American Lawn Mower 1204-14 Review

A mechanical, reel-style mower isn't for everyone. Since it doesn't have a motor, you're doing much more work than you would with a traditional lawn mower. The limited cutting heights favor short grass, making adjustments difficult, and you have to keep up the pace to get it to cut effectively. That said, if you have a small patch of turf to maintain and not much storage space, this machine could be just the ticket. You'll also save money in the short and long term since the mower costs less to begin with and doesn't require fuel to run.  

Performance Comparison

Mowing

Reel mowers like the American don't require any fuel. That saves you money in electricity and gas, and may also save you a gym membership because it's a bit of a workout. It helps that these mower's blades arrived sharp out of them box, making it noticeably easier to mow with this reel-style option.

Evenness

This mower works best if you trim your lawn often. It's difficult to push through five to six-inch grass, often requiring several passes to achieve a fairly even cut. If you are a stickler for immaculate lawns, this may not be the best option for you. 

Terrain Management

The mower's stiff design does not do the best job of responding to uneven terrain, and the grass is often left longer in small dips and divots than the rest of your yard on the first pass. On the other hand, this lightweight mower is easy to move around, allowing you to approach difficult patches from several different directions, earning you a relatively smooth cut if you're willing to work for it. 

Mulching

Most powered mowers work to cut grass and then chop it into smaller pieces before letting it fall back to the ground, a process known as mulching. Mulching is great for your lawn, providing it with nutrients and holding more moisture by providing shade from the sun. This simply constructed reel mower merely cuts the grass and lets it fall. 

You end up with small mounds of grass in places. If you wait until your grass is really tall, say past 6 inches, you may need several passes to spread out these clumps so you don't block too much sunlight. Reel mowers will not bag your clippings or shoot them out to the side of the machine. 

Cutting Deck Width and Height

You can adjust the cutting height from 0.5 to 1.5 inches. We used the 1.5-inch setting but measured it at 1.25 inches above the ground. 

The manufacturer claims that this mower's “deck” is 14-inches across. We measured the blade at 13.5 inches across and the width of one mowing “pass” at just over a foot. Four phases with the mower will cut a swath 4.17 feet across. That means you'll be walking back and forth across your yard more than you would with larger, gas or battery-powered options. It never runs out of charge though, and, if you're looking for exercise, you'll get it.

Power Performance

The only fuel you'll have to buy for this lawn mower is food to replace the calories you burn while pushing them around the yard. This is admittedly one of the most compelling aspects of these mowers. You never have to stop to get out the gas tank or recharge a battery. They'll keep mowing as long as you do. 

Handling

Because the American 204-14 came with properly tightened screws, it rolled well out of the box. Starting and stopping is as easy as walking forward or taking a break. The relatively lightweight and narrow wheelbase made it easy to turn as well. 

It can be difficult to muscle through tall or thick grass though, and you have to be careful about pushing the open blades toward obstacles. Though the blades are exposed and represent a bit of a safety hazard, they do stop the moment that you quit pushing the mower forward. That does give us peace of mind. 

Ease of Use

Straightforward reel mowers can actually require more assembly than their more complicated counterparts — partially because they aren't made to fold compactly to be stored, making them easy to ship fully assembled. They're small enough to lean against a world and simple enough that you can be expected to quickly screw them together. 

Set Up

At first glance, it is indistinguishable from other similar options in every aspect but the paint job and branding. Upon setting it up and using it however, we found that the American option was set up and adjusted perfectly as it arrived. Others required troubleshooting and adjustments to work properly. 

The assembly is quick and intuitive, with clear directions helping us make quick work of the process. No tools are required, though attaching the hand to the mowing deck can feel dicey. You come in close proximity to the blades, meaning that you have to be very careful where you put your hands. 

Changing Mowing Heights

It's more difficult and cumbersome to change the height of the blades. You do need a wrench to move a bolt for this process, and, again, you need to be aware of exactly where your fingertips land. We usually pick a height and stick with it, so hopefully, you won't have to deal with this process frequently. 

Maintenance

The only major maintenance associated with a reel-style mower is sharpening it's blades. The manufacturer claims that this should only be necessary for several years after purchase, and avoiding objects like rocks and sticks that will dull the blades, will help them stay sharp as long as possible. Making sure these blades remain sharp will go a long way to preserve them for as long as possible.

The mowers are also made to be self-sharpening. You simply need to make a few adjustments and walk slowly backward on a level surface, using the cutter bar as a sharpening stone. It gets easier with practice. 

Noise

One of the most pleasant aspects of using a reel mower is how quiet they are. Instead of the steady, loud drone of the familiar, old-fashioned gas mowers settling over your entire neighborhood, all you hear is a light whir, leaving you free to enjoy other classic summer sounds, like bird songs, neighbors chatting, and kids laughing. If you like to listen to music or podcasts while you work, you'll be able to do so at safer listening levels. 

We measured 66 decibels of noise at head height while using this mower. The World Health Organization recommends avoiding consistent noises above 80 decibels, making this one of the safest options in the test for your ears. 

Should You Buy the American Lawn Mower 1204-14?

While the American reel lawn mower is an investment, it costs much less upfront than almost any gas or electric option and will certainly save you money over time since it requires no fuel and almost no outside maintenance. That alone makes it a compelling option. Since it does require more work on your part, we recommend it most for those with smaller yards who have time to mow the grass frequently before it gets too tall. It's not the best option for extremely hot climates, where working hard outside in the summertime may put you at greater risk for heat exhaustion. 

What Other Lawn Mowers Should You Consider?

The American is the only reel-style mower we've tried that we would recommend. Though the battery-powered Greenworks 25322 lawn mower is significantly more expensive, it also does a lot more work for you, giving you a much cleaner cut with less effort. You will also have to pay to charge the battery over time, but that may be well worth it to you. It also offers the best value among the powered options and is also smaller and more compact, making it a good option for tight spaces. If you want to save a bit more money, the corded Greenworks 25022 lawnmower gives you a little more power, but you will have to be careful not to mow over the cord itself, which is just as awkward as it sounds.