Reddit mentions: The best lawn mowers & tractors
We found 111 Reddit comments discussing the best lawn mowers & tractors. We ran sentiment analysis on each of these comments to determine how redditors feel about different products. We found 31 products and ranked them based on the amount of positive reactions they received. Here are the top 20.
1. Greenworks 14-Inch 10 Amp Corded Dethatcher 27022
- KEEP YOUR YARD HEALTHY : dethatch in early spring or early fall for cool-season grasses, and in late spring through early summer (after the 2nd mowing) for warm-season grasses
- POWERFUL MOTOR : 10A motor provides the power you need to tackle the toughest jobs
- 14” DETHATCHING PATH : allows you to complete jobs faster and more efficiently
- 3-POSITION HEIGHT ADJUST : provides greater control by removing matted layers to promote lawn health
- STAINLESS STEEL TINES : stays sharp longer for reliable performance
Features:
Specs:
Color | Green |
Height | 1 Inches |
Length | 1 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | March 2010 |
Size | Corded Dethatcher |
Weight | 25.92 Pounds |
Width | 1 Inches |
2. Sun Joe AJ801E 13 in. 12 Amp Electric Scarifier + Lawn Dethatcher w/Collection Bag, Green
Powerful: 12-amp motor rakes a 13" wide path to get your job done fasterAdjustable deck: tailor raking depth with 5-position depth controlScarified: use the Scarified function to cut grass roots for thicker growth, healthier lawnsAir boost technology: spring Steel tines for maximum thatch pickupAcce...
Specs:
Color | Green |
Height | 12.5 Inches |
Length | 24 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 13 inch |
Weight | 27 Pounds |
Width | 20 Inches |
3. WORX WG794 Landroid Pre-Programmed Robotic Lawn Mower with Rain Sensor and Safety Shut-Off
- Fully programmed out of the box for easy set-up and use; equipped with an anti-theft system using a security pin
- Aia technology allows landroid to make intricate cuts and navigate narrow passages
- Landroid evenly Mows inclines and declines up to 20-degrees
- Landroid uses shock sensor system to mow around obstacles
- Automatically returns to base in case of rain or for recharging Battery
Features:
Specs:
Color | Aia |
Height | 9.5 Inches |
Length | 22 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Weight | 19 Pounds |
Width | 15 Inches |
4. American Lawn Mower Company 1304-14 14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, Red
- 5-blade reel with a cutting width of 14” and durable 10” polymer wheels for maximum maneuverability
- Mechanical lawn mower with an adjustable blade height of 1”-1.75” with scissor action cut
- Manual grass cutter blades made of heat-treated alloy steel that stays sharp for years
- Planet-friendly alternative to gas-powered lawn mowers which is pollution-free and noise-free; Low maintenance, lightweight and easy to use
- Capable of cutting grass up to 4 inches tall
Features:
Specs:
Color | Red |
Height | 8 Inches |
Length | 23 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 14-Inch, 5-Blade |
Weight | 21 Pounds |
Width | 13 Inches |
5. American Lawn Mower 1204-14 14-Inch Deluxe Hand Reel Mower
14" Cutting width, polymer wheels with a 4-blade ball bearing reel, and 8.5" Composite wheelsAdjustable cutting Height of 0.5"-1.75" For a clean, scissor-like cut every timeBlades are made of quality, heat-treated alloy steel for staying sharp longerEco-friendly alternative to gas-powered lawn mower...
Specs:
Color | Red |
Height | 42.5 Inches |
Length | 20 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 14", 4-blade |
Weight | 20 Pounds |
Width | 24 Inches |
6. Great States 415-16 16-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, 16-Inch, 5-Blade, Silver
Manual push reel lawn mower features quick, adjustable cutting height of 0. 5"-2. 5" for a clean, even cut every time16" cutting width, 5-blade ball bearing reel, and 10" composite wheels make using this manual hand push reel lawn mower easyBlades of the manual hand push reel lawn mower are made of ...
Specs:
Color | Silver |
Height | 13.8 Inches |
Length | 23.1 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 16-Inch, 5-Blade |
Weight | 2.20462262 Pounds |
Width | 10.6 Inches |
7. American Lawn Mower 1705-16 16-Inch 7-Blade Reel Lawn Mower
- Hand pushed bent reel mower specifically designed to cut low-growing, creeping grasses
- Cutting heights from 1/2 to 2-1/4 inches with adjustable 7-section roller and 3-position adjustable wheel height
- Made of durable tempered alloy steel; unbreakable steel side plate; 4-spider 7-blade, ball bearing reel design
- 10-inch composite wheels with radial tread tires; 1-inch welded torsion bar frame; painted flare-style cushion-grip handles
- 16-inch cutting width; assembles in 10-15 minutes
Features:
Specs:
Height | 10 Inches |
Length | 23 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 16-Inch, 7-Blade |
Weight | 28 Pounds |
Width | 14 Inches |
8. Snapper 2911525BVE Classic RER 28 inch 11.5 HP 344cc Rear Engine Riding Mower 2691525
- THE ULTIMATE GARDENING TOOL - Keep your garden weed-free with shallow cultivation that doesn't harm soil structure.
- EASY TO USE FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES - Has an low center of gravity that provides a smooth and easy operating experience.
- UNIVERSAL TOOLBAR FOR A WIDE VARIETY OF ATTACHMENTS - Easily attach different implements for other gardening tasks.
- BUILT TO LAST A LIFETIME - Adjustable, hardwood handles and a powder-coated steel frame.
- MADE IN THE USA - Includes set of 3 cultivator teeth.
Features:
9. Sun Joe MJ401E-RM Mow Joe 14-Inch 12 Amp Electric Lawn Mower With Grass Bag (Renewed)
Maintenance free - No gas, oil or tune-upsPowerful 12-amp motor cuts a 14-inch wide pathTailor cutting height with 3-position height controlDetachable grass catcher for easy disposal of grass clippingsRefurbished - 1 Year Warranty from Snow Joe LLC.
Specs:
Height | 0 Inches |
Length | 0 Inches |
Weight | 29 Pounds |
Width | 0 Inches |
10. 20090 - Toro Super Recycler (21") 190cc 3-in-1 Push Lawn Mower - 5711
- Sold on Amazon
Features:
Specs:
Weight | 0 Pounds |
11. Swisher Z3166CPKA Big MOW 31 HP/66 in. Kawasaki Commercial Pro Front Deck ZTR Zero Turn Mower, 66", Black
Patented Rapid Response Control system for improved comfort and controlCommercial Grade 31 HP (999cc) Kawasaki engineHydro gear 3400 transmissions with electric PTO warner clutchHeavy duty, commercial Grade cast iron blade spindles with 3 G6 commercial Grade mulching bladesElectric deck height adjus...
Specs:
Color | Black |
Height | 68 Inches |
Length | 113.5 Inches |
Size | 66" |
Weight | 1380 Pounds |
Width | 83 Inches |
12. Agri-Fab 45-0218 26-Inch Push Lawn Sweeper, 26 Inches, Black
- Hopper bag: 7 cu. Ft. Capacity; collapsible hopper bag for easy storage
- WHEELS: 9. 75" x 2. 25" plastic wheels
- Assembly: some assembly required; a video instruction Guide is available to assist with the assembly process
- Brush: wheel ratio: 4. 5 to 1 Brush to wheel ratio
- Height adjustment: easy to use brush height adjustment
- Push lawn sweeper with adjustable height settings
- Easy way to pick up lawn clippings and leaves off lawn
- Durable, lightweight poly construction
- Includes 1 sweeper and bag
- 25 pounds; 7-cubic-foot capacity; 26 inches wide; 3-year warranty
Features:
Specs:
Color | Black |
Height | 33 Inches |
Length | 52.5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 26 Inches |
Weight | 25 Pounds |
Width | 31 Inches |
13. Brill 78371 Razorcut 38 15-Inch Reel Push Lawn Mower
- Silent cut design - reel blades do not contact the cutting bar
- No gas or fumes
- Ergonomically shaped frame with foam rubber handle - more comfortable to push
- Sealed bearings - means no extra maintenance is needed
- Flame Hardened steel blades - go years before sharpening is necessary
Features:
Specs:
Height | 11 Inches |
Length | 22 Inches |
Weight | 18 Pounds |
Width | 16 Inches |
14. Fiskars 17 Inch Staysharp Push Reel Lawn Mower (6208)
- The smart design of our eco-friendly reel mower offers a cleaner cut without the hassles of gasoline, oil, battery charging, electrical cords or loud engine noise
- A combination of advanced technologies make the StaySharp Reel Mower 30 percent easier to push than other reel mowers
- Patent-pending InertiaDrive Reel delivers 50 percent more cutting power to blast through twigs, weeds and tough spots that would jam other reel mowers
Features:
Specs:
Color | Orange |
Height | 13.8 Inches |
Length | 23.5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | Staysharp |
Weight | 41 Pounds |
Width | 18 Inches |
15. Remington RM1159 159cc 4-Cycle Gas Powered Walk-Behind High-Wheeled String Trimmer - 22-Inch Trimming Mower for Lawn Care, Black
- 159cc OHV GAS ENGINE: Powerful 4-cycle gas engine helps you clear the tallest, toughest grass and weeds. Battle tested and battle ready to get the job done effectively and efficiently.
- 22-INCH CUTTING SWATH: Unique shape makes trimming around fences, garden beds, and other landscaping borders easier cutting bigger jobs down to size. Those hard-to-reach places just became easy-to-reach.
- USER FRIENDLY: Off-set trimmer head feature helps to trim hard-to-reach places while the 14-inch ball-bearing wheels help you move easily through rough terrain. Maintain the command and control needed during operation.
- COMFORT FOLDING HANDLE: Equipped with a comfort folding handle for convenient storage and transportation.
- TRIMMER LINE: STANDARD 0.155” DIAMETER.
Features:
Specs:
Color | Black |
Height | 21.06 Inches |
Length | 34.45 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Weight | 78 Pounds |
Width | 22.04 Inches |
16. Husqvarna AUTOMOWER 315, Robotic Lawn Mower (Install Kit Sold Separately)
- Smart home meets smart lawn - manage your lawn with the touch of a button and maintain a yard your neighbor's will envy; the Connect@Home app allows you to set and adjust your Automower's cutting schedule with ease (Bluetooth connectivity works up to 100 ft)
- Guided by hidden boundary wires, Automower knows how to smartly maneuver around your yard and when to return to the charging station for a battery recharge
- Quiet enough to run at night, you'll never have to worry about disturbing your neighbors again with noise or fumes
- Rain or shine, Automower can continuously mow, allowing the very fine grass clippings to act as natural fertilizer for your grass - no more bagging or raking required
- This mower tackles yards up to .4 acres, slopes up to 22 degrees and cuts grass up to 2.4 inches tall
- Backed by a 2-year limited warranty for residential use
Features:
Specs:
Height | 9.8 Inches |
Length | 24.8 Inches |
Weight | 19.8 Pounds |
Width | 20.1 Inches |
17. Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Mower, 18 Inch (362050-1001),Black
- Quality Yardcare Tools: Designed to help you take back your yard, Fiskars lawn and gardening tools are equipped with smart technologies and award-winning, ergonomic features that make it easier and more enjoyable to transform your outdoor space.
- Advanced Technology for best-in-class cutting performance: The InertiaDrive Reel boasts twice the cutting power of standard reel mowers, while the StaySharp Cutting System eliminates the cost and inconvenience of manual blade sharpening.
- Superior Ergonomics: Reversible grass chute can direct clippings away from your feet making it easier to mow tough patches while limiting messiness. One-touch handle height adjustment enhances your comfort and control.
- Ideal for eco-friendly cutting of all grass types: Can even cut tough southern varieties like St. Augustine, Zoysia, Bahia and Bermuda. No gas, oil, charging or cords required like a gas or electric lawn mower.
- Includes 1 Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Mower with 18” cutting width. VersaCut technology offers cut height settings from 1"-4" to mow all types of grass cleanly. Limited 3 year warranty.
Features:
Specs:
Color | Black |
Height | 14.25 Inches |
Length | 24 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | April 2019 |
Size | StaySharp Max -18 Inch |
Weight | 51.7 Pounds |
Width | 23.5 Inches |
18. Earthwise 50214 14-Inch 8-Amp Mower, Corded
- Powerful 8-Amp motor provides the power to cut all types of grasses; High efficiency motor for gas-like power
- Large 14" cutting width with single lever easy-change cutting height adjustment from 1.5"-4"; 5.5" front and 6.5" rear wheels for maneuverability
- 2-in-1 side discharge and mulching system; Adjustable comfort 'V' handle with cushioned grip for easy of use
- Compact and slim frame with folding handles for easy storage; Cord retention hook keeps cord secure while in use
- Lightweight and easy to operate
Features:
Specs:
Height | 46 Inches |
Length | 38 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 14-Inch Corded |
Weight | 36.4 Pounds |
Width | 19 Inches |
19. Poulan Pro PR500N21SH, 21 in. 140cc Briggs & Stratton Walk Behind 2-IN-1 Mower
This 21 in. 2-in-1 cutting deck design delivers a clean lawn in no time. Cutting height adjustment: Four-pointPowered by the dependable 140 cc Briggs & Stratton Engine delivering the right amount of power in a compact, lightweight packageEasy rolling High Rear Wheels for added maneuverability on any...
Specs:
Color | Yellow |
Height | 17.75 Inches |
Length | 35 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 21" |
Weight | 28 Pounds |
Width | 24.25 Inches |
20. Makita XML02Z 18V X2 (36V) LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 17" Lawn Mower, Tool Only
- Delivers up to 30 minutes of run time using two 18V LXT 5.0Ah BL1850 batteries (batteries not included)
- Makita-built motor delivers 3, 600 RPM for faster and powerful cutting
- Easy to operate lever for quick adjustment of 13 cutting heights (13/16"- 2-5/16")
- Soft start suppresses start-up reaction for Smooth start-ups and longer gear life
- 17" cutting width for optimum performance
Features:
Specs:
Height | 15.7 Inches |
Length | 20 Inches |
Number of items | 2 |
Size | 17-Inch |
Weight | 45.1 Pounds |
Width | 35.5 Inches |
🎓 Reddit experts on lawn mowers & tractors
The comments and opinions expressed on this page are written exclusively by redditors. To provide you with the most relevant data, we sourced opinions from the most knowledgeable Reddit users based the total number of upvotes and downvotes received across comments on subreddits where lawn mowers & tractors are discussed. For your reference and for the sake of transparency, here are the specialists whose opinions mattered the most in our ranking.
I'm by no means an expert, so please take this advice with a grain of salt. Also, this is a bit long so I made a TL;DR at the end. I live in Southern Indiana, but I've recently taken an interest in fixing our new front yard. I will do my best to keep this advice as general as possible. I think you might have a week or two left to try my steps, if you want to take this approach. I think your temps are still low enough that the grass hasn't hit the spring "growth and changes" yet. However, if you can't get it in the next few weeks, you might have to plan out your fall steps during this summer, and then around Sept(?) you could dethatch, rent a plug aerator, overseed, and cover the seed with some top soil and wait. Over winter those seeds are supposed to lay dormant until next spring. However, I'm not about fertilizer in the fall, so you'd have to look up info on that.
My general rule is to try to follow the overall starter advice from The Lawn Care Nut, which is mainly "know your lawn square footage, and break it into zones", "have a plan and try to stick to it", and then "mow extra high and very often" (most important one, IMO). For me, it's 3 zones of Front, Side, and Back. It's ~13,000 sq ft total, but this year I focused on the side (~1,750 sq ft), and the front yard (~3,600 sq ft). So a little over 5,300 sq ft when I'm talking about effort/hours/costs/etc.
Be aware if you do follow these steps, your yard will look like CRAP for a few weeks... But after 14-21 days, I REALLY think it will turn around!
As far my spring starter-plan/steps, I used:
Other than that, I simply try to spot check weeds. I did learn a few things that I will keep using throughout the year. This includes overseeding again in the fall to make my spring start a bit easier next year. I do also plan on re-applying some mid-strength (10-10-10, maybe?) fertilizer in about 6-8 weeks... I think it will need to be a lot softer/lighter of an application because of the heat we can get during Indiana summers.
I think your temps are/have been fairly close to ours in Indiana. So if you're willing to put in a few evenings or a weekend of some pretty hard work, then remember to water it all afterwards daily, I think you can turn your yard around!! Below I will put a few before(ish) and current/"after" pictures to help give you an idea of the "bad times" and then also how great it can also turn out!
​
Before picture. I only took pictures after dethatching and picking up the excess grass/thatch. This was April 27th, 2019. - https://imgur.com/a/SMv4FsL
During, which was about 14-15 days in... Regular spring growth and I already had little germination sprouts! This was May 11th, 2019. - https://imgur.com/a/xvnExPH
Taken yesterday. Not much change from the 11th, but it still looks like it's growing, in my opinion. May 13th, 2019. - https://imgur.com/a/3iH1VfW
For posterity, this is most of the front yard. Work was done May 4th-6th... Taken May 13th, 2019, at 9:21pm, sorry for the low quality. - https://imgur.com/a/G6OdDaj
​
I hope this helps! I know I feel very proud of my progress so far, especially being the first year. Normally it's about a 2 year process to turn a yard around, IIRC. I think I got lucky with mediocre spring temps and decent amount of rain so far!
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TL;DR - If mid-late spring temps and rain allow, mow on lowest setting, dethatch until you see bare soil in patch spots, rough any bare spots that you won't cover with soil, overseed the HECK out of it, fertilizer with high nitrogen (35-0-6 worked well for me in Indiana with a "never before fertilized lawn"), cover as many bare spots as you can with high quality soil, and water water water! (At least once a day for a few weeks, if not more. I think the more you water "evenly", or at least once daily, the more chance your grass will grow like crazy! At least that's my theory...)
Mostly, I really like to build and fix stuff. I don't really care whether it's the HTML of a website or the stem of a shower faucet -- it's just the act of figuring something out and making it better that I like, for whatever reason.
I have a small collection of tools -- a power drill, some gardening stuff, etc. I also have a bass guitar, but I bought one of these itty-bitty little headphone amps so I don't piss off the roomies and also so I don't have to lug an amp around everywhere -- since they're pretty much just an empty box with a speaker in it anyway.
I also like reading, but (partially thanks to Reddit, I'm sure) my attention span is so short that sitting down and reading is tough, so I've gotten rid of pretty much all of my books and opted instead for audiobooks. There are great sites like librivox.org where you can download oodles of classics read aloud for free. Currently I'm listening to all 65 hours of 'Atlas Shrugged' while I fold Noteboards, a product I created and sell (also thanks to Reddit). Also, nothing beats the time I drove across the country by myself listening to 'The Godfather' and 'Fight Club' and zooming through the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Death Valley.
Singing is also really fun, and takes zero space. When I'm not listening to audiobooks, I'm singing along to musicals ('Book of Mormon' today) or 90s rock.
The stuff that takes up the most room is my push-reel lawn mower which is easy to disassemble, and my healthy collection of Nerf guns.
EDIT: I also do some graphic design. This graphics tablet is tiny and flexible, and works great.
As you do more research, you'll be tempted to till your lawn. Don't. Using a power rake and core aeration is a better option.
You can rent a power rake but it was cheap enough on Amazon to buy one for future use, so I went for that.
This is what I bought last year for $100.
Sun Joe AJ801E 12 Amp 12.6"... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FEATL2I?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
SunJoe is a good brand. I had an issue with the first one I bought and they sent me a warranty replacement without a hassle.
Core aeration machines are too expensive to buy (couple thousand dollars), so renting or hiring someone to do it is the best option. The machines are big and heavy, so make sure you have room in your car before renting it.
When you buy battery powered tools for your lawn, consider the whole system the company sells. You want to find a brand of tools you'll buy everything from, so the tools can share batteries. Sometimes the battery and charger is half the price of the tool. If you already have a battery from a different tool, you can buy a version without the battery and save that money.
Look at GreenWorks line of lawn tools. They have a good range of products. Once you have a charger and battery, you can buy the other tools without that and save. Though, I like to have two batteries in case I run out of juice in the middle of a task.
I'm not saying that telemarketers are necessary, but there are a lot of folks making a living talking on the telephone whose days are numbered.
You realize that there are already autonomous trucks operating in oil fields as we speak, right? Or that the insurance firms are already trying to figure out how they'll deal with driverless vehicles when they hit the road?
Meanwhile, a Chinese construction firm is in the process of rolling out 3D printed buildings, and have stated that the technology reduces labor needs by 70 - 80%.
And then there's the "lawn roomba" that you can already buy on amazon, but don't worry, they also come in professional grade versions if you're dealing with large areas.
I know people want to trot out the Luddite fallacy every time someone says that 'robots will take our jobs', but there are some really smart folks who are pretty convinced that this time it's going to be different.
And it's not even that robots will take all of the jobs, but automation is going to begin hollowing out the employment market soon (and already is), and thanks to Moore's law, once it starts in earnest, it will only pick up speed.
This explains it pretty well
Keep in mind they're fixing up one that went well past it's routine maintenance. Usually you can use a tool that came with the sharpening kit which turn the blades by hand instead of with a drill. What took them 5 minutes with a drill would normally take 30 seconds by hand if you did it once a year.
This is the kit I use - It was $15 when I bought it
And here's my mower It's also down in price. I paid almost $80 (It's around $60 now :/)
I love my mower, but if I could change anything I probably would have gotten an 18 inch model. With a 5,000sf lawn I can do it all in under 30 minutes. I'm pretty happy about that, but it'd be nice if it took a little less time.
Dethatching
I rented a slice seeder last year and found it did a decent enough job of removing thatch. Plan on doing it again this year but three passes:
I like using the slice seeder because if I broadcast the seeds, birds with just eat them up.
Seed and Fertilizer
You should put down starter fertilizer at the same time you put down your seed. The most important thing at this point proper watering schedule!
Seed Mix
> I want something that looks decent but is good against summer droughts and not too delicate.
We all want this haha. I'm going for a more disease-resistant mix this year, so I customized my own mix of grass breeds:
It is a little (a lot) expensive but I'm only year #2 into my lawn renovation. My lawn is only 4000 sqft and most box-store products are sized for 5000sqft so its not "expensive" for me to experiment.
You probably want a KBG/Rye mix. If theres any shade on your lawn, make sure there's at least 10% fine-fescue in your seed mix.
Yeah you are going to want to get that stuff out of there asap. I picked up an Agri-fab lawn sweeper for renovation work that does a decent job with leaves once you start to rake them up:
https://www.amazon.com/Agri-Fab-45-0218-26-Inch-Push-Sweeper/dp/B00004RANC?ref_=bl_dp_s_web_3016425011
It does an amazing job with thatch and lawn clippings, and does a pretty good job with leaves as long as they aren't super thin, then it only does a so-so job. The biggest secret with it is to get the sweeper set just right and the angle of attack that you hold the push bar at, and the angle you lean your body into it.
As others have said get the material out, put down a pre-emergent and follow a fertilization program and weed control program until late summer, then do a seeding with a top dressing. use a leaf blower to keep the leaves at bay while your new turf comes in, and keep the leaves off through the winter.
For areas like this that are going to get constant damage from leaves I recommend a type of turf grass blend that has the ability to self repair. You are in the same zone as I am, so I've had a ton of success with these two:
https://www.outsidepride.com/seed/grass-seed/fescue-grass-seed/combat-extreme-fescue-grass-seed.html
and
https://www.outsidepride.com/seed/grass-seed/bluegrass-seed/kentucky-bluegrass-hybrid.html
I use both typically overseeded on top of each other, with the bluegrass going down first and two weeks later the The Combat Extreme. The Combat Extreme comes in within 7 days or so and I also use that for filling any holes in the spring. They blend well together after around 7 months, and both self repair if properly cared for. (note that bluegrass seed is super tiny, so 5lbs of seed covers a lot more area than 5lbs of the combat extreme, hence the price difference.)
I personally think the modern ones are better, because the technology has improved over time. I use this one. But I would recommend getting one of the 18" ones so that you don't have to make as many passes. My friend has this one and he really likes it. Just make sure that you keep the blades clean and oiled after you cut the lawn and they'll stay sharp for a really long time. Btw, reel mowers are best when your lawn is flat and smooth. If it's very lumpy, then you'll get really frustrated.
Centipede responds well to a little moisture management in the dry season and the use of neonicitinoids... you can apply them about 3 feet away from the flower beds because the grass can actually distribute its own water.
Remember not to let it consume the topsoil, use regular milorganite applications and spread and beat in a little potting soil or cheap peat before snowfall. Cheap peat is easier, you just sprinkle it on before your second to last mowing and let the mulching work it in.
Sharpening the mower blade and running it at a lower speed, just like with StAugustinegrass, works well on Centipedegrass. So does reel mowing with units like https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-Inch-StaySharp-Reel-Mower/dp/B01N7K4BNX/ref=sr_1_33?ie=UTF8&qid=1496661112&sr=8-33&keywords=fiskars in 14 inch swaths if you're feeling athletic.
Sharp clean cut at appropriate height is always the first step in lawn care and sharp blades do better clipping puree
I use an American like this exclusively, then clean up with a weed eater. It's cheaper and easier to maintain due to its simplicity.I got it for free as it's twenty years old and was bought possibly as a joke. I've always had trouble maintaining cheap gas mowers for more than a few years.
Sharpening is easy, all you have to do is take off the wheels, switch the cogs, put the wheels back on, put grinding compound on the blades and push it backwards until it's sharp.
I have sod that was laid last fall, so it's like a golf course, and the end result is a healthy, natural looking lawn like a shag rug. If the grass gets to tall I just hit it with the electric weedeater.
I have about 1/4 acre at most, and I hate the smell of gas, so I'm willing to go to extreme lengths to avoid it. I would suggest this for anyone with a decent lawn and some upper body strength. There is nothing like mowing your lawn barefoot.
Actually $85 new is as low as its been in over 12 months, and within $5 of all time low price sold by amazon directly. https://camelcamelcamel.com/Greenworks-14-Inch-Corded-Dethatcher-27022/product/B0030BG1HM
Got mine from amazon warehouse few weeks back, for $90 with tax, 'used' but was actually pristine. Works great, I would simply not have been able to clear out the years of thatch buildup without it. You do need a good 14-16 awg extension cord.
But yah, the affiliate spam is getting out of hand here.
I have the Sun Joe, they're nearly identical from watching the Test and Lawn Ginja on you tube. He has a couple of reviews. Good stuff. I love mine, especially for the money with what it can do. The sun joe comes with an interchangeable scarifier attachment in addition to the dethatcher it ships with. The scarifier attachment is awesome for planting seed. Could not be happier for 125 bucks. Apparently it's a hot item since the price is up to 158 - https://www.amazon.com/Sun-Joe-AJ801E-Dethatcher-Collection/dp/B01FEATL2I/ref=sr_1_3?crid=CE3ZR4CQTHZZ&keywords=sunjoe+dethatcher&qid=1562640773&s=gateway&sprefix=sunjoe+det%2Caps%2C133&sr=8-3
nope, it's a special tool, very similar to a slit-seeder but without the seeding capability. Think of it basically tilling up your soil without ripping out your turf. It cuts into the soil just enough to allow seeds to fall past the turf\thatch and onto the soil, which is essential to effective germination.
You can either rent one or buy one. I opted to get one 2-years ago and I feel like my purchase has been worth it.
https://www.amazon.com/Sun-Joe-AJ801E-Dethatcher-Collection/dp/B01FEATL2I
The collection bag is completely useless.
I actually just saw that the Lawn Care Ginja did a review on this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnOrrtLEX7w
TLDR of the video: it doesn't compare to the commercial version, but for ~$130 compared to ~$3000 it's totally worth it, he came away impressed.
Look into Snapper Brand, my had has had one for over 10 years, gets used every week in the summer and it’s still going strong. I just started taking over cutting the grass because my dad is having health issues and I’m pretty rough on it and it should have given out on me a few times where it diddnt haha. It’s just the bare basic brand. Brake/clutch 5speed/reverse Bagger, engine, electric start, basic steering wheel adjustable cutting height. All easy things to fix too if something fucks up. Like I had to replace maybe a 50¢ cotter pin that held the thing that held the blade up a few years back and that’s the most we have put into it- I support snapper brand it’s great if they’re still around EDIT: they are and Came out with a newer model but is the same but looks newer. 2.1k totally worth it amazon
Keep an eye out for Garage sales, and such for the off chance they got something manual or electric(I doubt anyone would be dropping theirs)
Otherwise, In terms of getting an alternatively powered one, These are cheapest I saw on Amazon at the moment:
14-inch blade Hand Reel Mower
14-inch 12 Amp Electric Mower
You should be able to find cheaper if you try look, but I don't have time for such right now, location is a big factor of course.
Depending on the size of you lawn, a Weed Wacker should be substantial(I believe that is what is usually used around public building), and as long as you properly dispose of the blade wire, it should be better, even if it's fueled, although of course, electric is better.
For alternatives to a grass lawn, there are lots of articles on the matter, commonly suggesting things such as astroturf, rock gardens, native gardens and such.
If you are part of a villa, in which the owner insists, you could try bring up concern over gas mowers with council, but you might not want to till you at least get to know about it, otherwise, if the owner seems an understanding guy, try bring it up with them.
I bought this one it works great as long as you stick to a regular cutting schedule. If you let the grass get too long it will grow too far above a certain point on the reel and will just lay the grass over instead of cutting it leaving you with a really patchy cut and more work to do.
Other than that it's quite satisfying. I always found it nice and relaxing to cut the grass without the noise of a motor.
Edit: corrected hyperlink
Agreed. The price fluctuates from $80-110. Works great and you'll save big in the long run.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0030BG1HM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503582352&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=greenworks+dethatcher&dpPl=1&dpID=41qswmv3RAL&ref=plSrch
I have a drainage ditch that I needed to mow on a corner house with a slope of 30 degrees in some places.
I was looking at several options and ultimately decided on getting an all wheel drive mower.
If the ditch wasn't so close to the street and I had more money I would have really liked to give one of those robot mowers a shot.
Something like this - https://www.amazon.com/Landroid-Robotic-Mower-28-volt-WG794/dp/B00SJEUFF4
Of course there's always the redneck way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2WIqmUuXD8
Is you slope steeper than 20 degrees? Almost all riding mowers do recommend mowing on anything higher than 20 to 25 degrees.
Why do you want a self-propelled mower? That adds a bit to the overall weight and complexity.
The last time I went shopping for a mower, I wanted it to be the last one I bought in a long, long time. I got a Toro Recycler. It has an aluminum deck, a powerful engine, is primarily used in mulching mode, and is not self-propelled. It's hard to find them without being self-propelled (which makes it a LOT lighter): http://www.amazon.com/Toro-Super-Recycler-Briggs-Stratton/dp/B001XFDHQ0
It's reasonably light, effortlessly starts the first pull every season, takes an amazing amount of growth before it even begins to think of stumbling, and in general after three seasons of use it is everything I wanted.
One shortcoming, with extremely tall and wet grass if I use the side chute, it doesn't do a great job of expelling the grass. It tends to clump. This is only a big deal in spring here in Pennsylvania, when it rains constantly and I have to sneak mowing in where I can get it (usually two or three weeks overdue and with fresh rain on the yard).
Haha, yeah. My mower was ~1800 lbs shipped so I assume that's actually a pretty reasonable rate for expedited freight on something that large.
As a new homeowner, I too took an interest in my lawn this year. I find dethatching (I did it by raking) helps A LOT in getting rid of debris and allow the water to penetrate the soil. With the debris gone my grass filled up all the empty/bald spots with ease. I didn't need to overseed. Instead of renting an aerator, I hired a person who came and aerated my lawn, the cost came up to only $25 more than a rental.
I purchased a special rake for about $25 that is too heavy to be use http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ames-19-Tine-Adjustable-Thatch-Rake-1915100/202057292
I used this rake instead and found it much easier. http://www.sears.com/ames-co-24inch-clog-free-poly-rake/p-SPM3030238302?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1
Also, I did a round of Bonus-S which fertilize and killed some weeds. (Manually pulling up the big weeds gave me the best results)
But a month ago, I purchased a dethacther machine but has yet to use it http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0030BG1HM/ref=sr_ph?ie=UTF8&qid=1410976076&sr=1&keywords=dethatcher
I have this reel mower for sale. I only used it twice and I'll sell it to you for $60. Works great, I just decided I liked using my weed whacker for everything.
I got mine off Amazon for 60$. Works great. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00004RA3F/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503067160&sr=8-1-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=lawn+mower+push&psc=1
I use a Brill. Keep in mind that you will have to cut more often then with a power mower. If you let the grass get too long you'll have to make a couple of passes. I've been very happy with Brill after 3 summers. Good way to get a workout.
I am considering one when our free push mower dies. We have a large yard and I use a rider for most of it, but only a push for a small part. The only gas mower I'd consider is self propelled.
Something like this or this for a reel mower.
If you're looking for a dethatcher take a look at this one. I just bought this a couple weeks ago and used it on my front lawn. Worked pretty well for what I wanted it for and opened up the soil a bit. Got mine for about $100.
Greenworks Dethatcher
Youtube Review - Greenworks compared to Bluebird power rake.
I use one very similar to this one but is no longer made. Here is a picture of it. I got it second hand from a company called Building Value. They focus on the "reuse" in "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle."
You're looking for a reel lawn mower. This one looks like it's got good reviews
I bought this electric dethatcher and it works great!
Well worth the money for the time it saves and back pain it prevents.
I wish they made a rider I can use weed eater string for blades on. Like this: Remington RM1159 Walk-Behind High-Wheeled String Trimmer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J2VVU0M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4ZIqDbGP69N8C
Great States 415-16 16-Inch, 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, 16-Inch, 5-Blade, Silver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00002N691/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_W9uhDbZAG5WVH
Push reel lawnmower
Dude; spend $90 more and enjoy: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FEATL2I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Wow, you're a genius.
http://www.amazon.com/Agri-Fab-45-0218-26-Inch-Push-Sweeper/dp/B00004RANC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450377224&sr=8-1&keywords=lawn+sweeper
Get one of these: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0030BG1HM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It's like running a vacuum cleaner over your lawn (easier than a mower because it's so light).
You could have let a robot take care of it for you
For manual stomp aerator, are you talking about something like this? I was told that things like this are essentially worthless because they don't pull any plugs.
What about this for a dethatcher?
On sale right now for $79.16 on Amazon. Price will jump up to $100+ in August or September.
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You are welcome.
No problem. Another option would be to import an electric one from the US but the shipping goes up like crazy. Maybe Ebay has better options? https://www.amazon.com/Earthwise-50214-Discharge-Mulching-Electric/dp/B004H4X6OC/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1526971683&sr=8-10&keywords=electric+lawn+mower+corded&refinements=p_n_shipping_option-bin%3A3242350011
Actually there are some available for just $1,000. Although you might be better off getting one with a larger battery.
It's funny that you say that: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SJEUFF4/
How would a Poulan Pro like this compare to the Craftsman with Kohler engine?
https://www.amazon.com/Poulan-Pro-961120134-PR500N21SH-Discharge/dp/B019DY7JZW/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1495335621&sr=8-7&keywords=Poulan+pro
I have an eight year old Black and Decker CM1000. It is a little underpowered and has more trouble cutting overgrown, thick grass than a gas powered mower would; same for tallish, wet grass. But for normal, weekly (or bi-weekly) mowing it cuts well and is no different than a gas mower, imo. My yard takes about 20 min to mow and I use the bag to collect clippings instead of mulching.
It is nice to not have to worry about having gas, old gas, changing the oil (and winterizing), and changing the spark plug. For a replacement mower, I have been looking at the Makita XML02Z almost entirely because it uses the same batteries as their hand tools.
Seems like this is posted every couple of days...
Here is a direct link (without the affiliate ID from the OP) to purchase:
https://www.amazon.com/Greenworks-14-Inch-Corded-Dethatcher-27022/dp/B0030BG1HM/
Just wanted to edit this because it looked like a robot posted it. But: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SJEUFF4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_pkr0Bb4TX869Y
Got excited about the lawnmower, can't say I wasn't surprised about the price (not the exact same one though)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SJEUFF4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_h7s3AbR62FT2N
http://amazon.com/dp/B01CUV9IJA/ref=asc_df_B01CUV9IJA5151475/
This idea could be used on a bigger scale in a field. Where is your god now old man?
Neither
No lie, I use that type of mower. Keeps the legs strong.
Oh Lordy, I just looked and you can buy them new from Walmart, Home Depot, and Amazon. Why?! https://www.amazon.com/American-Lawn-Mower-1204-14-14-Inch/dp/B00004RA3F/
I'd suggest buying one with a couple of neighbors - it's what I did. I heard the blades are worthless. Dethatching regularly in the fall is good for your yard. I also aerate and it does nothing for the thatch. We bought this one. It works great. It's corded so that's a bit of a pain.
I paid about $120 for the Greenworks model on Amazon, link below.
After I bought mine, I saw a similar model from SunJoe with a scarifier for a similar price. I would consider that also if it's still available.
https://www.amazon.com/Greenworks-14-Inch-Corded-Dethatcher-27022/dp/B0030BG1HM/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=sunjoe+dethatcher&qid=1571326740&sprefix=sunjo&sr=8-3
Here you go. Minimal maintenance, minimal work.
Grass likes being cut.
You can purchase it from Amazon. Installation for another $300 or you can install it yourself.
For example:
https://www.amazon.com/Husqvarna-967623405-Automower-Robotic-Install/dp/B01CUV9IJA/ref=sr_1_4?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1525284221&sr=1-4&keywords=Husqvarna+automower
They do, and they're rather expensive.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00SJEUFF4/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491434423&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=autonomous+lawn+mower&dpPl=1&dpID=41ZI592duxL&ref=plSrch if my yard was smaller I would 100% buy (I'm a controls engineer )
Reel mower.
This guy:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00004RA3F
I expected a reel mower http://www.amazon.com/Great-States-415-16-16-Inch-Standard/dp/B00002N691/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1279647414&sr=1-12
you're welcome
That stuff has been in stores for years.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SJEUFF4/
GreenWorks 27022 10 Amp 14" Corded Dethatcher/Scarifier
Yup just bout one!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01FEATL2I/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1
My sentiments exactly. Apparently you can get them on Amazon.
It's brand new
https://www.amazon.com/Greenworks-14-Inch-Corded-Dethatcher-27022/dp/B0030BG1HM/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=greenworks+dethatcher&qid=1562685350&s=gateway&sr=8-3
https://www.amazon.com/Landroid-Robotic-Mower-28-volt-WG794/dp/B00SJEUFF4
I assume he (has to be he...) used a riding mower with a reel cutter, but if you did it by hand a push mower is as cheap as mowers come. And modern ones are so light compared to the old cast steal ones. https://www.amazon.com/American-Lawn-Mower-1204-14-14-Inch/dp/B00004RA3F/ref=asc_df_B00004RA3F/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198060922766&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8440192074820352189&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9002004&hvtargid=pla-343143228714&psc=1
Oh they exist.
https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-StaySharp-Mower-Width-362050-1001/dp/B01N7K4BNX
$500+ for that bag-a-nut, I think I'd try the $50-80 option first
https://amazon.com/dp/B009L1LJZE
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004RANC
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004RA3F/
And this is the mowing robot from 2018.
Technically... https://www.amazon.com/Landroid-Robotic-Mower-28-volt-WG794/dp/B00SJEUFF4
Just get one of these. When I get a house and move out of my apartment, that is going to be one of my first purchases. I mowed the lawn enough when I lived when my parents. Never again!
https://www.amazon.com/Landroid-Robotic-Mower-28-volt-WG794/dp/B00SJEUFF4
you could 'mud jack' the sidewalk to raise it
I've got kinda the same thing going on where most of my soil is at least an inch higher than the sidewalk, then when seeding or putting down fert a lot of it washes off the 'crown' ... I did get the Sun Joe to use the veri-cutter to keep going over it to loosen up just the top layer and that helped to smooth it some and lower slightly, so maybe I'll do that twice a year for a few seasons, as I have two corners on my lot(so sidewalk on three sides .. 86 squares!) but on one stretch of sidewalk the dirt is a good 3~4 inches above the sidewalk surface(plus the sidewalk squares are uneven, and slant a little to one side) so I'm really considering having at least that part of the walk raised up and leveled - I have not called them yet to see how affordable it is(saw a truck in town one day that advertised mud jacking on the side of it, so I know you can hire it out) but I've seen youtubes where people have lifted walkway slabs with two bottle jacks on the sides and a brace between them above the slab with straps going down and around or hooks to grab the edges, then put sand/dirt/gravel or whatever under it before setting them back down ... there is also a method where they just inject expanding foam, and that lifts them up
The Fiskars StaySharp reel mower can be set to 4":
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N7K4BNX
I have one and like it well enough when it's set to 3.5" or lower. That's because most grass tends to flop over when taller than that. I got it because I had dreams of keeping my lawn at 4" to 4.5" but have since scaled back those ambitions to a mere 3.65" that my rotary mower cuts at followed by light trims with the reel mower at 3.5" or 3".
A robot lawn mower that can be programmed to cut the grass.
No, this is a lawn mower:
http://www.amazon.com/Great-States-415-16-16-Inch-Standard/dp/B00002N691/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1279647414&sr=1-12
The lawn’s am interesting one for me. Someone put a flyer on my door the other day saying they’d cut both lawns for $35. Okay, let’s use that as a base. Let’s say I expect to cut my lawn every two weeks all season long, a season lasts 9 months (because Texas), and I seek a <2 year ROI. Over 2 years I would pay them 35*52*.75*2/2=$1365. I can buy a robotic lawn mower for $1000... so why not do that?
I ultimately didn’t, deciding that mowing the lawn myself was worth the precious little exercise it offered me, but I’ll probably regret that once summer hits....
Here are some basic steps:
(1) Buy SpeedZone and a sprayer. Mix and blanket spray AS SOON AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN, being sure to not cut or water your lawn for two before or after application. SpeedZone won't kill all of your weeds - grasy ones like crabgrass and nutsedge are able to dodge it - but it will quickly kill the overwhelming majority and the coming cold weather will kill the rest.
(2) Wait two weeks. During this time gradually reduce your height of cut to as low as you can take your grass without damaging it, probably somewhere around 2". Bag clippings for these mows. Also, spend some time budgeting for and researching your next steps.
(3) At the two week point, mow a final time. If you can afford to, rent or buy a dethatcher and dethatch your lawn to get rid of all the dead grass and weeds. (If you do this, be sure to rake up or use your mower to vacuum up all of the dead stuff). Also - if you can afford to and have the time - rent a core aerator. Move quickly on both steps, try to get them done in the same day. If you aerate and your lawn isn't enormous, I'd recommend raking up the cores and tossing them but that certainly isn't mandatory.
(4) Hopefully in that two week waiting period you researched seed. Now is time to throw'er down. Use a spreader and apply seed. If your lawn was REALLY 60% weeds then you will want to put down about 1.5 times more seed than is recommended on the bag for overseeding. Tamp or roll your seed into your soil. Top with Scotts Starter Plus Weed Preventer. Cover with a light covering of peat moss, EZ straw or some seeding mulch. The latter are particularly helpful if you have hills or slopes that you are planning to overseed.
(5) WATER. The number of times you water and amount you water will depend a lot on your individual property. Make sure the soil is damp but not muddy at all points. For me that usually amounts to short waterings at 7am, 11am, 3pm and 7pm. Water more frequently or deeper if it is atypically hot.
(6) Wait as long as you can to mow. Three weeks would be great, but isn't always doable, particularly if you have an HOA ready to violate you for overgrown grass. When you do mow, you can use either mower, though the reel mower might be a little lighter and hence gentler on the new grass. Either way, you want to get on and get off as quickly as possible and avoid making any abrupt turns that could rip the new seedlings out of the soil.
(7) This could be the most important one of all... next spring, probably around the first week of April, apply a pre-emergent. This will prevent many - though certainly not all - weeds from showing up in your lawn.
Hope this helps.
https://www.amazon.com/GreenWorks-27022-Amp-Corded-Dethatcher/dp/B0030BG1HM/ref=sr_1_1?s=lawn-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1497161676&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=dethatcher
Buy this, it saved my Empire Zoysia. I over fertilized a couple years ago, that causes thatch problems along with over watering.
Now, I use 13-13-13 once per month (April through August), and my yard has recovered almost fully from the thatch damage.
1" blade height is ideal.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ortho-Weed-B-Gon-32-oz-Max-Plus-Crabgrass-Control-Concentrate-990601015/203686902
and this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ortho-Dial-N-Spray-Hose-End-Sprayer-0841001/204758731
Or use this to keep it simple:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ortho-Weed-B-Gon-32-oz-Max-Plus-Ready-To-Spray-Crabgrass-Control-999411015/203132407
https://www.amazon.com/Greenworks-14-Inch-Corded-Dethatcher-27022/dp/B0030BG1HM
https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-362050-1001-StaySharp-Mower-Black/dp/B01N7K4BNX/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_86_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;psc=1&amp;refRID=NKP3HHVSV8SG4K1NTKDJ
Got mine used for a season for far less...$90 maybe? I see them on Craigslist a lot. It's a bit more work maybe (especially when it's growing quickly since you have less leeway as far as max length and cut length) and you don't get the same laser-level cut but the crappy yard around this house we bought last summer has a nice dense green turf now and all of my neighbors have brown patches and leggy clumps of grass. Only thing we did was spread some compost mix around to level out some divots and start using the reel. For the .25 acre I have to deal with the silence, lack of mess and maintenance, and results definitely outweigh the con of the extra effort.