While pulling a lawn mower, a force at an angle θ is applied on it, as shown in the following figure.
The vertical component of this applied force acts upward. This reduces the effective weight of the mower.
On the other hand, while pushing a lawn mower, a force at an angle θ is applied on it, as shown in the following figure.
In this case, the vertical component of the applied force acts in the direction of the weight of the mower. This increases the effective weight of the mower.
Since the effective weight of the lawn mower is lesser in the first case, pulling the lawn mower is easier than pushing it.
