Ariens Ikons 52-inch Zero Turn mower is loaded with features offering residential users excellent value for money. If you can afford it, they work best for larger flat areas. It was an uneven lawn that had many trees. We did a deep dive into product specifications, features, and customer reviews to create a list of favorites. After doing all that, we have finally come with our list of best lawn mowers for steep slopes. The 11-gauge tubular steel chassis includes a high-quality 52-inch fabricated cutting deck with casters that adjust across 13 different settings, cutting between 1.2 and 4.5. In addition to the excellent drivetrain, the mower has a 7 step height adjustment to fine-tune the grass clippings. The seats height can be adjusted. Locating the best riding lawn mower for hills requires doing some research. With the above lawn considerations in mind, lets explore the top machines available. Paired with a powerful 24 HP Kohler twin-cylinder engine, the muscular cutting system delivers superior trimming and bagging performance. It has a fully welded steel frame for a backbone and a sturdy cast-iron front axle. The twin-cylinder Kohler engine in the Craftsman T310 puts out 24 horsepower that pushes this 650-pound riding mower along at a maximum forward speed of 5 mph. Its sharp blade rotates at a speed of 18,330 FPM. Since these mowers can be turned fairly easily, they are also better suited for lawns that have a lot of obstacles like trees and bushes. Another crucial factor to consider is the size of your lawn is the size of the mower cutting deck. The Ariens Zoom lawnmower features a deck hanging mechanism. Walk-behind lawn mowers such as push mowers or automated electric mowers arent effective in going up steep slopes. Integrated zero-turn, including hydrostatic hydro-gear, provides maintenance-free transmission. Finally value for money. It weighs 502 pounds and reaches speeds of up to 7 MPH when it is moving forward and 3 MPH in reverse. Combined with a massive 54-inch cutting deck, its perfect for getting through large lawns fast. Not all riding mowers are considered tractors. Valued by customers and industries that operate in tough terrain like landfills, wetlands, sloped roads and more, our easy-to-run and easy-to-maintain tracked slope mowers start at $39,950 and are ideal for: HILLSIDE & STEEP-INCLINE . Other things to consider include an engine that is heavy enough not to slide downhill on its own, a lightweight design enough for you to move it, and a self-propelled mechanism. This is where large cutting decks can become a problem. A broad deck trims a wide patch of grass on each pass, meaning you will complete mowing your yard faster. It gives Three-way functions with side discharge capability and a seven-tier height adjustment to choose the cutting height of the grass. Zero-turn mowers are best for yards with curves and tight turns. However, you cant do a zero-turn using a garden tractor, which limits maneuverability. Get the Ryobi 38 in. Here's how ride-on mowers and push mowers compare. You can remove the non-fixed ones, like seats, but you must maneuver around the others. However, you need to buy a lawnmower that is lightweight enough to be maneuvered upwards. With a 3-in-1 steel deck, the Snapper XD 82V MAX can mulch, bag or side discharge your grass clippings. 382 cc Auto-Choke Engine 6-Speed BEST ELECTRIC: Ryobi 38 in. The fuel tank size and engine capacity (cc) determine how much time you have to manicure your yard uninterrupted when using a gas-powered mower. Compared to walk-behind lawnmowers, they are much more effective over large areas, with wider cutting widths, as well as providing significantly more power. For that reason, the Ultima ZRX4 features a mulching kit, a bagger, and also a cart. This lawnmower comes with a mulching kit. Copyright 2023 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. A six-speed manual drive transmission is not as smooth as some models, but it provides enough gearing to push the 340-pound mower along comfortably. The V-twin engine of this lawnmower has a power of 25HP. But how is the gradient actually calculated? It makes the ride smoother and increases the mowers cutting performance. Gas-powered mowers are powerful and extremely efficient. Also, go through our buying guide for getting a clear picture of what you should look for in a lawn mower that can deal with steep slopes. The cutting finish was excellent and it handled the damp grass, without dropping clumps. But they also perform well on uneven terrain, offering versatility on deck cutting height, and giving you a rest from stomping up and down hilly lawns. The control levers feature extra padding that reduces hand fatigue and gives you a better grip surface so you can stay in control of the mower at all times. A few subtle differences set rear-engine mowers apart from tractor mowers. Finding the right one means identifying which characteristics work best for your situation. As for grip, caster wheels dont need treaded tires because they neither drive nor steer the vehicle. You can mow across, or down, if conditions allow it. We'd recommend out front mowers, especially the Iseki SF Series, as one of the safest options around for slope mowing. We have several 3/4 acre retention ponds which have steep slopes so all the crew does is attach a rope to the handle and walk around the top. However, as the battery runs out, some mowers might exhibit reduced cutting performance. Rake grass clippings as you go. If you need a lawnmower that can handle steep slopes then, you have to look for a Zero-turn lawn mower. The deck has anti-scalp deck wheels that ensure the blades remain at the correct cutting height when navigating through uneven terrain, which was producing a very clean, even cut across the test strip of grass. It makes the driving process more intuitive for first-time users while also giving smooth speed & direction adjustment. Need to mow lower, let out more rope. If the ground is inclined upwards at an angle of 15 degrees or above, it would be considered a steep slope. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The 12- gauge cutting deck of 54 inches in width, reinforced with heavy stock steel, which increases durability and reliability. Engine : 25 HP Yanmar turbo diesel engine . Sounds efficient, right? If you consider the engine power, there are two types of riding lawnmowers. If you try to move your lawnmower. The lawnmower has to have multiple height adjustment options to let you have smooth mowing. But that shouldnt be a problem as its quite easy to assemble. Check the latest price of the Ariens Ikon at Ace Hardware. The gas-powered mower provides a fuel tank capacity of three gallons and a 22.5 HP twin-cylinder engine. The overall performance of a lawnmower mostly depends on how well it can deal with obstacles. But, these are the only type of mowers that can handle such a task. Mowers ideal for cutting grass safely and effectively on a steep grade include lightweight, self-propelled, walk-behind mowers with a low center of gravity and commercial mowers with rollover. And that is more than enough to mow tall, rugged grass with ease. All product reviews and recommendations are made independently by our editorial team and our panel of experts. The quality of the cut and how easy it is to adjust the deck from the seated position. Mowers Tips Brand Greenworks Honda Husqvarna Lawn-Boy Snapper Sun Joe Toro Troy-Bilt Yard Machines Others Feature Electric Start Mulching Push Riding Self-Propelled Zero Turn Radius Check Cub Cadet Enduro Latest price at Home Depot. LED headlights are surprisingly bright, and this next-generation machine includes convenient features like cruise control and USB charging ports. It also makes virtually no noise. Our lawn looked great after we mowed it using the John Deere Z375R. This Craftsman mower boasts a tiny 5-inch turning radius thats not far off from the performance provided by zero-turn mowersbut without the added risk of a tip-over accident on sloped terrain. They offer more power and stability on the slopes. Pushing it ahead engages the transmission to spin the wheel forward, and vice-versa is true for reverse movement. Check the link below. We've done the research for you and have prepared a list of the 5 best lawn mowers for steep hills, slopes, and banks. Excessively steep ditches should not be mowed with a rider. -Steer technology offers 4-wheel control and provides unrivaled stability for straight-line mowing on hillsides and slope s up to 20-degrees A 23 HP/725cc . If the lawnmower is too heavy, it will tip over while going up rocky surfaces, and you might get hurt. Its maneuverability and cutting ability is impressive. And it is not just wide. Continue with Recommended Cookies. 6 Best Riding Lawn Mowers for Hills and Slopes. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Zero-turn lawn mowers are designed to be much faster than traditional lawnmowers. There are three types of engines for self-propelled lawn mowers; Gasoline(petrol), Electric(Plug-n-Play), and Battery(Rechargeable). So you should buy a lawnmower that has a deck-width of 42 inches or above. While you run the mower on one of the batteries, the other one can be charged so you never have to worry about running out of juice. A sturdy 2 x 2-inch steel tubular frame holds all these parts together, and it features a triple-guard corrosion defense system plus a full e-coat on the lower section to prevent rust and wear & tear. Riding lawn mowers reduce mow time, improve comfort, and offer an abundance of options to facilitate yard care. Manufacturers build grass sweepers, fertilizer spreaders, aerators, rollers, sprayers, and other accessories that ease yard maintenance. Check Price Best Zero Turn For Uneven Terrain 2. Its remarkably comfortable, and it mows smoothly. They require less maintenance because they have fewer mechanical parts subject to wear and tear. Riding lawnmowers are expensive, and it does not make sense to spend all that money to cut such a small piece of land. Mowing parallel or executing turns on the slope increases the risk of a rollover accident. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. On tires, the large, pneumatic type is better for navigating through uneven terrain without getting stuck. It features a durable steel frame. The benefits include a smooth and durable machine that requires little maintenance. Zero-turn mowers are the heaviest type of riding mower. Read on to learn everything you need to know about how to select the best riding lawn mower for hills. It even has armrests. A hydrostatic transmission is an automatic system that uses hydraulic fluid to transmit power to the wheels. The engine of this lawnmower is capable of mowing large lawns. Huge yards can take hours to mow; cut down on mowing time by getting a mower thats fast and efficient enough to get the job done in a reasonable amount of time. If this happens, rolling over can cause serious injury, so you should look for rollover protection. Husqvarna has decades of experience in making lawn mowers, so you can rest assured that your lawn will be kept looking great. By Mike Bruton | Updated Jun 15, 2022 1:06 PM. The Husqvarna Z254F is perfect for you. 3. heavy-duty fabricated AeroForce . There is a dedicated throttle control on the left side of the handlebar, so you have the freedom of adjusting speeds to suit your needs. Blades : Three, 3/8" thick hardened steel flat blades. Zero-turn mowers are maneuvered by the rear wheels that are why they are better equipped for handling steep slopes. We hope that our list has helped you figure out which one would be best suited for you. Diminutive compared to zero-turn mowers or lawn tractors, the Troy-Bilt wont take up too much space in the garage and makes an excellent addition to the time-conscious landscapers arsenal. If you want to turn, you push one of the bars forward to spin one of the wheels, which circles the mower. Because of their smaller size and reduced power needs, rear-engine mowers tend to be less expensive than other types. The speed control features allow the mower to mimic your speed while the Roto-Stop gives the user the option to cut off the power of the engine to the blades. Looking to mow your steep hills, slopes, and banks? When mowing on an incline, keep the mower perpendicular to the direction of the slope. Also Read: 11 Best Push Mower For Rough Terrain [Reviewed 2022], 5 Best Lawn Mowers for Steep Hills, Slopes, and Banks (2022), The epitome of engine design and manufacturing, nobody does it better than Honda. Zero Turn is exceptionally well designed with a Kawasaki engine and huge 20-inch rear tires. It features a robust Twin-Cylinder engine that has a power of 19HP. The maximum slope that most push mowers can handle is 15-20 degrees, while riding lawn mowers and zero-turn mowers should not exceed one foot of incline for every four feet of horizontal width. It is powered by an 18V 2Ah lithium-ion . You have to buy it separately, so do keep in mind the size of your lawn when you are buying a longer chord. SPIDER mowers are also lightweight, as compared to other steep slope mowers on the market. With a 725 cc, 23 HP Kohler twin-cylinder engine, you can power the front caster wheels across slightly rolling hills and multiple obstacles to mow up to two acres. The deck is the platform between the wheels that holds the blades. This type of mower provides two functions, as the name suggests; mulching and bagging. It is easy to use because the system does the gear changing for you. We tested it out in tough condition and it stood all amongst all during our review. You have to mow the lawn effectively. Some units have wash ports for easy cleaning, while others have tool-free oil change mechanisms. The gradient is usually given as a percentage. The mower has a tractor design, and even though it cannot achieve zero turns, Cub Cadet gave it super responsive handling, which narrowed its turning radius to only 16 inches. You can raise or lower the cutting height of the two powerful cutting blades that are safely stored under the 13-gauge steel cutting deck, which measures 42-inches wide and can be used with a bag, a side-discharge chute, or a mulching feature. The lack of a heavy internal combustion engine significantly reduces weight. NEVER mow uphill with a ZTR, it can flip over on you. This depends upon the weight, wheels, and the overall mechanics of the machines. With a mowing height range of 0.8 to 2 inches, the Husqvarna Automower 415X is designed for maintaining low-mow grasses like zoysia, Bermuda, and centipede. It is also a lot cheaper than its 450X counterpart. The electrical drivetrain automatically detects if one battery is low on power and switches to the other one seamlessly. Mowing parallel to the hill increases the risk of a rollover accident. Simple, use a hover mower. Plus, it has a 23HP B&S Vanguard (premium) engine. That is why you need to carefully choose a lawnmower that has the capability of cutting grass on a sloping, uneven lawn. For a smoother ride on a rough surface, the lawnmower has to be a Zero-Turn mower. Powering the motor is also very smooth because the unit has a powerful 300 CCA battery, which stores charge for a long time. 1. My criteria for selection were first and foremost: can the riding mower operate safely and effectively on hills or slopes? You wont have to waste time refilling the engine. Check John Deere Lawn Tractors latest price online. The 46-inch cutting deck is stamped but features a reinforced frame for extra strength, and as you would expect from Husqvarna the mower is built to a high quality throughout. 1. Electric mowers come with a disadvantage; the wire cord with which they are plugged in. I find this feature very useful when manicuring laws with multiple obstacles because it enhances maneuverability. There are the obvious criteria of being easy to use, a machine that produces a precise and clean cut, and lets be honest one that makes you look like a boss. Not all mowers have the same transmission type. You can rely on our recommendation, be sure. Its a durable and robust mower with a sturdy deck and large tires. The larger the diameter is, the bigger the cutting surface gets. The EGO Power+ has a well-thought-out design that comes with two batteries that are both removable. Mowing your lawn from time to time may seem like a challenging task, especially if you have a yard with steep slopes, obstacles, and uneven surfaces. Always mow up and down the slope in straight lines. Mow in an up-and-down pattern rather than along the length of the ditch. A trio of whisper-quiet and low-maintenance brushless motors delivers 48 volts of powerenough to mow for about 2 hours. 100 Ah Battery. These mowers have deck sizes ranging between 28 and 34 inches. Walk-Behind mowers are most helpful in such conditions. This engine enhances the mowing capability of the Z375R, and its also long-lasting. The design gives it the advantage of turning on zero radii, which essentially means it can spin on the spot. You can either walk behind them, or you can ride them while they do their thing. Also, consider the steepest gradient of your lawn. Lawn mowers come with many features and specifications and it could take all day to discuss them all, which is why we will only be discussing the important ones here. Theres also a cruise control function to maintain a consistent speed across larger flat areas. As for the engine, it does not power the wheels directly. It varies from 14 inches to above 30 inches, depending on the model, price, and engine type. Get the Craftsman riding mower at Lowes. Lawn mowers come with the optional bag behind their blades which receives all the cut grass to be disposed of. To help, most of North America's steepest in-bound ski runs range between 35 to 50 degrees (SPIDERs go steeper than that!). 1. It was a challenging task for us to make this list. A lawn with steep hills or slopes is much harder to mow. If it is a riding mower then youll have to drive it up and down the lawn like a rover. Up to 8-degree and you can pick pretty much any well-designed ride-on mower. Additionally, the tractor has a step-through frame that expands the legroom, making it easy to get on & off. Powered by a Briggs & Stratton 82V Max Lithium-Ion battery, this lawn mower is easy to start and doesnt require any maintenance. But it is not so easy to find out the best one that can serve this special purpose. A higher deck size means a bigger blade, which means more area will be covered in minimal time. Adding accessories to your lawnmower will enable you to enhance its capabilities. The way to choose this is to first choose your relevant engine type, and then decide how big of a deck size you can afford in your budget. The mower can lose balance and rollover. It has a 20-inch deck, a bigger wheel size for better stability, and packs a powerful 12-amp motor. Check Troy-Bilt Broncos latest price at Home Depot. Typically, lawnmowers use the front wheel to maneuver around the lawn. Thats what makes it so easy to move around. It can be a challenge in some units, but the S120 features a 30-second oil change system, which comprises an all-in-one oil and filter canister that you can remove and reinstall tool-free. The mowers that use front-wheel drive are best suited for flat yards. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Most of the high-tier mowers include this function. A $5000+ mower would be impracticle for a home owner in my books. The dual-bladed cutting deck can be adjusted in 12 different positions between 1.5 inches and 4.5 inches for cutting the grass to the desired length. A Kohler 725cc V-twin engine powers this lawnmower. Still, it's best to use a slope indicator. Most importantly, the Zoom lawnmower comes with a double-chambered bagger, which is large enough to store a lot of grass clipping. Thats because no other lawnmower even comes close to the quality and design of this The Cub Cadet ZTX4. Slope Rating Varies The mowers we're referencing here are the Iseki SF SF310 and SF370, the Kubota F Series, and the Husqvarna P 524 and Husqvarna P 525D. The higher the Ah rating, the more charge it can hold, which is better because it increases the run time. How many trees, lights, chairs, statues, or other potential obstacles do you have? Mowers with steering wheels cannot make zero turns. The easier it is to take care of your machine, the better. That means it can maneuver around difficult obstacles without an issue. The Hydrostatic Speed Control will make sure that the mower is always packing enough power so that you can mow with ease even on steep surfaces. For most steep hills and banks, the walk-behind mowers with self-propelled mechanisms are great.