A lawn mower for steep hills is an excellent choice for anyone who has a yard that features hills of any size. These machines are designed to work with hills of all sizes, including those that are steep and hard to cut. If you want to cut the grass on your property with a lawn mower for steep hills, you should know that there are many benefits associated with doing so. For example, these machines are very easy to use and can help you save money in the long term because they do not require any additional equipment or expensive repairs like other types of mowers might need throughout their lifespan.
These machines also have an ergonomic design which makes them comfortable while using them outdoors during hot summer days or cold winter nights when it’s snowing outside. You’ll feel like you’re having fun while doing something productive at the same time because this particular product doesn’t take up too much space in your garage either.
Types of Lawn Mowers for Hills
Riding Lawn Mowers
Riding lawn mowers are the best choice for hills. They can go up to 30 degrees, and their wheel drive allows them to climb even steeper inclines. Riding mowers are also more expensive than other types of mowers, but you should be able to save money on gas and upkeep thanks to their greater efficiency. They do take longer to cut and aren’t as maneuverable as other models, so if your property is large or has a lot of obstacles like trees or boulders that make it hard for you to get around then you may want another type of mower instead (like an electric one).
Riding lawnmowers also tend to be more comfortable because they have a seat so you don’t have to stand while using them; however, this means that when taking care of your yard there will be more bending over involved (which isn’t good for people with back problems).
Zero-Turn Mowers
Zero-turn mowers are the best choice for anyone who has a hill in their yard. They’re also a great choice if you want to be able to turn sharply and pivot on a dime, as these machines can do both. Their speed is limited to 30 mph and they can tilt up to 20 degrees when needed, making them easy and fun to operate. If you’re looking for something more than just a regular lawn mower, zero-turns also offer other features such as mulching or bagging capabilities (depending on what brand or model you choose) and even snow-blowing capabilities in some cases.
Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
If you don’t want to burn out your hamstrings and glutes every time you mow your lawn, then a self-propelled lawn mower is the best choice for you. These machines are designed with an automatic propulsion system that lets them glide across large swaths of grass while you sit back and relax in a lawn chair.
Self-propelled mowers come in all shapes and sizes, from small push models that can tackle a small area around the house to large riding models with enough power to handle a half acre or more. They’re also available as electric models for those who have limited mobility or just prefer not to have to deal with gas engines.
The only downside to self-propelled mowers is that they’re not ideal for hills, the wheels will usually slip backward when going up slopes steeper than 15 degrees, but they do work well on flat ground and even slight inclines (just don’t try anything more extreme).
Push Lawn Mower
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use lawn mower that doesn’t take up too much room and won’t break the bank, a push lawn mower will be your best bet. They are much cheaper than electric or self-propelled models, but they do require more work on your part. You may find that it takes longer to mow your lawn with one of these than with another option, but if you’re willing to put in the time and effort, this can be a great choice for those who live on small properties.
Some drawbacks include:
- They need regular maintenance (oil changes) to stay in good shape
- They’re not ideal for steep hills (they don’t have motors)
Gas Powered Mower
Gas-powered mowers are powerful, heavy, and loud, but they’re also expensive. The fuel alone is enough to make you want to seek out an alternative option. They also require regular maintenance like replacing the spark plug regularly, cleaning off any excess oil that builds up around the engine, and replacing belts when necessary.
Electric Mower
Perhaps you’re still not convinced. You’ve heard of electric mowers, but they seem like a thing of the future, the kind of technology that’s reserved for the Jetsons. Well, it is. But it also isn’t.
Electric mowers have been around since 1920s when one inventor invented an electrically powered lawn mower on his own. While this was quite impressive at the time, today’s electric lawnmower has evolved into a beautiful machine with plenty of benefits for homeowners who want to get rid of their grass without getting off their couches.
The noise factor alone makes them much more appealing than gas-powered models: whereas gas engines can be extremely loud and distracting, most electric models are whisper-quiet (and some are even quieter than your vacuum cleaner). They’re also easy to use, all you need is an outlet and a few minutes set aside in your day before sunset if you want to make sure everyone gets their share of yardwork done before heading inside for dinner or dessert or whatever else might be on your agenda.
Because they run off electricity rather than petrol, gasoline, (or whatever other fossil fuels people prefer using these days), there aren’t any emissions produced during operation either. Plus they’re lightweight enough that just about anyone can push them around without straining themselves too much (especially important if there are steep hills involved). The maintenance required by most models is minimal too; just keep track of when oil changes should occur so nothing happens unexpectedly down the road due to neglecting those regular tune-ups.
Best Lawn Mower For Steep Hills
- Honda HRX217K5VKA
- Snapper XD 82V MAX
- Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Cordless Electric Lawn Mower
- RYOBI 40V HP Brushless
- American Lawn Mower 1304-14
- SKIL PWR CORE 40
- Troy-Bilt Bronco Ride-on Mower
- Ego LM2102SP
- Great States 415-16
- Earthwise 50214
Honda HRX217K5VKA
If you’re looking for a lawn mower that can tackle the steepest of hills, we have one name on our list: Honda. The HRX217K5VKA features an engine with hydrostatic transmissions and rear-wheel drive. The dual-blade system gives you maximum power, while the mulching side discharge, bagging system, and rear bagger allow for multiple options for your yard waste disposal.
This unit also has an all-new deck design that’s easy to adjust from side-discharge to mulch or bag modes with just the turn of two levers, and its deck washout port makes cleaning up after your mowing job easier than ever. The Honda engine offers up to 5 horsepower at 4200 RPMs so there’s plenty of power to meet your needs when it comes time to cut those tough areas in your yard such as hillsides or ditches along fence lines where most other mowers will struggle getting traction because they’re simply not built well enough without four wheels instead of three like this machine is equipped with.
Snapper XD 82V MAX
If you have a hill to mow, and your lawn is anything like mine, it’s going to be a pain in the ass no matter what machine you use. But there are some models that are less of a pain than others. Snapper’s XD 82V MAX is one such model, it has great traction on inclines thanks to its high deck and rear-wheel drive. You’ll also get plenty of power from its 7 HP Briggs & Stratton engine; if you need even more power (and who doesn’t?), there’s an optional 20-inch cut version with an 83cc engine available for $150 more.
Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Cordless Electric Lawn Mower
If you’re looking for a lawn mower that can handle steep hills and give you a smooth, even cut, our pick is the Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Cordless Electric Lawn Mower.
16-inch cutting width. This is the most important thing to consider when choosing your new lawnmower because it determines how much area your lawn will take up. The Greenworks has a 16″ cutting width, which means it will be able to cover more ground than smaller models in less time. You may find that this size suits your needs perfectly. If not, then check out our other recommendations below.
40V 4AH Lithium-ion Battery. This battery gives users up to 90 minutes of runtime (that’s almost two hours) per charge on average and makes this model one of the longest-running cordless electric mowers on the market today at only $170-$200 dollars depending on where you buy it from online through sites like Amazon or Home Depot.
RYOBI 40V HP Brushless
The RYOBI 40V HP Brushless is a great option. It has a cutting deck size of 19-in and a power and torque of 3,200 watts. This mower weighs approximately 63 pounds, which can make it difficult to maneuver in some situations (more on that below). The quality of the cut is very good but not as good as some other options on this list.
The battery life isn’t the best, you’ll get about 40 minutes off a full charge with the RYOBI 40V HP Brushless, but there are other reasons why we love this mower:
It’s really easy to use. The push-button start makes using this thing a breeze; no need for pulling strings or having to prime anything before use. Just press down firmly on your thumb until you feel something click into place inside your carpal tunnel area and then give yourself permission to push forward into whatever job lies ahead of you with confidence knowing that should anything go awry while operating machinery around sharp blades.
American Lawn Mower 1304-14
The American Lawn Mower 1304-14 has a 13 HP Briggs and Stratton engine, a 16-inch cutting width, and a 14-inch mulching deck. It also has the 3-in-1 function that mows your grass, bags it, and leaves you with mulch for your garden.
The hydrostatic transmission lets you control your speed by using just one lever. If you’re looking for something with more power than other lawnmowers without going up in price too much then this is probably for you.
SKIL PWR CORE 40
The Skil PWR CORE 40 is a beast of a lawn mower with a 20-inch cutting width, 2.5 HP motor, and 8-inch front wheels. It’s designed to tackle hills with ease due to its 12-inch rear wheels and adjustable cutting height. A two-in-one mulching/side discharge makes it easy to maintain your yard while cutting down on the number of clippings you leave behind on the lawn. It comes with a 2-year warranty as well.
Troy-Bilt Bronco Ride-on Mower
For this category, we’re going to focus on gas-powered mowers that have a 21-inch deck and come with a 3.5 HP motor. Our first choice is the Troy-Bilt Bronco Ride-on Mower. It has a hydrostatic transmission for easy steering control, as well as front-wheel drive and side discharge capabilities, allowing you to cut your grass in a variety of different ways. You can even flip the deck over for mulching or rear bagging if you want (though this may require additional accessories). The Bronco’s powered by gasoline and comes equipped with 3-in-1 capability: cutting, mulching, and bagging.
Ego LM2102SP
If you’re shopping for the best lawn mower for steep hills, then you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll show you three of the best options on the market today. The top contender is EGO LM2102SP. With its zero-turn radius feature, it’s easy to maneuver around tight corners and other obstacles that can cause problems with other brands’ models. It has a 20″ deck that makes short work of even tall grasses or weeds growing in your yard at an angle (or straight up). It also has a 2.5 HP motor so it’ll cut through thick foliage like butter. Its 3400 lb weight capacity means it can hold more than enough grass clippings before needing to be emptied out of its bagging system or back into your lawnmower bag container if you choose not to use one.
This model weighs 95 lbs., making it easy for anyone from beginners all the way up through veterans who don’t want any extra strain on their backs while they try cutting their lawns and because it’s so light, handling these machines becomes easier over time as well. The 52″ width makes sure that entire areas get evenly trimmed without having to go over each section multiple times; no matter how big your yard might be. This feature saves owners time since they won’t have any trouble making quick work out of those hedges/bushes/trees near fence lineups etc. Plus 3-year guarantee means nothing beats what these guys offer here: value plus longevity equals great investment potential.
Great States 415-16
The Great States 415-16 is a great mower for hills. It has a powerful engine and a wide cutting deck that can be adjusted to the height of your lawn, so you don’t have to spend hours trying to make it through that last 20% of your yard. The handlebars are adjustable, which makes it easy to move around on uneven terrain. It’s also fairly lightweight at only 50 pounds, making it easy for anyone in the family (whether they’re young or old) to operate this machine without any trouble.
And since our experts recommend using ethanol-free gasoline in order to keep your engine from gumming up after repeated use over time, this product comes with its own tank full of clean fuel right out of the box.
Earthwise 50214
If you have a hill to mow, the Earthwise 50214 is a great choice. This model has a 21-inch cutting deck, which means it can cover a lot of grass in one go and won’t need multiple passes in order to get the job done.
The Earthwise 50214 also has a 14 amp motor that can handle even the toughest of weeds and grasses with ease. It’s powerful enough to cut through tall weeds while still being gentle on your lawn so that it doesn’t get damaged by over-mowing or damage from pulling on its roots too hard when they’re pulled up in clumps.
Another great feature of this model is that it’s self-propelled so you don’t have to worry about pushing it forward when going uphill (or down). The wheels will roll along as long as there aren’t any major obstacles blocking their path though. Finally, for peace of mind when using your new lawnmower make sure you purchase from Amazon where they offer 2-year warranty protection against manufacturer defects PLUS a 30-day return policy – no questions asked. You’ll never regret buying from them either since all purchases come with FREE super saver shipping too.
FAQs
How steep of a hill can a riding mower go?
The answer is, “It depends.” If you have a steep hill, the first thing to do is assess the incline. Generally, avoid slopes that are steeper than one foot of incline for every three feet of horizontal width. Then determine if it’s too steep for you to safely walk up and down while pushing your lawn mower up and down behind you. If so, then your only option may be to purchase a riding lawnmower that has an engine powerful enough to tackle even the most difficult terrain. You may also want to consider purchasing or renting a zero-turn mower instead of using an ordinary push-style mower on hills. Here are some other considerations:
Are hydrostatic mowers good for hills?
Hydrostatic mowers are popular because they’re self-propelled, which means you don’t have to push them. They also come with a hydrostatic transmission, so you can adjust the speed of your mower using levers on the handlebars. This is great news for people who have steep hills in their yards and want to maintain a consistent pace without having to run after their machine or worry about it getting away from them, just adjust your speed and go.
The downside? Hydrostatic mowers tend to be more expensive than regular push mowers. However, if you’re going downhill all day long and want some help keeping up with those hills, this may be worth it.
What is the best way to mow a steep hill?
The safest way to mow a steep hill is to mow on a diagonal, either up and down or facing down first, then up after you’ve gotten used to the incline. If you have access only from one side, such as in some highly restrictive communities where homeowners must keep their lawns low enough for no-mow zones on the street, consider mowing downhill first and turning off your mower when you reach the peak of the slope. Then walk up and turn it on again at that point.
Is a zero-turn mower good on hills?
While Z-turn mowers are excellent for cutting hills, they can also be used for other types of terrain. For example, if you have a large yard and need to mow your lawn from the comfort of your home, then a zero-turn will be very beneficial. The large wheels on these machines allow them to cut through tall grass with ease while still being able to navigate around trees, rocks, and other obstacles that may be in your way.
If you have smaller yards with lots of trees or bushes in them then a Z-turn mower would also be perfect for you because they’re able to get into tight spaces much easier than regular walk-behinds can.
Final words,
The best mower for hills will depend on the terrain you’re trying to tackle. If you have a small hill and want something easy to use, then a push or self-propelled mower might be the way to go. If you have a big hill with lots of trees on it, then maybe a riding mower is what you need. Whatever your needs are, there is sure to be something out there that will get the job done.