A riding lawnmower comes with many advantages, the main one being that you can mow a large area of grass in a short space of time. If you tried this with a classic mower, it would take you over double the time – and require a great deal of physical strength. With a riding mower, you simply put it in gear and mow your lawn without any effort at all.
There are also arguments that riding mowers provide a more even cut and can be better at creating patterns in your lawn. So, there is certainly a lot to get excited about! This begs the question: how do you find the best riding mower on the market?
Today, we are going to help you on this quest by looking at the best riding lawnmowers for hills and steep stretches of land. Effectively, this forces us to look at the products with an emphasis on safety features. We will also conclude the article with a few safety tips on how to use your riding lawnmower on hills.
You will find some product reviews later in the article, so feel free to jump ahead if you would rather look at them first. Before we jump into them, it is important to know some of the key features to look for when buying riding lawnmowers to use on hills.
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What are the Key Features of a Riding Lawnmower for Hills?
When we make our way through the individual product reviews, you will notice certain things keep getting highlighted. These will be the features we deem the most necessary if you want to use a riding lawn mower on a hill. The simple fact is that some lawnmowers are not suitable for this type of work, usually because they lack the things mentioned below, making them unsafe!
Stability
First things first, the lawn mower needs to have a good degree of stability. Without this, you can wobble around and topple over quite easily on a hill. The stability will usually be influenced by the deck – which is the bottom part of the lawn mower. If it is made with strong and sturdy materials, the vehicle will have a high degree of stability, making it less prone to toppling over.
Engine Power & Weight
The lawn mower’s engine power is fundamental if it is to go up a hill. Simply put, weak engines are not capable of propelling a lawnmower – plus its driver – up a steep hill. Furthermore, the riding lawn mower’s weight also comes into play.
You need to be able to grip the surface of the hill, and this is easier when the lawnmower is heavier. It almost forces the wheels into the ground while you go up the incline. Add your own weight to this, and it will be hard for the lawnmower to lift off the ground – which is good, it makes it safer and more secure.
Naturally, this means finding the right balance. Some riding lawnmowers have powerful engines, but they are extremely lightweight. This could be good on flat ground as it means You can go faster, but it is not ideal when going up hills.
Likewise, you have instances where the lawnmower is heavy enough to keep you stable and grounded, but the engine is not powerful enough to propel the weight up the hill.
Brakes
You can not trust a lawnmower that does not have a good braking system. Brakes are always critical, least of all when you are on a hill. You need a riding lawn mower with a reliable braking system that responds to your touch. Also, it helps if it has an emergency brake that can kick in if it feels you roll backward.
Bonus: Headlights
This is not always an essential feature, but it is especially important if you mow the lawn in dark conditions. Never ever go up a hill on your lawnmower in the dark without proper headlights to show the way. Of course, if you choose a product without lights, the simple solution is to only mow the lawn when it is bright!
Effectively, the best riding mower for hills will tick all these boxes. Other things may factor into your decision – such as additional features and cost – but these are the key things to think of from a safety perspective. Now, we can get into the reviews and look at the top four lawnmowers in this category:
Four Best Riding Lawn Mower For Hills
1. Husqvarna Z254 Zero Turn Mower
The Husqvarna Z254 has long been regarded as one of the best riding lawn mowers out there. It is incredibly reliable, having been built out of extremely durable materials – the deck comprises reinforced steel, giving you all the stability, you need when driving up a hill.
As for the engine, you are looking at a very impressive 26 HP, which moves you at top speeds of 6.5 mph. That may not seem like much, but for a lawnmower, it is impressive. The engine power is more than enough to propel this sturdy beast uphill, and it has a triple-blade mowing structure.
You get a cutting width of 54 inches with the Husqvarna, so it gets a fair swathe of grass with every pass. However, our favorite feature is the patent-pending park brake system. This brake kicks in automatically whenever the steering levers are moved outward or inward. Essentially, when you stop steering, the brake turns on, then it turns off when you begin again. It is a great safety feature that makes you feel safe on a hill!
2. Ariens 915223
At first glance, you assume the Ariens 915223 is not available to members of the public. It looks like the sort of lawn mower farmers have – or that is used by the council to cut grass in large public parks. However, it very much is a residential lawn mower, but it is boosted with features and abilities that could make it pass as a commercial one.
The manufacturers say that this lawn mower is capable of handling slopes up to 15 degrees. So, if your hill is steeper than this, it will not be for you. Like the previous option, there is a 52-inch cutting width, though the Ariens boasts 13 different cutting heights, giving you plenty of options for your lawn.
As far as the engine goes, it has a 23 hp/726 cc Kawasaki FR V-Twin, which is one of the best around. It can reach up to 7 mph, delivering more than enough power and torque to help you cut grass safely. To add to this, the Ariens has a fully tubular steel frame.
As a result, it is incredibly stable – and the wide deck makes it almost impossible to topple this lawn mower over. For bonus points, you also get a high-back seat with armrests, giving you more comfort and security as you drive.
3. Husqvarna MZ61 Zero Turn Mower
From one end of the spectrum to the other, this second offering from Husqvarna is on the bigger side of things. It is still not as massive as commercial lawnmowers, but the Husqvarna MZ61 boasts a generous 61-inch cutting width to really make your life a lot easier. Depending on the size of your garden, it is completely feasible to do the typical suburban lawn in less than half an hour
The gas-powered engine is a bit of a warrior, clocking in at 27 hp – and manufactured by Briggs & Stratton. For those that do not know, this is one of the most trustworthy engine manufacturers around, so you can be assured of reliability and performance for years to come. As for the cutting deck, it is an 11-gauge fabricated steel system, giving your lawn mower the perfect platform to always remain stable.
We really love the seat on this lawn mower! The high back and armrests keep you always locked in place and comfortable. It also has a 0-degree turning radius, which is super handy if you are mowing on a hill.
Effectively, it means the mower can rotate on its own axis, requiring no room to turn around. This prevents the need for any complex maneuvers, keeping things simple and safe.
4. Husqvarna YTH18542 Riding Lawn Mower
Finally, you have the Husqvarna YTH18542. This is a nice and compact lawnmower that delivers premium performance in your yard. Four very thick wheels combine with a sturdy deck to offer as much stability as you could hope for. When you are on top of this lawn mower, you always feel in control!
It has a cutting width of 42 inches, which is not the widest in the range, but it is still wide enough for most consumers. The engine is only 18.5 hp, but it offers very impressive performance, giving you a top speed of 5.5 mph. Furthermore, the transmission is controlled by foot pedals, which means you do not have to take your hands off the wheel while driving. Obviously, this only makes the lawnmower safer!
You get headlights with this riding lawn mower as well, making it suitable for use in dark conditions. A seat is a mid-back option, but it still gives you ample comfort and makes you feel nice and secure while riding. Overall, it is a great option for your consideration.
If you are looking for a riding mower to tackle hills and inclines, these four options are your best bets. Feel free to do more research into each one, selecting whichever one suits your needs and budget!
Safety Tips For Using Riding Lawn Mowers On Hills
Clearly, choosing the right lawn mower is only one part of the solution for keeping safe when mowing the grass on a hill. You also need to adjust your mowing habits and take other things into consideration. Here are a few simple tips to follow when using your new riding lawn mower:
1. Drive Slowly Downhill
When driving uphill, you need to go a bit faster to avoid rolling back down. However, you should slow down your driving when you are going back down the hill. There was an unfortunate incident in Australia back in 2012 where a young boy died because he drove a riding lawn mower too fast down a hill and lost control. These things can happen to anyone, so you can save lives if you avoid accelerating and drive as slow as possible down the hill.
2. Inspect the Area for Objects
Before you mow the lawn, go out and inspect it for any objects that could derail your lawnmower. This includes things like rocks, boxes, logs, branches, etc. If you drive over a foreign object when mowing the lawn up or down a hill, it can knock you off balance and cause the lawnmower to tip over.
3. Only Ever Drive up or Down
Finally, never drive your riding lawn mower across a hill or slope. This is asking for trouble as the vehicle is fighting gravity from the wrong angle. It is incredibly hard to keep your grip, and there is every chance you may slip, skid, or topple over sideways. So, only ever drive up, turn around, and drive back down. Similarly, never reverse down a hill – always turn at the top!
Best Sellers Hourly for Riding Lawn Mowers and Accessories
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