Do you have a big yard and are looking for a machine to tame it, or are you probably tired of using your small lawnmower? Then, it is time for you to advance to the best pull-behind mower. Managing a big yard can be tiresome and time-consuming if you cut the grass with a simple lawnmower. Before we proceed to discuss the best pull-behind lawn mower, let us define it.

Which brand of lawn mower is the best?

What Is A Pull-Behind Mower?

A pull-behind mower, also known as a tow-behind mower, is a farm tool used to keep your big yard neat by trimming and cutting overgrown grass over time.

A pull-behind lawn mower is an excellent choice for those of you with extensive lawns and who don't want to put effort into moving your mowers around while trimming grass. The tow-behind mower is attached to the back of an ATV or lawn tractor, and voila! Work made easier.

However, if your lawn is small, this purchase will be irrelevant to you since you can mow your lawn with a small mower.

In this article, we get to discuss the top 5 best pull-behind mowers that will help you tame that rugged lawn.

1. Swisher 44-inch Electric Start Finish Cut Trail Mower.

Swisher FCE11544BS 11.5 HP 44-Inch Electric Start Finish Cut Trail Mower
  • 11.5 HP Briggs & Stratton electric start engine
  • Heavy duty 1/8" thick 44" tow-behind cutting deck with rear discharge
  • Exclusive bumper roller system
  • Single-point cutting height adjustment of 1.5"-4.5"
  • Made in the USA

When it comes to mowing grass in large areas, you need the Swisher Trail Mower. This pull-behind mower has the power of 11.5 HP from Briggs and Stratton electric motor engine. It has an eight inches thick cutting deck with a 44-inch cutting deck and a rear discharge.

The system unit comprises a bumper roller structure with a single-point cutting height of 1.5-4.5 inches. It comes with an attachable metal rod that you can attach to your ATV or lawn tractor. Also, it has an adjustable offset hitch. This machine can move on different terrains since it has wide tires that can maneuver every surface. Additionally, the bumper rollers protect it against damages.

  • Pros
  • Heavy-duty 11 gauge 44 in. tow-behind cutting deck
  • Has a rear discharge of cut grass at the back.
  • Has an added feature of a bumper roller system.
  • Comes with an operating blade disengage and engage control.
  • Has an articulating hitch that offers an adjustable left to right offset.
  • Comes with two G6 Gator commercial mulching blades
  • Cons
  • Standard lawn & garden battery not included
  • The offset system is slow to adjust.

2. Swisher Rough Cut Trail Cutter

Swisher RC11544BS 11.5 HP 44-Inch Rough Cut Trail Cutter
  • 11.5 HP (344cc) Briggs & Stratton recoil start engine
  • 44" welded, 11-gauge steel tow- behind cutting deck
  • Single-point cutting height adjustment - 4" range
  • Universal articulating hitch with 2” ball coupler has infinite adjustment
  • Remote operator control console

For all types of lawn mowing, you need a pull behind lawn mower from Swisher. However, when you have a big project of mowing a large area, attach the Swisher Rough Cut Trail Cutter on your ATV or lawn tractor to save you time. It cuts through brushes of 3-inch diameters with tires that are sealant filled and are 16-inch in diameter. It does the job quickly with its two swinging blades that have a single-point cutting height.

  • Pros
  • 44 in. welded, 11-gauge steel tow-behind cutting deck
  • Rear discharge
  • Remote operator control console
  • Heavy-duty stump jumper and two breakaway swinging blades cut most stems up to 3 in. in diameter
  • Two 16 in. pneumatic tires
  • Steel bumpers
  • Cons
  • Some users complain of it breaking down.

3. Titan Attachments 3 Point PTO Finish Mower

Titan Attachments 3 Point PTO Finish Mower, 60" Cutting Width, Category 1 Hitch, Rear Discharge,...
  • Floating hitch allows the mower to contour to the ground for an even cut no matter the terrain
  • High-grade steel and heat-treated blades for longer service life
  • 3 blades cut and chop materials before discharging from the back
  • Rear discharge eliminates grass buildup in uncut areas
  • Four solid wheels with adjustable height settings

This tow-behind mower is an excellent purchase for doing grasslands finishing up and trimming yards to a good size. The machine is durable because it's made of high-grade steel and heat-treated blades. In addition, it has a floating hitch that allows you to contour the ground for an even cut.

Also, it features a rear discharge that eliminates grass buildup in uncut areas. It cuts grass perfectly with its three blades before discharging them at the back. It has four solid wheels that are adjustable for height settings.

  • Pros
  • Floating hitch allows the mower to contour the ground for an even cut no matter the terrain
  • High-grade steel and heat-treated blades for longer service life
  • Three blades that cut and chop materials before discharging them from the back
  • The rear discharge eliminates grass buildup in uncut areas
  • Four solid wheels with adjustable height settings
  • Cons
  • Spindle bolts require tightening after purchase.

4. Swisher FC14560BS 14.5 HP 60-Inch Electric Start Tow-Behind Finish Cut Mower

Swisher FC14560BS 14.5 HP 60-Inch Electric Start Tow Behind Finish Cut Mower
  • 14.5 HP Briggs & Stratton I/C, 12-Volt electric start engine
  • 60 in. True floating cutting deck with side discharge
  • Finish cut 3 blade system
  • Lock-out system and safety tether kill switch
  • Battery cover with access panel

The 60-inch tow behind mower is a powerful machine with an excellent design of a stainless steel finish.

It is ideal in cutting overgrown grass due to its compatibility with lawn tractors, ATVs, and other utility vehicles that cut yards at high speed. It has a 14.5HP Briggs & Stratton engine that ensures the grass is cut well each time. In addition, this electric start mower has a 60-inch cutting deck that favors wide paths and cutting height adjustments for quality cuts.

  • Pros
  • Has a height adjustment feature
  • Provides a quality cut on your lawns
  • Has an expansive cutting deck
  • Has a powerful engine
  • Has an improved tongue hitch for extra strength and durability.
  • Cons
  • Its deck spindles cannot be greased.

5. Swisher 10.5 HP 44-Inch Finish Cut Trail Mower

Swisher FC10544BS 10.5 HP 44-Inch Finish Cut Trail Mower
  • 10.5 HP Briggs & Stratton recoil start engine
  • Heavy duty 1/8" thick 44" tow-behind cutting deck with rear discharge
  • Exclusive bumper roller system
  • Single-point cutting height adjustment of 1.5"-4.5"
  • Made in the USA

This Swisher FC10544BS 10.5 HP 44-Inch is a perfectly designed lawnmower for big yards. The machine is time conscious as it clears large yards in minimal time. It can be easily attached to a lawn tractor or an ATV for an easy time while mowing. The mower has a left to right adjustable offset hitch that allows you to mow in ditches and under low-hanging trees effortlessly.

  • Pros
  • It's suitable for saving time
  • Has a heavy-duty construction that makes it durable.
  • Has wide tires that enable it to maneuver any terrain
  • Has an expansive cutting deck
  • Cons
  • There are several complaints by some users that it breaks down.

Types Of Tow-behind Mowers

Currently, there are only three types of pull-behind mowers in the market. The criteria you choose from will be on what you want.

The three types mentioned above include the finish cut, gang reel, and rough-cut mower. Each product has unique functionality, and depending on your choice; it will help you achieve what you want. Unfortunately, all these tow-behind mowers lack a self-propulsion system; this restricts them from being used only on riding mowers like ATV or UTV.

a). Reel Mower

When towing more extensive lawns like golf courses, gang reel mowers come in handy. However, they are different from other lawn mowers since they do not operate on engines. Instead, they are towed at the back of ATVs or lawn tractors.

If you are on speed, the gang reel mower is excellent. These machines work at a speed of up to 4-5 miles per hour. They are also easy to maintain since they don't use oil or gas.

b). Finish Cut Mowers

These types of mowers are used explicitly for mowing extensive grasslands. They function the same way as gang reel mowers except that they operate on engines mounted on their cutting decks.

This product is suitable for people with unruly grass growing in a vast piece of land. However, if you are looking to cut your twigs, trees, or outgrown pines, consider an extra engine that will have enough power to shred them into smaller pieces.

Also, this product will not satisfy your needs if you have higher weeds, grass, and bushes that need taming.

c). Rough Cut Mowers

Rough-cut mowers are not suitable for taming lawns with overgrown grass but can be helpful elsewhere. You might be wondering which product will be suitable to tame your overgrown bush; then this is it. The only thing you need is a powerful machine in cutting, like this rough cut tow-mower. These machines use 1-2 steel cutting bars that swing back and forth to allow cutting of the grass or any overgrown vegetation that has a diameter of 3 to 5 inches.

The machines have powerful engines which can easily thresh thick bushes and grass without a hassle.

Factors To Consider Before Purchasing The Best Pull Behind Mower

1. Price

Tow behind mowers come at different prices like every other item in the market. For a high-quality product, the expenses will be a little bit too high compared to a slightly lower quality.

Although, you can find some products to be quite affordable and still provide excellent mowing designs. Just choose the product that aligns with your needs but don't forget your pocket size in the process.

2. Terrain

Your garden terrain should influence the type of tow-behind mower you choose. For example, check if you have a hilly terrain with obstacles or simply a flat one. Different mowers will suit every type of terrain. Choosing a suitable machine for your land will save you on time, cost and results.

3. Construction

The pull behind the mower is made in a way to tolerate the worst use without breaking down. However, since it works on rough terrains, that continuous pull can cause damage to a poorly constructed machine. Therefore, consider buying machines with solid construction that can give outstanding results without frequent repairs when subjected to harsh conditions.

4. Attachment Capabilities

Go for pull-behind mowers with added features that can be used in different ways to attain quality results. If you are in for quality, consider tow behind mowers compatible with any ATV or lawn tractor. In addition, the metal rod that attaches to ATV or lawn tractor to the mower should be universal, thus able to connect to any portable machine.

5. Engine Size

Owning a large yard will leave you with no option but to buy a tow-behind mower with a significant and powerful engine. The engine size determines the speed at which the mower will operate. To achieve quality cuttings, ensure you have a power of 4 to 5 mph. In addition, engine power determines how easy the machine will cut through tall grass, small twigs, and heavy brush.

6. Lawn Size

In choosing the best pull behind the mower, your lawn size should be your first consideration. If you have a large lawn, go for a mower that can trim a broader path in a short time. If you have a small lawn, consider a small tower that can make cutting more manageable and comfortable.

7. Number Of Blade Reels

Gang reel mowers are great options for mowing in less time. Try and choose a mower that makes working on your yard simple and easy.

8. Cutting Height Adjustments

A height-adjustable mower will help you attain desired results. Choose a machine that doesn't trim grass below 30% of the height of the overall yard. It ensures smooth healing and consistent growth. Trimming your grass at a lower level than the overall percentage leads to dehydration, which further exposes the vegetation to pests and diseases.

9. Convenient To Use And Store

Mowing is an activity you tackle over time. Going for a machine that is too heavy to handle will be hectic. Instead, go for a machine with an ergonomic design that you can handle comfortably. Choose something that is easy to maintain, use, and store.

Frequently Asked Questions On The Best Pull-Behind Mower

1. What Is A Tow-Behind Mower?

A tow-behind mower is another name for a pull-behind mower. The machine is used to tame a vast area of outgrown grass, brushes, or trees. When you want to create a field to your liking, it could be a golf course or an athletic field; you can achieve it. They are called tow-behind mowers because you can pull the equipment across the land.

2. What Is The Difference Between A Rough-Cut Mower And A Finishing Mower?

Rough-cut mowers are built with techniques of cutting thick brushes, small woody thickets, and trees. They handle perfectly dense, overgrown areas of land due to their sturdy nature and power. On the other hand, rough-cut mowers specialize in cutting profuse brushes. They trim regular grass. A rough-cut mower will do for you the job but leave the place unkempt. That is where the finish mower comes in. Finish mowers feature smaller blades that make you create an appealing look on your lawns by cutting the grass to an equal length.