I'm actually glad you choose to demo some inexpensive lawn equipment such as the reel mower, electric thatch rake and other stuff for people who do not have deep pockets. Other channels such as Connor Ward & LCN promote some expensive lawn mowers and rental equipment that is not very practical for the DIY.. I use a basic walk behind mower when I have a riding mower because the doctor wants me to do a lot of walking. Sometimes I mow two times a week to avoid a gym membership. My lawn is about 3x the typical size (15K)
I have this mower too (16”). I haven’t had a chance to use it yet, though, but it’s good to see it in action. I had my son push it to the garage after I assembled the handle on it. He got halfway to the garage and stopped and said over his shoulder, “hey, this thing is fun!” That was great to hear!
Reel mowers are fantastic in so many ways. A good shop can lap the reel and bar easily with a nice even adjustment. Creating a beautifully sharp shearing quality cut. That is very healthy for your grass and your results for a nicely finished yard is fantastic. Once setup and sharp, you will find a reel mower is far better than a rotary. Especially if you're yard is flat and properly groomed, which always holds true. But the quality of cut is always better regardless of type of grass. Super thick grasses that can be cut to shorter height look like carpet and naturally show better. However a grass that is not as thick and cut taller will still look great, and because you can achieve a more evenly cut line and the quality of the cut from a reel that is sharp. Results in a beautiful groomed look.
Hi Ryan, I started my very first lawn project ever last spring with absolutely no knowledge about lawn care whatsoever. Things looked simpler back then until I realized a delicate picky plant the grass is. Then is when it occurred to me to start looking for some guidance and of course there's wonderful TH-cam. So, I've been following your videos for a couple of months now and just wanted to tell you how much I like your methodic and perfectionist approach to lawn care! I just don't know why I didn't click the subscribe button a long time ago. Perhaps because your videos kept showing in my recommendation? Nevertheless, you got yourself a new and proud subscriber. I live in Romania where we get to face pretty rough winters as well as a tough drought during the summer months. Last spring I seeded a blend of grass with 52.5% Lolium perenne (I believe rye grass), 40% Festuca rubra (tall fescue) and 7.5 Poa pratensis (Kentucky blue grass). While it established pretty quickly last spring it took tough beat during summer and 6 days ago I decided to overseed with a blend of 95% fescue and 5% Kentucky blue, which amazingly is already starting to come out! Now my question, I've been told fescue will resist better the drought of summer. Do you consider rescue is the best choice for my region/weather conditions?? Thanks a lot!
I had a job sharpening these mowers as a kid. We tested them with newspaper. I would get it so that each blade cut the paper all the way from end to end of the blade, then customers would tell me that their mower cut better before it was sharpened. I never understood that. I'm an old man now and I'm thinking about buying one of these mowers for a lawn I just planted.
I think the best manual reel mower for the money is the Scotts 20". It can only cut up to a height of 3". It can be set to cut as low as 1" but if you're trying to use it to cut hybrid bermuda (or probably any bent grass) that low it will not work. It's much too light and the blades do not spin fast enough to get through thick low grass. It'll end up bouncing off of it and you'll end up with a weirdly uneven lawn that takes numerous passes at different angles to get right, and that will have to be done that way every mow. It seemed to do fine to about 1-1/2". It can usually be found for under $150 w/grass catcher. For 1" to 1-1/4", or for over 3", I'd recommend the Fiskars. It can often be found for under $200 w/grass catcher. My neighbor cuts his 419 hybrid with it at 1" and it does a very good job, although at that height the grass is not really in its design element (it's still upright, not bent). For under 1", the one I finally went with is the Maccot 21" for bentgrass (be sure to get the one made for bentgrass....the wheels are smaller, making the cut lower and the blade spin a little faster). The Mascot only has five blades but it's a heavy beast, with gearing designed to drastically increase blade spin. It cuts perfectly and as fast as I can walk, which is generally twice as fast as my 21" Toro SuperRecycler. The Mascot runs a bit under $400 w/grass catcher. (Yep, you can get a decent new Honda or Toro for that.) Did I mention it's fast? Every time I see a video of someone running a Swardman or Greensmaster I think, "By the time he gets started I'd already be done." Manual reel mowers require almost zero maintenance. They can't power through debris like a gas-powered reel mower, so damage to the blades is very rare. Wires (like from old sprinkler markers) are about the only thing to worry about, but that will damage any blade.
Ryan: I have found that using cash register or adding machine paper (roll) to be a fine way to test reel cut adjustment to the bed bar. Once you adjust one side I have found it advisable to once again test the entire width again. On my Locke there is a way to “back Lap” the reel to the bed bar. You paint on some fine valve grinding compound to each reel blade and then run the blade BACKWARDS and finely adjust the reel down to the bed bar. This method laps the blades to the bar in very fine polishing manner. Then afterwards you put some mineral spirts on a rag and gently and carefully remove any excess lapping compound from the blades and bed bar. Then with an oil soaked rag wipe down the blade edges after each use of the mower. This stops any surface oxidation but is a bit of maintenance that most folks forget to perform. Again be very careful doing this as the blades are sharp. Art
where this goes awry is when you mow only with it (and not to freshen up a rotary cut) - once the grass starts to lay over in areas, it will remain laid over. Missed blades will also bow over and ignore the cutter (it pushes them down like a spring). FWIW, I've mowed only with a reel for the last 5 years, and these are things that don't particularly bother me - properly set and some of the issues aren't that bad, plus bending over and pulling off long laid over blades isn't that big of a deal. The other side comment is if someone (and I'm sure there's someone watching) has a habit of sometimes letting their grass grow for an extra week, and the grass is thick, they won't physically get one of these mowers through the grass. Think grass thick enough to cause a mulching honda to struggle - it's an absolute no-go, so it's better policy to mow often. IF the setup isn't good, blades of grass will show crushing without severing, which looks like not that much the first week, but the next week, you'll notice that the grass isn't really growing, but rather is kinked with dead spots in it. Improperly set, the mower will damage the grass and keep it from growing, but it won't look good. I realize most people aren't necessarily looking for this much info, and the point of this video is more just to drive people to amazon and collect money from their sales, but I use one of these and have for years (and eons ago, I spent a ton of time on a jacobsen F10 mowing huge acreage with reels).
I have used this pretty extensively in my yard and can echo your comments. Mowing nearly daily with it is fun for me and not much of a chore. Any overgrowth is not going to happen though, as it can't cut through super thick stuff.
I love reel mowers. I got a 500sq ft strip of common Bermuda between me and my neighbor and i bought one just for that i cut it a 3/4 of an inch and its an amazing cut.
@@NickVetter my roommate bought one of those and the batteries never last on them so the yard never is fully cut. So we got a reel now and so much better.
The paper cut test was the “next level” thanks for the tip, it’s great to see an American that does not need to pollute the environment with over kill equipment! I certainly noticed those that do are usually on the cusp of being morbidly obese, and a good manual mower would do them the world of good.
i mowed a lawn yesterday that has not been mowed in half a season. some areas were up to 7" tall. i tried mowing it with a reel mower and it came out better than i expected, but still looked like crap. i had to triple mow the lawn. mine is a 6 blader and the stationary blade isn't even sharp.
I would argue that mowing with a reel mower in grass taller than 5 inches is suiside. I had a small lawn in Raleigh, NC, and only had a reel mower to use. It a vintage mower with hardened blades and in really good condition, I had adjusted it... but getting it to cut thick grass was just too much for the user to muster. My problem was turning the gears took a certain amount of force, with the added push of the taller grass into the front, the gears slowed the turn rate and bogged everything down. This mower would not go above 4.5 inches of hieght, so after 5 inches, the scycle is the way to go...
Ryan Knorr Lawn Care it was! People state there shouldn’t be any ties in football. Well, both teams missing crucial FG’s and not executing available opportunities, both teams deserved not to win. BTW, across the stadium were two practice fields, using reel mowers and guess what?... watering at night! Haha. Thanks for reaching out👍👍
My 10 day old rye grass will need a cut soon, and once again, you have once incepted me. This time for manual reel mowing. Looking on amazon, i see American Lawn Mower, Greenworks, Scotts, etc. Do you have any tips/knowledge which to go for or avoid? How much did you pick up yours for? Thanks!
Hi Ryan. Another great video! I’m currently looking into gettin a reel mower to cut my DIY backyard putting/chipping green. The only problem is, that I cannot find any mowers that cut the grass lower than 1/2” (12mm) would love if you could test, or let me know if you have knowledge about any non-powerd mowers that could bring down my cutting higth. Keep mowing👌
Subscribed, I enjoy your videos. I'd love to hear you compare the 16 to 18 inch; I just don't know what size to buy, what gets closer to the fence and around gardens. Just want to know what to buy. I saw the Lawn Master, just a lever to adjust height; wonder if you ever used one. Small yards and efficiency is my research lately. p.s. Loved that T-shirt you wore in the one video, "I'd rather be mowing."
I like the smaller size as it's a little easier to push through thicker grass. I have not tried the model you mentioned but have this greenworks and an Earthwise 7 blade
I came here to see what reel mowing is about as it was my first time I heard about them today. But I instead found myself just gawking at that car behind you. Man! But thanks, the vid was useful.
Looks really nice on the side there glad it turned out great keep up the good work. ! Also the product you recommend worked and I dethatch and put soil and leveled it out and put grass seed down 3 days ago so thanks for the great info !!
I'm glad to see that the adjustment made a difference. I've been in contact with a major manufacturer asking them to design a cordless electric reel mower. Did you know that a gasoline lawn mower engine emittes as much in one average mowing as a car does in 15,000 miles? Most cordless rotary mowers can't perform quite as well as a gas powered mower though they are getting close but an electrically powered reel mower can do an exceptional job.
I routinely check Craigslist looking for an old gas-powered reel mower that I can use as a test bed to convert to battery-powered electric using hobby-grade DC components. I seriously don't know how this isn't a thing being manufactured already. It would be painfully easy for a manufacturer (Scotts, Fiskars, Great States, SunJoe, Greenworks) to slap a belt, motor, battery and speed controller on a pre-existing model (though some like the Greenworks with direct-drive from wheel to reel would need to be re-designed to be belt-driven). For a DIY-er, one could be looking at less than $200 in electronics.
That Fiskars one you linked to at Amazon or HomeDepot can go up to 4 inches height, tempting for tall fescue cutting :) Of course if I read more comments I'd seen you reply about it, since this video is a bit old :)
I've had an idea, take the blade from a hedge trimmer, mount it on some wheels so they drive it, wala, you've got a mower that will cut any length grass. Probably would have to mount that blade on the front of a reel mower so you don't have a bunch of long grass stalks laying on your lawn. To the garage!
I'm planning to purchase one of these mowers, but I have so much anxiety that I want to do this around sunrise. Is it impossible to cut the grass when the sun rises? 6am?
3in isn't tall grass lol. One year I sort of just not mowed my yard for three months and it was nipple height on a six-foot man. Had to use a bush hog to tame it.
Hi people, I was thinking of getting one of these and was wondering how long do they stay sharp for? And if kept on top of would this cut the grass really small to mulch. Thanks in advance.
I’ve moved for years with reel type push mowers. You need a very smooth lawn. Back in the day when reel type push mowers were made out of heavy cast iron and steel parts they were great. The new ones are way too light weight to be practical on nice thick turf. The reels bind too easily and the just slide across the grass.
A Fiskars also runs about twice as much reel mowers, more than the average Joe would want to spend. Most people would rather spend a few bucks more and get a powered mower.
Hey been enjoying the channel thanks for all the great tips just a question about that reel mower can those blades be sharpened or do they get replaced when they go dull? Thanks
Obviously I'm super late to the party. I'm looking into a real mower for my lady's yard. I visit her place every so often but don't wanna invest in a power mower for the size of her yard. So my question is, is there really a need to rake up loose clippings if i mow every few weeks or so? I have yet to see one of these with a bag attachment on it.
Love this channel. So much great information. I really dig the presentation style. Keep up the good work! I renovated half of my yard and planted on 9-3 (1/4of it) and 9-10 (other 1/4 of it) Starting to come up Tempted to get a reel mower for the first few cuts because my Zero turn is 600lbs and my old push snapper is even pretty heavy.
Hi, I have just under a quarter of an acre of lawn. (The whole property is a quarter acre including the house and garage, etc) I don’t want to deal with a gas mower, and electric is too expensive. Would it be extremely stupid to get a manual mower for that much lawn?
Can i use both a rotary mower for my initial cut and then a manual reel mower with a stripping attachment to top dress? I have searched and have not seen any similar questions. I am invested in my Ego LM2135SP but I do not want to scalp the lawn. I would like to use a reel mower after to get the Irish cottage garden look.
If you told me i'd be in my early 30's, enjoying cutting my grass and regularly watching Ryan's lawn videos.... I would have told you to kiss my ass. I first came across your videos while looking at those Black and Decker corded edgers. I love that thing. I've even done my two neighbors yard with it, haha#lawnboy
Hi. Which brands reel mower would you recommended the best, even to cut the thick weeds down?! There are so many brands out there, which are so difficult to find the perfect reel. My parents yard is covered with 99% of ALL variety of different kinds of bad weeds. Which would you recommend the best?!
Frequent cutting is more important otherwise as the reel turns it knocks over the grass rather than cut it. It isn't that it won't cut well at high heights it is that it won't cut tall grass into short grass.
So glad that I'm not the only person feeling grown up by watching this
I use a push reel mower. Way more satisfying when you mow the lawn. Also nice how quiet it is
Sensory nerves aren't bounced around like a ping pong ball in a cup too.
Wondering which reel mower is the quietest?
@Jo The vibrations of a motor shake your hand constantly for however long you're running a gas-powered mower.
I just ordered one today
Reel mowers are more safer
This how I know I’m ah real adult now watching lawn mower videos 😂😂😭
Facts bro😭🤦♂️
Lol
On god🤣
is it weird that I actually search for this and I'm only 16? I just really love lawns. lol
Yeah either we are adults or we all got decieved into cutting grass, meanwhile 5-20,000 kids die daily due to poverty.
We need Jesus
Who told you this was tall grass?
lol
Right I'm walking around my back yard with 6ft high stalks of hay😂
@@trollyguacamole3308 me too lol, got a new rotary mower today, I will do the real long grass mower test 😁
Reel mowers don’t mulch the clippings, so I guess that’s why it is super sensitive to height
@@maxdom1706 DA you do realize hay will grow in any yard if a bird drops a seed right 😂
I'm actually glad you choose to demo some inexpensive lawn equipment such as the reel mower, electric thatch rake and other stuff for people who do not have deep pockets. Other channels such as Connor Ward & LCN promote some expensive lawn mowers and rental equipment that is not very practical for the DIY.. I use a basic walk behind mower when I have a riding mower because the doctor wants me to do a lot of walking. Sometimes I mow two times a week to avoid a gym membership. My lawn is about 3x the typical size (15K)
I always prefer walking when mowing. It just feels more natural to me.
It’s 3 am and I’m looking at lawn reel mowing videos as alternatives to pansy picking grass by hand for my rabbits.
4:35 here ffs
Good explanation on 5 blade vs 7 blade
I have this mower too (16”). I haven’t had a chance to use it yet, though, but it’s good to see it in action. I had my son push it to the garage after I assembled the handle on it. He got halfway to the garage and stopped and said over his shoulder, “hey, this thing is fun!” That was great to hear!
I have an urge to mow some grass right now.
😂 lol
Me too
If you are still suffering, please come to my house 🙁
Reel mowers are fantastic in so many ways. A good shop can lap the reel and bar easily with a nice even adjustment. Creating a beautifully sharp shearing quality cut. That is very healthy for your grass and your results for a nicely finished yard is fantastic. Once setup and sharp, you will find a reel mower is far better than a rotary. Especially if you're yard is flat and properly groomed, which always holds true. But the quality of cut is always better regardless of type of grass. Super thick grasses that can be cut to shorter height look like carpet and naturally show better. However a grass that is not as thick and cut taller will still look great, and because you can achieve a more evenly cut line and the quality of the cut from a reel that is sharp. Results in a beautiful groomed look.
Hi Ryan, I started my very first lawn project ever last spring with absolutely no knowledge about lawn care whatsoever. Things looked simpler back then until I realized a delicate picky plant the grass is. Then is when it occurred to me to start looking for some guidance and of course there's wonderful TH-cam. So, I've been following your videos for a couple of months now and just wanted to tell you how much I like your methodic and perfectionist approach to lawn care! I just don't know why I didn't click the subscribe button a long time ago. Perhaps because your videos kept showing in my recommendation? Nevertheless, you got yourself a new and proud subscriber.
I live in Romania where we get to face pretty rough winters as well as a tough drought during the summer months. Last spring I seeded a blend of grass with 52.5% Lolium perenne (I believe rye grass), 40% Festuca rubra (tall fescue) and 7.5 Poa pratensis (Kentucky blue grass). While it established pretty quickly last spring it took tough beat during summer and 6 days ago I decided to overseed with a blend of 95% fescue and 5% Kentucky blue, which amazingly is already starting to come out!
Now my question, I've been told fescue will resist better the drought of summer. Do you consider rescue is the best choice for my region/weather conditions??
Thanks a lot!
Bro wrote an essay on lawns
Looks like I'm going to have to adjust my reel before tackling all these tall dandelions in my new yard
I had a job sharpening these mowers as a kid. We tested them with newspaper. I would get it so that each blade cut the paper all the way from end to end of the blade, then customers would tell me that their mower cut better before it was sharpened. I never understood that. I'm an old man now and I'm thinking about buying one of these mowers for a lawn I just planted.
Fun times in the 70's mowing the lawn as a kid on Travis Air Force Base.
Great information on the that mower, makes me think of looking into getting one similar as a backup. 😁👍👍
I think the best manual reel mower for the money is the Scotts 20". It can only cut up to a height of 3". It can be set to cut as low as 1" but if you're trying to use it to cut hybrid bermuda (or probably any bent grass) that low it will not work. It's much too light and the blades do not spin fast enough to get through thick low grass. It'll end up bouncing off of it and you'll end up with a weirdly uneven lawn that takes numerous passes at different angles to get right, and that will have to be done that way every mow. It seemed to do fine to about 1-1/2". It can usually be found for under $150 w/grass catcher.
For 1" to 1-1/4", or for over 3", I'd recommend the Fiskars. It can often be found for under $200 w/grass catcher. My neighbor cuts his 419 hybrid with it at 1" and it does a very good job, although at that height the grass is not really in its design element (it's still upright, not bent).
For under 1", the one I finally went with is the Maccot 21" for bentgrass (be sure to get the one made for bentgrass....the wheels are smaller, making the cut lower and the blade spin a little faster). The Mascot only has five blades but it's a heavy beast, with gearing designed to drastically increase blade spin. It cuts perfectly and as fast as I can walk, which is generally twice as fast as my 21" Toro SuperRecycler. The Mascot runs a bit under $400 w/grass catcher. (Yep, you can get a decent new Honda or Toro for that.) Did I mention it's fast? Every time I see a video of someone running a Swardman or Greensmaster I think, "By the time he gets started I'd already be done."
Manual reel mowers require almost zero maintenance. They can't power through debris like a gas-powered reel mower, so damage to the blades is very rare. Wires (like from old sprinkler markers) are about the only thing to worry about, but that will damage any blade.
Thanks for all the info. I'm really like this little one so far.
Looks like it would serve as a good backup if you typically cut at that height. Good video Ryan!
Cool little mower. Looks like it stripes pretty easily, too.
Just bought one at a garage sale for 25 bucks! Excited to try it out!
Ryan: I have found that using cash register or adding machine paper (roll) to be a fine way to test reel cut adjustment to the bed bar. Once you adjust one side I have found it advisable to once again test the entire width again. On my Locke there is a way to “back Lap” the reel to the bed bar. You paint on some fine valve grinding compound to each reel blade and then run the blade BACKWARDS and finely adjust the reel down to the bed bar. This method laps the blades to the bar in very fine polishing manner. Then afterwards you put some mineral spirts on a rag and gently and carefully remove any excess lapping compound from the blades and bed bar. Then with an oil soaked rag wipe down the blade edges after each use of the mower. This stops any surface oxidation but is a bit of maintenance that most folks forget to perform. Again be very careful doing this as the blades are sharp. Art
I would not have mown grass at that height.
best feed
back yet
thank you
So as long as u dont let the grass grow too high before cuttingbit, the reel mower is fine ? I guess its also quieter so better for the ears ?
where this goes awry is when you mow only with it (and not to freshen up a rotary cut) - once the grass starts to lay over in areas, it will remain laid over. Missed blades will also bow over and ignore the cutter (it pushes them down like a spring).
FWIW, I've mowed only with a reel for the last 5 years, and these are things that don't particularly bother me - properly set and some of the issues aren't that bad, plus bending over and pulling off long laid over blades isn't that big of a deal.
The other side comment is if someone (and I'm sure there's someone watching) has a habit of sometimes letting their grass grow for an extra week, and the grass is thick, they won't physically get one of these mowers through the grass. Think grass thick enough to cause a mulching honda to struggle - it's an absolute no-go, so it's better policy to mow often.
IF the setup isn't good, blades of grass will show crushing without severing, which looks like not that much the first week, but the next week, you'll notice that the grass isn't really growing, but rather is kinked with dead spots in it. Improperly set, the mower will damage the grass and keep it from growing, but it won't look good.
I realize most people aren't necessarily looking for this much info, and the point of this video is more just to drive people to amazon and collect money from their sales, but I use one of these and have for years (and eons ago, I spent a ton of time on a jacobsen F10 mowing huge acreage with reels).
I have used this pretty extensively in my yard and can echo your comments. Mowing nearly daily with it is fun for me and not much of a chore. Any overgrowth is not going to happen though, as it can't cut through super thick stuff.
I will have my first experience cutting with one tomorrow. I have 2 acres, and a riding mower, but it scares me .
Good to know on checking the cut with paper.
Nice challenger looks like plum crazy great color.
Look at all these happy dads in the comments lol
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I love reel mowers. I got a 500sq ft strip of common Bermuda between me and my neighbor and i bought one just for that i cut it a 3/4 of an inch and its an amazing cut.
I have become quite addicted to the reel mowing experience.
If my neighbours had these they wouldnt be waking up the whole block on Saturday. 😐
Or electric mowerw
Ok Karen
@@natechildress1039 buy more gun
If you actually cut grass.. the noise wouldn't bother you.
@@NickVetter my roommate bought one of those and the batteries never last on them so the yard never is fully cut. So we got a reel now and so much better.
I must say this video was very helpful.Thanks for sharing.👍
Yes ma'am it works ive been mowing the last 10 yrs. 😅
I have the same mower and it's a struggle to get an even cut
I went to buy one 2 days ago and lo and behold...none available at are 2 box stores...imagine that
Wow it is more better than a lawn mower because the way it cuts any grass looks smart though.
Good looking lawn and good looking mopar
Thanks for the heads up 😃👍🏻
This video makes a great case for getting rid of lots of lawn in favor of planting areas.
💯
The paper cut test was the “next level” thanks for the tip, it’s great to see an American that does not need to pollute the environment with over kill equipment!
I certainly noticed those that do are usually on the cusp of being morbidly obese, and a good manual mower would do them the world of good.
i mowed a lawn yesterday that has not been mowed in half a season. some areas were up to 7" tall. i tried mowing it with a reel mower and it came out better than i expected, but still looked like crap. i had to triple mow the lawn. mine is a 6 blader and the stationary blade isn't even sharp.
Lol I’m not a guy but things like this makes me so happy. I remember I used one like this when I was about 9 years old. The joy 😌
Only guys cut grass?
I would argue that mowing with a reel mower in grass taller than 5 inches is suiside. I had a small lawn in Raleigh, NC, and only had a reel mower to use. It a vintage mower with hardened blades and in really good condition, I had adjusted it... but getting it to cut thick grass was just too much for the user to muster. My problem was turning the gears took a certain amount of force, with the added push of the taller grass into the front, the gears slowed the turn rate and bogged everything down. This mower would not go above 4.5 inches of hieght, so after 5 inches, the scycle is the way to go...
Thanks for the tips and tutorial
With tall and thick grass, these mowers are A LOT of exercise!
A lot of Viking fans up in Green Bay today. Cant wait to see the rivalry play out on the field and in the stands👍👍🏈🏈
That was a crazy game!
Ryan Knorr Lawn Care it was! People state there shouldn’t be any ties in football. Well, both teams missing crucial FG’s and not executing available opportunities, both teams deserved not to win. BTW, across the stadium were two practice fields, using reel mowers and guess what?... watering at night! Haha.
Thanks for reaching out👍👍
Great vid. Would it be feasible for large lots of grass?
My 10 day old rye grass will need a cut soon, and once again, you have once incepted me. This time for manual reel mowing. Looking on amazon, i see American Lawn Mower, Greenworks, Scotts, etc. Do you have any tips/knowledge which to go for or avoid? How much did you pick up yours for? Thanks!
I'd like to see how you like the SunJoe cordless reel mower compared to a good manual reel.
Hi Ryan.
Another great video!
I’m currently looking into gettin a reel mower to cut my DIY backyard putting/chipping green. The only problem is, that I cannot find any mowers that cut the grass lower than 1/2” (12mm) would love if you could test, or let me know if you have knowledge about any non-powerd mowers that could bring down my cutting higth. Keep mowing👌
Check out the Hudson star
Very informative video. My dog use to bark at my rotary. Not with a push mower. Good for my Autism Spectrum Disorder as well :)
Love the dethatcher
I'd say Modify it so that you can mow higher.
Subscribed, I enjoy your videos. I'd love to hear you compare the 16 to 18 inch; I just don't know what size to buy, what gets closer to the fence and around gardens. Just want to know what to buy. I saw the Lawn Master, just a lever to adjust height; wonder if you ever used one. Small yards and efficiency is my research lately. p.s. Loved that T-shirt you wore in the one video, "I'd rather be mowing."
I like the smaller size as it's a little easier to push through thicker grass. I have not tried the model you mentioned but have this greenworks and an Earthwise 7 blade
Dad used to represent an English brand of reel mower but it was a very heavy machine!
Whoever invents a reel mower that also has suction will have a winner. With battery tech now, it’s doable.
I came here to see what reel mowing is about as it was my first time I heard about them today. But I instead found myself just gawking at that car behind you. Man! But thanks, the vid was useful.
Thank you for the video. very helpful
Give me a mower, a blower and a weedeater and im happy. Its the instant gratification i get from it.
Lol.
Looks really nice on the side there glad it turned out great keep up the good work. ! Also the product you recommend worked and I dethatch and put soil and leveled it out and put grass seed down 3 days ago so thanks for the great info !!
I'm glad to see that the adjustment made a difference. I've been in contact with a major manufacturer asking them to design a cordless electric reel mower. Did you know that a gasoline lawn mower engine emittes as much in one average mowing as a car does in 15,000 miles? Most cordless rotary mowers can't perform quite as well as a gas powered mower though they are getting close but an electrically powered reel mower can do an exceptional job.
Swardman has an electric version out so I would really like to try that someday
Good to know, we'll be happy to fulfill your wish, Ryan.
I routinely check Craigslist looking for an old gas-powered reel mower that I can use as a test bed to convert to battery-powered electric using hobby-grade DC components. I seriously don't know how this isn't a thing being manufactured already. It would be painfully easy for a manufacturer (Scotts, Fiskars, Great States, SunJoe, Greenworks) to slap a belt, motor, battery and speed controller on a pre-existing model (though some like the Greenworks with direct-drive from wheel to reel would need to be re-designed to be belt-driven). For a DIY-er, one could be looking at less than $200 in electronics.
That Fiskars one you linked to at Amazon or HomeDepot can go up to 4 inches height, tempting for tall fescue cutting :)
Of course if I read more comments I'd seen you reply about it, since this video is a bit old :)
I have never had a chance to test on grass that tall...the shorter cut seems to work better
What sunglasses are those man? I love the lenses
Awesome stuff. Thanks.
I've had an idea, take the blade from a hedge trimmer, mount it on some wheels so they drive it, wala, you've got a mower that will cut any length grass. Probably would have to mount that blade on the front of a reel mower so you don't have a bunch of long grass stalks laying on your lawn. To the garage!
What's up with the neighbor and those vehicles? It's coming in nicely 👍👍
REALBADMANSAMBO time to move!!
I'm planning to purchase one of these mowers, but I have so much anxiety that I want to do this around sunrise. Is it impossible to cut the grass when the sun rises? 6am?
Why
3in isn't tall grass lol. One year I sort of just not mowed my yard for three months and it was nipple height on a six-foot man. Had to use a bush hog to tame it.
I've got a Fiskars that's adjustable up to 4" cut height. Mine doesn't have the nifty little striper though 😔
Same, Love it! Just take a small piece of PVC fill it with B&B'S and attach. There you have it, a $4 lawn striper...
Hi people, I was thinking of getting one of these and was wondering how long do they stay sharp for? And if kept on top of would this cut the grass really small to mulch. Thanks in advance.
Love mine. No clumps. No grass sprayed on the driveway.
Do you have more information on the adjustment you made and what it did?
What does it do with grass that's four feet tall?
I’ve moved for years with reel type push mowers. You need a very smooth lawn. Back in the day when reel type push mowers were made out of heavy cast iron and steel parts they were great. The new ones are way too light weight to be practical on nice thick turf. The reels bind too easily and the just slide across the grass.
You should try the Fiskars stay sharp max reel Ryan. Much easier to push than most other reels and height goes up to 4".
+1. I added a Fiskars Staysharp Max to my stable of manual reel mowers this year expressly for the purpose of cutting at 4".
A Fiskars also runs about twice as much reel mowers, more than the average Joe would want to spend. Most people would rather spend a few bucks more and get a powered mower.
It works fine but tall stems are hard to cut
Daaam, thats how I know I am turning into an adult. I'm watching lawn mower videos.
I'm wondering if there is a basket you can attach to the earthwise, the cheap mower you get from amazon.
How long have these been in existence?
Outstanding!
Hey been enjoying the channel thanks for all the great tips just a question about that reel mower can those blades be sharpened or do they get replaced when they go dull? Thanks
They can be sharpened as far as I know and also maintained more often with backlapping.
So I guess when I cut a foot of grass with my push mower I'm some kinda of psycho lol
One day I realized after watching videos like this, I have officially become Hamk Hill.
Obviously I'm super late to the party. I'm looking into a real mower for my lady's yard. I visit her place every so often but don't wanna invest in a power mower for the size of her yard. So my question is, is there really a need to rake up loose clippings if i mow every few weeks or so? I have yet to see one of these with a bag attachment on it.
@perryfroze keep your Christian nationalism to yourself thanx.
This was helpful! Thank you
Yup,, They miss too much stuff,,, I've trie and tried get a reel mower to work worth a damn,,, impossible!
It's fully possible at the lower heights but on higher cut it's not quite the same
Where do you live that you have such beautiful yards???
Iowa
I mow rye grass with one of that!!! And i get low clean cut!!! And don't need gas!!! Ryan how is your bluegrass growing next rye?
Bluegrass is coming in nicely
Love this channel. So much great information. I really dig the presentation style. Keep up the good work! I renovated half of my yard and planted on 9-3 (1/4of it) and 9-10 (other 1/4 of it)
Starting to come up
Tempted to get a reel mower for the first few cuts because my Zero turn is 600lbs and my old push snapper is even pretty heavy.
This little thing has been amazing for my renovation area. I am glad I went this route.
I’m ready for another dramatic swardman video with some royal deluxe music to back it up. That video will be hard to beat. I’ll watch anything...
Wait?! Where did that video go?!
Should still be on my channel. The epic lawn striping one?
Hi, I have just under a quarter of an acre of lawn. (The whole property is a quarter acre including the house and garage, etc) I don’t want to deal with a gas mower, and electric is too expensive. Would it be extremely stupid to get a manual mower for that much lawn?
Yeaa! Everyone should get 1. community involvement, Pay kids or unemployed to help! Come together instead of disturbing everyone!
Can i use both a rotary mower for my initial cut and then a manual reel mower with a stripping attachment to top dress? I have searched and have not seen any similar questions. I am invested in my Ego LM2135SP but I do not want to scalp the lawn. I would like to use a reel mower after to get the Irish cottage garden look.
I’d this safe to use if you have back problems? Also how do you adjust the mower for the paper cutting test?
If you told me i'd be in my early 30's, enjoying cutting my grass and regularly watching Ryan's lawn videos.... I would have told you to kiss my ass. I first came across your videos while looking at those Black and Decker corded edgers. I love that thing. I've even done my two neighbors yard with it, haha#lawnboy
Hi. Which brands reel mower would you recommended the best, even to cut the thick weeds down?! There are so many brands out there, which are so difficult to find the perfect reel. My parents yard is covered with 99% of ALL variety of different kinds of bad weeds. Which would you recommend the best?!
I've only used this particular one before...many like the Fiskars version as well
I think either modify it to have a better Gear ratio or modify it to Gas Powered Reel, for better cut performance.
I have a gas powered reel mower so this is just used as a backup and for renovations
Cool, it's good to have a back up, Looks like it does a nice job too.
Yeah I really like it actually
For a back up when My Lawn Mower's broke down, I use a Weed Wacker, it looks nice when I get done, but that reel mower's pretty cool for a back up.
Frequent cutting is more important otherwise as the reel turns it knocks over the grass rather than cut it.
It isn't that it won't cut well at high heights it is that it won't cut tall grass into short grass.
Sweet car. Dig the color
I used a Scotts model. Are other brands better or do I only need to adjust the blade somehow?
Awesome video thank you
Hi Ryan, does it work for buffalo grass?
Yo. Let's talk about this beast in the garage you nonchalantly use as a prop. Is that a Charger???
Challenger :)
I bet the car gets as much care as the lawn! Keep up the good work!
That's a high horsepower lawn trencher my friend ;)
Is it usually only one pass? Or do you have to do multiple passes?
Does the mower cut Crabgrass easily ?