Best Basic Push Gas Lawn Mower Reviews

If you would like the best push gas lawn mower without all the extras, we have reviewed five basic, yet more than adequate, mowers that will serve your purpose very well.

Many of us prefer a mower we can push rather than one that is self-propelled. Reasons can vary. Certainly, budget is one of the primary reasons. These mowers typically cost somewhat less than others that are self-propelled or with electric start capability. Some of us prefer the exercise that comes with pushing a mower rather than merely walking behind and steering it. There is even the nostalgia for some from childhood when such add-ons were either not available or rare.

Electric mowers have become very popular, but they just aren’t powerful enough if the grass gets too long, or it is a little wet from dew in the morning. If your yard has a few too many tough weeds, you need some power to cut through them. A good basic push lawn mower does the trick really well.

Luckily, there are some good, solid no-frill models available. These mowers aren’t packed with all the latest features, but they still get the job done. And, they get it done at prices more than 3 times cheaper than some of the fancier models we’ve mentioned in our other reviews.

So, without further ado, here are the five best push gas lawn mowers we have found.

Best Push Gas Lawn Mower Reviews

Yard Machines 140cc 20-inch Push Lawn Mower

The Good

Our first entry comes from Yard Machines made by MTD. We said that all of the models on our list are push, so the small size of this mower is quite beneficial. The machine features a 140cc engine, which, while not very strong, fits into the whole idea of a compact and mobile mower. However, despite the fact that the engine is small, you can expect a very consistent performance of the mower – knowing what to expect and knowing the limitations of your mower is sometimes more crucial than raw power.

The mower has a 20-inch adjustable deck. The three adjustable height positions are made by taking each wheel off and moving it manually to a different height. While this may seem inconvenient, most of us mow at only one height anyway. So once you find the height you like, just leave it alone.

The mower has been fitted with 7-inch wheels, front and back, and they do a great job of giving the mower maneuverability.

The Not So Good

Having a smaller engine means that the mower has some trouble handling really heavy and very wet grass. Running through such heavy grass will cause the mower to bog down. But with a little patience it will get through just fine. Since it is a very basic mower, it doesn’t have the ability bag or mulch the grass. The only thing you can do is to side discharge the clippings.

Adjusting the deck height is time consuming, but once it is set you don’t need to bother with it again.

Verdict

Overall, this is a very satisfactory little machine. It is light, only about 48 lbs., mobile and has a nice, decently wide deck. It doesn’t offer you too many options to deal with clippings, and the mower isn’t exceptionally powerful. But for the price, this mower is a very good value.

Poulan Pro 20’’ 450e Push Lawn Mower

The Good

Second up, we have the Poulan Pro 450e. This mower features a slightly less powerful, 125cc Briggs and Stratton engine. The sharp blade driven by this mower is good for cutting grass in most conditions, as long as it’s not overly wet and heavy. The engine delivers a total of 4.5 ft. Ibs. of torque which, together with a 20-inch deck, makes the mowing quick and painless.

Just like the last model, the mower’s deck is also adjustable. However, this mower has 5 positions, easily adjusted by four levers, mounted to each wheel. The mower has the same 7-inch wheels we’ve seen on the Yard Machines mower. These wheels make the mower very mobile, perfect for going around trees and flowerbeds. The machine is also quite light, about 42 lbs., which adds to the machine’s maneuverability.

The Not So Good

One of the drawbacks of such an inexpensive mower is that it is very loud. The engine revs and produces quite some noise when doing its business. It also can take a little longer to get the machine going at times, as you may have to pull the cord about 2-3 times. The machine’s rather small engine makes it inadequate for big jobs and very tough, heavy, soaked grass.

Verdict

Overall, Poulan Pro 450e is a solid mower. We could say that it lags a bit behind the Yard Machines, because of the oil changing and the smaller engine. It is also more expensive than the Yard Machines, making the former a better choice overall. But what we did like, in particular, is the deck height adjustability – you have 5 positions to choose from, and the deck is much more easily adjusted than the Yard Machines with the use of leaves.

Poulan also makes a Pro 500ex model push mower that is 21” wide and has a larger motor, which also has the ability to mulch the grass. It also costs a little more.

Husqvarna LC121P 163cc Push Lawn Mower

The Good

Halfway through the list, we arrive at Husqvarna LC121P Lawn Mower. Compared to the two previous mowers, the LC121P is a muscle machine. This beast features a 163cc engine, which makes it very adequate for handling even bigger jobs, bigger yards and tougher grass in harder conditions. Add a 21-inch deck on top of that, and you have yourself a machine that you can finish the work quickly with. The engine is a Briggs and Stratton and starts virtually on a single pull of the cord.

Along with all of that, the mower has a total of 9 deck adjustability positions, so you can personalize the length of your grass. But, what sets this mower apart from the ones before it is that it offers you the ability to mulch, bag and discharge the grass, which can be considered a luxury on this list. The machine has 11-inch rear wheels that make the mower more maneuverable since this model is much bigger than the others.

The Not So Good

The downside for this machine starts with two things – size and price. Like we said, this mower is not compact, and is quite a bit heavier, about 62 lbs. Since it’s not self-propelled, it is more difficult to operate, especially if your lawn isn’t flat.

The second thing is the price. The mower costs quite a bit more than Yard Machines. Of course, for that price you get a bigger engine and more clipping management options, but unless you have a larger lawn or let it get too tall between mowings, it is difficult to justify the added cost.

Verdict

All in all, this is a very good mower. The device’s impressive brawn allows you to cut grass with ease, even in difficult conditions, and the wide deck allows for the job to be done much faster. On top of that, you get more clipping management options, which is a great plus in comparison with the previous models reviewed. But it comes with a higher price tag.

Lawn-Boy 21-inch 149cc Lawn Mower

The Good

Our penultimate product is Lawn-Boy 21-inch 149cc Lawn Mower. This is another nicer yet basic product, with a very good 149cc Kohler XTX engine. Kohler XTX engines are known for their extremely high reliability and are also famous for starting with as much as one pull of the cord. Lawn Boy guarantees this as well and offers their customers a 3-year guarantee which says that they will repair the unit if the engine doesn’t start in one or two pulls.

As far as the deck goes, Lawn Boy has a 21-inch deck that allows you to be done with your lawn faster. That also increases the size of the lawn you can mow with this mower. The deck’s height can also be adjusted, just as with the previous models, and can be adjusted using a splendid 2-point system that offers greater convenience than having to adjust all four wheels individually. As for the clippings, the mower allows you to mulch, discharge and bag them.

The Not So Good

Firstly, this is a more expensive mower for a no frill item. This is a push mower, yet its price hits a point nearly the same as a self-propelled mower. Considering that Yard Machines mower costs around half that and that this mower has an engine only 9ccs stronger, this may turn out to be not that much of a bargain.

Secondly, there is the matter of power. Like we said, this mower is only 9ccs stronger than Yard Machines, and, just like the aforementioned machine, Lawn Boy can also bog down in heavy turf.

Verdict

Overall, Lawn Boy is a good mower, albeit a little overpriced. The engine is a little on the weak side considering the price, but it’s at least reliable. Lawn Boy comes with some awesome warranties, namely the one that claims the engine will be repaired, no charge, if it doesn’t start in a couple pulls of the cord.

Poulan Pro PR550N21R3 Push Lawn Mower

The Good

The fifth in our review of the best push gas lawn mowers is the Poulan Pro PR550N21R3 Push Lawn Mower. This is a slightly more powerful and slightly more expensive model, as compared to the Poulan Pro 20’’ mower. They both feature a Briggs and Stratton engine, except this one, boasts 140cc. This makes it more adequate for cutting thicker grass. Still, it can bog down on overly thick, tall and wet grass. Once again, taking it slow and easy with a back and forth mowing motion in the worst spots will do the trick. Biggs and Stratton engines are some of the best engines around, and it is guaranteed to start within one or two pulls.

This Poulan Pro is also slightly bigger than the 450e. While the 450e features a 20-inch deck, this one features a 21-inch one. The deck is also easy to adjust, with 5 height settings being available. The mower allows you to mulch, bag, and discharge the clippings.

The Not So Good

As is the problem with most machines on this list, low price warrants a smaller engine. In this case, a 140cc engine might not prove very effective in the tall and wet grass. Another problem is that the height adjustment levers on the wheels seem a bit finicky. They’re made of plastic, and it feels like they’re going to snap off if you pull on them too hard.

Verdict

In the end, Poulan Pro is a very solid, reliable machine. The Briggs and Stratton engine won’t fail you and will start quickly every time. On top of that, the mower is pretty affordable. In essence, the mower is a good choice for those on a budget, and perfect for smaller lawns, as long as you mow it regularly.

A Few Tips About Maintenance of Push Gas Lawn Mowers

Gas mowers do require maintenance. Before, gas mowers were really troublesome, and it took a long time to go over them and check if everything is okay, especially prior the first cutting. However, nowadays are much simpler times, and the mowers make maintenance more convenient. Here are the four essential tips on mower upkeep.

1. Change the oil

This might be the dirtiest, but also most essential part of maintenance. Changing the oil regularly will ensure that the engine runs smoothly and doesn’t overheat. Dirt collects in the oil, and if it gets into the engine, it can completely ruin it. And oil breaks down over time and usage, losing its lubricating properties. The result is premature engine wear.

2. Change the spark plug

Changing or cleaning the spark plug is also very important. The spark plug is what strikes the fuel in the engine and sets the things in motion. Dirt on the spark plug can cause it to fail, and you can’t turn the mower on without it. Luckily, there is a gap on every mower that provides easy access to the plug, and you can easily pull it out for cleaning or replacement. Be sure the gap is set correctly with a gap tool.

3. Clean the air filter

Cleaning or replacing is one of the easier jobs you have to do on your mower. There are two types of air filters in use, the paper and foam filter. The first one can be cleaned by blowing out the debris with a pressure hose, or you can replace it if it gets clogged too much, which it will over time. Foam filters need to be taken out and washed in water and detergent solution but rarely replaced.

4. Sharpen the blade

This is, perhaps, the hardest task. The mower needs a sharp blade to cut the grass. If the blade is dull, it will tear it instead of cut. To detach the blade, you need to detach the spark plug wire first, then use a wrench to unscrew the bolt that holds the blade on. You can sharpen the blade in any way you wish – grinder, whetstone or file, it doesn’t matter – just follow the pre-ground edge. A sharp blade will help finish the mowing more quickly, and with a more uniform appearance. If the blade is too worn down or has too many notches from hitting rocks and such, it may be time to replace the blade.

Conclusion

And there you have it, five of the best push lawn mowers, and a quick guide on how to maintain them. These are budget products, but still very useful. Electrical lawn mowers may be on the rise, but, until they reach the consistency of a gas mower, they won’t replace them. As for self-propelled units, they may still be too rich for some budgets, so no frill mowers are still very much a thing.

Feel free to also check out our review for self-propelled walk behind gas mowers, electric mowers, and riding mowers, as well as push reel mowers.