Six Benefits of Using a Push Reel Lawn Mower

The only things I hear are the birds chirping and the rhythmic cutting of the grass.

My apologies for getting this article published later than usual. I was sick earlier this week and needed to rest. But I’m back to make sure I hit my goal of publishing an article per week this year.

Soaking up that moment when you’re done doing yard work because it won’t last.

I’ve mowed thousands of lawns in my life. I started mowing grass when I was around eight years old. I wasn’t great at it, and as a young kid, I made many mistakes. I specifically remember hitting a rock with a new lawn mower and it cracking the side of the mower’s frame. Luckily nobody was hurt and my dad wasn’t too upset. Just part of learning.

Throughout college, I mowed lawns during the summer break. My crew and another would mow around 200 lawns per week. We did everything from residential locations to businesses and large apartment complexes. We had all of the best equipment to do the job but it never made things easier. Something always seemed to break, which is what you expect when you’re running equipment all day.

Once I graduated from college I promptly retired from cutting grass.

But that all changed when I bought my house a few years ago. My lawn isn’t difficult to mow and there’s about a quarter acre of grass. I could pay somebody to mow it but why do that when I have the experience?

Why the Push Reel Lawn Mower Is My Favorite

I stumbled upon this article from The Art of Manliness about push reel mowers in 2021 and was sold after reading it. After some research, I purchased the Scott’s 16 in. Push Reel Lawn Mower for $90. I figured it was worth a shot and if I didn’t like it then I could probably sell it for what I paid for it.

I don’t think most people realize there are more lawn mower options available than the classic gas-powered push mower. I have an old Honda push mower that I got for free from my old landlord. It’s great for early spring and fall lawn mowing. But I don’t particularly enjoy using it. I don’t like how loud it is. The exhaust isn’t pleasant to breathe. It stirs up lots of dust and pollen. It’s mostly good at mulching leaves.

Riding lawnmowers are great for large yards, which mine is not. But they take up more space to store and they need more maintenance. I like the idea of an electric lawnmower, but it’s just another thing I have to charge and maintain.

The 6 Benefits of a Push Reel Lawn Mower

1. Quietness

I’m clearly getting older because I like my life quieter than I did 10 years ago. My grandpa car further proves this point. I can mow my lawn at 6 a.m. in the summer (like any good dad would do) without violating my city’s sound ordinance and disturbing my neighbors. In fact, I look forward to early summer mornings when I can sneak out to the yard and mow in virtual silence. The only things I hear are the birds chirping and the rhythmic cutting of the grass.

2. Ease of Maintenance

A push reel mower has no oil or spark plug to change. I simply clean the blades with a broom and spray the reel with WD-40 when I’m done using it. I believe the blades need to be sharpened every five years. So not much, really. 

3. Small Footprint

This one can go both ways because a smaller mower isn’t always the best if you have a lot of grass to cut. But the recommended yard size for a push reel mower is a quarter acre. I think you could do a half acre if you have the time. I can store my mower in a utility closet with brooms and shovels. It’s amazingly compact.

4. Healthier and Better-Looking Grass

A push reel mower clips the grass like a giant pair of scissors. Where a rotary mower chops the top of the grass off. Chopping the grass makes it more vulnerable to diseases and dry conditions. The clipping of a push reel mower cuts the grass more evenly, which in turn creates fantastic lines. 

5. Safer

A push reel mower cuts grass when it’s being pushed. If you hit a rock or a stick, it will jam the blades, forcing you to stop. A rotary mower can sling rocks and sticks at high rates of speed. Not to mention they are known to take fingers and toes off. A push reel mower certainly has its risks but they are fewer due to the propulsion method of the blades.

6. Exercise

Because you are the engine behind a push reel mower, you tend to exert more effort mowing the grass compared to an engine-powered mower. Especially since most push mowers have some sort of wheel-driving system. I typically feel 100% better after I’ve exerted physical effort. I spend about 40 minutes mowing my lawn with a push reel mower. That’s the equivalent of walking a few miles. I not only get some exercise but I’m left with a beautiful lawn.

Should You Buy a Push Reel Mower?

Everyone is different but if you have a medium-sized yard and want to exert some physical effort then I think a push reel mower is worth trying. The cost of acquiring one of these mowers is cheap, and you may even find a used one for free.

For me, the benefits vastly outweigh an engine-powered rotary mower. With a push reel mower, I find mowing the lawn to be enjoyable. It feels less like a chore because of the machine’s simplicity. The sonic experience of the blades clipping the grass is delightful. 

If you’re already mulching your grass then a push reel mower makes even more sense. Grass clippings make great fertilize for your lawn and the added benefit of the scissor-like cutting style will make it look better as well.

As always, thank you for your attention. Have a great spring!