Living on hills can be fun unless you need to do lawn mowing. One of the hardest nuts to crack on hills is mowing your backyard or lawn into beautiful landscapes. However, it’ll not be as hard when you have the proper tools with a compact guide. So, what mower will you use on hills, and how will you use it perfectly? Different people use different mowers, but have you ever tried zero-turn mowers on hills? Are zero-turn mowers good on hills? And how will they help you mow easily?
A zero-turn mower will work well on a hill until the slope exceeds 15 degrees. Once you have crossed the slope limit, it will be a bit hard to mow. And, if you are a beginner, then it will be a hell of a task to mow on hills using a zero-turn mower.
We all know how effective zero-turn mowers are for your garden, but using them on hills is a different game. So, how are you going to survive on a hill with a zero-turn mower? For this, I thought I’d write an article. Below I will guide you on everything about mowing with zero-turn mowers on a hill and how to use them for perfect results. So, follow this article to the end to answer all your questions.
Table of Contents
Are Zero-Turn Mowers Good On Hills?
As discussed above, zero-turn mowers are good on hills when the slope is 15 degrees or less. But, if the steepness is high, it will be hard to mow with a zero-turn mower. On hills, the entire weight of the mower shifts to its back, creating low friction.
With this said, it is clear that using a zero-turn mower on hills with high slopes can be dangerous. However, it is also true that if used with care and if you are a professional mower, it is possible to mow with a zero-turn mower on a hill with higher steepness.
How to Use a Zero-Turn Mower on a Hill Safely
As you now know, using a zero-turn mower on slopes higher than 15 degrees is risky. So, what will you do next? Are you going to avoid using a zero-turn mower on hills? Of course not! So, if you have a zero-turn mower and want to use it on hills, do not stop scrolling. I have listed some useful ways below, to safely use a zero-turn mower on hills. Also, if you are confused about how to mow your lawn then here are the 5 best tips to mow your lawn like a professional.
Try to use them on slopes not more than 15 degrees.
If you want to mow safely on hills while using a zero-turn lawn mower, I will ask you to use your mower on a slope, not more than 15 degrees. If you have a zero-turn lawn mower, it will only work well unless the slope is 15 degrees.
Due to the design, size of wheels, and traction control, the mower can only mow perfectly if the slope is either 15 degrees or less. However, it is also possible to mow with a zero-turn mower on a slope exceeding 15 degrees, but you will have to be extra careful.
So, if you want to mow safely on hills, ensure that your slope is either 15 degrees or less.
Avoid going fast: A safe way to mow on hills
Now, we know that it is possible to mow with a zero-turn lawn mower even if the slope exceeds 15 degrees. But, for this, you need to keep the speed as low as possible. One of the main reasons most of us fail to mow easily on hills is the high speed of the mower.
When you run your zero-turn lawn mower at high speed on slopes, you can lose control. Along with it, all your attention is on controlling the mower at high speed, which affects lawn mowing.
So, if you see a slope exceeding 15 degrees, reduce the speed of your mower. It will help you mow with ease and keep you safe from any sort of accident.
Try to mow on dry days
Rubber tires and wet grass are never a good match. If you mow your garden regularly, you will admit that the mower easily loses control when the grass is wet. The reason behind it is the lack of friction.
When the grass is wet, the tires of your mower fail to generate enough friction due to the smoothness of the grass. And when you are mowing on a slope, a lack of friction will pull you down the hill, resulting in accidents.
Therefore, I will always suggest that you mow your garden on dry days. Dry grass tends to generate more friction when compared to wet grass. Also, mowing on wet grass will also damage the garden as the tires of the mower are stuck in the mud, creating a mess.
Sharp turns can be dangerous
One of my friends got injured while mowing in his garden. And surprisingly, he was not even speeding the mower. So, what caused the accident? Certainly, it was the sharp turns he took. If you own a zero-turn grass mower, you will know it comes with quite small tires compared to its size.
The small tires keep your garden safe as big tires leave marks, eventually affecting the garden. But, due to these small tires, you will not be able to make sharp turns. Because when you make sharp turns with small tires, the center of the force shifts to the top edge of the mower, which may leave your mower upside down.
So, if you want to avoid injuries while mowing on hills, do never make sharp turns. Slow down the mower and then turn it if you have to turn. Also, if you are moving upward, avoid turning the mower as much as possible.
Do never forget to get your safety gear
Whether you are driving a supercar or a lawn mower, it is essential to wear safety gear. Safety gears while mowing is as important as oxygen for breathing. So, if you are thinking of mowing on hills, make sure that you are wearing a proper helmet, the driving seat of your zero-turn lawn mower has a seat belt, and the brakes work finely.
This is how you will reduce the chances of an accident while mowing on hills.
Have a proper check on tires
People always ask you to check the blades of your mower before mowing. But, here, when you are mowing on a slope, it is essential to check the tires of the mowers. Though checking blades is essential, there is nothing more important than good-conditioned tires while mowing on hills.
If the tires are old, the traction will reduce, the friction between the mower and land will mitigate, and the worst part is that you will find it hard to apply brakes timely. So, if safety is your concern while mowing on hills, do not forget to inspect the tires of your mowers. It will help you add an extra level of safety while mowing.
Move parallel to the hill.
You may know it or not, but you always need to mow parallel to the hill while mowing on hills with a zero-turn mower. You will never move upward or downward direction. Going parallel to the hill reduces the chances of an accident as the center point of the mower does not change while moving parallel.
Along with it, when you mow parallel to a hill, you need not worry about the speed or braking of the mower. So, if you want to stay safe while mowing on hills, mow parallel to the hills.
When You Shouldn’t Use a Zero Turn Mower on Hills
Briefly, when the monsoon season is spreading happiness in the mountains, it will be hard to mow. Due to the slope, mowing wet grass is as hard as walking on water. Due to water and moisture, the tires of your mower fail to generate enough friction, thus creating high chances of slipping or losing control of your vehicle.
Also, a mower comes with small tires, and on wet grass, it would be hard to make turns easily. So, it would help if you avoid mowing when the grass is wet.
Conclusion
Anyone who wanted to know if zero-turn mowers are good on hills or not has found their answers now. I hope my article has discussed every aspect of using a zero-turn mower on hills. Also, I have listed some of the safest ways to use a zero-turn mower on hills. However, let me know if you are still concerned about your safety while using a zero-turn mower on hills by leaving comments below.
When she is not busy writing or working on her latest gardening project, Duaa can be found watering her houseplants, experimenting with DIY balcony and urban gardening creations, or cookingin the kitchen with ingredients she has grown in her own garden.
With her passion for nature and her wealth of knowledge and experience, Duaa is a valuable resource for anyone looking to deepen their connection with the world of gardening.
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