Sun Joe MJ501M w/ 7-Gallon Detachable Grass Catcher, 9-Position Height Adjustment, 5 Steel Blades, Compact Design, 18-Inch Manual, Green/Black

What It Is

The Sun Joe MJ501M is an 18-inch manual push reel mower with a detachable 7-gallon grass catcher, designed for small to medium lawns (up to 1/4 acre). It uses 5 steel blades to cut grass by scissor action—no gas, no cords, no battery.

Fitment & Compatibility

• Deck size: 18-inch cutting width. Only fits Sun Joe MJ501M model; not interchangeable with other brands or gas/electric mowers.
• OEM vs aftermarket: This is the OEM grass catcher and blade assembly for the MJ501M. No aftermarket alternatives exist for this specific design.
• What to check before buying: Verify your mower model number (printed on underside of frame or near wheel). Measure deck width—must be exactly 18 inches. The catcher bag clips onto the rear discharge chute; ensure the chute is not damaged or missing.
• Incompatible with: Any other Sun Joe reel mower (e.g., MJ401E, MJ600M) or any powered mower.

Key Things to Know

• Installation difficulty: Easy—snaps on/off without tools. Fits securely when correctly aligned with the chute guides.
• Quality: Bag is thin polyester; zippers and seams may fray after a few seasons. Blades are sharp out of box but dull faster than gas mower blades on thick or wet grass.
• Common gotchas: Bag fills quickly (7 gallons = about 2 standard trash bags of clippings). Overfilling causes clogs at the chute. Does not work well on grass over 3 inches tall—requires frequent mowing. Blades need annual sharpening or replacement (Sun Joe part #MJ501M-5).
• Height adjustment: 9 positions (0.5–2.5 inches) via lever on each wheel—simple but requires bending down.

Should You Buy It

Buy if you have a small, flat lawn under 1/4 acre, want a quiet, zero-emission mower, and don’t mind frequent bag emptying and blade maintenance. Skip if your lawn is over 3 inches tall, has thick weeds, or you want a self-propelled or powered option. At $129.99, it’s a budget-friendly manual choice but won’t replace a gas/electric mower for tougher conditions.