Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 11-15 of 57
 Quality seems to be there, but end result isn't May 10, 2008
Todd Eversgerd (huntington beach, ca)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Upon removal from the box I was impressed with what seemed like a sturdy, well-built machine. I attached the handles easily with nothing but a philips-head screwdriver. Eager to get started I immediatley took to the backyard of "Marathon" type grass. The first thing I noticed was the loud screeching coming from the mower as I pushed across the lawn. This was unsettling since I was expecting so much less noise. Second, the mower seemed to just glide over the lawn with no cutting action occurring. I checked the setting and it was on the lowest it could go. I ended up going beyond the lowest setting, actually placing the adjuster bars lower to the point they touched the wheels. Perhaps I have been cutting too low with my previous rotary, but the end result with the Gilmour just didn't look as good.
I then focused attention on my considerably larger bermuda front yard. I again noticed the cutting height just didn't "cut it." The nail in the coffin for this mower for me was the grass catcher. Everytime I had to stop and back the mower up the grass catcher would fly off. After about the tenth time of this happening, I ditched the bag and mowed freestyle. The mower was very easy to push and cut effortlessly. My only issue was the height of the cut was not what I was accustomed to. Due to the height concerns and the grass catcher issue, I cannot recommend this mower. The fact that the mower is shipped with a grass catcher was a selling point. The fact that the grass catcher doesn't work is a returning point. I am returning this product and will continue with research into alternative reel mowers.
 Cuts OK but L O U D! May 14, 2008
Jerry L. Smith (Minot, ND USA)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
I just finished mowing my very large lawn with the Gilmour 20 Inch Reel Mower. It seems to cut the grass OK but I had to go over some areas many
times and I ended up pulling up the grass by hand. But for the most part it did a decent job of cutting my grass. I must also add that I raked my yard first since I knew that all reel mowers don't mow very well if the yard has sticks and pine cones lying around; they tend to stop the mower in it's tracks if you run over one. However, from the moment I pushed it I noticed a loud squeaking noise coming from the blades. It was almost as loud as my gas mower. I was a little embarrassed to use it since the noise was quite irritating and the neighbors were looking around wondering what that racket was. I thought the noise might lessen the more I used it but it was not the case. After I was finished mowing I put some silcone on the metal strip that the blade brushes against but it never helped. Then I used WD40 and that did lessen the squeaking noise but it is still much louder then I remember the older reel mowers to be.
But I liked the fact that the cutting width was only about 2 inches less than my gas mower so it didn't take much longer to cut my yard. I also liked the fact that I wasn't covered in dirt and grass like I usually am after I'm finished using my gas mower. It also is easier to use around my trees. The grass catcher is also a plus with this mower. When I used the mower without it the grass kept hitting my legs and getting lodged inside my shoes. So overall, it seems to be a good value if you can get past the noise.
 Works for me April 5, 2008
M. Patino (Pico Rivera, CA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
The mower is easy to assemble and easy to use, plus I need the exercise. haha! Two thumbs up.
~M~
Not so wonderful as I had hoped April 7, 2008
S. Reese (Sacramento, CA United States)
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
I've used a rechargeable electric mower for years. When it was time to replace the battery, I decided that a good old-fasioned mower would give me some exercise (small yard) and save me the cost of a battery. I'm very disappointed! The mower does not cut grass uniformly, leaving strips of taller grass. I need to mow over some weeds several times before they are cut. Too much of the grass does not end up in the grass catcher (I compost). Gilmore does have very good customer service, in terms of responding to a question, but after using the mower three times I'm trying to decide whether to continue with it or buy a new battery for my rechargeable electric.
Cuts my Indiana grass just fine! May 30, 2008
P. Porter (Indiana)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I received my Gilmour reel mower at 6:08pm yesterday (5/29/08). I started the assembly at 6:15pm and in 12 minutes I was mowing my lawn. I feel compelled to dispell some misinformation in some of the reviews. First of all, the handle does NOT attach to the mower with carraige bolts or any other bolts. I agree the picture on the instructions is not clear. However, there is a hole at the end of each side of the handle assembly. If you look in the mower just at the bottom area of the blade, there is a small projection about 1/2inch on each side. The mower is green the blade is orange. Look on the green part. The handle slips over each of these projections. Please do not remove any carraige bolts, they are holding the mower together. (I did NOT learn this the hard way) There are 6 screws with nuts and washers that you will use to assemble the handle. This is really very easy. I used a set a pliers and a screwdriver. I did not experience any loud squeal or any other mysterious noise mentioned in other reviews. Perhaps some have adjusted the blade too low. My lawn is approximately 10,000 sq feet and it was easy to mow. For the record, I am a 59 year old female, so don't be afraid to help the environment by using this mower. It's fun! Not to mention economical.
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