Walk mowers are undoubtedly one of the most versatile cutting machines which are available.
However, many people ask what size walk-behind mower do I need?
Before choosing a walk mower, it is important to be knowledgeable about the features so that you can know whether it suits your preferences and needs.
Also, look out for models which have those particular features. If you need help with this, you can simply ask one of the salespeople to enlighten you on the features and recommendations.
Below is an overview of some of the important components of the lawnmowers and their uses:
Drive:
Lawnmowers are either pushed by the user or self-propelled in that they are able to push themselves. As such, the drive of a lawnmower is divided into:
- The front-drive
- The rear-drive
- The all-wheel drive
Self-propelled mowers are highly recommended as they are extremely convenient and make mowing effortless for the user especially if it is being used in hills or in situations where the user mows and bags at the same time. It can be quite a hassle when it comes to pushing a fully loaded mower uphill.
Front-wheel drive:
This is perfect in situations where the user needs to mow on level grounds that have a lot of obstacles around.
With the front-wheel drive, the user can push down on the handle which in turn reduces the traction on the front wheels and allows the lawnmower to easily pivot in and out of different corners.
Rear-wheel drive:
The rear-wheel drive is ideal for sidehill and uphill mowing which requires the user to push down on the handle while going up a hill. Since it is rear-wheel drive, the front tires will still have traction.
All wheel-drive:
Basically, most of the lawnmowers available are all-wheel drives. These are convenient for most homeowners who mow in the following places:
- across washboard surfaces
- side hills
- steep uphill
- downhill
All wheel drives have proven to be very efficient in very rough grounds.
Functions
The functions of lawnmowers include:
- Mulching: Here the mower continuously cuts and recuts the grass
- Discharging (to the side or rear)
- Bagging: Bagging involves the disposal of the cut grass into the bag
Two-function mower:
This is a mower which is able to mulch and bag. Mulching is very good for yards as it involves the disposal of nitrogen rich grass back into the ground. However, this may not be ideal for tall grasses in the early summer or spring.
Three-function mower:
Three-function mowers are able to mulch, side discharge, and also bag. In areas where there are tall weeds and non-turf grasses, side discharge is quite effective as it also helps you set the mower deck to its maximum height and cut the grass down stage by stage.
How do I choose a walk behind mower?
Getting a lawn mower that best suits your specific needs and lawn requirements is important. Walk-behind mowers are very ideal for users who make use of lawn tractors or zero-turn riding mowers.
There are different walk-behind mowers that have their own features.
If you are thinking of purchasing a walk-behind mower for the first time or upgrading the models, below are some of the things you must keep in mind:
Types of walk-behind mowers:
Generally, there are three types of mowers which are all ideal for yards that are about half an acre. They include
Front-wheel drive (FWD) mowers:
These mowers are mostly used for lawns that have straight pathways and small hills. As a result of the driving wheels which are located at the front of the mower, users can easily tip the front of the mower up and pivot the rear wheels in order to maneuver obstacles easily.
Rear-wheel drive (RWD) mowers:
The rear-wheel drive mowers are ideal for use in lawns that have hilly terrains as it offers impressive traction, and for users that occasionally bag the cut grass.
Four-wheel drive (4WD) mowers:
These mowers provide the users with full and maximum control of the mower. Many automobiles have this feature and it has now been implemented in specific types of walk-behind lawn mowers.
This drive is perfect on terrains and larger lawns that have thick grass. It can enable users to conveniently navigate around the terrain with ease.
Whether it’s a front-wheel drive, rear wheel drive, or all-wheel drive which offers versatility, users can get the best drive that suits their lawn needs.
Type of cut
The type of cut also determines your choice of lawn mower. The Cub Cadet Signature Cut offers an impressive and well-cut lawn as it has a mower front leading edge deck design that produces more circulation and a more powerful vacuum.
Features:
A walk-behind mower that can mulch, side discharge feature, and the bag is also recommended as it allows flexibility in the manner in which the grass clippings are handled.
As such, the clipped grass can be put into a bag for disposal, mulched back into the lawn, or discharged to the side of the mower.
Maintenance:
Maintaining the mower is important to increase its durability. Mowers that have an inbuilt deck wash system are ideal as they permit the users to easily hook up a garden hose to the mower and turn on the spigot so that the undersides and blades of the mower can be washed down.
What size walk-behind mower do I need?
The size of your mower should depend on the size of your yard. For small lawns, a 20-inch walk behind a mower is very convenient.
On the other hand, larger lawns will require a mower of about 21-22 inches. This will also help to reduce the mowing time.
A larger lawn mower like the rear-engine riding mower or a lawn and garden tractor is recommended to mow yards that are larger than ¾ acres.
In conclusion
Before you pick a walk-behind mower, you must check the size of your surroundings. If you have 5 acres, you may not want to use a push mower for your mowing.
Therefore, we consider the size of our terrain before we can make our selection. Also, models have a part to play in how effectively we can mow our yards.