Best Rear Wheel Drive Self Propelled Lawn Mower

If you have a yard that is uneven or has hills, then you know how difficult it can be to push a lawn mower around. A rear-wheel drive self-propelled lawn mower can make your life a lot easier. These types of lawn mowers have their wheels in the back, so they can grip the ground better and give you more power when going up hills.

There are a few things to consider before purchasing a rear-wheel drive self-propelled lawn mower. The first thing is the size of your yard. If you have a small yard, then you probably don’t need a very powerful lawn mower. However, if you have a large yard or one with a lot of hills, then you will want to get a lawn mower that has more power.

The second thing to consider is the type of grass in your yard. If you have a lot of tall grass, then you will want to get a lawn mower that can handle it. Some rear-wheel drive self-propelled lawn mowers have a higher blade setting for tall grass.

The third thing to consider is the price. Rear-wheel drive self-propelled lawn mowers can be expensive, so you want to make sure that you are getting a good deal.

Below we have picked out the best rear-wheel drive self-propelled lawn mowers on the market to help you make your decision.

Wheel Drive Self Propelled Lawn Mowers Compared

1. Troy-Bilt 12AVA2MR766 Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Troy-Bilt has been in this business for a long time. They always produce quality products that keep them in the business. The Troy-Bilt TB220 rear-wheel drive mower isn’t any different. It is an amazing mower with many great features.

The important one is the power that it has a lot. It comes with a 159cc engine that will generate more power than you might need. They provide an instruction booklet to help you understand its functionality easily.

It has a 21” steel deck and has a large storage bag so mowing and maintenance won’t be a big deal. Just like the Honda mower, it also has a dual-lever height adjustment feature for your comfort.

For cutting, you can choose the height setting between 1.25 to 3.75 inches for a more precise cut. It has a tri-action cutting function for a more even and clean cut.

It allows you to choose from 3 cut options (bagging, mulching, or side discharge).

The only downside it has is the build materials that are not as durable as you will want it to be. Other than that, it’s a beautiful piece of machinery from Troy-Bilt.

This Troy-Bilt mower is right above the Honda 663020, there are so many similarities between them.

Pros

• High powered engine
• Big storage bag for clippings management
• Inexpensive
• Assembly is very easy

Cons

• Build materials might not be very durable

2. Honda 663020 Self-Propelled Gas Mower

This rear-wheel-drive mower from Honda is one of the best budget options for you. Even if you are very tight with your budget, you can afford this one.

It’s not only the price tag that makes it an awesome choice but also how it performs. The mowing power of this one will cut through the grass like butter. The very powerful 160 cc engine guarantees that power. That much power with that price tag is a bargain in my opinion.

Now let’s focus on the body structure part. It has a height-adjustable body. That means, if the mower is too short or too tall for you, you can just show it the level it belongs to. That might be helpful for your health too as you won’t have to bend yourself while mowing.

Then there are 2 micro blades that cut in a way to convert the grass into powder or at least it will look like that. This micro-cutting will help you with the mulching and bagging part. It has 6 adjustable cutting height positions to choose from.

The additional positive sides are, the 2-position handle is comfortable for your grip and you can save storage space as you can fold it. Plus, it has 3 cut options to get your desired cut. It’s a pull start and not an electric start but I think we can’t complain about that given how cheap it is.

That is almost all the features that make Honda 663020 a strong candidate for your attention. It is a good mulcher too.

Pros

• Tremendously powerful engine
• Reasonable price tag
• Numerous heights, cut and discharge settings
• Combination of a mower and a mulcher
• Variable speed option

Cons 

• Not best suited for hills

3. Lawn-Boy 10732 Rear-Wheel-Drive Self Propelled Gas Lawn Mower

Lawn-Boy has a reputation of using similar looking designs for different products instead they focus on enhancing the power and performance. That’s why you might find some resemblance of the Lawn-Boy 17732 (I will review it later in this article) in the Lawn-Boy 10732.

Comparing to the 17732, we can safely say that 10732 is an upgrade. It is easy to start with 1 or 2 simple pull. It is equipped with a 149cc Kohler engine to provide the power needed for comfortable mowing.

This one also comes with a 21” cutting deck. The deck is lightweight but very durable. It has a 2-point cut system with a height adjustment option for a quality cut. The installation of a large bag makes the grass clippings maintenance part easier.

Now for the discharge part, just like the previous 2 products, I reviewed it has 3 options to choose from for a versatile cutting experience.

The body of this one is plastic made which is a major concern. As you know, plastic is not the type of material that ensures durability. Upon using it for a long time, the generated heat from the engine can cause a lot of damage to the body.

So, if you are not a fan of the plastic body, then this one will not impress you.

Pros

• Robust engine
• Easy to start
• Price is low
• Handling is easy

Cons

• The plastic body is not very durable

4. Lawn-Boy 17732 Rear-Wheel-Drive Self Propelled Lawn Mower

Here it is, the Lawn-Boy 17732. It is much cheaper than its successor like 10732. This self-propelled rear-wheel drive mower can be the solution if you are worried about your budget.

It is almost similar in terms of features with the Lawn-Boy 10732. The cutting deck, the traditional pull-start, multiple cutting heights, quality engine, etc. all are the same as the 10732.

The major difference between these two is in their performance. As I mentioned earlier in the 10732 review section, Lawn-Boy always tries to upgrade its product performance-wise rather than the outlook.

During my research, I saw some users complaining about the 17732 mower is misbehaving after using it for a long time at once. The easy solution is that give it a rest after some runtime and start again. Some claimed faulty parts too. But I can assure you that most of the claims are only a result of bad luck.

Another downside of this model is the need for constant maintenance. I mean, you will have to clean it thoroughly every time you finish mowing your lawn. That is really irritating. But again, you are getting this one for a very low cost. So, if you have to spend some extra time behind it that’s reasonable, right?

So that’s it. Regular maintenance is the key to keep this one running for a long time.

Pros

• Easy to handle and start
• Low price tag
• Decent engine
• A good mulcher

Cons

• Can’t handle tall grass very well
• Requires constant maintenance

5. Husqvarna HU800AWDH Walk Behind Self-Propelled Mower

Now let’s introduce you to a monster. The Husqvarna HU800AWDH has the 2nd most powerful engine installed in it. It comes with a 190cc Honda engine which is insane for a self-propelled lawn mower.

The power of this model is ready to take on any kind of yards. No matter how rugged the yard is, this one will march through the grass like a warrior. You are bound to be amazed by the superior performance of this one.

For those who prefer mulching over bagging, this one is a gem. It will mulch the grass smooth as butter. The 22-inch steel cutting deck allows you to have a broad cut and has a 4-point height adjustment function for more accurate cutting.

It is a good competitor against hilly terrain with the use of 12″ high rear-wheels.In fact, you may consider it as the top player in mowing hilly lawns. It also has good traction on different lands like uneven, slippery, and wet areas, thanks to the all-wheel-drive system.

To clean the deck, you have the option of connecting a water hose. That ought to make the cleaning part easier, right!

The downside I came to know about during my research is that some products came with some bent blades. The blades hit against the deck when users tried to start it up. The only solution I can suggest if you do face this problem, just return the product and get a new one or replace the blades.

Other than that issue, this powerhouse can take on your yard by storm and bring some excitement in your mowing life.

Pros

• Reasonable price
• A good one for hilly lawns
• Powerful engine
• A good mulcher

Cons

• Blades might hit the deck in some product

6. Snapper RP2185020 / 7800981 Rear Wheel Drive Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Here I have another ridiculously powerful mower from Snapper. This one also comes with a 190cc engine and some top-quality ninja blades for mulching.

They used Briggs & Stratton 850 engine (professional series) in this one. The start-up process is the traditional pull start. This rear-wheel-drive mower has better traction and maneuverability to take on flat yards as well as hilly lawns.

The use of Ninja blades which feature 6 different cutting surfaces ensures quality mulching. The deck is designed in a way that blows the clippings back into the lawn after mulching.

It has 7 cutting height adjustment options so you can choose how much of the grass you want to cut. The wide steel-made mower cutting deck improves the cutting experience and saves time.

To save space on storage, you have the option of folding down the handle. Plus, you can adjust the height of the handle while mowing to keep it level with you.

The only downside that I got upon investigating is that it leaves some grass uncut at the first go. You have to come back again and cut the remaining grass. Now that problem might be because of one faulty product. I strongly believe that it is not the case with every one of them.

As a powerful mower option, this one does have all the right elements in it.

Pros

• Powerful engine
• Good for hilly yards
• Ninja blade used for better mulching
• Multiple cutting height adjustment option
• Variable speed

Cons

• Might leave some grass uncut at first go

7. PowerSmart DB8620 Self Propelled Mower

The award for the most powerful rear-wheel-drive self-propelled lawn mower on our list goes to the PowerSmart DB8620. This monster is equipped with a 196cc engine. The only one that comes close to this powerhouse is the Husqvarna HU800AWDH with a 190cc engine.

Now the first thing that can come to mind after seeing that engine is that it must be heavy. But surprise, it is one of the lightweight products compared to the others. That suits perfectly with the zero-turn radius it has. For that, it will fast in its job and will also have greater maneuverability.

They didn’t use a big cutting deck. The one it has is only 20” wide. But they offer a lot of cutting height adjustment options (8 to be precise).

It has only one wheel on the front side for better turning I guess but that might cause some balance issues too. The high rear wheels installed in this one make it easier to move.

The major concern about this one is the plastic made materials. To be honest, that doesn’t suit at all with that monstrous engine. The durability will be a major concern with this one.

Maybe they did it as a cost management measure. I mean, we really can’t expect all the best features given its price tag.

The other issue that I saw users complaining about is that it releases toxic fumes when in use. That is not good for the environment or for your health. So, that’s a major concern.

Pros

• Monstrous engine
• Zero-turn capabilities
• Easy start-up system
• Lightweight
• Low price

Cons

• Plastic made materials so not much durable
• Might generate toxic fumes

Which One Should You Buy?

The top contender is obviously the Honda HRR216K9VKA. It ticks all the boxes to be the perfect choice for your lawn. It is reasonably priced, it performs better, it has a powerful engine and it mulches as good as it mows.

So, that’s our pick.

Feel free to make your decision according to your need and choose the one that suits you better.

How To Select The Best Rear-Wheel Drive Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

1# Consider Your Yard Size

Different kinds of mowers are suitable for a different sized yard. Now you should choose a self-propelled lawn mower only if you have a medium to large-sized lawn. That’s because it will reduce your stress as well as save your time.

Also, try to purchase a gas-operated mower for big yards rather than the new fancy electric operated one. Otherwise, you might fall short on power before making it to the end.

2# Condition of Your Area

If you live in a flat area, then a push-mower or front-wheel drive mower will be the ideal option for you. But for a steep, uneven, or sloped terrain, a rear-wheel-drive mower is your best bet. It will storm through the hilly yards very smoothly and you will be pleased with the user-friendly driving system of the rear-wheel-drive mower.

3# Speed is Crucial

There are 2 different speed options available for a self-propelled mower. One is a single-speed, which is an upgrade from the pushing. But it might not be comfortable enough for you if that constant speed is too fast or too slow.

Now as a solution to that problem comes the variable speed where you can control how fast or slow your mower should go. This one is the better option because you can match the mower speed with your walking pace.

4# Powering Up System

Gas operated mowers typically come with a pull start-up system even if it has an additional electric start too. If you don’t like the pull cord system, then the electric start is the only way for you to go.

5# Blade Override

The traditional walk behind lawn mower is equipped with a safety lever that you must hold down in order to run the blade and the mower engine. As soon as you let go of that lever the engine will die.

The Blade Override system will ensure that the blade and engine run separately. That will give you a window to pick up trash or step away for some time without having to restart it every time.

6# The Cutting Deck

Make sure the mower has a wide cutting deck. That will allow you to cover maximum space in a short period of time. It will really prove to be a time-saver for a bigger yard.

7# Top Quality Engine

The engine will provide power to the whole mower. So, it is needless to say that your mower must have a powerful engine. The more power the engine has, the more smooth and easier the cutting job will be.

8# Build Materials

Always check what materials the manufacturers used to build the body of the mower. Try to avoid plastic made mower as it won’t be very durable. Plus, plastic can’t withstand too much heat so working with your mower for a long time will be fatal.

9# Cutting Height Adjustment

Select a mower that offers a variety of adjustable cutting height options. That way you will be able to cut the grass as per your liking. You will be able to cut it too short or keep it a bit long. And more importantly, the control will be in your hand.

10# Discharge Options

Most of the self-propelled mower comes with a 3 in 1 discharge system installed in them. That way you can choose among bagging, mulching, or side discharge cut. Just select the option you’re comfortable with and the mower will do the rest. But make sure the mower has the 3 discharge feature available in it.

All right. That’s all for today. I tried to briefly explain all the positive and negative sides of all products. Hope you learned some new things about the rear-wheel-drive mower from this article.