American Lawn Mower Company 1304-14GC Review
14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower with Grass Catcher, Mint
91Great!
4.3 / 5 from 13601 users
$134.99
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We spent 9.1 hours reading reviews from customers and experts. In summary, here's what users think:
7 reasons to buy
The American Lawn Mower Company 1304-14GC is remarkably easy to push according to multiple reviews, with customers comparing the effort required to that of a full-sized self-propelled gas mower. Its lightweight design also makes it practical for carrying through houses or over obstacles when necessary. (52 reviews)
“But it is light enough and the cutting path is narrow enough that you can power it through”
“It's also light, so if you're living in a place where you're in a row home and you're in the middle this way you can carry it through your house to the front or back. And it's not too heavy to carry.”
“it’s not tough at all to glide it across your lawn”
“Like pushing baby carriages or shopping carts.”
“Yes it’s light and easy to maneuver I’m about 115.”
“The mower was easy to push and maneuver around the yard.”
“I used it and found it easy to push (and I am a senior citizen)”
“It does roll easily that way.”
“way easier to grab and use then dragging electric cord and weed eater for the area I am doing”
“So with this having great maneuverability and being light weight, I can easily drag it back an forth from the frontyard to the backyard and vice versa without straining myself too much.”
Many users find the assembly process quick and straightforward, often not requiring any specialized tools beyond common household items like pliers or a wrench. (41 reviews)
“Assembly is quick. You'll need a pair of pliers or vise grips.”
“It was easy to put together (just look closely at the diagram)”
“It’s super easy to put together, no crazy hand or wrist strength required”
“putting it together wasn't too tough”
“Assembly of my new 14-inch push reel lawn mower from American Lawn Mower Company was quick and easy following the helpful guide.”
“Beyond easy to assemble.”
“It's set up instructions are immediately clear.”
“This mower was easy to put together”
“This is very easy to assemble.”
“It was super easy to assemble”
Users appreciate that the mower doesn't require gas or electricity, avoiding fumes and reducing noise pollution, making it an eco-friendly alternative to traditional mowers. (32 reviews)
“I love that this mower doesn't require gas or electricity. No fumes, pretty quiet.”
“I love that there’s no gas or cords or noise!”
“Because there’s no gas exhaust fumes blowing up into my face, there’s no huge kick up of whatever I just mowed: dirt, grass, whatever.”
“I don't have to worry about gas or oil”
“No more buying gas, no more struggling to pull on the cord hard enough to turn the mower on, and no more complicated wire-pulling to turn it off.”
“It's nice not having to mess with gasoline or oil, or batteries or gods forbid an electric cord (which would just get run over and ruined).”
“It’s really good for the environment because you’re not using gas.”
“Plus not needing gas or oil is a huge plus.”
Several users mention that using the mower provides them with a good physical workout, as it requires some physical effort to push but is not overly strenuous. (23 reviews)
“it's great exercise”
“It's a good workout and it's quiet”
“You also save on a gym membership, as this is quite the workout but not undoable.”
“he gets great exercise”
“I need the exercise being that I work behind a desk 8 to 10 hours a day.”
“If you like the exercise and your lawn isn't very hilly, this can work for you.”
“Sure, it requires a bit of muscle to push, but think of it as a mini workout that pays off in the form of a beautifully manicured lawn”
“The bonus is you get a nice workout in as well”
“it’s a workout but not hard to go through grass and weeds”
“This does a good job and is an aerobic workout IF your grass is high.”
The American Lawn Mower Company 1304-14GC operates quietly due to its motor-less design. Users appreciate this feature as it allows them to mow their lawns without disturbing neighbors and provides the flexibility to mow at any time without causing noise disruptions. (17 reviews)
“No fumes, pretty quiet.”
“I love that there’s no gas or cords or noise!”
“It's not silent, but it's also not the deafening roar of a gas mower. If I had to describe the sound, I'd say it's a whooshing sound, and much much quieter than a gas mower.”
“The lack of noise is a major plus.”
“Love how quiet.”
“This mower makes hardly any noise.”
“The blades are quiet, so we could mow at 5 in the morning if need be and the neighbors wouldn't be disturbed.”
“The noise level is about as loud as our vacuum, too.”
“I can cut the grass at 5 a.m. quietly to avoid the hottest/most humid/most miserable part of the summer days;”
The ability to adjust the cutting height of the reel allows users to adapt the mower to different lengths of grass and weed thickness, improving functionality across various lawn conditions. (14 reviews)
“The only change I made was to set the reel to the highest mowing level, 1 3/4 inch”
“There's a quite small area that had gotten very dense and long, and the mower actually did a good job cutting that long grass and weeds”
“Love the adjustability of the height of the cut”
“it only took me a couple of minutes to adjust the height for which I wanted the grass to be cut at.”
“I could adjust the height with no problem.”
“Now that I’m on a routine maintenance schedule and making sure not to let the grass grow taller than 4” before cutting, this thing is awesome.”
“Helpful to have the option for adjustable heights.”
“Has adjustment settings on how short to cut grass as well”
“I followed the direction and raised the mower to its highest cutting level”
“I was skeptical about the mowers capability to cut such tall grass but taking 1/4 to 1/3 cuts it did just fine.”
At least one user indicates that with proper care and learning how to use the mower correctly, it can last for several years, suggesting good durability and longevity. (9 reviews)
“I did get 4 years out of my first mower, so I got my money’s worth.”
“Heavy and substantial materials that appear to be made to last”
“It's sturdy and the handle was comfortable even without gloves.”
“Low maintenance and high reliability. For two years I have sprayed mine off with the hose, let it dry, and put it back in the basement closet. The blades are still sharp, and there is no rust that I can see.”
“This thing is STURDY”
“construction seems to be pretty solid”
“A great reliable sturdy mower!”
“It is high quality and solidly made.”
2 reasons not to buy
The American Lawn Mower Company 1304-14GC has a tendency to jam when encountering twigs, small rocks, thick clumps of grass, large leaves, or any sort of debris. This can require users to stop and clear blockages frequently, which can be time-consuming and disrupt the mowing process. (26 reviews)
“the jamming I mentioned initially is out of control. Any twig, small rock, piece of mulch, sometimes even a large leaf causes it to freeze up.”
“Twigs and vines might get the blades stick for a second, but it’s easy to fix.”
“twigs and leaves and other small objects can get caught in the blades and will stop this. Full stop.”
“Do be very cautious about twigs and stones or rocks, though. You wouldn't want to muck up these blades, and if anything will do that, it would be those two things.”
“Even small sticks (1/8"+ thickness) will give it a hiccup.”
“Sometimes the twigs in my yard lead to more stops for dislodging than I prefer.”
“You definitely have to pick up EVERY small twig before starting or the mower will freeze up a lot”
“you do need to make sure any and all sticks and rocks are picked up. They will stop you dead in your tracks if they catch the blades just right.”
“You’re definitely going to want to clear the yard of any sticks or debris, as they tend to stop the blade pretty easily.”
“grass got tangled around the wheel shafts and was a pain to dislodge”
Although effective on normal grass, the mower struggles with overgrown lawns, damp grass, and is not suitable for strenuous jobs with mega brush or tall weeds. It may also skid over the grass instead of cutting it under certain conditions. (12 reviews)
“if your lawn has gotten long (it happens) or is the slightest bit damp, whether from humidity or sprinklers, it tends to skid over the grass instead of mowing it.”
“Not for strenuous jobs with mega brush and tall weeds.”
“The ol' gal couldn't handle more than 1 foot of grass. I went through the five stages of grief trying to finish the backyard.”
“It struggles with significantly taller grass (my entire back yard).”
“If your grass is tall you will have a hard time using this manual Lawn Mower.”
“This is only good if the grass is short”
“it struggles with thick grass”
“While not recommended for weeds or extremely tall grass, it eventually cut it all down after several passes over the same patch.”
“Not great for lawns that get out of hand and too high”
“It does not do well on dense Bermuda. I have a spot in the back yard that is super thick/dense and this mower does not work on that at all.”
Bottom Line
Get your lawn looking sharp with the American Lawn Mower Company 1304-14GC. It's real easy to push, just like a gas mower but without the hassle. Setting it up's a breeze—no fancy tools needed. Love the planet? This mower's got no fumes or loud noise. Plus, you'll get a bit of exercise using it. Adjust the blade height for different grass, and keep it going for years with a little care. Just watch out for twigs and tall weeds, as it might jam or skip. A sturdy choice for regular lawns.
Facts
| Brand | American Lawn Mower Company |
|---|---|
| Cutting Width (in) | 14 inch |
| Features | Bagging |
| Max Cutting Height | 2-1/4" |
| Min Cutting Height | 1" |
| Power Source | Manual |
| Category | Reel Mowers |
| Warranty | 2 Years |
| Weight | 18 lbs. |
Special Features
- Eco-Friendly Operation: It's good for the Earth because it doesn't use gas or make loud noises like other mowers.
- Precision Cutting with 5 heat-treated alloy steel blades: Cuts your grass super clean and neat, just like scissors, so your lawn looks sharp.
- Adjustable Cutting Heights of 1-2.25 inches: You can change how short it cuts the grass, so whether you like it long or short, it's got you covered.
- Low Maintenance Design: You don't have to fuss with it much. The sharp parts stay sharp for years, so you don't have to fix or mess with it often.
- Maneuverability with durable 10-inch polymer wheels: It's easy to push around corners and through tight spots, even if your yard is like a mini obstacle course.
- Comfortable Handling with T-style handle and cushioned grip: It's comfy to hold onto while you push, so your hands won't get tired or sore.
- Grass Catcher Included: Comes with a basket to catch the grass clippings, which means less mess for you to clean up after you're done cutting the lawn.
- Ideal for Small Yards: It's best for smaller lawns and even kids over 13 can use it, so it's great for teaching the young ones some responsibility.
- Sustainable Lawn Care: Buying this mower is a smart choice if you care about keeping the air clean and not hurting the planet.
- Ready to Use: It's a piece of cake to set up when you first get it, so you can get right to mowing without needing a bunch of tools or skills.
FAQ
- Q:
Is this Made in America or China?
- A:
American Lawn Mower, like all reel mowers being sold by U.S. companies, is made in China. Yes, that includes Great Lakes, etc. (Green Mountain Mower, which used to manufacture in the United States, has disappeared.) It's all very sad.
- Q:
Does it cut grass with tall weeds (such as dandelions) or would it jam?
- A:
I used it on an embarrassingly overgrown lawn with great results. It takes some persistent, tough pushing when there's tall grass and weeds, but it wasn't too difficult.
- Q:
I'm leery of the T-handle since my last reel mower's aluminum handle bent and then snapped off. How does this one hold up?
- A:
I bought this mower 18 years ago and it’s still in one piece, working well. Great mower, plenty sturdy.
- Q:
I have small rocks in parts of my yard, like in the grass, will that be problematic with this mower?
- A:
It will chip the blades so it wouldn't work for your yard!
- Q:
Having problems with getting the E rings attached for the handle
- A:
Gave the E-rings a couple love taps with the butt of a flat head.
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| Name | Craftsman 304-14CR | American Lawn Mower Company 1304-14 | Great States 204-14 | American Lawn Mower Company 1204-14 | Great States 815-18 |
| Final Score | 82 Good! | 92 Great! | 92 Great! | 91 Great! | 92 Great! |
| Category | Reel Mowers | Reel Mowers | Reel Mowers | Reel Mowers | Reel Mowers |
| Power Source | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Cutting Width | 14 inch | 14 inch | 14 inch | 14 inch | 18 inch |