- Feb 13, 2001
- 83,769
- 19
- 81
I bought a Scott's 20" reel mower due to just wanting more exercise and didn't want to deal with fumes and gas/oil stains in my garage from a power mower. Many usually will think it was due to gas prices. At least 7-10 people have pulled over or stopped to ask me about it/comment on it.
I bought the Black and Decker 18V edger/string trimmer, blower, hedger also to go all quiet. I personally think a gas edger does an easier job on sidewalks. A gas hedger on bigger than 3/8" branches. A gas blower smokes my battery one. For string trimming and contour edging the battery one is just as good as my old Ryobi 30cc or so setup (it was the top model...I used to use a 6.5HP Briggs top of line engine model, self propelled mower with rear big wheel/rear wheel drive too) .
First I will say if anyone else bought a Scott's mower at the end of 2007 and think it's constantly pulling left and right you may have a known issue in the two main drive cogs which would be replaced for free. I did and my mower is working better than ever...eventually the reel just stopped spinning.
My lot is 8000 sq ft. House is 1788 and I have a 14x16' workshop. It's a decent sized yard in today's zero lot line market. My old house was 1/2 acre though and although during the winter I'd be fine on our 90 degree summer days in the shade I think I'd have to do it in two days.
I usually mow every 4 days during peak season for growth. My yard usually looks manicured always. Takes me about 1 hour - 1.5 hours. If I skip a mowing then the time is 2 - 2.5 hours...I think my blower slows me down the most, but pushing the mower through thicker grass is definitely harder. If I had all saint augustine it wouldn't be a big deal but the asshat previous owner put in a mix of carpet grass and blue/rye around the workshop and it's very hard to push through. The B&D blower only is at max power like a minute or two then drops into a half assed blow...I will be buying more batteries for it.
The main disadvantages I will say is 1) if you have falling leaves this mower will not 'suck' them up. I don't have alot of that so as I cut I just pick them up and throw them in the bag. 2) Also small sticks will stop this mower in it's tracks...again I just grab them and throw them in the bag. 3) you cant get as close to the edge of the house as a power mower due to the wheels...simple solution is just make a pass with the string trimmer around the perimeter.
To me now mowing is something I look forward too. I know I have a good hour that no one is asking me questions and I have time to think. My neighbor has the same sized yard and house and actually a bit less lawn since he has a full 2 car garage and pool in his backyard...yet we finish at almost the same time. I can push my mower faster than his self-propels. It is more 'work' for me though however, that was what I want. Most times I will do two passes just for the exercise. One side to side and one up and down the yard.
I do have one gas power tool though...a 9HP 3000psi pressure washer. There are no electrics that can really cut it with my all concrete drive, patio and sidewalks.
As far as pricing goes you can't beat the cost of the mower if you are looking for new. It is easy to find a power mower for $50 though on craigslist around here though.
I had to cut in the rain today on a week I skipped a cut. Took me about 2.5 hours today, I had to stop in the heavy rain at one point (10-15mins) and I had to hose down the walkway and drive as the edging made mud (maybe an extra 30mins)...but all in all I didn't have to deal with clogs that a gas mower has in the rain...nor worry about my engine. I just hosed the grass off...hit it with WD40 at the end and put it away.
check out http://cleanairgardening.com for more enviro friendly ideas.
I bought the Black and Decker 18V edger/string trimmer, blower, hedger also to go all quiet. I personally think a gas edger does an easier job on sidewalks. A gas hedger on bigger than 3/8" branches. A gas blower smokes my battery one. For string trimming and contour edging the battery one is just as good as my old Ryobi 30cc or so setup (it was the top model...I used to use a 6.5HP Briggs top of line engine model, self propelled mower with rear big wheel/rear wheel drive too) .
First I will say if anyone else bought a Scott's mower at the end of 2007 and think it's constantly pulling left and right you may have a known issue in the two main drive cogs which would be replaced for free. I did and my mower is working better than ever...eventually the reel just stopped spinning.
My lot is 8000 sq ft. House is 1788 and I have a 14x16' workshop. It's a decent sized yard in today's zero lot line market. My old house was 1/2 acre though and although during the winter I'd be fine on our 90 degree summer days in the shade I think I'd have to do it in two days.
I usually mow every 4 days during peak season for growth. My yard usually looks manicured always. Takes me about 1 hour - 1.5 hours. If I skip a mowing then the time is 2 - 2.5 hours...I think my blower slows me down the most, but pushing the mower through thicker grass is definitely harder. If I had all saint augustine it wouldn't be a big deal but the asshat previous owner put in a mix of carpet grass and blue/rye around the workshop and it's very hard to push through. The B&D blower only is at max power like a minute or two then drops into a half assed blow...I will be buying more batteries for it.
The main disadvantages I will say is 1) if you have falling leaves this mower will not 'suck' them up. I don't have alot of that so as I cut I just pick them up and throw them in the bag. 2) Also small sticks will stop this mower in it's tracks...again I just grab them and throw them in the bag. 3) you cant get as close to the edge of the house as a power mower due to the wheels...simple solution is just make a pass with the string trimmer around the perimeter.
To me now mowing is something I look forward too. I know I have a good hour that no one is asking me questions and I have time to think. My neighbor has the same sized yard and house and actually a bit less lawn since he has a full 2 car garage and pool in his backyard...yet we finish at almost the same time. I can push my mower faster than his self-propels. It is more 'work' for me though however, that was what I want. Most times I will do two passes just for the exercise. One side to side and one up and down the yard.
I do have one gas power tool though...a 9HP 3000psi pressure washer. There are no electrics that can really cut it with my all concrete drive, patio and sidewalks.
As far as pricing goes you can't beat the cost of the mower if you are looking for new. It is easy to find a power mower for $50 though on craigslist around here though.
I had to cut in the rain today on a week I skipped a cut. Took me about 2.5 hours today, I had to stop in the heavy rain at one point (10-15mins) and I had to hose down the walkway and drive as the edging made mud (maybe an extra 30mins)...but all in all I didn't have to deal with clogs that a gas mower has in the rain...nor worry about my engine. I just hosed the grass off...hit it with WD40 at the end and put it away.
check out http://cleanairgardening.com for more enviro friendly ideas.
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