Self-propelled lawn mowers usually come in one of two drive options: front or rear wheel drive.
Both types have their pros and cons. Depending on your yard, there are real advantages to choosing one type or the other.
But, which one is right for you?
Front Wheel Drive Lawn Mowers
Front wheel drive mowers are now one of the most common type of self-propelled mowers. Front wheel drive systems are very simple and inexpensive to produce, which helps make front wheel drive mowers the cheapest self propelled option.
While push mowers will probably always be the cheapest option, front wheel drive mowers are a good choice for buyers on a budget who don’t want to have to push a lawn mower all over the yard.
Front wheel drive mowers work well on flat, smaller yards. But, they can really struggle when going up hill or over uneven terrain. Since the drive wheels are in the front, they lose traction any time the user leans on the mower’s handle. When pushing a mower uphill or over bumps, most of us tend to lean on the handle, lifting the front wheels up slightly.
Front wheel mowers do have a real advantage when it comes to turning though. With the drive wheels up front, the user can quickly pivot the mower without any interference from the propulsion.
Advantages of a Front Wheel Drive Mower
- Cost is the biggest advantage of front wheel drive lawn mowers. They’re a great budget option for homeowners.
- Front wheel propulsion has a real advantage when turning. This makes them a great choice for buyers with small lawns or oddly shaped yards that require lots of turning.
- Front wheel drive is also a great choice for those with flat yards.
Disadvantages of Front Wheel Drive Mowers
- Front wheel drive doesn’t work as well going up or down hills.
- Uneven ground can be a problem for these types of mowers too.
Rear Wheel Drive Mowers
Until recently, rear wheel drive mowers were the only type of self propelled walk behind mower available. This means that there are lots of them available on the new and used market.
As the name implies, rear wheel drive mowers send power to the rear wheels of the mower. This is typically done with a simple belt and a few gears or pulleys.
Because the user is walking behind the mower holding a handle that connects near the rear drive wheels, this type of lawn mower typically gets great traction on all sorts of terrain. From hills to bumps or wide open spaces, rear wheel mowers will keep moving right along with you.
With slightly more complex drive systems rear wheel drive lawn mowers can be a bit more expensive than their front wheel drive counterparts though. But, you will typically find better motors and components on rear wheel drive mowers.
Advantages of Rear Wheel Drive Mowers
- Rear wheel drive gets better traction on hilly yards and uneven ground.
- More models are available with this style of mower, including models with better engines and components.
- Rear wheel drive will cut more evenly on most lawns .
Disadvantages of a Rear Wheel Drive Mower
- The cost of rear wheel propulsion mowers is usually higher than front wheel drive or basic push mowers.
- These lawn mowers may be more difficult to turn in some circumstances than front wheel drive models.
What About All Wheel Drive Mowers?
All wheel drive mowers are another type of self propelled walk behind lawn mower that are becoming more popular. All wheel drive isn’t available from very many manufacturers yet, but more models are coming all the time.
With all wheel drive, you get the best of both worlds. With all four wheels pushing the mower forward, these mowers can roll over all types of lawns, including hills, easily.
The added complexity of all wheel drive does make these lawn mowers a bit more expensive though.
Advantages of All Wheel Drive Mowers
- All wheel drive gets great traction on uneven, hilly, or flat ground.
- the few models available do have excellent build quality and components.
Disadvantages of All Wheel Drive Mowers
- They are more expensive than other types of walk behind lawn mowers.
- All wheel drive is heavier and sometimes more difficult to turn.
Front Wheel Drive vs Rear Wheel Drive Lawn Mower: Which is Best for You?
Now that you know more about the different types of self propelled lawn mowers, it’s time to decide which is right for you.
While it might be tempting to just go with the cheapest model available or, if you’re so inclined, to buy the most expensive lawn mower you can find, neither of these are likely to be the best choice for you. Your yard should ultimately determine what mower you buy.
If you have a small flat yard, a front wheel drive lawn mower is probably the best pick for you. Front wheel drive models are easy to maneuver and inexpensive and are really all you need for a small lawn.
If, on the other hand, you have a big yard with some hills or uneven areas, you’ll be much happier with a rear wheel drive lawn mower. An all wheel drive mower could work also, but really isn’t necessary for most homeowners.
And overall, for most yards, a rear wheel drive lawn mower is the way to go. They work well on all types of lawns, tend to be built a bit better than front wheel drive mowers, and can be found a reasonable prices.