Reel mowers and rotary mowers represent two fundamentally different approaches to cutting grass. The choice depends on the desired lawn appearance and the effort a homeowner is willing to invest. The common rotary mower uses a high-speed, horizontally spinning blade, making it the most popular type for general lawn care. In contrast, the reel mower utilizes a cylindrical set of blades that interact with a stationary bottom blade, a system associated with professional turf management.
Understanding the Cutting Mechanism
The distinction begins with the mechanical action used to sever the grass blade. A rotary mower cuts through impact, where the blades spin rapidly on a horizontal axis, essentially chopping the grass upon contact. This high-speed impact action is sometimes compared to a machete or helicopter blade.
A reel mower, sometimes called a cylinder mower, operates using a mechanism that mimics a pair of scissors. The helical blades on the rotating cylinder pass closely over a stationary bed knife, trapping and cleanly slicing the grass blade in a shearing action. This precise, scissor-like motion creates the signature cut quality reel mowers are known for. The reel system is highly effective at achieving extremely low cutting heights, necessary for certain turf varieties.
Quality of Cut and Grass Health
The cutting mechanism directly influences the resulting cut quality and the health of the turf. The impact action of a rotary mower, especially when dull, tends to tear or fray the grass blade rather than providing a clean slice. This tearing leaves a ragged edge on the leaf tissue, which can appear as white or brown tips a day or two after mowing.
The clean, precision slice delivered by a sharp reel mower minimizes physical damage to the grass blade. A clean cut allows the plant to heal faster, reducing moisture lost through the open wound. Ragged or torn grass tips are more vulnerable to dehydration, disease, and insect infestation. The healthier cut is a primary reason reel mowers are required for achieving the density and low height seen on golf course greens and fairways.
Reel mowers encourage a dense, carpet-like appearance. The clean cut and use of rollers on many reel models help create the distinct, professional striping effect sought after by lawn enthusiasts. While a sharp rotary blade can produce a good cut, it cannot replicate the consistent, low-level precision that a properly set reel mower provides, as the chopping action cannot safely cut below approximately one inch without risking scalping the lawn.
Maintenance and Operational Differences
The design difference leads to substantial variations in operation and maintenance requirements. Rotary mowers, particularly gas-powered models, require standard engine maintenance, such as oil changes, spark plug replacements, and air filter cleaning. Sharpening the single or dual rotary blade is relatively simple and can often be done by a homeowner with a grinder or file.
A reel mower demands a specialized approach to blade maintenance to preserve cutting accuracy. Keeping the reel and bed knife sharp often involves backlapping, where an abrasive compound is applied while the reel is spun backward. This procedure hones the cutting edges, but significant wear or damage requires professional grinding to restore the proper geometry. Despite this complexity, manual reel mowers are exceptionally quiet, producing minimal noise compared to the loud engines of gas or electric rotary models.
Cost and Suitability for Different Lawns
Initial cost and long-term suitability vary widely between the two cutting systems. Simple push reel mowers are typically the least expensive option, costing significantly less than powered rotary models. Conversely, high-end, powered reel mowers designed for large yards can be substantially more costly than most residential rotary mowers.
Rotary mowers are highly versatile, capable of tackling taller grass, weeds, and rough or uneven terrain without difficulty. They are the standard choice for the average suburban lawn with mixed grass types and a cutting height above one inch. Reel mowers are best suited for flat, well-maintained lawns where a very low cut is desired, such as on warm-season grasses like Bermuda or Zoysia; attempting to use them on overly tall or weedy grass usually results in the grass being pushed over rather than cleanly cut.