Lawn Mower Basics: Reel and Rotary

Before you purchase a lawn mower, you need to first take a good look at your lawn and determine what your needs are. This will help you narrow down your choices and choose the mower which will be best for you and your lawn in the years to come.

First is size in square feet – this is very important to help you determine what category of mower you need. The next aspect to look at is your lawn’s surface – is it even or irregular, level or sloped? Do you have many obstacles to steer around? What kind of grass do you have? Does it need to be kept short or does it do better a little long? You’ll also need to realistically determine how much work and time you are willing to put into your lawn. Also, what are your mechanical abilities? Will you be able to handle a mower that requires a little more maintenance?

Finally, consider your budget – what can you afford, really? Will you be moving soon, and be sorry you hadn’t bought a larger (or smaller) mower? Purchasing a lawn mower is a big deal, and you don’t want to spend your money unwisely.

Now, there are two major categories of mower that you should be familiar with. The first kind is a reel mower. These mowers have blades on a revolving cylinder (known as a reel), which rotates when pushed (either with manpower or engine power). These cylinders brush up against a stationary bar which is parallel to the lawn. The grass sticks up above the bar, and is sheared away as the blades rotate against the bar. This kind of mower produces a very close cut (when properly adjusted) and is the preferred choice for golf courses.

The second major category of mowers is rotary lawn mowers, which are equipped with horizontal blades that turn according to the speed of the engine. Located under a “deck,” the rotating action of the blades creates a sort of vacuum which lifts up the grass as it is cut. While these mowers do not leave quite a close or even cut as a reel mower, they are easier to maintain.

Both of these categories come in manual and self-propelled models, though a self-propelled reel mower would only be a practical choice for a golf course owner, as they are very expensive. Otherwise, keep these lawn mower basics in mind as you begin researching the specific model you want.

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