Mowing your lawn isn’t exactly a walk in the park. Depending on your yard and the kind of mower you have, it can be the bane of your weekends. Now, just because you’re behind a mower doesn’t mean it works the same as another model.
Self-propelled mowers and push mowers may look a lot alike, but there are some critical differences to note.
Push Mower vs. Self-Propelled Mower
Weight and Maneuverability
Since self-propelled mowers need a more powerful engine to move without your help, they’re naturally heavier. Many selves propelled mowers also have wider cutting decks, which also adds to the weight.
Because they pack on extra bulk, they are also often slightly harder to maneuver. Push mowers are lighter and often have smaller cutting decks. This way, they’re easier to turn and move about.
Speed
Push mowers keep speed with the user since they must be pushed. Self-propelled mowers often have variable speed and can go up to 3 mph on average, although some can reach up to 4 mph. This coupled with a wider cutting deck can also make the job of mowing go faster and allow you to go over easy areas at a greater speed.
Effort
The amount of effort required on your part is another important difference in these two kinds of lawn mowers. Push mowers do require more physical work since you must push them, while self-propelled mowers do much of the work for you.
Price
In general, self-propelled mowers are more costly than push mowers, as you might guess. Because they have more components and need a higher-powered mower, expect a price tag to match. Push mowers tend to be much more affordable and can be a good way to get a mower within your budget.
Efficiency
A large part of how efficient your mower is dependent on your yard, or the area you're mowing. Push mowers do a good job on more flat land and small to medium-sized yards (considering the effort spent to push it). Self-propelled mowers are good for uneven, hilly areas since they have enough power to get through spots that would otherwise be physically exhausting.
Conclusion
When it comes down to it, both types of mowers do what they’re supposed to. The biggest differences come in your yard, and the kind of yard work you’re willing to do.
