While technological advances led to the ontogenesis of throttle - poweredlawn mowersin the twentieth century , many masses continue to use manual Scottish reel lawn mower , which have been around since the 1830s . There are several advantages to using a manual reel lawn mower . For example , they cost no more than $ 150.00 , which is importantly cheaper than the accelerator pedal - powered mowers that are on the market . what is more , traditional Virginia reel mowers are easy to maintain , as well as less unsafe to apply , than their gas - power opposite number . Third , by using a manual reel lawn mower , you ’ll be causing less harm to the surround than if you operate a gas - power lawn mower .

There ’s a trade wind off , however , for all the benefits of exchange from your noisy and mussy gaseous state - powered mower to a manual Scottish reel machine . For one matter , you could have a bun in the oven to put more time and effort into your lawn than you would with a gas - powered mower . This is because a manual lawn mower is power purely by your physical exertion . what is more , you ’ll have tomow your lawnfrequently since it becomes even more of a physical challenge the taller the pasturage catch .

While reel lawn mower are an effective and eco - friendly way to keep up your yard ’s appearance , they are n’t for everybody . Because a bobbin lawn mower is tedious than a stock gas lawn mower , you would n’t want to buy a reel mower if your K is over 8,000 square feet ( or so 743 square metre ) [ source : Reel Mower Guide ] . Still , if you determine that a spool mower is good for you , you could expect to be capable to habituate if for many years . All that ’s postulate to maintain a manual reel lawn mower is some basic periodic care , include launder off the locoweed clippings , cleaning the blades and keeping the machine indoors when it ’s not being used so as to foreclose rusting from setting in .