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.
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.
