Are Reel Mowers Hard to Push? A Simple Answer

Reel mowers aren’t nearly as popular as rotary mowers these days, but they’re still one of the best tools to achieve a perfectly cut lawn. With all of the added power features on modern rotary mowers, many people have moved away from reel mowers. However, they’re better for plenty of reasons.

Reel mowers aren’t hard to push because the axles push the blades and wheels, helping you mow the lawn with ease. All you have to do is apply light pressure while pushing the reel mower around your yard to cut the grass with its vertical blades. Gas-powered reel mowers require less force to mow.

In this post, we’ll show you whether or not it’s difficult to push a reel mower, what you need to know before using one, and how you push them for the best lawn cut. We’ll also talk about the easiest lawnmowers to push to determine if you should get a reel or rotary mower. Enjoy!

Is It Hard to Push a Reel Mower?

It’s not hard to push a reel mower because they only have a few parts. Set the desired grass height and push the reel mower around the yard to cut the grass evenly. You can use a reel mower with a bag attachment to gather the grass or scoop it into piles to use as mulch.

Reel mowers are incredible for scarifying a lawn because they don’t shred the grass apart. You should mow before scarifying, which is why the vertical cut of a reel mower is so efficient. It lifts the thatch layer rather than mixing it around and making it harder to remove.

Another thing that can make a reel mower hard to push is if there’s a lot of rust. Rust can corrode and slow the wheels, blades, and axles. If your reel mower is hard to push, check the nuts and bolts for rust, then use a rust inhibitor.

Are Reel Mowers Easy to Use?

Reel mowers are easy to use because they don’t require gas or electricity. Pushing the reel mower is enough to cut the grass, which is why it’s favored by golf courses, hotels, and many other businesses with large lawns. Reel mowers are also significantly better at cutting an appealing grass pattern.

Not only are reel mowers easy to use, but they also provide the following perks:

• Manual reel mowers don’t require a fuel source. How Stuff Works explains non-powered push lawnmowers are much better for the environment and your wallet. You don’t have to worry about buying more gasoline and oil or plugging the mower into an electrical socket.
• You don’t need to use air filters, fuel filters, or oil filters with a manual reel mower. These filters are only necessary for powered mowers, so they won’t be a concern for you and your manual lawnmower. However, you will likely need some or all of them for a powered reel mower.
• Push reel lawnmowers offer better cutting for the grass. The grass is scooped, raised to be even, and cut on top. The process of using a reel mower’s vertical blades is much like a haircut. As the grass is lifted, the blades cut it for a natural, appealing mow.
• There’s much less noise when using a reel mower. Since you don’t have a motor, engine, and other loud parts, your manual mower won’t create a lot of sounds. In fact, all you’ll hear is the axles, blades, and wheels moving as you slowly push the reel lawnmower.

There’s not much to a reel mower. They’re about as easy and straightforward as it gets, so they’re ideal for those with little to no lawn care experience. While they might seem old-school or inconvenient, you can get a reel mower with a bag for all of the benefits and none of the drawbacks of a powered rotary mower.

Those looking for a simple process to use a new manual reel mower should check the steps below.

How Do You Push a Reel Mower?

To push a reel mower, follow these instructions:

1. Set the cutting height to ensure your lawn is between 2 to 2.5 inches tall. If your reel mower lets you change the height settings, you’re in luck. A low-cut lawn always lasts longer and stays in better shape than a high-cut lawn. Cutting the lawn to two inches will keep it looking healthy for a long time to come.
2. Remove the grass from the wheels and blades. Caked grass, weeds, and other plants will make a reel mower harder to push. It’ll also prevent the blades from cutting the grass as well as they should be. Most lawnmower blades are made of high carbon steel for durability and flexibility.
3. Figure out if the reel mower sprays the grass to the side or behind it. According to the Art of Manliness, not all reel mowers spray grass behind them. You can keep your shoes clean by choosing one that sprays out the side if you’re worried about it. If not, you won’t have to worry about as many moving parts.
4. Firmly grab the handles and push the reel mower down and forward. Reel mowers work through the force applied to the handles. When you push down on the handles, the axles rotate and move the blades vertically. This motion cuts the tips of the grass, which creates a level lawn from end to end.
5. Empty the bag as needed. If your reel mower comes with a bag, you should empty it before it gets too full. You’ll end up jamming the blades if it overfills. You can use the grass clippings as mulch, in compost, or toss them into the yard waste bin to keep your lawn clean.

Mowing a lawn with a reel mower is just as easy if not easier than using a rotary mower. You can use gas-powered, electric, or manual reel mowers to cut the grass. All three options provide a much cleaner, more precise cut than most rotary mowers since the blades move up and down, not side to side.

Reel mowers work better on low grass, but this video will show you how to use one on tall grass if needed:

What Is the Easiest Lawnmower to Push?

The easiest lawnmower to push is the American Lawnmower Company Push Reel Mower. It comes with a grass bag, adjustable height settings, and an ergonomic handle for easy control. The 14-inch mowing width helps you cut even lines throughout the yard, providing an appealing appearance without the hassle of a powered mower.

Reel mowers are almost always easier to push than rotary mowers. Most rotary mowers are powered by gas or electricity simply because the circular horizontal blade motion is too difficult to push manually. Don’t let the power fool you, reel mowers don’t need too much effort to cut the grass.

That being said, push reel and rotary mowers aren’t even close to as easy as ride-on lawnmowers. If you want to know if riding mowers are worth it, review my helpful tutorial. You’ll learn all about the pros and cons of riding mowers to know if you should get one instead of a reel or rotary mower.

Wrapping It Up

Are you still wondering if reel mowers are hard to push? Truthfully, they’re quite easy because they don’t have all of the mechanical components of a powered rotary mower. Once you start walking and pushing, the reel mower will glide through the grass and cut it to the desired length.