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military rank : 4.9/5
Gas - power Virginia reel mowers like those from Rolux are a splurge for lawn perfectionist and machine fancier likewise . As an old landscape gardener and tool reappraisal guy wire , I consider myself in both groups . Rolux is a South African brand with nearly 70 year of account , but it only became available in the United States within the past duo of years . Are Rolux mowers any good ? According toits website , a Rolux reel mower should exhibit four vital qualities :
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Those are eminent standards , but claim are comfortable to make . I toured Rolux ’s raw North American military headquarters in Georgia to learn more . After a wing smell at the mower assembly process , I catch to test - drive one on the lawn outside the shop class . I come home with a newRolux X2020 - inch reel mower .
Best Mower For Lawn Lovers
Rolux X20 20-Inch Reel Mower
It arrived in a crate , partly assembled as usual ( though some dealer may offer full assembly and delivery ) . The hardest part was unload the 143 - pound mower from my truck , but that ’s what teenage sons are for . Setup took about 20 minute , assist by avideo tutorial . I add together oil and gas , and it started on the first pull .
The professional build timber was right away telling . TheX20features a heavy - duty 6 - blade contract cylinder made of 4 mm harden blade , a 10 - standard of measurement gunpowder - coat brand chassis , and a 163ccHonda GX160 engine . It ’s chain - driven with a cast aluminium chain covert and includes a vulcanized rearward roller for clean striping . A well-grooved front tumbler pigeon and altitude - of - cut micro - adjuster ensured a nice , stiff slash between ⅛-inch and 1 ⅜-inches . A 40 - liter blade grass catcher rounds it out . Too bad I had to look a calendar month for my dope to start produce before the first deletion .
While look , I learned the lawn mower ’s adjustments and regular sustainment routine . Once or doubly per mowing season , I ’ll need to focalize ( backlap ) the piston chamber , grease the concatenation and appointment ( zerks ) , and change the oil . Those project want backlapping compound , lawn mower grease in a soil gun , and 10W-30 motor oil . Occasionally ( primarily after backlapping ) , I ’ll need to readapt the cylinder to secure it is parallel to , and the proper space from , the bedknife . Although the mower was brand name new , I went through the motions to gauge how long it would take to perform all of those labor . My best estimate is between 45 minute and 1 minute — not bad for once or twice a twelvemonth .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
When my yard finally greened up , theX20was quick to go . The engine started on the first pull . The twist throttle come home through seven preferences to control blade and change of location speed ( when the clasp is engaged ) . My only squawk : I bid the steel and travel hurrying were severally adjustable . My workaround was pick out a throttle position for my pet blade speed and then feathering the clutch to control traveling speed . The grim gun prepare lease me move the lawn mower without running the blade . After I mowed , the lawn ’s excision was beautiful and the stripe were double-dyed .
Another plus : I can customise it with different rollers , bedknives , or blade cylinders . That ’s the upside of a recess ware from a responsive small business . I ’m happy with it as - is , and client documentation is easily reachable if demand .
After a few calendar month and several mowings , I ’m impressed . As for those four key feature , my Rolux does snub perfectly while producing Graeco-Roman lawn stripes , it is indeed childlike to use and wield , and it is a pleasure to use ( at least on my gorgeous 75 - level examination days ) . Will it last 50 long time ? I ’ll countenance you know .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Get the Rolux X20 20-Inch Reel MoweratRolux.
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Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
