DeWalt 33 in. 344 cc Gas Gear-Drive Wide-Area Walk-Behind Zero-Turn Mower

Why I chose a 33-inch walk‑behind

I wanted something faster than a typical 21–22 inch mower but smaller and more nimble than a rider. My yard is a mix of tight gates, fence corners, trees, and rolling sections where a tractor feels clumsy. The DeWalt 33‑in mower hit the sweet spot on paper: reinforced steel deck, gear‑drive zero‑turn maneuverability, electric start, and a slim frame that fits through narrow openings. After several weeks of mowing (roughly a dozen hours across dry and damp conditions), here’s how it actually performs.

Setup, build, and first impressions

Assembly is straightforward: cut it out of the crate, fold the handle up, bolt it down, connect the battery, and add fuel. Mine came with oil already in the crankcase, which was a welcome surprise. The deck is robust—thick steel with decent bracing—and overall weld quality looks competent, though I’d like to see more meat on the deck‑lift welds specifically. Cable routing is tidy, and the harness is protected in the right places.

Controls are cable‑actuated. They work fine, but you trade a bit of the crisp, mechanical feel you’d get with rod linkages for the lighter pull of cables. The gear selector sits off to the side; more on that in a moment.

The front 8‑inch casters spin freely and track straight, and the rear drive tires have good bite on grass without tearing up turf. Fit and finish are what I expect at this price: businesslike, not flashy.

Drive, handling, and the zero‑turn walk‑behind experience

If you’re new to gear‑drive zero‑turn walk‑behinds, expect a learning curve. The DeWalt uses a four‑speed gear box with independent steering via the hand controls. The trick to smooth operation is easing into the drive—feed power gently, or the machine will “jump” when you click into a higher gear. Once you get the feel, it’s easy to feather speed with your hands and hips.

Maneuverability is excellent. I can pivot at the end of a pass, snake around plantings, and thread through gates that would stop a rider. On rolling ground, the casters help the deck ride over undulations, and the rear drive feels stable if you keep your weight centered. I prefer to mow cross‑slope rather than straight up and down, and the machine felt planted within reasonable angles.

One note on the gear selector: it’s functional but awkwardly placed. Going from forward gears to reverse requires a deliberate move and, at least for my hands, a small lift on the handle to find the gate. Not a deal‑breaker, just a motion you’ll learn.

Cut quality and deck height

Cut quality is the headline here. The 33‑inch deck lays down a clean, even cut with consistent stripe definition. Discharge is tidy when the grass is dry and modestly damp. The blade tip speed feels on point; you get good clipping atomization without windrowing.

The single‑lever deck height adjustment is quick and positive. There are eight positions; the range skews lower than some residential mowers. Even at the top settings, the machine cuts shorter than I prefer in peak summer. If you like to keep cool‑season turf tall, plan to run near the top of the range and slow your ground speed to reduce scalping on humps. Anti‑scalp protection is decent, but you can still kiss the high spots if the lawn is bumpy.

From the factory, my blades were serviceable, not razor‑sharp. A quick touch‑up on the bench made a noticeable difference in cut quality and discharge. If you mulch, keep the deck interior clean; the integrated wash port helps, but I still pop the deck up and scrape after a few mowings. The mulching plug works best on dry clippings; in damp grass, expect some accumulation along the baffles and around the opening near the plug. Periodic clearing avoids clumping.

Power and productivity

The 344 cc engine is a good match for a 33‑inch deck. In normal growth, I ran in 3rd gear without drama. In tall, wet, or wiry patches, the engine will bog if you push too fast—drop to 2nd and it recovers quickly. Electric PTO engagement is crisp with a slight bark from the belt as the blades spin up, then it settles.

Fuel consumption is reasonable. I got roughly an hour and a half per tank before topping off, which is enough to cover a medium yard with time left over for trim passes. The 2‑gallon tank keeps weight and bulk down, and the cap seals well.

Starting, comfort, and controls

Electric start is reliable; tap the key, wait a beat for the fuel to settle, and it fires. Cold starts are predictable with a short choke. The recoil backup worked the one time I tested it, but I never needed it in normal use. Vibration at the handles is moderate. I like that I can stand upright and let the machine pull me along; my back appreciates the ergonomic posture on longer sessions.

Controls are logically laid out, but the gear selector’s position is the one ergonomic miss. The operator presence controls are firm but not tiring. The PTO switch and ignition are easy to reach and protected from accidental bumps.

Maintenance and ownership notes

• Deck wash: The high‑pressure wash port is handy. It won’t replace a thorough scrape, but it dramatically reduces buildup if you use it right after mowing.
• Belts and access: Belt path is straightforward and accessible with the deck in the up position. Keep an eye on tension after the first few hours.
• Fuel system: I run ethanol‑free when I can, and I added a fuel shut‑off valve to minimize the chance of carb flooding during storage. Regardless of fuel choice, a stabilizer is cheap insurance.
• Battery: The small battery does its job, but like most compact mower batteries, it appreciates a tender if the machine sits for weeks.
• Tires: My right drive tire lost a few PSI between cuts; reseating the valve core solved it. If you notice a slow leak, check the core and bead before replacing the tire.

I didn’t experience failures during the test period, but I’ll be watching the deck‑lift linkage and welds over time. It’s an area that sees shock loads if you bump curbs or drop the deck into low spots.

Where it shines—and where it doesn’t

This machine shines in complex yards where agility matters. It’s far faster than a standard walk‑behind but goes places a rider won’t. Turnarounds are quick, and the zero‑turn behavior cuts down trim time around trees and beds.

Its limitations are predictable for the format: gear‑drive engagement takes finesse, the highest cut height isn’t “tall turf” tall, and heavy, wet grass punishes productivity if you insist on high ground speed. If you rely on mulching in damp conditions, you’ll work a little harder to keep the deck clear.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners with 0.5–2 acres, lots of obstacles, and narrow gates
• Users who want rider‑like productivity without storing a tractor
• Folks comfortable with basic maintenance and a short operating learning curve

Not ideal for:
- Those who insist on very tall summer cut heights
- Regular mowing of rough fields or knee‑high growth
- Owners who want hydrostatic smoothness and single‑hand controls

Pros and cons

Pros
- Clean, even cut with strong discharge in normal conditions
- Tight maneuverability; fits through gates a rider can’t
- Electric start with recoil backup
- Quick, single‑lever height adjustment
- Effective deck wash port and straightforward maintenance
- Solid fuel economy and reasonable noise/vibration

Cons
- Highest cut height is on the low side
- Gear selector placement and reverse gate feel awkward
- Requires a gentle touch to avoid “jump” on takeoff
- Mulching setup can accumulate clippings and benefit from frequent clearing
- Some hardware (deck‑lift area) could be more robust

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt 33‑in mower for homeowners who need wide‑cut speed in a compact, highly maneuverable package and don’t mind a short learning curve. It cuts cleanly, navigates tight spaces with ease, and is simple to maintain. The trade‑offs—lower top cut height, slightly fussy gear selector, and the need to moderate speed in heavy growth—are manageable with good technique. If your priority is a tall summer cut or hydrostatic smoothness, a different format may suit you better. For most mixed, obstacle‑rich yards, this is a capable, efficient machine that earns its keep.