The difference between cutting and tearing—and why it matters for your lawn's health.
Precision Scissor Cut
Clean, sharp cutting action that shears grass like scissors
Impact Tear
Ragged tearing action that rips grass with force
Discover why cylinder mowers provide superior lawn health and professional results
The Science of the Cut
Cylinder mowers use a scissors action; rotary mowers use impact force. The result? Healthier grass.
Cylinder Mower Cutting Action
A cylinder mower uses a rotating reel with multiple blades that pass across a stationary bed knife—exactly like scissors. Each grass blade is cleanly sheared between two sharp edges.
- Leaves grass blade edges clean and smooth
- Promotes faster healing and regrowth
- Reduces entry points for disease and moisture loss
- Results in healthier, denser turf over time
Rotary Mower Cutting Action
A rotary mower spins a single horizontal blade at high speed, using impact force to tear through grass. The grass blade is effectively ripped rather than cut.
- Leaves ragged, bruised blade edges
- Increases healing time and stress response
- Creates larger wounds for disease/pathogen entry
- Can cause browning of blade tips
The Visual Difference
Under magnification, the difference is striking. Cylinder-cut grass shows a clean, straight edge. Rotary-cut grass shows frayed, torn edges. Over weeks and months, this compounds—lawns cut with cylinder mowers develop denser growth, healthier color, and better resistance to stress.
"Think of it this way: Would you rather your hair stylist use sharp scissors or a high-speed string trimmer? Your grass deserves the same respect."
Myths About Cylinder Mowers
Addressing common hesitations and misconceptions.
Myth: "Cylinder mowers are only for professional use"
While professionals use cylinder mowers, they're equally suitable for residential lawns.
Reality
Our Lawn & Garden range is specifically designed for weekly home use. Millions of homeowners worldwide use cylinder mowers successfully.
Myth: "You can't cut long grass with a cylinder mower"
Cylinder mowers perform best on regularly maintained lawns.
Reality
Cylinder mowers can handle grass up to 1.5x the height of cut. Gradually lower the height over several cuts for overgrown lawns.
Myth: "Cylinder mowers are hard to use"
There's a significant learning curve.
Reality
Most owners adapt within 1-2 mows. Self-propelled models reduce physical effort. Proper setup is key—we provide detailed guidance.
Myth: "They're too expensive"
Initial cost is prohibitive.
Reality
Longevity and build quality make cylinder mowers a better long-term investment. Factor in longer lifespan, better results, and retained value.
Myth: "Maintenance is complicated"
Requires frequent complex maintenance.
Reality
Basic maintenance is straightforward: clean after use, oil changes, and annual reel sharpening. We offer services like Reel Exchange to simplify.
Myth: "You need a perfectly flat lawn"
Only works on golf-green flat lawns.
Reality
While cylinder mowers perform best on level ground, they handle gentle undulations well. Our robust rollers bridge low spots effectively.
When to Choose Rotary Instead
Cylinder mowers aren't for every situation. Here's when rotary is the better choice.
We're passionate about cylinder mowers, but we're also realistic. Cylinder mowers excel in specific applications—regularly maintained lawns where quality matters. For some situations, rotary mowers are more practical.
Rotary Is Better For:
Very Rough or Uneven Terrain
Significant slopes, deep ruts, major surface irregularities. Cylinder mowers need relatively level ground to perform well.
Infrequent Mowing
If you only mow once or twice per month and let grass grow tall between cuts, rotary mowers handle overgrown grass better.
Mixed Vegetation (Not Pure Grass)
Properties with thick weeds, woody growth, heavy clover patches, or brush-like vegetation.
Large Acreage on a Budget
Multi-acre properties where ride-on rotary mowers provide efficiency over quality cutting.
Ultra-Low Maintenance Philosophy
If you prefer minimal lawn maintenance and accept rougher appearance, rotary is fine.
Honest Assessment
We want you to succeed with cylinder mowing. If any of the above describes your situation, we'll happily point you toward appropriate rotary options. Our goal is the right tool for your needs—not every sale.
Making the Switch from Rotary to Cylinder
What to expect in your first season transitioning to cylinder mowing.
Transitioning from rotary to cylinder mowing is a process, not an instant transformation. Your lawn needs time to adapt to the new cutting method. Here's what to expect and how to set yourself up for success.
Pre-Transition Preparation
Level Your Lawn
Address major low spots or high spots before your first cylinder cut. Minor undulations are fine, but significant irregularities should be leveled.
Bring Height Down Gradually
If your lawn is currently maintained at 50mm (2") with a rotary, don't immediately drop to 25mm (1") with your cylinder. Reduce height by 1/3 per cut over 3-4 mows.
Deal with Weeds
Cylinder mowers don't mulch and mask weeds like rotary mowers do. Address major weed populations before transitioning.
Sharpen Your New Reel
Even new mowers benefit from professional sharpening before heavy use. Consider joining our Reel Exchange program from day one.
First Season Expectations
Weeks 1-4: Adjustment Period
Your lawn may look stressed initially as it adapts to the different cutting action. Grass plants will begin responding to the clean cut within 2-3 weeks.
Months 2-3: Visible Improvement
You'll notice denser growth, healthier color, and the beginning of good striping. The lawn is responding positively to cylinder cutting.
Months 4-6: Full Transition
By mid-to-late season, your lawn should show significant improvement over rotary-maintained appearance. Density increases, stripes sharpen, color deepens.
Season 2 and Beyond
Subsequent seasons build on the first. By year two, most owners report their lawns look dramatically better than before cylinder mowing.
Cylinder mowers use a scissors action; rotary mowers use impact force. The result? Healthier grass.
The Science of the Cut
Think of it this way: Would you rather your hair stylist use sharp scissors or a high-speed string trimmer?
Your grass deserves the same respect.
Cylinder Mower Cutting Action
A cylinder mower uses a rotating reel with multiple blades that pass across a stationary bed knife—exactly like scissors.
Each grass blade is cleanly sheared between two sharp edges.
This scissor cut:
- Leaves grass blade edges clean and smooth
- Promotes faster healing and regrowth
- Reduces entry points for disease and moisture loss
- Results in healthier, denser turf over time
Rotary Mower Cutting Action
A rotary mower spins a single horizontal blade at high speed, using impact force to tear through grass.
The grass blade is effectively ripped rather than cut.
This tearing action:
- Leaves ragged, bruised blade edges
- Increases healing time and stress response
- Creates larger wounds for disease/pathogen entry
- Can cause browning of blade tips (visible as 'dull' appearance after mowing)
The Visual Difference
Under magnification, the difference is striking.
Rotary-cut grass (left) shows frayed, torn edges.
Cylinder-cut grass (right) shows a clean, straight edge.
Over weeks and months, this compounds—lawns cut with cylinder mowers develop denser growth, healthier color, and better resistance to stress.
Certified Refurbished FAQ
Common questions about our refurbished program.
How is my trade value determined?
We assess your mower based on six factors:
- Model and original specifications (cutting width, power type, features)
- Age and production year
- Hours of use (if documented; we estimate if unknown)
- Frame and structural condition (rust, damage, integrity)
- Engine/motor functionality (running condition)
- Completeness (missing parts reduce value but don't disqualify)
- Current refurbished market demand for that model
Photos and detailed descriptions help us provide accurate estimates. Our team has refurbished hundreds of mowers—we know what's required to restore each model and price accordingly.
What if I don't know the hours of use?
That's completely fine.
Most residential owners don't track hours.
We can estimate based on age, visual wear patterns, and your description of use frequency (e.g., "mowed weekly from May-October for 6 years").
Documented hours help improve estimate accuracy but aren't required.
How does shipping/pickup work?
Three options based on your location and unit size:
Drop-off: Bring your unit to our Ottawa, ON facility by appointment (free, you handle transport)
Freight pickup: For Sport Turf models or multiple units, we coordinate freight pickup at your location (fees may apply, depends on distance)
Prepaid label: For Lawn & Garden units under 50kg, we provide a prepaid shipping label for courier pickup from your door (you box/prepare for shipping)
We'll recommend the best option based on your unit and location when you receive your estimate.
When do I receive payment?
Payment timing depends on your chosen path:
Wholesale Buyback: Credit applied 1-3 business days after we receive and inspect your unit (confirms condition matches description)
Consignment: Payment issued within 1 week of your refurbished unit selling to a new owner
Hybrid: Wholesale portion paid at inspection (1-3 days post-receipt), consignment bonus paid within 1 week of sale
What happens if my mower doesn't sell (consignment)?
Units typically sell within 2-8 weeks (faster in spring pre-season, slower in fall). If a consignment unit doesn't sell within 90 days, we'll contact you to discuss three options:
- Price adjustment: Reduce listing price to improve marketability (reduces your payout)
- Convert to wholesale: We purchase at agreed wholesale value (lower than consignment but guaranteed)
- Return unit: We return the mower to you (you pay shipping costs; we don't charge storage)
In practice, most units sell well before 90 days, especially if priced appropriately.
Can I trade multiple units?
Absolutely! Golf courses, municipalities, schools, and maintenance companies often trade entire fleets. We offer:
- Volume trade values (better pricing on multiple units)
- Fleet pickup coordination
- Flexible payment structures (wholesale for some units, consignment for others)
- Priority allocation on replacement equipment
Contact us directly to discuss multi-unit programs, we'll customize an approach for your operation.
What if my unit needs repairs before I ship it?
Ship your unit as-is in its current condition.
We have full refurbishment capabilities and will adjust the trade value based on actual condition.
Spending money on repairs rarely increases trade value enough to justify the cost.
Be honest about condition in your submission, accurate descriptions lead to accurate estimates.
Is the 5% loyalty discount stackable with other promotions?
The Heritage Exchange loyalty discount (5%) applies to list pricing and typically stacks with:
- Pre-order pricing (if ordering next year's models)
- Early-bird seasonal offers
- Fleet volume discounts (multi-unit purchases)
It typically does NOT stack with:
- Other percentage-based loyalty programs
- Clearance pricing (already reduced)
- Dealer pricing (if applicable)
Specific stacking rules will be clearly stated when you receive your estimate and new mower quote.
How do pre-orders work with trade credit?
You can apply your trade credit as a deposit on a pre-ordered unit for next season's production. This secures your allocation priority. The process:
- Receive your trade estimate (choose your path)
- Reserve your new model with deposit (trade credit or partial payment)
- If you chose wholesale: Credit applied immediately upon old unit pickup
- If you chose consignment: Your deposit holds the pre-order while you wait for your old unit to sell; remaining credit applied when it sells
- New unit ships based on production schedule (typically spring delivery)
This is ideal for owners planning ahead who want guaranteed allocation of popular models.
Can I trade a non-Allett mower?
Unfortunately, no.
Heritage Exchange is designed specifically for Allett-to-Allett upgrades. Our refurbishment standards and parts availability are Allett-specific.
If you own a non-Allett mower and want to purchase an Allett, consider selling your current mower privately and applying proceeds to your Allett purchase.
What if my mower is still under warranty?
You can trade a mower still under warranty—there's no restriction.
However, your trade value won't reflect remaining warranty (we reset warranty upon refurbishment).
If your mower is nearly new and under warranty, carefully consider whether trading is the best move vs. continuing to use it.