The right lawn mower makes managing your landscaping much easier. However, with so many options on the market, finding the right one for your needs is challenging. The first item to decide is whether you need a riding mower or a push one. Both have their own benefits and drawbacks, but understanding the differences between the two helps choose the perfect one.

What Separates Push & Riding Lawn Mowers?

1. Cutting Capabilities

The deck of a mower is the compartment that houses the blades that cut the grass. The bigger the deck, the more grass is cut on a single pass. Most manual mowers have decks that range from 16 to 30 inches, which makes them perfectly suitable for smaller lawns.

If your lawn is larger than an acre, though, it’s better to go with a riding mower. They have decks that range from 42 to 50 inches wide, so they can trim the larger yard with fewer passes.

2. Maneuverability

Some riding mowers have a zero-degree turn radius, so they can rotate within their own footprints. That makes them easy to maneuver in open areas. However, since they are so heavy, there’s a risk of them tipping over on steep hills.

Push mowers are much lighter and smaller, so they’re better equipped to handle that problem. They are also easier to control around sensitive landscaping and hardscaping features.

3. Cost

It’s less expensive to buy a push mower, and you’ll spend less money maintaining it over its life compared to a riding one. They require much of the same maintenance, but walk-behind mowers are easier to transport when they need to be repaired, they use less fuel, and they can be folded for easy storage in the garage.

In addition to the regular maintenance, riding mowers need to be stored in a shed or with a cover to protect them from the elements, which adds further costs.

4. Versatility

Pusher mowers only serve the function of cutting the lawn. If you are searching for a piece of lawn equipment that can do more than that, you’ll need a riding mower. They can be combined with special equipment, such as snow blowers, tillers, and aerators, to handle more robust landscaping needs.

No matter what type of lawn mower you need, the experts at Bryant’s Outdoor Equipment can help. Serving the Dothan, AL area for more than 15 years, this family-owned and locally operated business has a variety of mowers from the industry’s leading companies, and they’ll match you with the perfect one. Browse their inventory online or call (334) 794-4419 for more information.