tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post5801774680625298225..comments2024-02-23T02:03:23.020-07:00Comments on The Eco Cat Lady Speaks: My Lawn Mower is "Reel" Green!EcoCatLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-12481576506743190342019-04-27T08:29:13.890-06:002019-04-27T08:29:13.890-06:00I'm so amazed at the variety of columns about ...I'm so amazed at the variety of columns about push mowers being oh so difficult to use ! When I was very young this is all anyone had and they did beautiful work. Every 12 year old boy was out on Saturdays earning money by mowing lawns! I think we, as a group, have gotten soft and finicky. Perspective a suppose.Suzannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17927443756914228789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-89541152649945967582015-04-06T17:20:38.106-06:002015-04-06T17:20:38.106-06:00Hmmm... well, the sticker on mine says "Ameri...Hmmm... well, the sticker on mine says "American" so I assume that's the brand name. I honestly don't pay too much attention to that sort of thing.<br /><br />In my experience how difficult it is to push depends on five things.<br /><br />1) Keeping the blades adjusted properly so that they cut but aren't rubbing so close that they create a lot of friction making it more difficult to push.<br /><br />2) Picking up all the sticks before you mow. These things can't slice through them like a power mower can and every time you hit one you'll come to a rather abrupt and unpleasant stop.<br /><br />3) The overall weight of the machine - go as light as you can.<br /><br />4) The diameter of the wheels. Bigger wheels are MUCH easier to push because they don't tend to get caught in every little depression of the ground.<br /><br />5) And the most important... don't let the grass get too long! If you're trying to remove more than an inch or two of height you're gonna be in trouble! This is why I kept my electric mower as a backup for the times I've let it go too long.<br /><br />Good luck with it. Hope it works out for you!<br />:-)<br />CatEcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-34395438582457666472015-04-06T14:25:40.967-06:002015-04-06T14:25:40.967-06:00I have a service to cut every other week. Needs t...I have a service to cut every other week. Needs to be done every week, I suppose, but even though I requested they cut closed to the ground, I still see tall clumps the next day. I didn't see any mention of a brand here. I want to get a push mower for the every other week my self. I am 76, and worry about a brand that is hard to push. Do you have a Fiskars, too? They<br />cost more than I had wanted to pay, I think.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-47534498600875186602012-06-03T11:24:46.963-06:002012-06-03T11:24:46.963-06:00You're very inspiring! :) LOL about your neigh...You're very inspiring! :) LOL about your neighbor. I'm waiting for that to happen! <br /><br />Still no pain; thankful for that since I'm a medical transcriptionist. My wrists were my biggest concern. I will confess I went from a riding lawn mower to this - that's why nobody thinks it will last ;-) Little do they know how much fun I'm having!<br /><br />Did my backyard in one hour last night; much easier once I wasn't fighting grass length (have to mow it longer with a rider to lessen the damage). Still a good workout though! LOL<br /><br />Thanks again for the info - helped me make a good decision and good purchase.<br /><br />MistyDesideratanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-26560377941685103662012-05-30T20:37:21.621-06:002012-05-30T20:37:21.621-06:00Wow! That's wonderful! I can't believe I a...Wow! That's wonderful! I can't believe I actually inspired someone to try something.<br /><br />I mowed the lawn today, and sure enough, when I was doing the front, the neighbor pulled up. He got out of the car and said to me "Takin' one for the planet, eh?" I tried to explain that I really enjoyed using it, but he just shook his head like I was crazy. What is it with men! <br /><br />Anyhow, I'm glad you're enjoying it, and hopefully the lack of pain won't be fleeting. It's kinda fun to look forward to mowing the lawn isn't it?EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-15350809466756116382012-05-30T19:37:04.757-06:002012-05-30T19:37:04.757-06:00Wanted to tell you that I bought a reel mower and ...Wanted to tell you that I bought a reel mower and I LOVE it. It's taken me two days after work and a total of 3.5 hours to mow my backyard (thankfully front is smaller! LOL) but it's FUN and it does wonders for my blood sugar. My husband thinks I have lost my last marble but I spent a gleeful afternoon out mowing with my dogs walking beside me and finished up the evening on the deck with a book while I watered my masterpiece. At the rate I'm burning calories, I should be skinny by the time the snow flies, ha! Just wanted to say thanks for the great post that made me think outside the box. And BTW, zero issues with my wrists and elbows, and my back feels better than it's felt in months!Desideratanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-29595602470587513702012-05-25T20:58:36.037-06:002012-05-25T20:58:36.037-06:00Ha! CatMan still thinks I'm completely nuts on...Ha! CatMan still thinks I'm completely nuts on this one. I wonder if it's a male/female thing... I mean like a physical center of gravity thing or something like that.EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-63130814477022018492012-05-25T14:06:50.499-06:002012-05-25T14:06:50.499-06:00I wish I knew someone I could borrow one from! I m...I wish I knew someone I could borrow one from! I mentioned this to my hubby this morning and he looked at me like I'd grown a third head. That's OK; I'm kinda used to that ;-)Desideratanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-6113882673273492072012-05-25T11:22:05.949-06:002012-05-25T11:22:05.949-06:00I can totally relate on the noise front... it sort...I can totally relate on the noise front... it sort of makes me crazy. <br /><br />I think that men are strangely drawn to motorized contraptions. I don't know what it is exactly, but every one I've ever known tends to think of them as "powerful." I just think of them as noisy and dangerous!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-63609646688288077462012-05-25T08:32:37.983-06:002012-05-25T08:32:37.983-06:00I've never tried one, but would love to. I hat...I've never tried one, but would love to. I hate it when I have the house open and am trying to relax on a nice summer evening and the peace is drowned out by mowers and weed-eaters. Although to be fair, we have both.<br /><br />The boyfriend does the yardwork around here tho and he REFUSES to even think about a reel mower. Since mowing and weed-eating aren't my favorite jobs (not the least because I'm a klutz and feel like I'm bound to do myself egregious harm sooner or later), he's the boss on this one.min hushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09460666548836420815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-85719507671367850212012-05-24T20:17:25.398-06:002012-05-24T20:17:25.398-06:00You know, I've NEVER sharpened mine. I don'...You know, I've NEVER sharpened mine. I don't know if they're making them out of some great new material these days, or if I just have low standards! I may try it some day if it starts feeling like it's not cutting well... sounds like sharpening it could be quite an adventure!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-3839494531626892372012-05-24T20:12:15.607-06:002012-05-24T20:12:15.607-06:00my dad had one and I LOVED it! The blades were imp...my dad had one and I LOVED it! The blades were impossible to keep sharp though.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03828440573673170480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-90414179716514731462012-05-24T15:45:32.818-06:002012-05-24T15:45:32.818-06:00I actually find the hills and the bumps much easie...I actually find the hills and the bumps much easier to navigate with this mower than with a power mower - of course if your current method involves a riding mower or a lawn service, then that's a different story! :)<br /><br />Anyhow, before I bought mine, a friend of mine let me give hers a "test drive." So if you're curious, you might see if anybody you know owns one and would let you give it a try. In my case it was an easy sell - I just stopped by her house and mowed her lawn for her! :-)EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-75471136366288773192012-05-24T15:27:42.120-06:002012-05-24T15:27:42.120-06:00Wow, I am totally intrigued....but with a little o...Wow, I am totally intrigued....but with a little over half an acre of hilly, bumpy yard coupled with wrist and elbow issues, I think I'd better stick with my current method. Bummer; if I had a smaller yard (and more ambition) I would totally check it out. Really enjoyed this post and the info, though.Desideratanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-63601742108808421152012-05-24T13:50:45.182-06:002012-05-24T13:50:45.182-06:00I totally agree! And that's VERY interesting a...I totally agree! And that's VERY interesting about the lifespan of the gas mower. I fear I never really got to find out how long they live normally since all of mine suffered an untimely demise!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-24298286214530137982012-05-24T13:49:21.996-06:002012-05-24T13:49:21.996-06:00That makes total sense since the power mowers basi...That makes total sense since the power mowers basically whack the grass off creating lots of "grass dust." Maybe that's part of my issue too, though I never thought of it before.<br /><br />I do know what you mean about being lazy though... that's why I have the electric one. There are generally at least 2-3 times per year when I've let it go to long and have to resort to electricity!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-48705220564128522722012-05-24T13:36:03.020-06:002012-05-24T13:36:03.020-06:00we have 2 mowers; a push and a gas mower. I would...we have 2 mowers; a push and a gas mower. I would rather use the push mower any day than the gas mower. Never mind the 'eco-ness'...when I've tried to use the gas mower, my back goes into spasms for days. I never have that problem with the push mower. I also LOVE the wssst sound it makes when it spins.<br />Ours is an old one we picked up in a free pile about 10 years ago. We are on our 2nd gas mower in 15 years. What does that tell you!?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-32176364657240680282012-05-24T12:31:02.037-06:002012-05-24T12:31:02.037-06:00The modern push reels are MUCH lighter. Even so, I...The modern push reels are MUCH lighter. Even so, I burn calories when I use it.<br /> I do hate it when the grass is too long and it lies down instead of being cut. I can't be a slacker as much as I'd like to be. <br />What's strange is that I'm allergic to the smell of mown grass. I have to shut the window when the neighbor mows. But I can breathe fine when the push reel is used. I read that it cuts the grass differently than a regular mower. Presumably it's not creating as much grass pulp (or whatever causes the smell).The Merryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09660495393832517684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-31309715405667914342012-05-24T11:26:34.892-06:002012-05-24T11:26:34.892-06:00Ha! I like your eco plan. Before I got this mower ...Ha! I like your eco plan. Before I got this mower I was on a similar plan... mow only when it's getting so tall that the neighbors are threatening to report me to the city!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-71960537540176647872012-05-24T11:23:29.734-06:002012-05-24T11:23:29.734-06:00Given the photos you've posted, it is hard to ...Given the photos you've posted, it is hard to imagine you guys letting any gardenable space go to waste!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-44479775581133131142012-05-24T11:22:06.584-06:002012-05-24T11:22:06.584-06:00I'm chuckling to myself - I won't use a ha...I'm chuckling to myself - I won't use a hair drier because I hate the noise. Not sure if I'm just over sensitive or what, but noises like that always give me a headache. That being said, I'm sure that a cordless mower is a VAST improvement over either gas or a corded electric model!<br /><br />And I am totally impressed with your grandma! Go granny go!!!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-23849456907083103442012-05-24T11:19:50.433-06:002012-05-24T11:19:50.433-06:00I personally think that fear of motorized devices ...I personally think that fear of motorized devices capable of cutting off limbs is perfectly justifiable! I think that the new generation of push mowers are significantly lighter than the old ones were - making them much easier to push. I can easily lift mine with one hand!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-33676271889138212922012-05-24T10:35:17.985-06:002012-05-24T10:35:17.985-06:00I'd like to try one, except that I foresee a f...I'd like to try one, except that I foresee a few problems; our "lawn" contains very little grass, mostly woody weeds and other vegetation lacking little blades of greenery. Our yard is also very, very bumpy and chock-full of rocks. It doesn't matter how much or how many rocks we pick up, they just pop up out of nowhere. <br /><br />My "eco" version of lawn mowing is only mowing when I can no longer find my daughter in it!! :)Carolynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14436557172029575513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-91009290065476920902012-05-24T10:11:59.396-06:002012-05-24T10:11:59.396-06:00We'd like to try one if/when we have a yard of...We'd like to try one if/when we have a yard of our own to maintain, but for now, I'm happy to leave that task to the landlord.<br /><br />Also, I imagine we'd have very little actual grass lawn to maintain, as we'd try to garden every last inch :)Melissa @ HerGreenLifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03565774385052987756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-23402483351584970882012-05-24T09:04:40.326-06:002012-05-24T09:04:40.326-06:00We have the cordless electric enviromower which is...We have the cordless electric enviromower which is light and very easy to start and use. I love it. Sounds like a hair dryer. We have a lot of lawn so I'm dubious about cutting it with a push mower. Having said that, my great grandma was on the front of the local newspaper pushing one at the age of 96, obviously good for you.Kirsty @ Bowerbird Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12511849105347338654noreply@blogger.com