Get matched with top lawn tool repair specialists in Temple Terrace, FL

The American ideal of a large, perfectly-manicured lawn is tied to the post-World War II suburban housing boom. In the decades that followed, technological advances made self-propelled mowers more affordable and plentiful. Many Americans came to see reel mowers as old-fashioned, inconvenient, and time-consuming, and they eventually fell out of fashion.  

If you keep it clean and sharp, your reel mower should last for about 10-20 years. In comparison, the lifespan of most self-propelled lawn mowers is about half as long as that.

Whether to repair or replace your lawn mower depends on what is wrong with it and how long you have owned it. If your lawn mower is relatively new, ensuring you regularly service it will help keep it in good shape. There are issues that will cost hundreds of dollars to repair, such as the engine blowing or the lawn mower going over rocks. Many people go by the three-year rule and replace their lawn mower rather than do repairs after this time.

Yes, you can tip a lawn mower on its side as long as you turn it with the carburetor side upwards. This prevents oil from leaking into the carburetor and reducing performance. You can also tip the mower backward as long as it's stable while you're working on the deck or blades for safety.