There are many types of lawn mowers available in landscaping, but the most popular is the walk-behind model.
It is easy to see why. These mowers are ideal for residential areas, ensuring the highest level of cut accuracy and landscape management. They can also be ergonomically tailored to fit into tight spaces, making it easy to get the job done.
To get the best out of your walk behind mower, it is important to choose a quality one. This is why we created this list of the five best walk-behind lawn mowers that you can use when shopping for one.
Why a commercial walk behind mower?
I am often asked if walk-behind mowers have a place on the commercial market. It depends. If you live in steep hills or have small gates, I don’t think a walk-behind mower is worth the investment. A stand-on mower would be my choice.
I don’t think I would choose one of the commercial walk behind mowers for small gates. The size of your yard with small gates would determine the decision. A stand on would be my choice if they have large yards. I’d recommend a Ferris or Toro TurfMaster for small yards.
You can decide what you want, and commercial walk mowers certainly have their place. It all depends on many factors. There is rarely one solution to the problem of setting up a commercial lawn mower trailer.
Hydrostatic VS Gear Drive
The drivetrain is what makes the difference. The hydrostatic will have 2 transaxles, 2 pumps and motors… very similar to a zero turn or stand-on mower. The mower will be driven by a belt in the gear drive mowers.
A hydrostatic walk behind mower is what I prefer. A gear drive is not something I would consider buying… I know this because I made it. They are more difficult to control and drive, and can also be dangerous if it rains. Rain and wet grass are the biggest enemies of any belt/gear drive walk-behind mower.
Best Commercial Zero Turn Mower Comparison
| Mower | Exmark Turf Tracer | Ferris FW45 | Hustler Trimstar | Toro Proline | Gravely Pro-Walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cut Width | 52″ and 60″ | 48″ and 52″ | 36″, 48″, 54″, or 60″ | 36″, 48″, 54″, or 60″ | 36″, 48″, 52″, or 60″ |
| Engine | Kohler Command EFI | Kawasaki FX651V, FX730V, or Vanguard with oil guard | Kawasaki FS451, FS600, FS651, or FS691 | Kawasaki FS or FX | Kawasaki FX481V, FS600V, or FS691V |
| Drive System | Hydro-gear pumps and Parker wheel motors | Hydro-Gear ZT-3400 | Hydro-Gear ZT-2800 | Hydro-gear ZT-2800 | Hydro-Gear ZT-2800 |
| Speed | 6.75 mph | 7 mph | 6.3 mph | 7 mph | 8 mph |
| Fuel Capacity | 5 gallons | 5 gallons | 3.4 gallons | 5 gallons | 5.8 gallons |
| Warranty | 2-year unlimited hours | 2-year unlimited hours | 2-year unlimited hours or 5-year / 1200 hours | 2-year unlimited hours | 2-year unlimited hours or 4-year/750 hours |
1. Exmark Turf Tracer Walk Behind Mower
Exmark Turf Tracer mowers are distinguished by their speed, durability, efficiency, and overall design. These mowers maximize productivity and take care of your comfort.
The mowers are available with 52-inch and 60-inch cutting boards. They can reach ground speeds up to 6.75 mph using either the Kohler EFI or Kawasaki engine types.
You can make your commercial lawnmower business more profitable by using optimizations that allow you to spend less on operations.
The most loved mower in the industry is this one. The ease-of-use controls are the main reason for this mower’s popularity. The patented Enhanced Control System controls (ECS), are loved by many users.
These mowers are simple and reliable. These mowers are durable and have no moving parts. Sometimes simplicity is better, especially when it involves mowers.
Exmark’s website has more information and a dealer locator.
2. Ferris FW35 Walk Behind Mower
2022 Update The FW35 mower has been replaced with the FW45. This mower is even more impressive than its predecessor. Read the complete review here.
The popularity of the Ferris FW35 Walk Behind Mower was what made it second. The Turf Tracer and this mower are very similar. It really comes down to personal preference.
Ferris was the first company to introduce a hydrostatic walkway behind it back in 1980s.
The Kawasaki or Briggs & Stratton Vanguard engines are the main options for this machine. All of them have been specifically designed to provide maximum power and low fuel consumption.
There are two options for controlling the mower: centralized controls (CC) and pistol grip. Exmark’s controls are identical to the CC controls, but there is one step less. It is easy to use and operate the mower.
This mower is easy to adjust the height. The deck can be raised and lowered by turning a crank. No need to use pins! This saves a lot of time and is much easier for the operator.
This mower is one of the most cost-effective on the market, with a 10-gauge deck and dual commercial Hydro-Gear transaxles.