Difference Between a Self-Propelled & a Push Mower
- A push mower requires that you to physically push the mower to cut the lawn. Self-propelled lawn mowers have a gearbox that controls the front or rear wheels. When you move the variable speed control to drive the mower or hold onto the drive bar on a one-speed mower, the lawn mower goes by itself. You only need to guide the lawnmower where you want it to go.
- Push mowers have one speed. That speed is how fast you can walk while pushing the lawnmower. One-speed, self-propelled lawnmowers have one speed, which can travel up to 3 mph. If you have a self-propelled variable-speed lawnmower that you can control with a throttle, the lawnmower can travel 3 1/2 mph at top speed.
- Push lawnmowers are lighter in weight than a self-propelled lawnmower, which has the weight of a gearbox for driving the lawnmower. Although you don’t notice the extra weight when using a self-propelled lawnmower when it is running, you will notice it more when pushing the mower when it is not running.
- If you have a hilly landscape or a large yard, the self-propelled lawnmower will cut down on the stress to the body that mowing up and down hills or mowing for long periods of time can cause. Push mowers are ideal for smaller yards with a flat landscaping and no slopes or hills.
- Push mowers are much cheaper than self-propelled mowers. The cost of a push mower is reflected in the size of the cutting blade and if the lawn mower has a bag catcher. With a self-propelled lawnmower, the cutting blade size, a grass bag catcher option, mulching abilities and the drive transmission or gearbox all add to the cost. The average cost for a self-propelled lawnmower with a 20-inch cutting deck is about $259 at the time of publication, but the actual cost will depend on the manufacturer and type of engine. Push mowers will be at least $100 cheaper than a self-propelled lawnmower.
