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Web Special
Reader Comments About Reel and Electric Mowers
Here are more readers’ testimonies about their adventures with
environmentally friendly lawnmowers, as well as a few other
alternatives.
I am a reel mower fanatic! Years ago I was mowing and a young next-door
neighbor—he must have been about four at the time - asked me what I was
doing. I said I was mowing the lawn. He replied with deep skepticism,
“That’s not a lawn mower!”
LM, Washington, D.C.
I have used both a reel mower and an
electric mower on my quarter acre yard. The reel mower was the most
environmentally friendly alternative, but didn’t do a very good job on
my weedy lawn. Clippers were needed to whack back plantains and
tough-stemmed field grasses. I have since switched to an electric mower
and really love it. It deals much better with my weeds, and because it
is a mulching mower, I can use it to chop leaves in the fall. On the
downside, the cord has tripped me and can only reach a maximum of 100
feet.
LA, Newark, Delaware
This summer I decided to try a lawn mower robot. I bought the “LawnBott
Evolution”, which is said to be quieter than other models. Well I like
quiet, and the LawnBott has been worth every extra penny. What no one
warned me about was the perimeter wire that needs to be set up. I spent
most of the day trying to untangle it! It may be larger than necessary
for my yard, but it does mow extremely well and is a show-stopper for
passers-by.
BG, Pearland, Texas
EDITOR’S NOTE: In April 2008, a voluntary recall was placed on
the LawnBott. For more information,
click here.
Reel mowers are the best choice for turf
areas less than one-eighth of an acre, but if you’re into health and
fitness, you’ll get a great workout for larger areas. I would use a
rotary mower, preferably powered by battery, for any property larger
than a quarter acre.
AH, Traverse City, MI
I’ve been using an electric mower on
grass paths that are hard to get to with our riding mower and for fall
clean up in the beds, leaving the clippings as mulch. The mower is light
as a feather compared to battery operated versions and slim enough to
get into nooks and crannies and odd shaped places. I can get to the
blades easily to keep them sharpened or to adjust their height for
avoiding plants whose crowns sit high-up. The maintenance is zero. Of
course, I do have to be cognizant of where the mower’s cord is, but I
can splice cords ‘til the cows come home for the odd times when I do
accidentally cut through. Overall, I’m very happy with the mower and
plan to continue using it.
LB, Brookfield, CT
We bought a battery powered Neuton mower
in spring 2006. It is wonderful! Lighter. No oil to change. No gas to
purchase, pour, and store. No fumes. No arm wrenching starter cords to
pull. Easy to keep clean. And the attachable edger makes life even
better!
LH, Washington, D.C.
I’m happy to share my experience with my Black & Decker rechargeable
battery lawn mower. I’ve had it since 2002 and it’s great! I keep it
charged during the week, then simply mow and plug it back in. There’s no
messy maintenance and no strain in starting the mower. It runs for over
one hour per charge and recharges in time to mow again the next day.
When I had a problem with it stalling, the local Black & Decker dealer
did the repairs for free!
AM, Boston, MA
Instead of a lawn mower, we use white
Chinese geese to graze the grass around our big farm to keep the grass
closely cropped. In addition, they are part of our security system, when
strangers wander around, they start honking. They are rude, offensive,
and comical, adding some character to our place.
RW, Ventura, CA
We have had a battery-run mower for a
year now. It's made by Neuton, has a four year warranty, and is very
easy to operate. I do trimming and sometimes more on our acre property.
I use two batteries. After an hour with one, I charge it and install the
second one.
HV, Countryside, Illinois
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