Best Pull-Behind Lawn Mowers of 2023

Best Pull-Behind Lawn Mowers of 2023

Top-Rated & Best-Selling Tow-Behind Mowers

When you need to cut acres of grass quickly, you need a pull-behind mower to get the job done right. There is no replacement for the excessively large mower decks that have advanced connection options for mowers, tractors, and ATVs that allow you to mow rough trails of any size or get the line-striping precision cuts needed for golf courses and baseball fields.

Tow behind mowers are built heavy for the abuse they endure on rough trails and have quality parts that stand up to hours of daily use, year after year. I've used my decades of power equipment expertise to hand-pick the best pull-behind mowers around, so continue reading below and see if any of these are right for you. Don't forget to click on the mower images to view the product page filled with more features, specs, reviews, and other great resources.


The Best Pull-Behind Mowers 


Best Rough-Cut MowerBest Finish-Cut Mower

View the Swisher Pro Brush King

Swisher Pro Brush King Rough Cut Tow Behind

View the AcrEase H60B

AcrEase H60B Finish Cut Tow Behind




How We Picked the Best Pull Behind Mowers 

When recommending tow-behind lawnmowers, we take five features into account. 


Power

Forget weak engines. All of our tow-behind mower recommendations have commercial-grade engines that can conquer any terrain. Traditionally, an engine's power is measured in horsepower, so we'll typically recommend mowers with higher horsepower engines. At the same time, many manufacturers also provide engine displacement in CCs. The higher an engine's CC, the more power it has the potential to create. We judge a tow-behind mower's power by those factors, as well as whether the unit has a single engine, or in some cases, multiple engines.  


Durability

You won't find a tow-behind mower without a commercial-grade engine and parts, and that's because they are built as tough as the terrain you need to tackle. Besides, you never know what's under the brush until you mow it down. Pull-behind mowers are designed to be abused by their terrain, so our ratings on durability compare the tow-behind mower's resistance to threats like rust, dents, rocks, branches, stumps, and other damaging yard debris.


One key factor is the type of material (like steel gauge) used for components that wear over time, such as the mower frame, deck, blades, wheels, engine shrouds, hitches, and more. We also consider the engine and motor build, ball couplers, bearings, spindles, and clutch assembly where applicable. The heavier-duty quality of the parts, the higher rating we give.


Usability

Great tow-behind mowers are not only durable and powerful, but they also need to be easy to use, simple to connect to, and can be transported easily to where they're needed. For great usability, we look at where and how easily the attachments are made, what deck-width and mowing-height options are available for larger areas, and what other features are available to make your experience better, such as remote-control operation, electric start, and how easily the height can be adjusted.


Versatility

We use the term 'versatility' to measure characteristics that help the mower adjust to your needs on the terrain, such as the option for mowing directly behind or set to the side(s) of your towing vehicle. Other options like multi-point height adjustment settings and articulating hitches are considered as well. We also look at how certain features make them more tactical, like a stump jumper that prevents tree limbs and brush from damaging the mower components or puncture-resistant tires.


Overall Value

We prioritize performance over price, so instead of evaluating a pull-behind mower on just dollar value, the highest-rated mowers we select are packed with convenient features that make it easier to mow in commercial, specialized applications while still giving you great results and minimal headaches. 




Best Rough Cut Mower: Swisher Pro Brush King 

Buy the Best Rough Cut Mower: Swisher Pro Brush King

If you're in the market for a tow-behind mower that will make short work of heavily overgrown fields and trails, look no further than the Swisher Pro Brush King model RC14544CP4K. Powered by a Kawasaki twin-cylinder 14.5hp motor that turns two heavy-duty breakaway blades, this mower is a cut above the rest when it comes to weeds, brush, and saplings up to 3" in diameter.


It has an articulating hitch with a two-inch coupler that can adjust to 5 offset positions and up to a 15-degree slope for ditch mowing. The tethered remote-control console allows you to start and stop the engine, control the engine speed, and activate the mower blades from the convenience of your ATV, UTV, or tractor tow vehicle.


SpecDetailsRating
Power603 CC 14.5HP 4-Cycle Commercial Kawasaki FS481V V-Twin Engine w/ 12V Electric Start. 2 cylinders.☆☆☆☆☆
Durability11-gauge welded steel deck with puncture-resistant tires, engine shroud cover, heavy-duty blades, connectors, and hitch with greaseable bearings.☆☆☆☆☆
Usability2-point height adjustment system and throttle control that can be controlled remotely in the towing vehicle. Closed deck for enhanced mulching. Push-to-start. Electric clutch and integrated brake to reduce wear.☆☆☆☆☆
VersatilityArticulating, tool-free, foldable hitch with 5-position offset adjustment for 15° slopes and stump jumper. Cut range from 3"-7.5". Tow bar can be offset for double-wide cutting.☆☆☆☆☆
Overall ValueDon't let the price fool you. This is the best rough-cut mower we've tested. The abundant features, durability, and ease of use make it a top contender on any list.☆☆☆☆☆


Who It's For:

  • Large properties with acres of land that need rough-cut maintenance
  • Professionals that mow acres of highways, fields, woodland areas, etc.
  • People with large properties who need to mow utility trails or ditches


Who It's Not For:

  • Not for the average homeowner with clean-cut lawn needs
  • Properties smaller than an acre that need to be short-cut and well-manicured
  • People with properties that contain many obstacles or tight spaces/corners


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Best Finish-Cut Mower: AcrEase H60BBuy the Best Finish Cut Mower: AcrEase H60B

Make short work of cutting large lawns with the Kunz AcrEase H60B tow-behind finish cut mower. Towable behind your tractor or Z-turn mower, ATV, or UTV, this mower can cut at a towing speed of 6-8 mph. The cutting power is provided by a 19hp Briggs and Stratton motor driving 3 in-line 20" mowing blades under a 60-inch, 11-gauge steel mowing deck. Six anti-scalp wheels protect your lawn from being cut unevenly around low spots. Choose between the ATV/UTV or the riding mower hitch assemblies which are not included but available as accessories.


SpecsDetailsRating
Power540 CCs Commercial-grade 19 HP Briggs & Stratton Intek 4-Cycle OHV Engine. Single cylinder.☆☆☆☆☆
Durability11-gauge (.120") fabricated (welded) steel deck with heavy-duty welded steel spindles with greaseable bearings. 6 anti-scalp wheels.☆☆☆☆☆
Usability Infinite deck positions. Side discharge. Electric key-start system. 3-gallon (3hr) fuel tank. Excellent cut at high speeds.☆☆☆☆☆
VersatilityCan be towed with almost any utility vehicle and can trail directly behind the tow vehicle or trail to the side. 4-point height adjust system with cutting height range of 1"-4". Trailer hitch available.☆☆☆☆☆
Overall ValueOffers the durability, customization, and precision of well-manicured clean-cut needs for lawns, golf courses, and other commercial properties.☆☆☆☆☆


Who It's For:

  • Large properties with acres of land that need clean-cut maintenance
  • Professionals mowing acres of clean-cut commercial land like sports fields
  • People that want to clean-cut mow as fast as possible in large areas


Who It's Not For:

  • Not for homeowners with rough-cut lawn needs in large areas
  • Not for homeowners with small properties with tight corners and obstacles
  • Professionals that need to mow rough land on highways, trails, or ditches


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Tow-Behind Mower FAQs 

Is a Pull-Behind Mower Right for Me? 

These mowers are meant for landowners with enormous properties or professional landscapers that are contracted for commercial mowing on land like highways, golf courses, baseball fields, utility fields, forest preserves, etc. If you don't fall into one of those use cases, then a pull-behind mower likely isn't for you. However, if you're a homeowner with a lot of acreage that needs to be tamed, you should definitely consider a tow-behind mower above any other type of mower. They also require a towing vehicle that is powerful enough to tow the mower, like a tractor or ATV with the proper hookups. For a more comprehensive look, check out our tow-behind mower buyer's guide.


Do Tow-Behind Mowers Need Maintenance? 

Yes, and maintenance is more specialized and involved than normal lawnmowers. Because they are commercial-grade mowers, they require regular engine maintenance and servicing of the blades and other moving parts. Tow-behind mowers have unique configurations and attachments that also must be considered.




About Dale 

Dale has been involved with gasoline-powered engines, especially small engines since he bolted the first one onto his Schwinn bike at 12 years old. After high school, he spent 19 years in the automotive parts industry, working for retailers, distributors, and manufacturers.

In 1994, Dale entered the small engine and power equipment industry, offering product and technical assistance to power equipment dealers and their customers. Since 2016, he has been a full-time sales and product expert at Power Equipment Direct, where he largely focuses on helping customers select the best lawn and garden equipment for their needs. 

In his off time, Dale enjoys working on his own cars and power equipment. He is a go-to resource for friends, family, and coworkers who need a hand diagnosing or repairing their broken lawnmowers or string trimmers. When not around engines, he is a drummer in a local Chicago-area band. Hockey dominates his TV time during the NHL season, and he enjoys relaxing on his pontoon boat during the summer months.

Dale, the Power Equipment Expert
By 
Power Equipment Expert
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