Yardmax YG2860 Self-Propelled Gas Lawn Mower Review

The engine is the standout. The 201cc OHV Yardmax engine carries more torque than the small engines most walk-behinds in this size class use, and that shows up where it matters: tall, thick grass that would slow a smaller engine down. Buyers on Amazon single out the top speed performance as a strength, and the power is the reason.

Starting and fuel

An automatic choke handles cold and warm starts, and there is no priming bulb to pump. The engine is pull-start only. The 0.34-gallon tank lasts through a full mow, so you will not need to stop and refuel mid-mow on most yards.

Cutting width and deck

The 22-inch stamped steel MaxFlow volute deck cuts a wide swath, which means fewer passes over the same lawn. It is a 3-in-1 deck: mulch, bag or side discharge, with the bag and the side chute both in the box. Seven cut heights run from 1.38 to 3.55 inches on a single lever, so you can drop low in spring and raise up in summer heat without hunting for four separate wheel levers.

Bag and cleanout

The rear bag holds 2.12 cu ft, which cuts down on emptying stops in heavy growth. A hose-compatible cleanout port on the deck lets you flush grass from underneath instead of scraping it out by hand.

Wheels and assembly

The 8-inch front and 11-inch rear wheels run on double ball bearings with an aggressive spiked tread, which helps the mower roll over uneven ground. The mower ships largely assembled: unfold the handle, add oil and gas. The box includes the machine, a manual, hardware, an automatic choke system, a deck cleanout port, single-lever deck adjustment, rubber tires with aggressive spiked tread pattern, double ball bearings, and high rear wheels.

Front-wheel drive is the single biggest limitation. The front wheels pull the mower, so on rough, wet or sloped ground they spin and dig instead of gripping. On a hill the mower is marginal, and soft turf after rain is where the drive struggles most. Buyers on Amazon are divided on the self-propelled feature for exactly this reason.

The drive system

The self-propel belt and the tension-roller area are the recurring weak point. When the drive quits, the mower is heavy to push.

Speed control

The six-speed CVT lever does not feel the same from one unit to the next. Buyers on Amazon are divided on the variable speed function, with some finding it useless.

Height lever and wet grass

At the higher cut settings the height-adjustment lever can rub against the rear wheel, and the front wheels are not independently adjustable. The deck is also sensitive to moisture: in wet grass it can clog and leave a trail behind, and mulch quality is fair rather than excellent.

Weight and out-of-box variance

At roughly 85 lb assembled, the YG2860 is heavy to turn at row ends and miserable to push if the drive fails. Check the machine over on delivery. The warranty is 2 years for residential use, but wear parts such as belts, blades, bags, wheels and tires are covered for only 30 days.

The numbers below tell you how the mower will behave in your yard.

What these numbers mean for you

The 201cc engine paired with the 22-inch deck is the headline: more power and a wider cut than most walk-behinds in this size class, which is the main reason to choose this machine. The front-wheel drive and the roughly 85 lb weight are the specs to weigh against your terrain before you buy.

Fuel and maintenance

Use straight unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher and no more than 10% ethanol. This is a four-stroke engine, so never use mixed gas.