American Lawn Mower Company 18-Inch Reel Mower #1815-18

As for the unit itself, absolutely satisfied. Lot is about 1/2 acre bermuda, takes less time to cut using this than with a power mower, mainly because I tend to walk faster with this one. Cut is amazing, grass has almost recovered from the years of hacking with single blade butchers. Got the grass catcher, but it was a real pain to use. Plus, I do a quick (and I mean quick) mow twice a week, so I just quit using the catcher and let the clippings mulch in.

Another great plus, my kids used to go inside while I mow because of the noise. Now, they stay outside and play. No running out of gas, no pull cords, no fuss. I am a convert!


Better than what other reviews had said   April 17, 2004
 21 out of 21 found this review helpful

This mower was much better than what I ever could have hoped for. I left my 6.5 HP Craftsman mower in Missouri when I moved. I liked that mower, but using this is much better. I may be the motor behind this reel mower, but with only about 25 pounds to push around, it seems just as easy as pushing my old one around that had a motor on it.

Handling Hills:
I was concerned before getting it by the reviews that said it may be hard to get up hills. My back yard is level with with the basement floor and I push this mower up the side yard hill to the front yard with ease. It is just that light.

Handling Twigs:
I was also concerned by the reviews that said any twig will stop it dead in its tracks. I have alot of twigs, but most are thin. The mower has no problem chopping up twigs up to the thickness of a pencil. And, if a larger twig gets stuck, I just back up and kick it out.

Adjusting Mowing Height:
The other thing I wasn't sure I would like is adjusting the mowing height. When I read you had to undo bolts, remove them and put them back, I thought, Oh no. But, removing the bolts takes no tools. If you are familiar with removing a quick release tire on the front of a bicycle, adjusting the mowing height is at least that easy. In any case, it is just as easy as adjusting the height on my old gas mower.
Anyway, I have rarely been so pleased with a purchase. I got this for $90 at Amazon, and that is a great deal. I looked all over for different kinds of reel mowers. The Brill may be better, because it is a little lighter and does not need to be sharpened ever, but I sure did not want to pay 4-6 times as much. As for sharpening, I doubt that I will have to have this mower sharpened as often as I had to have my old gas mower tuned up. As for other reel mowers, they are all heavier. What is so great about this mower is that its light weight makes mowing with it at least as easy as with a gas push mower. The only thing that could be better is for a wider cut, but then you would get more weight, and I don't want that because I have had back and shoulder pain in the past and am of slight build.


A Delight!   June 14, 2003
 19 out of 19 found this review helpful

Lawns in my neighborhood aren't half-acre or acre expanses, they're the 1-2000 sqft left over after putting the house on 1/8 acre.

Every Saturday, I hear others starting up their power rotary mowers, edgers, and leaf blowers; most have packed it in, in about 15 minutes. I used to deal with the Briggs & Stratton Small Engine Maintenance & Repair Manual, but IT JUST ISN'T WORTH IT! Nor is it necessary, for small areas.

American Lawn Mower Company has been making the alternative for quite a few years, an American company making quality mowers "the old fashioned way", right here in the good old USA.

Some argue that reel mower's method of cutting off grass blades, more like scissors than a rotary mower's hacking, is better for grass.

But I like the quiet, the undisturbed serenity, and even the exercise of giving it a little (not onerous) push.

It's easy to use, easy to care for, and does a good job.

(A lot of golf courses also prefer to use reel mowers, with a tractor and outriggers of reels to make a large swath.)

This one won't get within a couple inches of a wall and, if you have delayed mowing for a while and have some tall, hard seed stalks coming up, it may have difficulty slicing them off. Both make an occasional trim with a spin trimmer (or other means) necessary.

But there's just no comparison between the noisy hassles of a rotary mower with the peaceful serenity of mowing your lawn with one of American's reels.

It's not perfectly safe (think "running with scissors"), but it is MUCH safer than a powered mower, and probably suitable for older children, or even younger ones while supervised.

Note: American Lawn Mower Company also manufactures the Great States brand (a company which it bought years ago) and the reel mower for Scotts (the company famed for its fertilizer & spreaders).


Nice mower for nice lawns   May 4, 2002
 18 out of 18 found this review helpful

I purchased this mower last yr. so I gave it a good work out before I wrote this review. My lawn is a mono stand of midnight blue grass. So I bought a reel mower to get a better cut and not to mention the blades stay sharp longer than rotary mowers. Well anyways this mower works perfect I get a perfect cut everytime. The only problem was the handle can be a problem during assembly other than that I have no complaints.