Average Customer Review: ( 119 customer reviews )
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187 of 190 found the following review helpful:
 There are pros and cons... Oct 06, 2002
By S.S.
This item is not for everyone. If you have a relatively small, healthy yard that is free from debris then it will probably work for you. I am not a connoisseur of grass, but the variety I have has very slender, fine blades, and tends to flatten very easily (when walked upon, etc.). This is not a problem for a power mower, because the circular action of the blades works as a vacuum to pull the grass up before it is cut. The push-reel mower does not have that advantage, and grass that is not standing tall can easily escape the blade. Therefore, one pass does not yield an even cut, so it is usually necessary to repeat every pass from a different direction to get satisfactory results. For that reason, this item would not be very practical for a large yard. If your grass is of a thicker variety, as I think you may find more of in the south, then the mower would probably work more efficiently. If you have large trees in your yard, you may want to consider the effects of the fallen leaves or twigs-this mower will not handle them as a power mower does. A small twig can stop it in its tracks... There are several ways in which this item compares very favorably with a power mower. For instance, the maintenance is much less demanding-no tune-ups, refueling, oil changes, or fouled spark plugs, etc. Also it is considerably lighter and smaller than most gasoline mowers, and therefore much more easily stored. The operation is not silent, but is certainly much quieter than a gasoline engine. I find it easier to persuade myself to get out and mow-it seems less of a chore. And while the environmental consequences may be marginal, I'm sure there are those that find satisfaction in the fact that they may be making a difference in that arena, no matter how small... The cost is not outrageous, but I might expect to pay a little less for what I got. The construction is sturdy enough, and the assembly was not much trouble (although my mower contained a defective part, I contacted the manufacturer and they shipped a replacement part very quickly). The grip on the handle does not take prolonged stress well, but otherwise I have had no problems. Ultimately, I am satisfied with the mower. It does a pretty good job for what I need, but I can certainly see how its limitations might make it the wrong choice for some. Weigh the pros and cons carefully...
123 of 126 found the following review helpful:
perfect mower for the perfect lawn Sep 27, 2001
By D. Grove
"ColdH2Odvr"
This is the perfect mower for the perfect lawn. Unfortunately, mine isn't the perfect lawn (yet). I was looking for a quiet and clean mower without the hassle of extension cords or the price of a cordless and this fit the bill perfectly. So, after reading the reviews, I bought it, use it, and like it. However, having recently moved into town from out in the sticks, I find I need to re-adjust my `mowers are a great way to deal with anything in the yard under three feet tall' attitude. When the previous reviewer said the tiniest twig stops it he wasn't exaggerating, no matter how fast you get it moving it's just NOT gonna cut wood. Also, it does a fine job of decapitating dandelions but tends to leave the stems standing. Again, I like this mower and am glad I bought it (it's just fun to mow with), but be aware that this mower is for grass only (the old lawnboy did equally well on grass, fern, pine or madrona...) If your lawn tends more toward the rough than the green, you might want to look elseware. It may sound like I'm complaining but in truth it's my yard, not the mower that needs fixing. I plan to get our new yard into shape fast so I can enjoy this cool little mower.
80 of 82 found the following review helpful:
 Lawn mowing can be fun Apr 26, 2001
By S. Andrew Brown
I bought my mower a few weeks ago and have used it a couple times on my 1/2 acre lawn. It cuts beautifully, and nearly as quickly as my old gas powered mower. I have enjoyed being able to hear the birds and enjoy the fresh air while I mow. The mowing is a little bit more of a workout than pushing a small gas mower, but anyone who can walk should be able to push it easily. A couple of caveats though, the mower does not cut wet grass well, but I have had good experience cutting grass up to 6" long when it's dry. Also, it requires a clean lawn, even the tiniest twig will stop the blades, but the sticks are easily removed from the blades. The Amazon reviewer thought it was difficult to assemble. While I agree it could be easier, I was not frustrated and had the mower assembled in less than 15 minutes -- and I'm no genious at assembling products. Also, height adjustments could be simpler, it takes 5-10 minutes to readjust the height with a couple of wrenches. Overall, I'm very pleased with the mower -- I now view mowing the lawn as pleasant recreation rather than slavish noisy work!
42 of 43 found the following review helpful:
Das smelly mower ist kaputt! Jun 24, 2000
I admit that I was a heavy user of those noisy and stinky gas machines, until recently when the self-propel feature went kaputt half way through the job. I found myself pushing a 6HP B&S mower in 90+ degree heat. The phrase "walk behind mower" suddenly had real meaning. The very next weekend I went to a local garden store and purchased the 18in American Lawn Mower (at a lower price than my favorite web retailer). Setup was very easy except for those darn e-clips. It was fortunate that the manufacturer included an extra e-clip because I mangled the first one. I opted to leave the foam grip off. The material seems like it would deteriorate in a few months anyway, but if you have delicate hands it's a must. This was my first reel mower. I found it to be very manueverable, plenty of height adjustments, excellent clean cut (bermuda) and very little clumping of grass. The 18in reel allowed for speedy cutting of my 1/3 acre lot. Plus I got the added bonus of a great cardiovascular workout; no need for that health club membership! Although I would not recommend a push reel mower for hilly yards. I would also consider the Great States 2000 20" reel mower also available at Amazon.
34 of 35 found the following review helpful:
An unexpected surprise.... Aug 05, 2000
By CARL R GILBERT
...my wife now likes to mow the lawn!!! I recently retired my gas powered lawn hacker to try this reel mower. When my wife saw me put it together and zip through the lawn, she insisted on taking turns! Mind you, she has refused to help with the lawn for the 12 years we've been married. As for the unit itself, absolutely satisfied. Lot is about 1/2 acre bermuda, takes less time to cut using this than with a power mower, mainly because I tend to walk faster with this one. Cut is amazing, grass has almost recovered from the years of hacking with single blade butchers. Got the grass catcher, but it was a real pain to use. Plus, I do a quick (and I mean quick) mow twice a week, so I just quit using the catcher and let the clippings mulch in. Another great plus, my kids used to go inside while I mow because of the noise. Now, they stay outside and play. No running out of gas, no pull cords, no fuss. I am a convert!
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