who here mows their lawn with a push mower? (sale, home)

[PNWGuy]

I'm not finding it worth it to pay someone $50 a visit to mow/edge my lawn, at the same time, not sure if buying a lawn mower is worth it either, my lawn isn't that big. Thinking of getting a push mower instead, as they are cheaper, take up less garage space, and don't pollute the air . Of course I could get an electric one, or even a battery charged on, but don't want to deal with a cord or battery replacements.

any cons for getting a push mower? I imagine grass clippings will get mulched? I don't see many folks around here with push mowers, from what I can tell.

[Burning Madolf]

Originally Posted by PNWGuy

I don't see many folks around here with push mowers, from what I can tell.

Probably has to do with the idea of pushing anything between June and October, unless of course, you used it at night or in the very early AM.

[Jkgourmet]

The last time I used a push mower was in the backyard of my first home, a patio home with a patch of grass about 8 ft by 10 ft.

I called the rock man about 4 weeks later. Told the dog to get used to desert landscaping and tried to sell that push mower at my next yard sale. Couldn't give the darn thing away!

[PhureeKeeper]

What's the size of your yard? What kind of grass? Push mower might not cut it (literally).

[phx1205]

By push mower, I think you are referring to a reel mower, one without an engine? I have what I would call a push mower as it requires me to push it, not self propelled but does have a gas engine. About $150 at Sears. My yard is about 950 sq ft so pretty small, takes about 15 minutes to mow. No problem in the summer. Just remember your landscaper is probably doing other things as well, like cleaning up leaves, etc. Cleaning up the leaves that end up in my rocks takes longer than mowing the grass.

[youthinkso]

I use one up north and I have a few thousand sq ft of lawn. Best thing is no gas required, just a little blade adjustment once in a while. Since buying property in PHX though I have now decided to rip out all my lawn and go gravel like the desert. I really hate grass.

Reel mower is the correct term as a push mower describes any mower you don't ride on.

[Stefani W]

My neighbour has a "reel" mower, uses it all the time, and loves all the features that you initially posted. One thing though, he's in his twenties and is full of energy. So the work-out he's getting isn't overly taxing; however, a friend had a heart-attack using his reel mower as he tried to cut very thick, long grass and it was near-impossible without really pushing hard. So be aware of the need to cut the grass regularly. Only cut if the grass is dry, as in the afternoon, and keep the reel properly lubricated, cleaned, and serviced. Have a back-up plan: if you turn your back and the grass gets outta hand, call someone to cut it rather than kill yourself pushing.

PS. I have a vintage cylinder cutter with a hood and rear grass catcher from the interwar years. It still works!! Something to be said for manual implements - they're quiet, they're free to operate, they don't cost a lost to buy, they don't take up a lot of space, they have an esthetic appeal, and they give a good bit of exercise, fresh air, and sunshine!

[westcoastforme]

AZ has grass?! J/K

[TiredOfyycCold]

My husband bought one at a a yard sale a year ago... it looked almost new (maybe it was yours JkGourmet - LOL)... doesn't work at all on the bermuda grass in our yard. I'm not sure why... maybe it just needs to be sharpened/adjusted?

Anyhow - we now just cut the grass with a string trimmer - works great. Our grass patch is approx. 20 ft x 10 ft.

[PNWGuy]

yes, I meant reel mower. I could use the workout, and enjoy doing yardwork. If I miss a few weeks, I can always pay the one time $50 fee to have them mow it. I have a gas blower so that would take care of leaves in the rock. Not sure what kind of grass I have, it looks the same as everyone elses. We also have winter lawn put in. I have a string trimmer for the edges already, so may give it a shot!