Worst chore! MOWING.

[sarahperdue]

Human Power

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the human powered reel mower. We had a vintage one, but it was heavy and needed work. Now I use the Scotts mower linked below if I get to the yard before my husband does. He uses a gasoline powered push mower.

I like using a mower that doesn't burn gas or coal, and I like the exercise, but most of all, I like the peaceful sound of the reels as I mow. I can mow the lawn about as fast with the reel mower as my husband can with the gas mower.

Sarah

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/181-1613588-8976848?asin=B00004RA3E&AFID=Froogle_df&LNM=|B00004RA3E&CPNG=patio%20garden&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001

 

[retro-man]

Well this year I have given up on mowing both of my lawns. I hired a high school guy up the street to do them for me. He just got his license so he always needs gas money. With a lot of travel for me this year have not had time to do it regularly. Plus my knees are getting any better so the less toll on them the better for me. I must say this guy goes to a christian school and has all his school years. He is not afraid to do any type of work, is so polite and I have never heard him swear. He plays soccer and is always on the honor roll. It's nice to see a 16 year old so polite and has a good work ethic. He will go far in this world.
Jon

 

[syndets2000]

...if you aint ...

...Yazooin....you aint mowing! I was using one of those things, a self propelled thing with a belt driven blade- it was a really neat mower- wish I kept it, I am not sure if they are still made- We have an old Economy garden tractor, but it needs some work- so we keep the Deer going, it is about 25 years old- & a 25 year old Hechinger push mower- I hate mowing in general, but also consider it a necessary evil chore-maybe I will borrow some sheep from the farm down the road!

 

[mayguy]

I love mowing. I even took up doing the neighbor's yard since they are older, and they have this heavy craftmen mower that almost killed them mowing the hill!

I have my Cub Cadet and my iPod, and I'm a happy camper for 2 hours. That's my down time there..

I miss my old Lawn Boy, but it was repaired too many time to ap oint it was not worth fixing.

 

[duet83]

Cost varies.
I bought the top model in 2005 and paid $1600, at the time. Now that same mower is going for around $1200 I quess, new.
You can also buy used for less.
also, you don't have to have the top of the line. The other models, which don't come with the AUTOmatic charging station, mow the same, but cost less. Just set it in the yard and let it do its thing. When they are done or battery runs low, it returns to where you set him down.
I've seen these on Ebay and the like, going for a couple hundred.
They are really cool. So quiet, no gas, no air pollution, no uneven cut, no clippings to deal with. .

Get rid of that outdated fossil fuel burning engine. Its over a century old, and we are all paying the price in compromised health and quality of life issues.

And these mowers are so safe. They have a bumper all the way around the mower that has a safety switch in it that instantly turns off the blades. I doubt any push or riding mower has that. I laugh when I see people sitting on these rediculous, noisey, riding mowers. Some people are smart enough to wear hearing protection, but then there is the gas fumes and heat that comes off the engine. And if you are sitting behind that, yuck. When I had a lawnboy mower, I always counted on taking a shower right after to get the fumes and dust off me.

That is no problem with a robotic mower.

Another option is to have a herd of sheep. That is the ultimate in natural grass length control.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Friendly-Robotics-RL500-Robomower-/300440240438?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45f3a24136

 

[tolivac]

Yazoo Mowers!Yes-their belt drive walk behinds are like Kee mowers.Their front deck riders are GREAT-and POWERFUL!Remember auditioning one of their riders for possible purchase buy a radio station I worked at for towerfeild mowing.It had an 18Hp long stroke Wisconsin motor-this thing chopped thru sections of the towerfeild that haden't been cut in years-it was like a bushhog.Unfortunately the station didn't buy the Yazoo.I had to settle for a Jacobson tractor.

 

[sudsmaster]

The best mower I've had, so far, is a Yard Machines with a Honda OHC motor. Very easy to start. You just pull back on a little choke lever on the top of the motor, and then pull the cord. The choke lever automatically and slowly returns to its original position as the motor fires up. The choke lever might also prime the carb, not sure. Anyway, no little bulbs to push etc. The motor is also quieter than the B&S flathead, and more efficient (burns less gas).

That said, my lawn is relatively small. Probably less than 1000 sq ft, with a tree and three rose bushes planted here and there. So a corded electric didn't work too well (I tried one). And a push mower was too difficult to navigate around the plantings and still mow the lawn. I tried a couple of those, as well.

Anyway, I'd recommend the Honda-powered mowers. Mine is push only, but on a small, flat grass patch, self-propelled would be overkill.

 

[tolivac]

Yes wholeheartdly agree-the Honda is a fine motor.When I worked at a construction tool sales and repair place-they sold many tools and appliances with Honda motors-the Honda motor has a low oil interlock-you can't start the engine unless it has the proper amount of oil in it.Many "non-functional" Honda motored devices(mostly job site air compressors)the Honda motor was simply low on oil.Topped it up-motor started just fine.also from that tool place they sold lots of jobsite generators that had Honda motors.