American Lawn Mower Company 18-Inch Reel Mower #1815-18 at Garden Tool Store

American Lawn Mower Company 18-Inch Reel Mower #1815-18 from Gas Push Mowers

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

Features

Hand pushed reel lawn mower is solid, sharp, and easy to use

Cutting heights adjust from 1/2 to 2-1/4 inches

5 tempered alloy steel blades with ball bearing reel design; 2-inch welded shrub bar frame; assembly required

10-inch wheels and radial tires handle any terrain; cushion-grip handles for comfort

18-inch cutting width; 2-year limited warranty

Product Description
The business end of this hand pushed reel mower is solid, sharp, and easy to use, with five heat-treated, knife-sharp tempered alloy steel blades that can be adjusted for varying grass heights from 1/2 to 2-1/4 inches. With its 10-inch wheels, radial tires, 18-inch cutting width, and 2-inch welded shrub bar, this mower should enable you to cross whatever terrain and reach whatever hard-to-access rogue patches of grass you desire. Plus, the soft foam cushion on the handlebar is a nice -- and much appreciated -- touch. However, assembly can be a headache, even though the only tool you need is a wrench. The instructions could be clearer, and the handle parts could fit together better. This product is backed by a limited 2-year warranty.

Amazon.com Buying Guide
Five Tips for Buying a Mower
Choosing a lawn mower is a matter of sifting through a bewildering array of types, power ratings, and fuel sources. Lets break it down a little to make the process easier.

What types of walk-behind mowers are there?
There are four basic choices: push reel, electric, cordless, and gas. All have strengths and weaknesses.

Push reel mowers are powered by you. Theyre quiet, they dont need cords or recharging, and they dont pollute. But on large lawns, you might not want the workout you get when using a push reel mower. They also tend to be less effective on grass taller than two inches.
Electric mowers need to be plugged into an outlet to power them, which means youre constrained by the location of power outlets, the length of your power cord, and any obstacles that may snag the cord. If you have a small yard but dont want the forced exercise of using a push reel mower, an electric mower may be for you.
Cordless mowers are powered by a rechargeable battery. You dont have to deal with the hassles of keeping a cord plugged in, but battery life becomes a constraint. Depending on the battery capacity, the size of your yard, and the height of your grass, you may not be able to complete your mowing job on one charge.
Gas mowers offer the most power, which is best if youll be mowing tall, dense grass or if your yard is larger than 2,000 square feet. But you will have to keep gas and oil on hand as well as keep the engine serviced.

What do all the power measurements mean?
All that matters to you is whether the lawn mowers blade will spin fast enough to cut your grass. Unfortunately, mowers are rated in far more technical terms.

For gas mowers, there are three power measurements you may see:

horsepower (hp) refers to the amount of power the engine can produce;
torque is the amount of horsepower that is transferred to the blade;
cc (cubic centimeters) is another to measure an engines power based on the displacement volume of its cylinders.

There also are two types of engines: two-stroke (also referred to as two-cycle) and four-stroke (or four-cycle). Conventional wisdom is that two-stroke engines offer more power but also more pollution.
For electric and cordless mowers, power often is measured in volts, amps, or watts. To satisfy your inner techie, heres how to calculate the horsepower:
27. Multiply the volts by the amps to get the wattage.
28. Divide the wattage by 746 to get the horsepower.

More horsepower doesnt always mean more cutting power. Thats why, starting in 2007, most lawnmower manufacturers began rating walk-behind lawn mowers in torque power or ccs--not horsepower. If torque isnt available for a gas mower, higher cc figures usually mean higher torque (and more fuel used per stroke, incidentally).

However, you dont want to buy a mower based on the power measurement alone. Make sure it has the features, warranty, and quality of reviews youre seeking.

What features should I look for?

Cutting Deck
This refers to the blade housing. The wider the cutting deck, the fewer passes it will take to mow a given area. However, consider how many obstacles there are in your yard. The wider the deck, the tougher it may be to fit the mower into tight spaces.
Mulching and Bagging
Want to collect your clippings? Choose a mower with a rear- or side-bag option. Want to leave clippings on the lawn as fertilizer? Get a mower that mulches. A "3-in-1" mower will mulch, bag, or side-discharge.
Wheels
Larger wheels mean easier handling, especially over rough terrain. If you can, go with at least 7-inch-diameter wheels in the rear--larger if your yard is hilly or uneven. Some higher-end mowers have front wheels on casters, which gives you an extremely tight turning radius.
Height Adjustment
Most mowers allow you to adjust the distance between the blade and the ground. Think about how much range you really need.
Safety
Many newer rotary machines are available with a lever or bar that must be depressed to keep the mower running (some models include a handy blade-brake that lets you release the lever without killing the engine).
Also, look for models with a rubber flap at the back to block objects thrown from the blades. You should always wear safety goggles when mowing and follow all the manufacturers safety instructions regardless of the mower youre using.
Batteries
If youre buying a cordless mower, think about how long it will run on a single charge. Most batteries take several hours to recharge, so you want to make sure its going to get the job done before it runs out of juice. As a rule of thumb, a typical 24-volt mower will run up to one-and-a-half hours and cut up to a third of an acre; a 36-volt mower will go for three hours and cut up to a half an acre.
Cord holder
A cord holder is useful for keeping the cord of your electric mower out of the way when you make turns.
Starters
Gas mowers are available either with recoil (pull-cord) or electric starters. Newer recoil motors start much quicker than those you remember from summers past. However, go with electric if you can afford it: your mower will start with the push of a button or the turn of a key.
Self-propelled or push?
A self-propelled mower moves forward without you having to push it. All you have to do is steer. If you have a relatively flat lawn, save a few bucks by skipping this feature. However, if your landscape has a slope or an irregular contour, a self-propelled model may be the best choice. Rear-wheel drive tends to offer better traction.
Variable Speed
If you want a self-propelled mower, look for models with variable speed. This feature allows you to make adjustments within a continuous range so you can find the exact speed thats comfortable for you.

What servicing and maintenance is necessary?
Always buy a mower that comes with a manufacturers warranty and follow the manufacturers routine maintenance instructions for

Cleaning the mower after usage;
Keeping the blade sharp;
Keeping the engine tuned up (gas mowers); and
Keeping the battery charged (cordless mowers).

While Amazon.com does not accept returns on gas-powered mowers, the manufacturers Website or product manual will list the nearest service center.

What does CARB-compliant mean?
CARB is an acronym for California Air Resource Board, whose stringent air-quality standards have been adopted by many states. If your state requires compliance for gas mowers, confirm that your model is CARB-certified before you buy. While CARB-compliant mowers run cleaner than noncompliant models, they still emit pollutants. If you want to go green, an electric or push reel mower is the way to go.

Reader Reviews
This item is not for everyone. If you have a relatively small, healthy yard that is free from debris then it will probably work for you. I am not a connoisseur of grass, but the variety I have has very slender, fine blades, and tends to flatten very easily (when walked upon, etc.). This is not a problem for a power mower, because the circular action of the blades works as a vacuum to pull the grass up before it is cut. The push-reel mower does not have that advantage, and grass that is not standing tall can easily escape the blade. Therefore, one pass does not yield an even cut, so it is usually necessary to repeat every pass from a different direction to get satisfactory results. For that reason, this item would not be very practical for a large yard. If your grass is of a thicker variety, as I think you may find more of in the south, then the mower would probably work more efficiently. If you have large trees in your yard, you may want to consider the effects of the fallen leaves or twigs-this mower will not handle them as a power mower does. A small twig can stop it in its tracks... There are several ways in which this item compares very favorably with a power mower. For instance, the maintenance is much less demanding-no tune-ups, refueling, oil changes, or fouled spark plugs, etc. Also it is considerably lighter and smaller than most gasoline mowers, and therefore much more easily stored. The operation is not silent, but is certainly much quieter than a gasoline engine. I find it easier to persuade myself to get out and mow-it seems less of a chore. And while the environmental consequences may be marginal, I'm sure there are those that find satisfaction in the fact that they may be making a difference in that arena, no matter how small... The cost is not outrageous, but I might expect to pay a little less for what I got. The construction is sturdy enough, and the assembly was not much trouble (although my mower contained a defective part, I contacted the manufacturer and they shipped a replacement part very quickly). The grip on the handle does not take prolonged stress well, but otherwise I have had no problems. Ultimately, I am satisfied with the mower. It does a pretty good job for what I need, but I can certainly see how its limitations might make it the wrong choice for some. Weigh the pros and cons carefully... Comment | Permalink | (Report this)

American Lawn Mower Company 18-Inch Reel Mower #1815-18
List Price: $129.99
Available from Amazon
Price: $99.99
Updated on 9-17-2008.

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