DuroStar DS1200LD Review
5-Blade Height Adjusting Push Reel Mower
79
3.5 / 5 from 520 users
$79.99
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We spent 7.8 hours reading reviews from customers and experts. In summary, here's what users think:
8 reasons to buy
Reviewers often describe the DuroStar DS1200LD mower as lightweight, indicating that it is easy to handle and maneuver. (15 reviews)
“It’s easy to use and lightweight but solid.”
“It is quite easy for me to handle despite my rheumatoid arthritis.”
“Much lighter than my 1946 STAR reel mower”
“I light push and you just keep going. It was easy.”
“While this is nice and lightweight”
“Love it! Lightweight, takes the place of weed whacking small areas.”
“The mower is light enough to push with ease.”
“It's easy to push and moves around well though”
“Smooth blade movement and it is light.”
“It's so light”
“This product is light weight!”
“Yes, this mower is lightweight.”
The product is noted for its small size, making it suitable for patches of lawn or smaller areas. (14 reviews)
“So bought this light weight small hand mower to get to that narrow area.”
“This mower is good for lawns or sidewalk areas that are very small”
“Not a problem for me since I have a small lawn area.”
“Perfect size for a small to medium sized yard”
“A mower like this is designed for small flat yards that have been well maintained.”
“Does a good job in a very small yard”
“If you have a really small yard”
“This is great for our small yard in our apartment.”
“But if your just wanting to keep a small lawn or area short this works good.”
“Ok for very small yard”
“it's small”
A reviewer mentions that using the mower provides a good exercise, suggesting it's manually operated and requires physical effort to use. (10 reviews)
“I bought this mower because it would be good exercise”
“Great exercise, too”
“I'm in Love, who needs a gym membership. Push it, Push it reel manual.”
“it's a wonderful addition to a workout routine.”
“gives you a workout so it's a 2 for”
“It’s definitely a workout”
“Good for exercise”
“Granted at 74 it takes me many hours but the hours spent are all truly worth the result.”
“The way a lawn mower is suppose to be ( huffing and puffing) then satisfaction”
“I love it. I get a workout every time I use it.”
Multiple reviews highlight that the mower is easy to assemble, indicating that setup is straightforward and not time-consuming. (7 reviews)
“Quick, easy assembly. Assembled it in about 10 minutes.”
“Assembly was so simple!”
“super easy to put together”
“Easy to assemble”
“It wasn't hard to put together”
“Easy assembly”
“Muy facil armar”
One review suggests that the DuroStar DS1200LD is environmentally friendly, likely due to its design that eliminates the need for gas and avoids emissions typically associated with traditional mowers. (5 reviews)
“to help the environment”
“I prefer this old school type to avoid fuel and/or electric cords.”
“Don't worry about gas or oil.”
“I needed something that respected the environment.”
“good for the environment”
The simplicity of the design and operation implies that the mower might require less maintenance compared to more complex machines. (5 reviews)
“Lube the mower with WD-40 spray before and after for great performance.”
“I will be surprised if it doesn't last for many years”
“very happy with it”
“No complaints”
“Nice mower, works just how it should”
One review describes the mower as a 'real looker', pointing out that it has a visually appealing design. (2 reviews)
“a real looker”
“my yard looks wonderful I get compliments from the neighbor they love this lawn mower”
A reviewer points out that the mower has a nice wide cut, which could mean it covers a good amount of ground with each pass. (1 review)
“nice wide cut”
4 reasons not to buy
Several reviews of the DuroStar DS1200LD mention that the mower struggles with tall grass or thicker weed-type grass, often getting stuck and making it hard to push. It may require going over the same spot multiple times to achieve a clean cut. (24 reviews)
“Like all reel mowers it will not cut tall grass”
“did tend to get stuck in higher grass”
“It stalls in thick and longer grass, especially at edges. I mean, it just won't turn.. no matter how hard you push or how strong you are.”
“Hard to push, will not cut dandelion weeds.”
“Had to go back and forth 4 or 5 times like a vacuum cleaner. The blade does not cut uniformly well and so going back and forth to get all the grass is the only option.”
“it doesn't cut the thicker weed type grass”
“it will get caught and jammed on any twig in my yard”
“It does not work well on longer grass.”
“I've found that you need to cut it at a level a little higher at first and go over a second time at the lower level for a clean cut.”
“Tall grass is cut using a slower pass with a little more pressure. If it won't push clear the deck of cuttings.”
There are reports of the mower failing to cut evenly, requiring multiple passes to achieve a uniform cut, which can be labor-intensive and time-consuming. (12 reviews)
“The blade does not cut uniformly well and so going back and forth to get all the grass is the only option.”
“If you let it get too high, you have to go over the same spot multiple times.”
“Does not cut grass well even on very flat areas, have to pass the area several times to see a difference.”
“Mower just smash tall grass and takes 2 to 3 tries to cut....”
“You have to run that thing 2-5 times on the same spot to cut grass.”
“Did not cut well at all.”
The bag intended to catch grass clippings is deemed ineffective by users, as it captures only a small percentage of clippings, leaving most on the lawn to be raked or blown away. (11 reviews)
“The net in the back is meant to catch the cut grass. It catches about 5% of what you cut.”
“the bag is ABSOLUTELY USELESS. Looking at the catalog photo it is easy to see the gap between the blades and the bag. Installing it is annoying because of design and it catches very little, if any, of the grass.”
“The grass catcher isn't quite big enough to hold much, maybe if it were taller and more box shaped would help.”
“disappointed that the bag is so small and does not collect well, throws the material all over the place”
“This product works better without the catcher bag.”
“the bagging device could be attached better than designed.”
“Also, the grass catcher is essentially useless.”
The mower is reported to work well only on smooth and even yards. It is difficult to set the blades for an even cut on uneven terrain. (5 reviews)
“Setting blades for a clean even cut is extremely difficult.”
“Due to my yard not being level there are areas I need to approach from different angles to cut it evenly.”
“A mower like this is designed for small flat yards that have been well maintained.”
“Ground would need to be level as every bump halted cutting process”
“these really only work on completely flat years without a speck of debris.”
Bottom Line
Get your yard in shape with the DuroStar DS1200LD mower. This lightweight, easy-to-handle machine is ideal for small lawn areas, offering a nice wide cut and a chance for a bit of a workout, since it's manually operated. Assembly's a breeze, and it's eco-friendly, too! However, tackling tall or thick grass can be tough, requiring extra effort. The catch bag might not grab all clippings, and it's best on a flat lawn. But for a low-maintenance, good-looking option, it's a solid choice.
Facts
| Brand | DuroStar |
|---|---|
| Cutting Width (in) | 12 inch |
| Max Cutting Height | 2" |
| Min Cutting Height | 1/2" |
| Power Source | Manual |
| Category | Reel Mowers |
| Warranty | 30 Days |
| Weight | 14.7 lbs. |
Special Features
- Compact 12-inch Cutting Path: It's just the right size to quickly cut small or medium lawns without missing any spots.
- 9-Inch Heavy-Duty Terrain-Friendly Wheels: Big wheels make it easy to push through rough spots in your yard without getting stuck.
- Simple Height Adjustment with a Twist of a Knob: You can change how short it cuts the grass just by turning a knob. It's super easy.
- 5 Steel Blades for Quality Cutting: It has five strong blades that come sharp and ready to make your grass look neat and tidy.
- Eco-Friendly: No Gas or Oil Needed: You won't need to mess with fuel, and you'll be doing something good for the planet, too.
- Quiet Operation for Peaceful Mowing: It's a lot quieter than those loud gas mowers, so you won't bother the neighbors.
- Low Maintenance Saves Time and Money: You won't have to deal with fixing it as much as you would with a gas mower.
- Optional Grass Catcher Available Separately: If you want to collect the grass clippings, there's an extra part you can buy to do that.
- Lightweight and Easy to Store: It's not heavy, so it's easy to move around and put away when you're done.
FAQ
- Q:
Does the mower require assembly, or does it come assembled?
- A:
The mower requires assembly upon delivery. However, the assembly process is straightforward and not complicated.
- Q:
Is the color of this mower John Deere green?
- A:
The color is more like neon lime green.
- Q:
Can the blades on this mower be sharpened?
- A:
Yes, the blades can be sharpened as needed.
- Q:
Is it possible to get a replacement grass catcher for this mower?
- A:
Replacement grass catchers are not available through our online store, but you may be able to find one locally.
- Q:
What type of material are the wheels made of?
- A:
The wheels are made of hollow plastic.
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