cranky old dude

In my neighborhood at least. Last week I was be-moaning the fact
that it will cost over $20 to fill my five gallon gas can from which
I fill my lawn mower. Then I dug a little deeper into the shed and
pulled out my old push mower. My Grandfather gave it to me 31
years ago when I bought my house, and it was an old mower then.
The reel turned freely and the blade still seemed to be in relatively good shape
so I gave it a try. It still works. My wife became intrigued by the idea of being
able to cut the grass without the power mower (which she doesn't
know how to start and I won't show her), but that's another
story for another thread.

Needless to say, while I was at work later that same day, she cut
the grass with the old push mower. No noise, no gasoline and the
neighbors took note. I know this because since that day I've
seen two other neighbors cutting their grass with non gasoline
powered push mowers also. Now if I can just convince them to
pedal to work.......

DnvrFox

"Now if I can just convince them to pedal to work....... "

Or, if they were flower delivery folks, they could pedal while they peddled their petals (without piddling), profoundly and without petulance!

Tom Bombadil

Push reel mowers have had a bit of a comeback in Madison in recent years. If one has a small yard and a nice reel mower - one that moves freely and has sharp blades - it's a nice option.

tpelle

Those things really do a good job on the grass, too. The action of the blades actually shears the grass off, while a rotary mower sort of just beats the end off. Get down and look at the blades of grass - you'll see that the ends are cut off really smooth, and not shredded like with a rotary mower.

They do make reel-type power mowers too - we had one when I was a kid.

bkaapcke

Get the thing serviced, meaning lubed where it needs it and sharpen the blades. A push mower in good shape gives a nice, clean cut to a lawn. I, for one, prefer it to a power mow. bk

cranky old dude

I think after we get our daughter moved in that I will attempt to service
the mower myself. If I can repair and maintain a bicycle I should be able
to align the reel to the cutting bar. Besides, my ego needs a little boost.
It will be good to feel a little independent of Big Oil and Repairmen, even
if only for a short little while. I'll work out in my detached garage, put some
Harry James in the CD player and pretend it's the old days (not my old days,
my folks' old days). I'll need some lemonade.