Four years ago we replaced our gas-powered mower with a push mower (also known as a reel mower).
The difference has been great. Here are the advantages:
– Very little noise;
– No smell (except sweat, maybe?);
– No gas to buy or to store;
– very little maintenance required;
– less storage space required (some reel mowers are so light they can be hung on a hook);
– the good feeling that we are not contributing to air and noise pollution whenever the lawn needs a trim; and
– it is much safer to use (you can’t cut off your toes with it)and it can be used by younger teenagers than you would permit to use a gas mower.
A little healthy exercise is required. Burn off around 400 calories per hour.
It also offers a clean cut with no scalping.
Are there disadvantages?
Yes, if your lawn is very big. Ours is easily manageable at about 5,000 square feet. Yes, it is not as hardy over rough ground as the motor mower. Yes, if you use it in rank grass and it gets fibrous stems wound around the reel.
Think you can handle those? So, why not switch to leg-power this year?
Most hardware stores are stocking one or more models, from the basic (at a basic price: between $100 and $150) to the super-light, highly engineered versions, such as the German Brill or the Fiskars ($200 to $250). A comparison chart is available at www.peoplepoweredmachines.com. Happy hunting,,And enjoy the more peaceful evenings and weekends as your initiative catches on with the neighbours too.
