Brill push lawnmower

[dandelion meadow]

Does anyone out there have experience using a Brill lawnmower? Are they as wonderful as they sound? Any harder to push than a small Briggs and Stratton engine push mower?
Would like someday to get out of the costs and fumes associated with motorized lawnmowing. Seems like no matter how much garden I plant, there is still some grass left. Even with no fertilizer or watering, the stuff keeps growing. Although the Brill is a bit pricey after the yearly costs of current (very nice and effective) motor type, the initial investment would soon pay for itself - if it is a good as it sounds.

[ipaintedmyhousewhite]

Oh, do you mean a Brill reel mower? If they are the same ones I was looking at last summer, they are mighty lovely and tempting.

I just got a reel mower from Sears, the cheap $89 model. I love it. I mow all the time. I was using a Lawn Hog electric mower, which was super heavy and I spent lots of time maneuvering the cord.

The only thing with a reel mower is that it doesn't work so well if the grass gets really long. I decided it was worth it to me to deal with that, and I mow about once a week so far, I'm sure it'll be twice a week once it warms up more. Just as a preventive measure so I don't have to Lawn Hog it to get it short enough to reel mow again.

Love love love the reel mower.

[dandelion meadow]

Thank you!!!! Have spent time this weekend searching e-bay for a less expensive used one. They do show up. So glad to hear your experience. Will probably do like you, mow often. Have to do that anyway with the smaller gas mower I have or it overheats on long grass (weeds mostly around here).

[ipaintedmyhousewhite]

You're welcome :) I wish you well finding one! I forgot to mention that I find it much easier to push than the electric one. My two year old likes to push it, if that tells you anything.

[HillsideDigger]

I bought a reel mower for about $90 last year.

It works fairly well on small grass on level ground but I would like to find a heavier version that works in tough grass and doesn't get jammed by the least little stick it picks up. Also, it would be nice if it worked while pulling in backward. Further, it is poor at edging.

[ipaintedmyhousewhite]

Yeah, HillsideDigger is right, I guess I didn't think about the jamming because I'm a bit of an obsessive raker, so sticks don't rest on my lawn very long, LOL. But it does hang up if it encounters a stick. I haven't tried to deal with much tough grass yet, and I'm a little funny about the edging, too, so I do that by hand anyway. Also I should mention that my lot is smallish, residential neighborhood kind of thing, so maybe it'd be a different story if I had more space to do or more variety in the landscape, ie hills, lots of trees, etc.

Still, I gotta say, I love it! I love the silence (almost) and not worrying about the little ones crossing my path while I'm mowing, that sort of thing. Makes my life so much better.

Edit: one more thing, sometimes I check out epinions.com when I'm going to buy something like this, to read about others' experiences.

[dandelion meadow]

Thank you both for the feedback. It is helpful to hear different input. Have been considering the hillside lot, fallen oak leaves and branches, rocks, acorns! etc. Still, all of these need dealing with before using the gas mower. Am still watching e-bay. It may be awhile. Will let you know.