Push or Power Mower
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 963
Likes: 1
From: wichita kansas
If it is fairly small a battery powered mover might work OK, but I'm not a fan of electric ones with a cord since you always have to watch out for it. I like a push mower myself. It is a little exercise and the power mower I have is a pain to back up or turn in tight places. As far as gas though I have never had a problem with old gas. I don't even drain it when I put it away for the winter and have never had a problem yet. If you get a push mower I would suggest one with the large rear wheel since they are a little easier pushing. Also might look at lawn boy since they used to have lightweight decks.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,413
Likes: 14
From: cape may county NJ
If you get a reel mower used finding a shop that knows how to sharpen and adjust it might be hard,but when done right they cut fairly easy(we do alot of them still) and the cordless ones sound good but repairs on them are more then on a gas mower and we get alot of those in for repairs less then two seasons old(water and printed circuit boards don't mix well)As far as a gas mower I think the smallest one they make anymore with a rear bag is 20" but murry,toro and lawnboy used to have 18" ones.A good reel mower can still set you back as much as a cheap gas mower if buying new the older steel and wood ones still work the best and there are a few companys that make the wood rollers for them.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
1000 sq ft to me is a lot of grass.
My front yard grass is only 16' x 16' = 256 sq ft.
My Backyard is larger 400 + sq ft.
It takes me over an hour to mow it with a self-propelled gas mower.
Are you sure you have 1000 sq ft ?
My front yard grass is only 16' x 16' = 256 sq ft.
My Backyard is larger 400 + sq ft.
It takes me over an hour to mow it with a self-propelled gas mower.
Are you sure you have 1000 sq ft ?
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
May I suggest getting a used gas mower? As far as the gasoline usage..don't fill the sucker all the way up! A quarter tank might do the trick. I would hate to drag around a cord for electric, so for me that is out of the question.
Seriously, get a gas mower (w/o direct drive if you want the exercise) and use the minimum amount of fuel.
My .02
aerostargal
Seriously, get a gas mower (w/o direct drive if you want the exercise) and use the minimum amount of fuel.
My .02
aerostargal
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 5
From: Running Springs CA
It depends on the kind of grass you have. Rye or blue cuts easily and you can get by pushing, as long as you dont let it grow too high and it is not too wet. Bermuda or St. Augustine, like I have, forget it. Fescue is in-between. If your climate is warm and yard sunny, nothing beats a Bermuda grass lawn, trimmed short and frequently with a reel-type gas mower. It will look like a big putting green.
Jim
Jim
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 726
From: Calgary Canada
I like the reel mower
I'm not sure what everyone problem with the reel mowers is. in my mind, they are easier to push than the undriven gas mowers, since they are like 1/10th of the wieght. As long as they are adjusted properly, they are a joy to use.
I mow my lawn with one, and it's about 3000 square fet (yes dennis, it really is).
That being said, mine is useless in tall grass, and you do have to cut pretty often.
I mow my lawn with one, and it's about 3000 square fet (yes dennis, it really is).
That being said, mine is useless in tall grass, and you do have to cut pretty often.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 352
Likes: 0
If you feel up to the manual thing, reel mowers have come a long way. . . I highly recommend this one:
http://tinyurl.com/gz7q6
Just read the reviews on it.
If you aren't up to the non-powered thing, get a push gas powered mulching mower. My $200 Craftsman has done me just fine.
http://tinyurl.com/gz7q6
Just read the reviews on it.
If you aren't up to the non-powered thing, get a push gas powered mulching mower. My $200 Craftsman has done me just fine.
No cord, no gas, no thatch problem, no work for you, self-fertilizing, and at the end of the growing season you can eat the mower! 
Thread Starter
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The Pacifier
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,245
Likes: 7
From: Cloverdale, BC
Mark, I was looking at one of those at Home Depot last night. I'm kind of between that Scott and a Great State.
Then again, I might still get one at a garage sale and sharpen that.
Dennis, I'm pretty sure it's about 1000 square feet total. And it will eventually get smaller when we add a patio.
I remember hearing stories from my dad about my great aunt, who used to cut her lawn with a reel mower. She'd start cutting on a Monday, and by the time she was done on Sunday afternoon, she'd have to start all over again Monday morning. Obviously exaggerated, but it was a huge lawn.
Then again, I might still get one at a garage sale and sharpen that.
Dennis, I'm pretty sure it's about 1000 square feet total. And it will eventually get smaller when we add a patio.
I remember hearing stories from my dad about my great aunt, who used to cut her lawn with a reel mower. She'd start cutting on a Monday, and by the time she was done on Sunday afternoon, she'd have to start all over again Monday morning. Obviously exaggerated, but it was a huge lawn.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
When I was a kid, I used to cut lawns with a reel mower. Pushed it all over the neighborhood and never thought I was doing much work. Charged 25 cents a lawn and I thought I was well paid, for a second grader. (1952)
On the other hand, when I bought my present home in 1991 I asked the seller if I could buy his mower. He said I could have it because it was probably thirty years old so it was no good. Since then, I have sharpened the blade twice, changed the spark plug twice and changed the oil about five times and I'm still using that no good mower. I don't doubt his estimate of age because it has a cast aluminum housing and ball bearing wheels. As long as the blade is sharp it's really no effort to push on my fairly flat lawn.
On the other hand, when I bought my present home in 1991 I asked the seller if I could buy his mower. He said I could have it because it was probably thirty years old so it was no good. Since then, I have sharpened the blade twice, changed the spark plug twice and changed the oil about five times and I'm still using that no good mower. I don't doubt his estimate of age because it has a cast aluminum housing and ball bearing wheels. As long as the blade is sharp it's really no effort to push on my fairly flat lawn.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 352
Likes: 0
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 799
Likes: 0
From: State of Misery (Missouri
I have a Craftsman (made by American lawn mower). I would skip your grandpa's due to it's age, it's bound not to have ball bearing wheels. I know of a woman who mowed her 1.5 acre yard until the early 70's with one of those old wood handled reel mowers, it's probably why she lived to 95 (until a fall). My sister bought mine, when my brother in law wasn't mowing, and she mowed thier hilly yard (15,000 sq ft) until he hired a service (the reason I aquired it for $10). I use it on my 4700 sq ft yard (mostly level), as I can touch it up when I get home from work (2am, no problems).
As your on a vehicle forum, I am assuming you are capable of basic maintanence, find one that somebody is throwing out (needs a tuneup/carb cleaning) or a cheap reel mower that someone thought they would get exercise with, if it gets tall, hire a neighborhood kid for a couple bucks.
As your on a vehicle forum, I am assuming you are capable of basic maintanence, find one that somebody is throwing out (needs a tuneup/carb cleaning) or a cheap reel mower that someone thought they would get exercise with, if it gets tall, hire a neighborhood kid for a couple bucks.