Best Self-Propelled Gas-Powered Lawn Mowers
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While traditional walk-behind lawn mowers operate on your sweat, self-propelled counterparts reduce the workload you have with your lawn by automatically moving themselves forward with no help. You just simply need to walk behind and guide them.
Seniors and gardeners with limited physical strength are the ones who benefit most from this kind of lawn mower. Most of the self-propelled mowers are gas-powered, which provides enough power to cut medium to large yard effortlessly.
How to choose the best self propelled gas lawn mowers (buying guide)
Which is better, rear or front propelled lawn mowers?
The answer depends on the type of yard you have.
The front wheels are the ones who pull the mower as they propel. Front-wheel drive mowers are made for even and flat surfaces or yards without hills or slopes.
These flatlanders allow you to steer them around trees, shrubs and other stuff in your garden.
Rear-wheel drive lawn mowers don’t offer you the maneuverability as the front-wheel drive counterparts, yet they generate enough traction to pull themselves up the hills or steep inclines.
Since you can’t lift the back wheels back and forth to change the direction of the mowers, and since the wheels always move forwards, steering a rear-wheel drive lawn mower is more difficult.
They are more suited to open, large space and yards without trees and shrubs.
Lawn Size
Choosing a mower that doesn’t have the suitable power and capacity will end up giving you more work to do since you have to refill the gas or empty the grass bag more frequently.
Most of the self-propelled gas lawn mowers are best suited for medium to medium-large yards which range from 1/2 to 1 acre. If you own a larger yard, riding mowers are the option to go for.
Discharge options
Grass clippings can be an excellent fertilizer to your grass when cut finely enough. So why should we get rid of them when we can do something better? Opt for a mower that has mulching capacity that cut grass clippings into finer pieces, allowing them to dispose more rapidly and feed the grass more easily.
Side or rear discharge function is useful when you don’t want to spend more time raking the cut grass after long hours mowing them. Just attach a grass catcher bag to a mower that features side or rear discharge and empty it when it’s full.
When you can decide which grass clipping option is suitable for you, a 3-in-1 lawn mower is always a safe choice.
Warranty
Warranty can say a lot about the quality of a product. If a product is backed with a long warranty, that means the manufacturers are confident about the built quality and durability of it.
2-year full warranty for a self-propelled gas lawn mower is what you should shop for. If you need more, opt for Lawn-Boy mowers that come with 3-Year Tru-Start Commitment allowing your mower to be fixed if it doesn’t turn on after one or two pulls.
Best Front-Wheel Drive Self Propelled Gas Lawn Mowers - The Flatlanders
As the name has suggested, the front wheels are the ones who pull the mower as they propel. Front-wheel drive mowers are made for even and flat surfaces or yards without hills or slopes.
These flatlanders allow you to steer themselves around trees, shrubs and other stuff in your garden like a dream.
Craftsman M215Best Overall
Pros
- Powerful engine that cuts tough grass like a dream
- Wide amd versatile desk
- Variable speed that caters your walking pace
- Easy to start, maneuver and use
- Pretty lightweight for a gas-powered mower
Cons
- The bag may be small
- Not ideal for sloped yards
Craftsman M215 deserves to be the top pick for many reasons. Operated by a powerful 159cc engine with auto choke and recoil start that starts at one pull, this beast will cut through the toughest and densest grass like butter.
Wide 21-inch desk allows you to mow more grass at the same time with fewer passes. It features variable speed that suits personal walking pace and 6 different height adjustments with a dual lever that simplifies the step of choosing the perfect heights for different kinds of grass in your beloved lawn.
Moreover, M215 model comes with 3-in-1 options for grass clippings. It also includes a grass catcher bag if you don’t want to leave the grass clippings on the lawn. The 8” front wheels and large 11” rear wheels are designed with a zig zag tread pattern, which allows the mower to easily maneuver on uneven surfaces.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Engine Size | 159 cc |
| Ideal for lawns | 1/2 to 1 acre |
| Cutting Width | 21 inches |
| Cutting Heights | 6 Positions |
| Weight | 83 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Highlight Features | 3-in-1 side discharge, rear discharge, and mulching capabilities, Variable Speed, High Rear Wheels, Dual Level Height Adjustment |
Craftsman M215 is the best bang for the buck that can cut through the toughest grass in a flat medium or large lawn like a charm.
Craftsman M275Electric Start
Pros
- Electric start
- 3-in-1 discharge option
- Includes a desk wash that prevents dust and rust build up
- Easy to maneuver
Cons
- Single speed makes it less versatile
- A bit more expensive than comparable models
Craftsman M275 has taken self-propelled lawn mowers to the next level with electric start. Technically, M275 model is pretty identical to the M215, from the cutting width to the cutting height and the 3-in-1 discharge option.
What makes the M275 stand out is the electric start that switches the engine on without you cracking your arms trying to pull start it. Especially to some ladies, older people and those with health problems, a pull start can wear you out even before you get down to the job.
This lawn mower also comes with a desk wash that keeps itself clean and rust-resistant after hours of being on the dirt and mud. However, it is a little tiny bit heavier than M215 and the fact that it features single speed that makes it less versatile than M215.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Engine Size | 159 cc |
| Ideal for lawns | 1/2 to 1 acre |
| Cutting Width | 21 inches |
| Cutting Heights | 6 Positions |
| Weight | 87 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Highlight Features | Electric Start, Single Speed, 3-in-1 Desk, Desk Wash included, Dual Level Height Adjustment |
Craftsman M275 makes mowing a piece of cake with electric start without compromising the power that can cut through all kinds of grass in your garden.
Best Rear-Wheel Drive Self Propelled Gas Lawn Mowers - The Climbers
Rear-wheel drive lawn mowers don’t offer you the maneuverability as the front-wheel drive counterparts, yet they generate enough traction to pull themselves up the hills or steep inclines.
Since you can’t lift the back wheels back and forth to change the direction of the mowers, and since the wheels always move forwards, steering a rear-wheel drive lawn mower is more difficult.
They are more suited to open, large space and yards without trees and shrubs.
Lawn-Boy 17732Most popular choice
Pros
- Budget-friendly price tag
- Handle hills well
- Mulch and bag without a hitch
- CARB Compliant
- Easy to assemble and to use
- Super lightweight and quiet
Cons
- The grass bag is not as large as advertised
- Clippings discharge under the desk
If you are wondering why so many people buy this Lawn-Boy 17732, let us tell you the reasons. This rear-wheel drive lawn mower features a 4-choked 149cc engine that provides enough power to tackle all the tough grass in your medium yard.
The rear-wheel drive system improves the traction and control when mowing uphills, and sloped yards. 2-point height-of-cut system allows easily adjusting the heights to cut different kinds of grass.
Like other mowers on the list, this Lawn-Boy mower also features 3-in-1 discharge options including mulching, bagging and side discharge, along with the included large grass catcher bag, saving you from raking the clippings after mowing.
This mower is backed with the best full warranty of the industry and a 3-year Tru-start commitment that allows you to get the mower fixed free if it won’t turn on after 1 or 2 pulls. Moreover, it is CARB Compliant so Californians can rest assured that this lawn mower will take care of your yard like a dream.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Engine Size | 149 cc |
| Ideal for lawns | 1/4 to 1/3 acre |
| Cutting Width | 21 inches |
| Cutting Heights | 6 Positions (Min... 1.25” – Max… 3.75”) |
| Weight | 66 lbs |
| Warranty | 3-Year Tru-Start Commitment & 2-Year Full Warranty |
| Highlight Features | 2-Point Height-of-Cut System, CARB Compliant, 3-in-1 Discharge Ability, Variable Speed |
Lawn-Boy 17732 propels up the hills like a dream and is user-friendly and versatile and backed with the best warranty you can find. It has won the hearts of many people and it will win yours too.
PowerSmart DB8620Budget-friendly option
Pros
- Powerful engine that tackles all kinds of terrains
- Compact and fairly lightweight
- Mulch well
- Zero-turn capability
- Wide range of height settings
- Bag is large and easy to remove when full
Cons
- The single speed can be a little fast for seniors
- Front wheel is not so durable
At this range of power, nothing can beat the price of PowerSmart DB8620. Featuring a 196cc engine which is the most powerful in the list, this lawn mower can tackle every kind of grass in a large yard of up to 1 acre.
Featuring a small silhouette of 83 pounds, the mower passes in and out tight places like a charm. The rear-wheel drive gives you a useful hand when mowing uphills or uneven terrains. The single front caster wheel allows zero turns on passes.
PowerSmart DB8620 is also the most versatile mower when it comes to height settings. Weeds, grass or overgrowth, nothing is a real challenge to this little beast with 8 height positions.
Like other mowers, it also comes with 3 discharge options for grass clippings. The low dome desk with sharp blades chops clippings into finer pieces that allow better mulching.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Engine Size | 196 cc |
| Ideal for lawns | 1/2 to 1 acre |
| Cutting Width | 20 inches |
| Cutting Heights | 8 Positions (Min... 1.18” – Max… 3.15”) |
| Weight | 86 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Highlight Features | Powerful, Easy pull starting, 3-in-1 Discharge Option, Front caster wheel for zero-degree turns |
With such a powerful engine at such an affordable price, PowerSmart DB8620 is second to none when it comes to cutting grass on a sloped and uneven yard.
FAQs
A well-maintained lawn mower can last up to 8 to 10 years. Without proper care and maintenance, the average lifespan of a lawn mower can be reduced by half.
If the pull cord isn’t working, something must be on the blade shaft, which blocks its movement. Make sure that you disconnect the spark plug before checking under the desk. Remove the grass or rocks that may clog up the blade.
If the desk is clean, the flywheel brake is probably engaged or there is no oil in the engine. The worst case, The cord doesn’t work simply because the recoil spring is broken.
It is actually easy to know if you need to sharpen the blade of your lawn mower or not. Just look at your lawn after mowing. If your lawn is even with just one pass, your blade is completely fine. But if you need to pass several times to compensate for the missed blades of grass, a dull blade is to be blamed.
Moreover, take a closer look at your grass. If it looks like it is torn rather than cut, and the tips are brown and yellow instead of green, it is time you should sharpen the blade.
The infographic below will give you a more detailed and visual look on how to mow a lawn like a pro:
Conclusion
If you want the power and the self-regulation, a self-propelled gas lawn mower is the best choice. We hope you have found the best self-propelled gas lawn mower for cutting your lovely yard.
Thank you for reading and see you in the next post!