How to Choose Between a Stand-on or a Walk Behind Mower

Both walk behind and stand-on mowers are useful tools, and each has its own uses. However, neither are a perfect fit for all applications. In order to make an informed decision, you must give careful consideration to both your needs and the limitation of each machine.

Walk Behind Mowers

Walk behind mowers have a decades-long track record and are the type of mower most people are familiar with. These are still the most popular kind of mower due to the ease of use and the cost. There are three basic types of walk behind mowers:

1. Non-motorized push mowers: These are the kind great-granddad used to mow his lawn. These mowers have no motor and the cutting blades spin as the user pushes the mower around the yard. These mowers are still made today for the fitness and ultra-green crowd, albeit with some technological advances that make the mowers much easier to push and cut the grass better.

2. Motorized push mowers: These are the type of lawnmowers that most people are familiar with. A small gasoline-powered or electric motor turns the cutting blades while the user pushes the mower around the yard.

3. Motorized self-propelled mower: These are virtually the same as motorized push mowers, but with this design, the rear wheels, as well as the cutting blades, are powered by the motor. This only requires the user to steer the mower around the yard.

Walk behind mowers are typically much less expensive to buy and maintain and are still the best choice for homeowners with small yards that have a lot of trees, shrubs, and other obstacles. Walk behind mowers provide the most versatility on steep and varied terrains. Walk behind models are durable and virtually anyone can obtain excellent results.

Stand-On Mowers

Stand-on mowers are a sort of hybrid between a walk behind mower and riding model. These came about by the need for lawn care professionals for a faster and more productive mower that was also lighter and more maneuverable than a riding lawnmower. Stand-on mowers are loved by landscapers who have a lot of smaller yards to cut as well as by those who have larger properties.

Stand on mowers allow you to ride, instead of having to push or even walk behind the mower. A stand-on mower also shines in tight spots as these mowers take corners well with most having a “zero-turn” radius. Stand-on mowers also have a much wider cutting width than walk behind mowers so you do not have to make as many trips around the yard to get the job done.

Stand-on mower technology has evolved so it can handle smaller as well as larger yards, whereas walk behinds still provide the user with the greatest level of control, especially on very steep hills. Stand-on mowers are often slower and require you to stand still throughout most of the mowing process. Due to the compact design, stand-on mowers are usually more difficult to work on.

Walk behind and stand-on mowers both offer benefits to both the homeowner and lawn care professional. Both types of mowers will get the job done and each has a place for both residential and commercial use. When trying to choose between a walk behind and a stand-on mower, carefully consider what you need the mower to do, the type of terrain it will be used on the most, and what your budget can realistically afford.

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