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Why use a Reel Mower?
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Author:  kbrew [ Mon Oct 04, 2004 8:24 am ]
Post subject: 

I would agree. However, my post was only in reference to the tips from Scotts.com for growing a beautiful lawn.

Author:  Mr. Clean [ Mon Oct 04, 2004 9:53 am ]
Post subject: 

Don't discount the use of a reel mower for a St. Augustine lawn. IMO, St. Augustine grass, due to the wide leaf blade structure shows the most benefit from the scissor-like cutting of a reel mower. The resulting cut is smooth rather than ragged from being torn which results in less browning at the tip.

As for the powered reel mowers, I don't have room for a third mower :)

Author:  lstanley [ Thu Oct 21, 2004 1:22 pm ]
Post subject:  I have a Brill battery powered reel mower

Someone asked if anyone had a Brill mower. I bought one this spring and used it all summer. There are definite pros and cons. What I like about it - it's small, lightweight, and easy to start (a case of severe tennis elbow persuaded me to ditch the gas mower). It does a fine job of cutting all kinds of grass - IF you aren't a perfectionist and can stand to leave a few stray blades standing here and there. What I don't like about it - it's not as powerful as a gas mower so it won't cleanly cut the toughest weeds and the battery power plays out relatively quickly so it takes me all weekend to cut the front and back lawns - 6500 sq. ft total. I purchased extra batteries so I can finish the lawn in 2 days rather than take all week while waiting for batteries to recharge. And you will need to cut the lawn often - weekly is best - to minimize mowing time. You will also need to pick up twigs, stray rocks and other obstructions before you start since these obstructions can get stuck in the blades, stopping the mower action. It's not a problem to stop and pick them out of the blades; it's just annoying. And yes, it's initially more expensive than a gas mower, especially when I added the purchase of the extra batteries. However, I don't want to wreck my arm again trying to pull the crank on a gas mower and I'm doing my small part to not contribute to more air pollution by going electric.

You can purchase a bag attachment if you want to catch the clippings. I opted not to do that. I bought mine online at Gardner's Supply and found extra batteries at Yardiac.com.

I don't know about sharpening the blades since I've only had my mower for one season. You can also use the Brill as a manual push mower. I tried that and it was too hard for me to push manually, especially since I have a large yard to cover.

I leave the clippings on the grass and they generally disappear within a day or two. No problems with this that I've noticed.

Linda in Cedar Hill

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