The revolving blades slice the grass cleanly and seal it, keeping moisture in, while the gas-powered rotary blade rips the grass ragged, leaving it exposed to disease and prone to discoloration at the tip. The grass looks fine, and if the blade is sharp, it doesn't take any longer to mow the lawn than with the gas mower. Although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is phasing in regulations that are expected to reduce emissions by about 75 percent in rotary models produced by the year 2005, the machines still make noise and emit fumes that annoy homeowners. They also need annual tuneups at a service center, unless you are mechanically minded enough to do them yourself. Still, to get the best performance, you must pay attention to your lawn's needs and the limitations of a manual cutting machine.
Reel mowers work best when grass is dry and has been cut frequently.
The answer is to mow the lawn before it gets above four inches high, although this is not always possible if the owner is traveling or spring rains delay the first mowing of the season. Experts recommend that most of the turf grasses used in the Washington area be kept at a height of three inches. Don O'Meara, owner of Alpha Lawn Garden Equipment in Falls Church, urges customers to spend a little more and get a better-quality reel mower. The reel mowers produce a cut so clean and neat that some people use them to trim their home putting greens, said Strosniders lawn-shop manager Jeff Lemon.