Lawn mowers are obviously designed to be pushed forward, not pulled backward, But what happens when you need to move in the other direction? After all, sometimes it's the only way to navigate tight spots or avoid mowing over the flower beds. It might seem like a harmless thing, and for the most part, it is. However, it can come with some real consequences if done the wrong way (or done too often). While it won't typically damage the actual machine itself, it can create some serious safety risks —
not to mention do a worse job mowing.
To be clear: No matter if you're using an electric or a gas lawn mower, a standard push mower or a self-propelled one, pulling it backward from time to time is not going to ruin the engine or damage internal components. Even though the drive mechanism is built to move forward, you can still push or pull the mower in reverse when you have to (albeit with a little extra effort, maybe).
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Mowing A Lawn Mower Backward Is A Major Safety Risk
For those with a variable-speed or belt-driven system, pulling too often (or too forcefully) on a lawn mower might eventually stress those components of the drive mechanism. It's not going to fall apart on you right then and there, but making a habit of it could technically shorten the lifespan of belts, axles, or bushings over time. Just like with any machine, using it for anything beyond what it was intended to do is probably going to cause some problems in the long run. It's true of even the most reliable push mower brands.
Looking past the technical, the biggest issue with pulling the mower backward is with safety. Over 35,000 people are hospitalized each year due to lawn mower-related injuries, and one of the most dangerous actions is pulling the mower backward while it's running. You're essentially pulling the spinning blade toward your feet rather than pushing it away from them, and one minor slip on uneven ground or when you're distracted could send your foot under the mower deck in the blink of an eye.
Pulling A Lawn Mower Backward Can Also Make A Mess Of Your Yard
Beyond safety, there's also performance to take into account when lawn mowing. Pulling your mower backward can botch your mowing job. Mowing backward can make it much harder to maintain those crisp, straight lines that give the lawn that pristine look. Because you're not facing forward, it makes it easier to veer off course and miss some spots. That'll surely leave you with tons of those thin strips of uncut grass all over the place.
Walking forward with the mower like you're supposed to is how you maintain your momentum and stay in control of the machine. When you reverse — especially with a heavier self-propelled lawn mower that doesn't want to be pulled — it's probably going to throw off your rhythm. Even if it won't exactly cause you mechanical damage, it's best to do it as little as possible. The real concern isn't your mower, but your safety. Unless you're cleaning up a tiny patch you missed or moving your mower away from a hazard, it's a good idea to just keep things moving forward.
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Read the original article on SlashGear.
