Task Force 20" Reel Mower, model 289835

by Sally
(Cincinnati, OH, USA)

We got our mower last year. It was purchased at a Lowe's Home Improvement store. I think it maybe cost us around $130.

We had just moved into our first house together as a couple. We owned no tools. I had never mowed a lawn before in my life. We didn't have a lot of money. So (this sounds so trite) we decided to be green and save green.

It is an old-fashioned mechanical push mower. No gas can, no mixing oil, no charging. Also, no air pollution, noise pollution, or waste from the fuel and oil packaging. Just roll it out and go.

It is very light weight and easy to push. The noise from conventional lawn mowers had always bothered me, this mower only makes a whispery shirring sound. I feel safe using it; since it isn't motorized and has stops when I stop I'm not afraid of it throwing a rock or catching myself in it somehow.

I have now officially taken over lawn mowing. My husband is not allowed to do it because I get such a kick out of it.

The maintenance is practically nil. I think you are supposed to get the blades sharpened every few years, that's it. I'd maybe hit the wheels and the reel mechanism with a little wd-40 in the springtime, just to be safe.

I would absolutely recommend it to anyone with a smallish yard..

The is only one downside. It WILL NOT break through any kind of sticks or twigs that are in the yard. You absolutely must go through the yard and make sure there are no stray twigs, especially if there has been a storm or something recently. If the mower catches or jams on something, you must stop. After you stop, back it up, remove the offending object, and go back to mowing. DO NOT try to force it. My husband did and he pushed the reel mechanism out of alignment. That was a right pain to fix.