Walk-behind mowers are great for smaller yards or for mowing in tight spaces. Unless you really want a workout, though, you’re going to want to make sure you get a self-propelled mower instead of one of the push models.

But which mower should you buy? And what makes self-propelled mowers special?

Self-propelled mowers make cutting work much easier than using a push mower, and they also fill a role in lawn cutting that riding mowers don't. Choosing one from the many available options can be a challenge, though, and we hope this article can help with that.

Self-Propelled lawn mower - Plano

How Do Self-Propelled Mowers Work?

When shopping for walk-behind mowers, you get to choose between push and self-propelled models. The push models cut your grass but they don’t move forward on their own. You have to push them, which is where they get their name.

In contrast, the self-propelled mowers include a transmission to power the wheels and get the mower moving. Some have variable speeds settings that you can change to match your preferred walking pace. You still have to walk with the mower and steer it where you want to go, but it’s a lot easier since you don’t have to supply the forward speed by pushing it. 

Self-propelled mowers either have front-, rear-, or all-wheel drive. Front-wheel drive mowers are easy to operate and easy to turn. Rear-wheel or all-wheel drive mowers are usually a better choice if you’re mowing across slopes since they provide better traction. They’re also good if you’re bagging grass clippings since the weight of the bag can lift front wheels slightly and interfere with front-wheel drive.

Why Buy One?

Self-propelled mowers are a lot easier to use simply because you don’t have to push them. On top of that, cutting your lawn also goes more quickly using a self-propelled instead of a push mower, especially if you have any difficult terrain in your yard. Bumps and hills in the lawn or grass that’s even slightly overgrown make push-mowing very difficult and tiring. A self-propelled mower makes keeping your yard trimmed and healthy much easier on you. 

Of course, you might ask, if one of the main reasons to get a self-propelled walk-behind is to make mowing easier why not just go ahead and get a riding mower? If you have a large yard, then a riding mower might be a good idea for you. But there’s a good chance you’ll also want a walk-behind mower for spots where it isn’t convenient to use a riding mower. That’s what my parents do – they use a riding mower for most of their 5-acre lawn but they also have a walk-behind to mow around the garden, outbuildings, and blueberry bushes.

What Sizes Can You Get?

Usually when we’re talking about self-propelled mowers we mean a standard size walk-behind. These are best for lawns under 1 acre in size and/or for lawns with lots of obstacles to mow around. You might also use them for trim work in larger yards.

You can also get mid-size walk-behind mowers. They’re also self-propelled, and they have a larger cutting deck than other walk-behind mowers. Some of the deck sizes are as large as the ones on riding mowers. They mow more quickly and let you cover more ground with each cutting pass than standard walk-behinds. They’re going to be more expensive than the smaller walk-behinds, but if you like walk-behinds mowers and have a larger yard these can be a good option.

Which Brands Are the Best?

Here at Richardson Saw & Lawnmower, we carry walk-behind mowers from Honda, Toro, and eXmark. Even though there are other quality brands offering walk-behind mowers, and you could get a decent mower from some of them, these are the ones that we recommend. These brands offer high-quality, reliable mowers that you can count on to deliver great cutting performance.

Honda

All of Honda’s mowers are walk-behind models and many of them are self-propelled. Powered by a Honda engine, these are considered some of the most reliable mowers available. They also offer innovative features including the Versamow system on the HRX models that lets you easily switch between mulch, bag, discharge, or shred leaves. Click here to learn more.

Toro

Toro offers a variety of walk-behind lawnmowers in their Recycler, Super Recycler, and Time Master series. They also offer one self-propelled battery-powered mower called the 60V. If you need a commercial-grade mower, they offer Heavy Duty and Turf Master models as well as mid-size walk-behinds. Most of their walk-behind mowers are self-propelled, but you’ll want to check the specifications for each model. Click here to learn more.

eXmark

Commercial-grade mowers from eXmark range in size from 21-inch cutting decks all the way up to mid-size walk-behinds with 60-inch decks. These mowers are built to last and offer features to reduce maintenance for professionals and serious homeowners who plan to use the mowers a lot. Click here to learn more.

How Do You Know Which One to Get?

Making your final decision on a mower purchase will depend on exactly what you want the mower to do, the size of mower you prefer, and your budget. A small mower will work well for smaller yards or trim work. You’ll probably want one of the larger models if you plan to mow a larger yard with a walk-behind mower. You won’t need the more expensive commercial-grade features if you’re a homeowner cutting the lawn once a week but they can be a big help for professionals using these mowers to cut lawns every day.

We’ll be happy to help you narrow down your options. If you’d like to see these mowers in-person, you can stop by at our location in Richardson, Texas. There’s also a lot of information about them available on our website. And if you have any questions, just give us a call at 972-235-2086 or click here to contact us online.