Summary
In recent weeks I’ve been testing out a few push reel mowers and I have been really impressed with the modern version of this classic type of lawn mower. One of the models I’ve been looking at is the Great States 304-14 push reel mower which is designed for small lawns and provides a scissor-sharp cut for a healthy lawn.
With exceptional build quality, easy assembly, and features that make regular lawn maintenance a breeze, this is certainly a tool I’d recommend to the avid gardener.
In fact, while testing out the Great States 304-14 push reel mower, there was very little I found to complain about and, since this is such an affordable piece of equipment, you don’t have to worry about forking out for something that you worry you won’t get on with.
In my Great States 304-14 push reel mower YouTube review, you’ll be able to see this model in action, while in this guide, I’ll be talking through all of the most important details and features to help you decide if this is the right mower for you and your lawn.
Main Features
- 14 inch cutting width
- 4 cutting heights
- Alloy steel blades
- Padded handles
- Lightweight design
- Large wheels
- No tool assembly
Great States 304-14 Push Reel Lawn Mower Video Review
Deck & Blades
The Great States 304-14 push reel mower comes with a 14 inch cutting deck that contains five alloy steel blades. This material is super strong and what’s more, the blades come pre-adjusted so you can start mowing right out of the box with no messing around. In fact, even with regular use, I’d estimate that you won’t need to adjust the blades for at least 12 months.
When it is time to adjust them, it’s very simple and requires some slight adjustments to the screws. I show you exactly how to do this in my YouTube review of the Great States 304-14 push reel mower.
Now, this model is designed for a smaller lawn; I tested it out on my 1000 square foot front lawn. However, my rear lawn is much larger and so the Great States 304-14 push reel mower probably wouldn’t be large enough. That said, Great States do offer a 16 inch and 18 inch version which are ideal for bigger areas.
Handles
Comfort is key when it comes to mowing yet I’m still seeing a lot of lawnmowers (both manual and powered) that don’t come with foam grip handles. If you’re covering a larger area then this is super important so I was pleased to see that the Great States 304-14 push reel mower comes with foam padding which is easily attached to the handles during assembly.
Putting the Great States 304-14 push reel mower together was incredibly simple. Even if you’ve never attempted anything like this before, it’s as good as self explanatory, although I have given a full visual run down of the assembly process in my YouTube review. Oh and did I mention that no tools are required? That’s always a bonus!
You’ll see that the handles are a t-style design which allows for far easier manoeuvrability. If you’re navigating tight turns then this will certainly be a feature you’ll be thankful for.
Height Adjustment
When you purchase a manual push reel mower, you won’t get as many cutting height options as something like a gas or electric model. However, these mowers aren’t really designed for the same purpose and work better as a tool for regular maintenance so there’s not as much need for six or seven cutting heights.
That said, you are getting a choice of four cutting heights with the Great States 304-14 push reel mower which range between 0.5 inches and 1.75 inches so it’s versatile enough. In fact, when I tested it out on my front lawn, the grass was relatively long and, using the midpoint cutting height, I found that it trimmed the grass beautifully.
One thing you should note is that you will need a spanner if you want to adjust the cutting height. But don’t let that put you off as the process is very quick and easy.
Grass Collection Box
If there is one downside to the Great States 304-14 push reel mower it’s that it doesn’t come with a grass catcher. With that said, it is important to keep in mind that, if you’re using the Great States 304-14 push reel mower on a regular basis, you don’t really need one.
The idea is to keep the lawn relatively short and with each trim, you’re mulching the clippings which is super healthy for the grass and will keep your lawn looking nourished, thick, and green.
You’ll see in my YouTube video that I cut my lawn when it was quite long so there were noticeable clippings on the ground but that’s nothing that can’t be easily tidied up.
Wheels
The Great States 304-14 push reel mower comes with 10 inch composite wheels surrounded by rubber tires. Rubber is excellent if you’re looking for a push reel mower with good grip and this comes in handy if you’re cutting the grass while it’s still a little damp.
I recently tested the Amazon basics push reel mower and the wheels on this model were slightly wider. However, I still found the Great States 304-14 push reel mower to be very stable and easy to manoeuvre.
Practicalities
What I really like about the Great States 304-14 push reel mower is that it’s super lightweight at just 19 lbs. This means it’s easy to move between lawns although it can be wheeled across concrete, pavers, and other surfaces. If you do decide to move it this way, just be sure to have it in reverse so the blades aren’t damaged.
The handle, blades, and frame are all finished with an enamel coating which makes the Great States 304-14 push reel mower extremely robust. There’s no chance that the metal will rust (of course, I’d still recommend storing it in a dry place) or tarnish so, as long as you look after it properly, the Great States 304-14 push reel mower will last for years.
I also noticed that there are several options when it comes to what you get with the Great States 304-14 push reel mower. It is possible to purchase the mower only but there are deals which include additional tools like a trencher, edger, and trimmer.
When I tested the Great States 304-14 push reel mower out on my lawn, one of the things that stood out most to me was how easy it was to move around. It runs so smoothly across the lawn which reassured me that the days of clunky, difficult to move push reel mowers are long behind us.
In terms of how well its cuts, I found the Great States 304-14 push reel mower to do an excellent job. It gave a really clean cut on my front lawn and left my grass looking healthy and well maintained.
Great States 304-14 Push Reel Mower User Manual Download
Click here to access the Great States 304-14 Hand Push Lawnmower User Manual
What’s included in the box?
- 1 x Great States 304-14 push reel mower
- User manual
- Handles
- Padding
- Nuts, bolts, and washers for assembly
Pros and Cons
Model Comparison
Last update on 2024-06-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Should You Buy This Model?
If you have been considering buying a push reel mower as an eco-friendly alternative to a gas model then I’d recommend the Great States 304-14 push reel mower. There’s no need for fuel, oil, or drawn-out maintenance, it really is a case of simply taking it out of the garage and getting to work. What’s more, you don’t get the noise that a gas lawn mower makes.
The Great States 304-14 push reel mower is designed for smaller lawns so, if you have a small patch of grass that you need to be able to easily maintain then this could be the right model for you. As I mentioned earlier, there are larger versions available that come with all the same features. So, even if you have a slightly bigger lawn, you can still benefit from everything the Great States 304-14 push reel mower has to offer.
Conclusion
As far as simplicity goes, you can’t get much simpler than a push reel mower. These traditional tools have got a bad reputation but that’s often based on the ancient models used by our grandparents that were impossible to push and didn’t do a great job at cutting.
But by today’s standards, the Great States 304-14 push reel mower really is a cut above the rest with coated steel blades that are super sharp and deliver a clean and immaculate cut. With excellent manoeuvrability and user comfort, this model really was delightful to use.
I found the assembly to be incredibly quick and simple and the Great States 304-14 push reel mower is definitely a tool I’ll return to in the future.
Where Should I Purchase This Model?
- 14-inch cutting width
- 5 blade ball bearing reel
- 10-inch composite wheels
- Height adjust from 1-inch to 1-3/4-inch
- Heat treated blades stay sharp longer, making a quality cut
Last update on 2024-06-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Not sure about this hand push lawn mower? Click here for more hand push lawn mower reviews.
As a seasoned expert in the field of garden power tools, I have dedicated over a decade to working with and reviewing a wide variety of lawn mowers. My extensive experience has allowed me to gain a deep understanding of the benefits and limitations of different types of mowers and garden tools.
Over the years, I have honed my skills in writing informative articles and creating helpful videos for various blogs and publications. This has given me the ability to not only recognise what makes a good lawn mower, but also to help you choose the perfect garden tool for your specific needs and requirements.
With my wealth of knowledge and expertise, I am confident that I can provide you with valuable insights and recommendations when it comes to selecting the right lawn mower for your lawn. So, whether you're looking for a battery cordless, electric, petrol, or robotic mower, you can trust in my expertise to guide you towards the best option for your garden.
