Ever have an old-fashioned, gasless, lawn mower or the new kind?
By writersedge
@writersedge (22563)
United States
April 17, 2008 6:44am CST
We had the old-fashioned rotating blade kind that weighed a ton. Only cost me $15 a year to get the blades sharpened by a professional. My Doctor told me to give it up mowing lawn when I hurt my back and to hire some kid to mow it (like I have $ for that). It weighted a ton. But never had to put gas in it. Now they have new alluminum ones. They aren't supposed to rust, are supposed to be lightweight and easy to use. Also some people have electric push mowers. To me, might as well use a lighter weight old-fashioned style and keep my electric bill down. But maybe they move on their own better. I'd like to get an aluminum old-style one, but they cost more money than I have right now. I know I would make it up in gas savings. But I doubt my husband would use it. He still has that really heavy one in his mind and has bought into the gas models. Instead he wants a riding lawn mower, or at least he did before the price of gas went up, haven't heard that wish lately.
So do you have a gasless lawn mower? What kind? Did you order it, buy it, find it at a lawn sale? I haven't seen any at garage sales. My husband sold our really, really heavy, rusted old one. I thought it was a mistake when he sold it, but we needed the money and we weren't using it because he's been pushing the gas ones around.
1 person likes this
6 responses
@happythoughts (4109)
• United States
19 Apr 08
I got a new push mower at Home Depot last year. It is new and runs smooth as can be. It does not requitre any major maintence. Just keep it clean and I spray it with Wd40 to keep it all smooth. It is light enough I can hang it on a nail on the wall. I really like it. It was $84 but I think it was worth every penny. I will save that in gas in no time. I was amaized how light and easy it was to use. For me it is easier than the gas mower, weighs a lot less and is easier to move around. It does not do edges as well though.
2 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
20 Apr 08
ONly $84 wow! We don't have a Home Depot here. I looked for a push mower with rotory blades, old fashioned style around here last year and there weren't any. If I had known, I would have gone to Vermont where the nearest one is. Must be where all the new old style ones that are alluminum are. I really would like to try the new light weight ones, maybe even with my bad back I would do a little each day. Maybe I can catch a ride with a friend to VT and check the Home Depot there this year. Thank you very much. Take care.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
30 May 08
Finally got one for 89.99 at Ace Hardware and it included the sharpener! Took a long time, but they called about my raincheck Wednesday. It pushes really, really easily, but it definitely needs harpening! Take care and thanks for your response.
@whittby (3072)
• United States
17 Apr 08
When we had a smaller lawn, we had the old-fashioned rotary lawnmower. We inherited it from his parents. I didn't mind pushing it at all. When we moved to a home with a huge corner lot, we gave in and got a gas powered mower, but still one to walk behind. I used to look at my husband and all our neighbors out there polluting the air with all those gas mowers.
I haven't seen one of those older mowers at sales in a long time. I also think it's a matter of how much activity you can handle. If you want less lawn, maybe the idea is to plant ground cover and get rid of some of that lawn - I made a few gardens too. Try to get plants at garden club sales or free from neighbors.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
20 Apr 08
Yes there are very short plants for every area in the US that are indigenus to each area (except maybe extreme desert) that are better than having lawns.
They don't just pollute the air, they pollute the lawn because most leak some type of fluid. Oil, gas, grease, something. I eat a lot of wild weeds, so I want it to go back to the other way.
Our lawn is actually pretty small. We have mostly woods. I start plants indoors and put them outdoors (if they transplant well). If it was up to me, it would be all short plants. I have put more and more short ones in.
I think the new old style ones will be easier to push because they're lighter. Where we live, the frost heaves make the lawn very uneven and raise heck with a person's back pushing any kind of heavy lawnmower. I think the new ones with engines have got to be heavier than even the really heavy old style ones.
Many excellent points here. Thank you very much.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
25 Apr 08
Not to mention how much and how fast things can grow over the septic tank. We're just starting to get humps in the lawn from moles.
We're just reclaiming the lawn, was all trees to my steps. I prefer something that just grows a few inches and always looks perfict. That would be the best. But my husband and most people believe in lawns.
Thanks and take care.
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
23 May 08
My Grandfather on my Dad's side used to have one of those push mowers with the rotating blades. I used to love mowing with that thing. It would seem with the high cost of gas right now more ppl would be opting for those kinds.
**AT PEACE WITHIN**
~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
23 May 08
Right-on! I like how quite they are. I like that they don't drip oil or gas. But they did hurt my back. I think the new lighter ones will be better.
Ace Hardware had some on sale last week, but I was too late, they were sold out. They gave me a rain check. So Off I go this week to see if more came in.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
20 Apr 08
With my bad back, I'm not supposed to mow it either. Otherwise, I would be. If I feel well enough and can find a lightweight alluminum one, I may do it anyway.
But yes, that is a really hard thing to do if you can not walk. My brother in a wheelchair uses a riding lawnmower, but that's even more gas. Thanks for your prespective, it's important to here all perspectives especially varous circomstances. Take care
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
17 Apr 08
Oh my dad had one of those and I would use it for the fun of it..I would use one now, though it may take 2-3 days to cut my grass, I could use the savings in gas..
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
20 Apr 08
Actually, if they're sharpened well, a person who is physically fit and not having back problems or anything can even run with the things. My kid brother runs with one. I would prefer to do a little bit each day when the sun isn't out yet in the AM since my skin is "glow in the dark" white.
Yes, I think we could all use the savings in gas. Also I heard the demand for gas doesn't equal the supply yet, so prices will keep going up. This would be one way to get demand to stay down. Thanks and take care.
@dandj929 (423)
• United States
17 Apr 08
Wow,I haven't seen anyone using one of those push mowers in a long time!
I know my grandfather has one hanging in his shed that my dad used to use to mow around the flowers beds where the big pushmower wouldn't fit.
But you know what? I bet as gas/electric prices continue to rise you just might see the come-back of the push mower. Very environmentally friendly!
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Apr 08
Actually, when they came out with the new light weight aluminum ones, I drove around Vermont (next state over from us) and people were using them.
Not only less gas, so much less noise, no more than using hedge clippers (manual ones). There are a lot of good reasons to use them. Unfortunately my back won't let me use the old ones, but I wonder about the knew lightweight aluminum ones. They looked really easy to use when I saw people practically running through there lawns with them.
Maybe someone should get your old lawn mower sharpened and if someone has a strong enough back, give it a whirl. They really save gas. Thanks for responding and take care.
