CORVALLIS, Ore. – Considering the 80 million home lawns in the country, there are a lot of people buying lawn mowers.
How you choose between rotary, reel and electric models has to do with your situation and preferences, said Alec Kowalewski, Oregon State University Extension turfgrass specialist. All three have their pros and cons.
Rotary and electric mowers, which have one blade, cut like weed wackers with the blade spinning in a circle. Reel (push) mowers, on the other hand, are designed with two blades that slide across each other and cut like scissors. Both do a good job, Kowalewski said.
“The reel mower is going to be a cleaner cut,” he said. “But that doesn’t have that big of an effect on grass. It takes a really dull rotary mower to make much of a difference. A sharp rotary mower will produce just as good of grass as a reel mower.”
The lesson is to keep mower blades sharp, no matter the type. Rotary blades are easier to maintain because the blades detach. Reel mowers, on the other hand, don’t have removable blades so they have to be taken to a professional for sharpening.
Mulching mowers, which tend to be more expensive than others, are also on the market. They cut grass into smaller pieces than other mowers, which makes leaving clippings behind an easy task. But any mower will do the same if the lawn is cut often and left tall (21/2 to 3 inches).
“Instead of bagging up clippings, consider leaving them where they fall,” Kowalewski said. “They break down quickly and resupply much-needed nitrogen. The more often you mow, the easier this is to do. Don’t, however, leave clumps of clippings sitting on the lawn.”
When you buy a mower, he recommends doing some research and buying the best you can afford. Check to see if the brand you’re considering has a commercial version. That quality translates to the homeowner models. There are many on the market, but a few recommended brands are Toro, Honda and Jacobsen.
It’s clear there are a lot of choices when it comes to lawn mowers. Kowalewski breaks down some of the pros and cons of each type.
Rotary mower
Pros:
Cons:
Reel mower
Pros:
Cons:
Electric mower
Pros:
Cons:
About the OSU Extension Service: The Oregon State University Extension Service shares research-based knowledge with people and communities in Oregon’s 36 counties. OSU Extension addresses issues that matter to urban and rural Oregonians. OSU Extension’s partnerships and programs contribute to a healthy, prosperous and sustainable future for Oregon.
Kym Pokorny, 541-737-3380, [email protected]
Alec Kowalewski, 541-737-5449, [email protected]
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