American Lawnmower Co. is a manufacturer of great states reel lawnmowers.

The company was founded in 1895 by the family of Robert B. Kersey, the grandfather of the company’s current president. The original facility was in Richmond, In. The company moved to Muncie, In. in 1901.

In 1936 American Lawn Mower Company purchased another push reel mower manufacturer, Great States Corporation in Shelbyville, In. Today the company still operates out of the same plant and makes push reel mowers under both the American and Great States label with 50 employees producing 700 to 900 mowers a day.

100 Years of Building the Reel Tradition

In 1995 American Lawn Mower Company marked “100 years of building the reel tradition”. June 21, 1995 was proclaimed by the Indiana Governor to be Reel Lawn Mower 100th Anniversary Day in the State of Indiana. The proclamation was read at the State House, and all citizens were urged to join together and focus their attention on the importance of environmentally-friendly lawn care practices.

To celebrate 100 years of manufacturing push reel lawn mowers, the company went on a search for the oldest person still using a reel. The search found Grace Rockwell, who was then ninety-five years old and from Mercerburg, Pa.

The Push Reel Mower of Today

The mowers of today are essentially the same as were produced 100 years ago, but they are much easier to care for and much easier to use. The mower of yesteryear weighed from 40 to 60 pounds. Today’s models range from 16 to 32 pounds. The wooden handles have been replaced with painted or plated tubular steel handles. The heavy cast wheels have been replaced with much lighter plastics in some models.

Today’s push reel mower has many advantages. They start every time. They don’t need gas or spark plugs. They don’t pollute the environment with fumes or noise. They are great exercise. They are the mower of choice for young and old alike.

You can check out their website by clicking here.