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My solution has been even simpler --- I just use a reel mower (on an admittedly small lawn, ~1/3rd of an acre) --- it's a decent workout, esp. when I strive to

My solution has been even simpler --- I just use a reel mower (on an admittedly small lawn, ~1/3rd of an acre) --- it's a decent workout, esp. when I strive to finish quickly. (the one time I asked my son to cut the grass he broke the reel mower)

conductr 1y ago
I made another comment about it but consider adding a drivetrain. My v1 was RC but then I added lidar when I got tired of driving it by controller.
- WillAdams 1y ago
  If it becomes easier to do, then I get less exercise --- getting the Fiskars w/ the chain drive gearing was as much reduction as I can justify.
  - conductr 1y ago
    Gotcha. I’m optimizing for least calories expended ;D
lm28469 1y ago
I'm on the scythe team, it's quite relaxing and a good workout, 0 noise, almost no insect/animals killed. Sure it's slow, but you can skip the gym for a few days after mowing, it hits my abs harder than 200kg dealifts or a day of rock climbing. < $100 for a top of the line that will serve you, your kids and their kids
- WillAdams 1y ago
  Respect! (I used a scythe when I was much younger for haying on the less than 5 acres my father owned and _that_ was a workout) There is the steeply angled bank mentioned elsethread which I arguably should cut thus... maybe next year.
Finnucane 1y ago
Another reel mower user here. But our, uh, lawn, I guess you'd call it, has maybe 300 sq. ft of grass. Well, mostly grass. There's other stuff in there that I'm pretty sure is not grass? Come to think of it, 'mostly' grass at this point is a bit of an exaggeration. Also, in the spring violets. Which I leave for the bees until June. Rabbits come and help out too.
- WillAdams 1y ago
  When I was a kid, mowing my father's lawn w/ a riding mower, I always detoured around the violets in the spring... these days, I will usually dig up and transplant any volunteers from the yard to the nearest suitable garden bed with open space.
  - WalterBright 1y ago
    I've had quail nesting in my yard. I didn't bother them with the mower until the chicks matured and left.
uticus 1y ago
Reel mowers are also nicer for allergy sufferers - no dust etc thrown up in the air, no gasoline exhaust. Not to mention fairly quiet. Obvious downsides are can't cope with some species (too low to ground, etc) or with sticks etc if near a wooded area.

conductr 1y ago

I made another comment about it but consider adding a drivetrain. My v1 was RC but then I added lidar when I got tired of driving it by controller.

WillAdams 1y ago
If it becomes easier to do, then I get less exercise --- getting the Fiskars w/ the chain drive gearing was as much reduction as I can justify.
- conductr 1y ago
  Gotcha. I’m optimizing for least calories expended ;D

lm28469 1y ago

I'm on the scythe team, it's quite relaxing and a good workout, 0 noise, almost no insect/animals killed. Sure it's slow, but you can skip the gym for a few days after mowing, it hits my abs harder than 200kg dealifts or a day of rock climbing. < $100 for a top of the line that will serve you, your kids and their kids

WillAdams 1y ago
Respect! (I used a scythe when I was much younger for haying on the less than 5 acres my father owned and _that_ was a workout) There is the steeply angled bank mentioned elsethread which I arguably should cut thus... maybe next year.

Finnucane 1y ago

Another reel mower user here. But our, uh, lawn, I guess you'd call it, has maybe 300 sq. ft of grass. Well, mostly grass. There's other stuff in there that I'm pretty sure is not grass? Come to think of it, 'mostly' grass at this point is a bit of an exaggeration. Also, in the spring violets. Which I leave for the bees until June. Rabbits come and help out too.

WillAdams 1y ago
When I was a kid, mowing my father's lawn w/ a riding mower, I always detoured around the violets in the spring... these days, I will usually dig up and transplant any volunteers from the yard to the nearest suitable garden bed with open space.
- WalterBright 1y ago
  I've had quail nesting in my yard. I didn't bother them with the mower until the chicks matured and left.

uticus 1y ago

Reel mowers are also nicer for allergy sufferers - no dust etc thrown up in the air, no gasoline exhaust. Not to mention fairly quiet. Obvious downsides are can't cope with some species (too low to ground, etc) or with sticks etc if near a wooded area.