Gilmour RM30 20-Inch Reel Mower with Grass Catcher
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Our Price: $119.99 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Lawn & Patio See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Gilmour RM30 20-Inch Reel Mower with Grass Catcher
Customer Review: Cuts great but it's LOUD
Summary: 2 Stars
This mower cuts really well, but those who say this mower is too loud are right on the money. It's a lot louder than other reel mowers I've tried. When I first tried it, my wife could hear it in the house, which is well sealed and was closed up with the A/C on. After a few minutes, it started to squeal so loud it hurt my ears (really). I oiled it, but that only temporarily relieved the squealing, and after about 5 minutes, it started squealing again.
If it weren't for the noise level, I would like this mower. It cuts well and is one of the few reel mowers that offers a 3-inch cutting height, which is essential for people who do organic lawn care.
I contacted the company and was told that my complaint about the noise was the first they'd heard. So, always remember-- call the company. The very nice person I dealt with said she would let their engineers know.
The only other draw-back is that the grass catcher is a little on the small side, so it fills up too quickly (but that could have been because my grass was a bit too long when I tried it).
If they solve the noise problem, I would give it another try.
Customer Review: Cuts my Indiana grass just fine!
Summary: 5 Stars
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.Customer Review: Do NOT buy this mower!!
Summary: 1 Stars
I was psyched to get this mower at such a great price from Amazon. What a disappointment! If you've checked the other reviews, you've probably noticed the mention of the sound it makes. I can only conclude that the reviewers who didn't complain about the noise are deaf, delusional, or outright liars. I don't have a decibel meter anymore, but to give you an idea: the sound emitted from this powerless mower is about as loud as my current Honda gas mower. Worse, it's a horrible SCREECH that is guaranteed to annoy your neighbors, curl your hair, and set the dogs a-howling. I tried adjusting the blade like one reviewer mentioned - no difference. It's just a poor design or execution (or both).
Some reviewers mentioned the installation too. The instructions are indeed lame, though I was able to figure it out without a problem. That is, until I got to the last bolt. In typically incompetent Chinese style, the idiots who designed and manufactured this product made the hole too small for the bolt. Take your choice: drill it yourself or hammer the bolt in. On the bright side, there's no need to worry about the Chinese taking over the world anytime soon if they can't even sweat this minor detail.
Oh yes - I almost forgot to mention the smell. I can't describe what the odor was exactly, just a nasty machine-like odor that even emanated from the box when it was sealed. Once opened, the smell was unbelievably strong and nauaseating. Yuk.
I can't say how well this item actually cuts the grass, because I disassembled and put it right back in its box for return.
Ignore this review at your own peril. Going green shouldn't be this problematic - making reel mowers isn't rocket science! A pox on the corporations who move their production overseas - it will come back to bite them ALL you-know-where. I'll NEVER buy a Gilmour product again. I've already returned this item and will try the Scott 20" mower next. Stay tuned....
Customer Review: ECONOMICAL & THE BEST MOWER
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this mower in late spring & we used it the whole summer. We used to have a Craftsman gas lawn mower, but it clonked out after using it for only 3 summers, & despite the yearly maintenance we did. We then tried the Black & Decker electric but the cord keeps on getting in the way. We decided to quit spending so much money on expensive lawn mowers & decided to try the manual one. My husband was hesitant because he thought of those days he had as a kid using a manual mower. Well, he's happy with this one. It's much lighter to manouver around a small yard, less noise, no awful engine smell, blade is self-sharpening, no need to change oil or filters, & no need to spend money on gas & electricity. Also, it's a great workout for both of us. The bad thing it doesn't do a good-even cut of the grass & you have to go over more than once. Overall, the pros outweigh the con. My sister even bought a manual one from Lowes because her Craftsman broke down,too.Customer Review: Easy and green!
Summary: 5 Stars
With the included grass catcher the Gilmour was a great deal and after one try over the weekend it worked pretty smoothly. It took maybe a half an hour or less to put together and we were out the door to our average sized back yard (<4000 sq. ft.) I'm 5'2" and I found it easier to manuever than our old plug in electric push mower. We hated moving around the extension cord. We also didn't want to bother with charging batteries or the mess, smell and sound of a gas mower. We move often and didn't want the stress of having our mower be moving ready each time as well. As a great bonus the mower is good for the environment! So for us, this was the best choice and we recommend it!