If you have a big lawn, you have to consider buying a small rotary lawn mower. Not only are these lawn mowers effective, but they are also fun to use. On top of that, you will certainly get a little bit of exercise because you have to push them.
But what lawn mowers should you buy, and what things should you consider?
Today, I will give you some tips about the best rotary lawn mowers in the market. Also, I will share with you some best practices on how to choose the best of these lawn mowers.
By the end of this best rotary lawn mowers review and tutorial, you should be able to make an informed decision whether this type of lawn mower is for you, and what you need to know before making this investment.
Table of Contents
What Are Rotary Lawn Mowers
Rotary lawn mowers are called so because they have rotating blades. They rotate as you push them forward. They work like mid-sized tractors, but these ones are manually operated most of the time. Sometimes, they are called reel mowers.
They are made specifically for lots that are close to or at least 500 square meters. Well, you can work in larger lots, but you need to understand that these machines do not operate on their own. You have to push them, and this means manual labor.
This is okay, provided that you are capable of pushing them around. The great thing about these lawn mowers is that it is easy to find spare parts for them. They are also highly affordable. They are easy to stow, and most companies who make them use blades that do not get dull for a long period of time.
A reel mower is the best fit for a quarter acre of land where grass grows. You can push it and make the lawn-mowing task less tiring than cutting grass with a blade in your hands. If you do not finish your work today, you can always continue to do so tomorrow.
But first, why should you even buy them? Are they really worth your money?
Why Buy A Rotary Lawn Mower?
Not all households need a riding lawn mower or robotic lawn mowers. In fact, many households will do just fine with a rotary lawn mower.
Here are some good reasons why you have to consider this type of lawn mower:
- Lot size – if you use robotic lawn mowers for a big lot, they will easily wear out. Rotary mowers are best for big lots because they have blades built specially or this type of job. Besides, robotic lawn mowers also require that you install a lot of perimeter wires in the edges of your lot.
- Costs – there is no doubt that rotary lawn mowers cost less. Today, many of these mowers are either electrical or gas-powered. Most are no longer manual, but a human being still needs to guide them. Despite the use of engines, they cost significantly lesser than their counterparts.
- Control – these mowers are built like hand-trucks. They are easy to control, and you are IN control. The best robotic mowers, on the other hand, work freely and may not be able to do the same job as a rotary one.
- Efficiency – since you are in control, you decide where to mow. It is not like robotic lawn mowers that may mow the same spot again and again.
- Dependability – rotary mowers are usually made of metal. They last longer and require less maintenance than modern robotic mowers. It is also easier to repair and replace their parts.
Lastly, lawn mowers like this come in either gasoline or electric. Both of these are powerful enough, but it does make sense that gasoline-powered machines are stronger and much more reliable. The thing is that fueled machines are noisy while electric ones are not.
It is completely up to you to choose what type to buy, depending on your preferences. If you want power, get the gasoline-type ones and then use headphones to drown out the noise.
We’ll Take A Closer Look At The Following Rotary Lawn Mowers
DuroStar DS1200LD
This height adjustable push reel mower is great for people who want to be able to adjust their lawn mowers to specific heights. The height adjustment is meant for the height of the grass, not the height of the mower itself.
Here are the features:
- Height adjustment is easy; just twist a knob
- Push reel mower with no motor
- Has a 12-inch cutting width; great for mowing quickly
- Has 9-inch heavy-duty wheels; works best if your lawn has rugged or uneven terrain
- Blades made of high-quality steel
This model comes with a grass catcher, but it is sold separately. The grass catcher is great if you really want the lawn to look neat. But if you are okay with the grass serving as compost, you can leave out the grass catcher. Take note, however, that leaving grass for compost makes the grass grow faster.
Sun Joe MJ503M
This is a reel mower with no machine or engine. It is nature-friendly since you are not producing carbon emissions. It is also noise-free.
Here are the features:
- Has nine positions; you can adjust the height and cut grass between 1.1 and 2.9 inches
- Has five heavy-duty steel blades; they are so sharp, and they are best for easy and precise cutting
- Has 14-inch wheels that will work great for all terrains
- Comes with Snow Joe and Sun Joe guarantee; the warranty is up to two years
The way it is designed, the mower is easy to control and maneuver. They also have customer support phone number that you can call.
Greenworks Lawn Mower With Blower
This is a small lawn mower that cuts several inches in width. It is best for small lawns. It is small, and any person of any height will find it comfortable to use.
Here are the features:
- A 2-in-1 feature where you get a mulching bag and a rear bag
- You can position the height adjustment in nine different heights
- Cut grass between 1 and ¾ and 2 and ¾ inches
- Can cut all grass types
This mower has 10-inch front wheels, and the rear wheels are four inches in diameter. The four-wheel design makes it easy for you to maneuver, and it can stand on its own.
BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM
Like our previous recommendation, this is a 4-wheel mower. However, this one has a motor that has a 6.5 AMP power.
Here are the features:
- Has enough wattage to cut through tough grass and weed, including overgrowth
- Has a lightweight design, so you do not get fatigued
- Has adjustable handle and height positions
- Has a cord retention system; it prevents accidental disconnection
- Blade rotating speed is up to 8,000 RPM
If you buy this lawn mower, know that the extension cord is not included. You have to buy it separately. It also has adjustable cutting heights. You can cut between 1.6 inches and 2.4 inches. The cutting path is 12 inches.
Fiskars Reel Mower StaySharp Max Reel Mower
This one has a wide cutting width—18 inches. A rotary mower, this one has no motor. One great thing about this is that it was designed to be 60% easier to push.
Here are the features:
- Has a technology called IntertiaDrive; it makes the cutting easier in all terrain types and for all grass types
- Offers StaySharp cutting system where you cut grass without unwanted contact; great for prolonging the machine’s longevity
- Has a reversible grass chute; you can direct the clippings in the bag
The mower’s inset wheels are designed to allow the blades to cover the width of the entire mower. This product is offered with a limited 3-year warranty.
American Lawn Mower 1204
The coverage of this mower is 14 inches, and it has a pair of highly durable polymer wheels with 8.5 inches diameter. This design makes the mower great for maneuverability.
Here are the features:
- A mechanical mower with adjustable blade height
- Can cut between 1 and 1.75 inches
- Has scissor action cut
- Blades made with heat-treated alloy; stays sharp for many years
This is a great alternative for engine-powered and battery-powered mowers. It is completely pollution-free and noise-free. You can also cut the grass up to four inches tall.
American Lawn Mower Company 1415
This is a variant of the previous product that has a cutting width of 16 inches. It is a push mower that has a 5-blade reel.
Here are the features:
- 16-inch cutting width
- Durable 10-inch polymer wheels
- Adjustable blade height
- Cut between 1 and 2.5 inches
- Noise-free
- Easy to maneuver
- Low maintenance
- Lightweight, so it is easy to use
The blade is made of tempered allow steel. What this means is that it will stay sharp for a long period of time.
Scotts Outdoor Power Tools 2000-20S
This is a manual rotary mower that offers a cutting width of 14 inches. Like the previous one, it has a 5-blade reel that makes it easier to cut grass. The wheels are 10 inches in diameter, and they are designed to help you maneuver the mower easily.
Here are the features:
- 20-inch cutting width
- Easy to push, pull, and maneuver
- Has a push blade that is adjustable
- Cut height between 1 and 3 inches
- Blades are made with heat-treated steel alloy
- Easy to transport and operate
The blades are sturdy, and you can expect them to last for a long while without the need for sharpening. Overall, this great for a small lawn.
How To Choose The Best Rotary Lawn Mowers
How do you pick the best rotary lawn mower? Are there some specific areas you need to look into?
Yes, there are, and this section is your guide in how to choose the best rotary lawn mowers.
Mowing Width
Not all rotary mowers have the same width. Obviously, a wider mower means that you will cut grass faster. The thing is that you also have to consider the size of your lawn. If you have a big lawn, pick rotary mowers that have a wide mouth and cutting width. This way, you get to cut more grass and cover more space at every push.
For small lawns, mowers with a cutting width of 33 centimeters or 13 inches are good enough. They are also smaller and easier to stow. For medium-sized laws, choose a mower whose blade is 38 centimeters or 15 inches wide. For large lawns, pick a rotary lawn mower wider than 15 inches.
Mowing Height
The next step in choosing a lawn mower is the height of grass that it can cut. While there are no varying standards for this, there are rotary mowers that allow you to adjust the height. This feature allows you to decide how tall you want the grass to be.
Power and Speed
While many rotary lawn mowers are manual—they have blades that rotate as you push them, some variants have engines.
The power of a lawn mower is expressed in watts. The higher the wattage, the more powerful it is. Power is an indication of how fast the blades rotate, and what cutting force they can do. The general rule is that if you have a small lawn, pick less powerful motors.
There are two main sources of power—fuel and electricity. If you are looking forward to a quiet lawn-mowing experience, you have to use an electric one. Gasoline-powered mowers are noisy. However, those that use fuel are also more powerful.
Summary: Best Rotary Lawn Mower
While mowing a lawn is a chore, there are many ways with which you can add fun to it. There is no reason to make lawn mowing a dreadful experience, especially if you are mowing at least a quarter acre of land.
Rotary lawn mowers are the best solution for this. Instead of letting a robot do the job, you get to be in control, and you also get a little exercise now and then. Just know that if you buy one, it may require upkeep and you need to be diligent in maintaining the engine.