice to get 'stray' grass blades. Neighbours that have used them find this as well. I also find the grass grows faster than with a regular mower so you will have to mow more often.

They do make a grass catcher for these, but I just leave the clippings. Blades need to be sharpened using a method called "lapping". If you are somewhat handy, I'd buy the lapping kit. Otherwise, I'd just buy a new mower at the end of season every 2 years and sell the old one to a small engine shop for 20 bucks. The sharpening costs nearly what the clearance priced mower costs.

I would buy the larger size (the one with the 4 wheels). It seems most models at several stores are made by the same manufacturer, since there is little difference in appearance.

[Kanus]

Home Depot has Gardena mowers online-

http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogSearchResultView?D=1&srchFor=Brand&Dx=mode%2bmatchall&Ntk=level1&langId=-15&catNav=4&storeId=10051&Ntx=mode%2bmatchall&N=113109&catalogId=10051&Nty=1

[scottyb]

I have the Yard Works 4 wheel reel mower. It does a decent job, it isn't as thorough as a gas mower, but it's easy to hang in the garage and you don't need to store a gas can. My lawn is small as well. It struggles a bit with long grass, so you have to cut often.

[Drthorne]

I have the Yardworks 4 wheel one and it's 3 years old, works great except on dandelions. my yard is too big for it and I got lazy and bought a gas mower from Sears last summer. It's in excellent condition so if anyone's interested in buying a used one from me pm me. $60 for it and pickup in Kitchener, it's too big to ship

[stealth]

We've got the Lee Valley one we used only one year before moving to a place with a big enough yard that we got a gas mower. In Mississauga, $80. takes it.

[knapper]

Also have the Lee Valley, minimal use, with catcher, in Hamilton, open to offers...

[T-Bone]

http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=1&p=10190&cat=2,2160,51170&ap=1

If you are looking for somthing built to last, Lee Valley has the best quility reel mowers out there!

[granto]

I have the Gardena mower from Home Depot. I used it all last summer and it works great.

[rilles]

Wider the mower, the less work it will be to cut your lawn.

I have used a Scott's Classic mower from Home Hardware for the last 10 years.

[led2]

Last year I bought a reel mower, the Scotts classic is the same as the Lee Valley one. They are just branded differently.

[patlo]

I'm looking for a reel mower as well. I've been doing a lot of reading and it seems that the Scotts Classic 20" mower is very popular. The main complaint I've read is that the handle isn't too sturdy and it can get wobbly when maneuvering around the lawn.

From what i've read, the Brill Razorcut 38 is the BMW of all manual reel mowers. Price is $269.99cdn. It's made in Germany and built to last. The blades are supposed to be "non-contact"(the blades dont make contact with the cutter?) so there is less resistance therefore easier to push. This mower was demonstrated at the Home Show in april 2009.

The other manual reel mower i've read about is the Sunlawn LMM 40. This mower has the same features as the Brill Razorcut 38 but is less expensive. It also has the "non-contact" blades. I've seen this one online for $199.99cdn with free shipping. The wheel diameter on this one is a little bigger than the Brill Razorcut 38 so the blades spin faster with less effort.

I really like what i've read about the Brill Razorcut *8 but the price is pretty expensive. I guess i'm leaning towards the Sunlawn. Does anyone know anywhere I can take a look at these machines in person in the GTA?

Also where did you guys buy your Lee Valley mowers from? Also please note that I have had NO actual hands-on experience with any of these reel mowers. All the information above is from what i've read online.

Brill Razorcut 38 - $269.99 online price
• Weight 7.8Kg (17 pounds)
• Cutting width 38cm (15 inches)
• Cutting height 15mm to 45mm (0.8 inches to 1.8 inches)
• Contact-free blade design for exceptional ease of pushing

Sunlawn LMM 40 - $199.99 online price
• Weight 8.8Kg (19.3 pounds)
• Cutting width 40cm (16 inches)
• Cutting height 10 - 55mm (.4 - 2.2 inches), easily adjusted
• Contact-free blade design for exceptional ease of pushing

Scotts Classic 20" - $187.99 Home Depot
• Weight 13.7Kg (30 pounds)
• Cutting width 50cm (20 inches)
• Cutting height 25 - 76mm (1 - 3 inches), easily adjusted

[craftsman]

Also where did you guys buy your Lee Valley mowers from?

http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=1&p=10190&cat=2,2160,51170&ap=1

[CSK'sMom]

Looking at those specs patlo I notice one thing that you should take into consideration. Healthy lawns should be cut at 2.5 to 3 inches long, especially now with the province wide herbicide/pesticide ban. The cut height issue would take the Brill off the list for me and makes the Sunlawn questionable at best.

[patlo]

thanks for your advice. i did not know the minimum height of a healthy lawn was 2.5-3" tall. if that's the case how come they make these mowers with such a low cutting height?

[pkguy]

Back in the day,, hey I'm in my 50's, the few people in the 50's and 60's and scarer still in the 70's who used reel mowers were folks who were near fastidious about maintaining a putting green look lawn and they would be out there shaving the lawn and watering them almost daily. Those with normal sized suburban lawns seldom used a manual reel mower either, they had the self-propelled gas reel mowers which you don't see anymore. You pretty much have to water them almost daily during a hot dry summer otherwise the just burn up. They work best on ground that is ironed flat as well, lumps and bumps really feel like "lumps and bumps". For a true postage stamp lawn though they should be ok, not a lot to water and easy to keep flat and weeded.
They don't make them to cut higher because most people couldn't push one through the grass if it was any higher.

[CSK'sMom]

Because they work great and are the recommended cutting tool for bentgrass. Bentgrass is what they use for putting greens on golf courses and it needs to be cut very short. As a homeowner you do not want bentgrass as it's the least eco-friendly grass variety there is around here due to it's massive fertilizer and water requirements and it's labour intensive.

[Shaf]

I have the 4 wheel yardworks reel mower and used it for one season. I ended up buying a gas mower since we moved to a home with a much bigger lawn and backyard.

I can sell it if you want a used one.

[WeeB]

Wow a lot of people seem to be selling their Reel mowers. I hope that doesn't just mean they suck because I was planning on buying one. The grass in the backyard at my new house is only about 25 ft by 25ft. I am hoping a reel mower should be fine with that. I may be contacting one of you about your reel mowers soon.

[rilles]

I have an electric and a reel mower. Electric I use for the first cut of the season or if I've been away and the grass is high. Otherwise I use the reel mower, no cords no fuss of starting up. With reels i've found you have to cut your lawn often to keep subsequent cuts of good quality, while a rotary motor can slice through almost anything.

[craftsman]

Wow a lot of people seem to be selling their Reel mowers. I hope that doesn't just mean they suck because I was planning on buying one. The grass in the backyard at my new house is only about 25 ft by 25ft. I am hoping a reel mower should be fine with that. I may be contacting one of you about your reel mowers soon.

Most people are probably selling their reel mowers for one reason - they get tired of pushing it.

[spider]

How about this one...any owners ?

http://www.mysmartgarden.ca/

http://www.mysmartgarden.ca/images/enlarge/brill78300.jpg

[WeeB]

I didn't realize how old this thread was. If anyone has a relatively new and good condition Lee Valley reel mower they are looking to sell shoot me a PM.

[nornet]

How about this one...any owners ?

http://www.mysmartgarden.ca/



Go with their classic design, the single post isn't sturdy enough. Besides the classic is cheaper.

[pshch]

Most people are probably selling their reel mowers for one reason - they get tired of pushing it.

Not really true. Reel mower has some limitations. First it does not work very well on tall grass (actually it does not work at all - grass will just bend and won't get into cutting mechanism). You need to mow religiously every week (or maybe even more often - depends how fast it growth) and if you do not grass will grow too tall you will have a problem. Second it wont work on wet grass - wheels won't have enough traction so reel won't rotate and also if grass is laying down (which is quite typical after rain) reel mower won't be able to lift it (regular gas and electric one has a small suction so it will be). Third it cannot mulch and composting is not a solution for everybody (in Calgary dry climate I was never able to get a good result - anybody need a composter?). Bagging is bad because you throw out nutritions with clippings. So need to push is only comes at forth place.

Was pushing be the only issue I would like my reel mower but because of other 3 I'm joining the ranks of people willing to sell it (CT one).

[WeeB]

Anyone have any comments on this one?? Its onsale for 20% of at canadian tire. It doesnt say the cutting height, I think I would like one that goes up to 3 inches.

Canadian Tire Reel Mower (http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp;jsessionid=KgXJjZJcQ67P12TGdZ0Q tMGJLQXKvLPtkFMT1N6TtH6Tw2gM3vkp!114581993?PRODUCT %3C%3Eprd_id=845524442133093&bmUID=1243617161814)

[nornet]

Anyone have any comments on this one?? Its onsale for 20% of at canadian tire. It doesnt say the cutting height, I think I would like one that goes up to 3 inches.

Canadian Tire Reel Mower (http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp;jsessionid=KgXJjZJcQ67P12TGdZ0Q tMGJLQXKvLPtkFMT1N6TtH6Tw2gM3vkp!114581993?PRODUCT %3C%3Eprd_id=845524442133093&bmUID=1243617161814)

Just had 2 reel mowers sharpened , a Gardenia and an American. According to the sharpener, the Gardenia is not a very good mower and doesn't hold an edge very long. The American is much better but in his opinion the CT mower is better still as the blades have a higher carbon content and hold an edge. The American is about 10 years old and I'd buy another one because of the weight. The Gardenia is too light.

[pshch]

Anyone have any comments on this one?? Its onsale for 20% of at canadian tire. It doesnt say the cutting height, I think I would like one that goes up to 3 inches.

Canadian Tire Reel Mower (http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp;jsessionid=KgXJjZJcQ67P12TGdZ0Q tMGJLQXKvLPtkFMT1N6TtH6Tw2gM3vkp!114581993?PRODUCT %3C%3Eprd_id=845524442133093&bmUID=1243617161814)

This is the one I mentioned in my previous post. If you are OK with reel mower concept this one should work for you. It's not the best on the market but pretty good for the price.

[stealth]

Wow a lot of people seem to be selling their Reel mowers. I hope that doesn't just mean they suck because I was planning on buying one. The grass in the backyard at my new house is only about 25 ft by 25ft. I am hoping a reel mower should be fine with that. I may be contacting one of you about your reel mowers soon.

Well, in our case, my wife got hers as a gift from her brother when she was living in a new semi with very little yard space, and it was ideal, since she didnt have to worry about mixing gas, tune ups, etc. and it stores nice and small in a garage.
The next year, we bought a house with a 50 x 175 lot, and I'm a power tool kind of guy anyways :)

[kkkat]

http://www.walmart.ca/wps-portal/storelocator/Canada-FeaturedPage.jsp?selection=listingDetails&tabId=6&singledept=null&lang=&assetId=43120&imageId=60276&suggestedItem=&priceType=null&page=null&departmentId=203&categoryId=227&tabId=6

It's only 100 bucks. It looks the same as the CT one. 20 bucks cheaper and with a grass catcher.

[cutesnoopydoll]

CT has one onsale, any comments on this mower?

http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp;jsessionid=KgXJjZJcQ67P12TGdZ0Q tMGJLQXKvLPtkFMT1N6TtH6Tw2gM3vkp!114581993?PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524442133093&bmUID=1243617161814