Are manual mowers any good?

Question

I'm getting really sick of my flymo mower... it takes ages sorting out the cables, it keeps breaking and I'm concerned about how much energy it uses.

So I'm thinking about getting a manual mower which I can just get out and push. But I've never used one before... is it hard work pushing them? And do they do a good job?

The main problem with my electric mower is it's useless when the grass gets too long. How are the manual ones at cutting long grass?

One last thing... just out of interest... which do you think kills the most insects and bugs in the grass, the electric or manual?

Answer 1

Manual ones are ok for small areas. Hard work on a big lawn. They're much more eco friendly, and good exercise though.
I love the sound of a good old fashioned mower, it's so nostalgic. I haven't heard one for ages though.
As they're slower, the bugs have a much better chance of getting out of the way of the blades with a manual.
Any mower will struggle with very long grass. Cut little and often to keep lawn in good shape.

Answer 2

A manual mower is just as good as an electric , just means a bit more physical work. Electric mowers were designed for larger lawns and lazier people. As long as you cut the lawn on a regular basis you should not have any problems with long grass. speak to any groundsman you speak to that looks after lawns will always use a manual mower on small lawns as they say it is best as you can get a shorter more even cut without actually ripping the grass out. As far as bugs and insects being killed goes it probably makes litte difference which you use.

Answer 3

If you are going to a manual mower, consider a reel type mower.
They do an excellent job of cutting the grass and they probably do not kill any bugs of insects.
They are harder to push then an electric or gas powered mower, but if you are looking for a "green" mower they are the next best thing to having a goat.

Answer 4

If you keep the blades sharp, there are multiple benefits to manual mowers. One is you get more exercise actually pushing it to cut. You don't have to be muscular to use it, just as you don't need to be muscular to control a flymo. Two: you don't have to pay for gas or have gas sitting around in a can. 3. It's "greener"--no exhaust.
If your grass is too long for a motor mower, get a goat. No mower works miracles on knee-high grass!!

Answer 5

Used push mower for years, before gas or electric came on the market.
Through high grass, weeds, you name it. If too high I used a scythe first.
Damned good exercise.
Gas mowers scare insects away. I killed those in my path.

Paid 35 cents an hour.
Now you know my age.

Answer 6

If you like exercise go for the manual type but the going get tough if you haven't a flat yard,second mowers don't cut deep enough to reach bugs in the lawn

Answer 7

All mowers are useless when the grass gets too long.
Hack it down to a reasonable length with shears before you get the mower working..
Manuals give you exercise and cost less.

Answer 8

manual mowers are better on your lawn, electric mowers will kill most of the insects and bugs

Answer 9

manual anytime think of the exercise and its a great sound in the garden and providing you keep the grass short no probs pushing them good luck

Answer 10

My neighbor has a manual one. I was surprised at how well they really work. I don't think it takes him that much longer to mow his hard than it takes me to do mine. I would say no it wouldn't work well in tall grass.