How To Safely Mow On A Slope
Mowing on a hill can pose a safety risk. Slopes can cause a loss of traction and stability for riding lawn mowers, which can result in it tipping over and harming the operator. Serious injury and even death can happen, so it's not a situation to take lightly.
Here at Middletown Tractor Sales, we care about your safety. We created the following guide to safely using a lawn tractor on a hill so you can avoid injuries and damage to your equipment.
If you have questions or want to shop riding lawn mowers for sale, visit our dealership. Our model selection is large and includes zero turn mowers and riding tractors. Our dealerships are based in Fairmont and Buckhannon, West Virginia, and Washington and Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
Get The Right Riding Mower
If you don't own a model yet, you can shop with mowing slopes in mind. Look for a compact tractor or lawn tractor with traction-supporting features, such as a differential locking option on the wheels or a low profile that is less likely to tip over.
While many of the Select Series John Deere riding lawn mowers we have in-stock do the job for small inclines, for steeper slopes, the Ventrac 4500 tractor is the model that takes the cake. With 20 degree slope mowing capacity and up to 30 degree hillside operation with the dual wheel kit installed, it’s the true #1 slope mower available to folks who want to stay in the seat of their tractor even on the tough hillsides their property has to offer.
Understand The Model
Operation Tips
Once you own a riding lawn mower, look over the owner's manual. There may be some "best practices" that the manufacturer recommends. Follow these to more safely mow on a slope.
For John Deere Select Series models, the manufacturer generally recommends the following for added slope traction, towing, and snow removal:
- Good K46 transmission*
- 20-in. rear tires
- 542 to 623 lbs. base weight
- Add up to 84 lbs. rear ballast
- *X370 has K57 transmission and 5.8 mph travel speed
- Better K58 transmission
- 22-in. rear tires**
- 651 to 755 lbs. base weight
- Add up to 84 lbs. rear ballast
- **X384 has 20-in rear tires and 5.9 mph travel speed
- Best K72 transmission with diff lock
- 24-in. rear tires
- 748 to 845 lbs. base weight
- Add up to 368 lbs. rear ballast
For the Ventrac, best practices include:
- Utilizing a digital slope gauge to see real-time slope information and get audio warnings when slopes start to get too steep
- Installing the dual wheel kit when mowing slopes that are greater than 20 degrees, or when operating on sandier soil. Do NOT use dual wheels when operating with a Ventrac VERSA-Loader or additional wheel extensions.
- When working on 30 degree slopes, it’s best to operate only 10 minutes at a time on them and then return to less steep ground to give the engines a break. Exceeding the rated angle of operation may result in engine damage.
Model Limits
Specialty units like the Ventrac aside, not all models can handle all hills. As a general rule, avoid slopes that are steeper than one foot of incline for every three feet of horizontal width. Most lawn tractors and zero turn mowers can handle slopes that are only one foot of incline for every four feet of horizontal width. Know your model's limits and stick within those boundaries.
Reduce Risks
There are strategies that help reduce the risks associated with mowing on a slope. Follow these tactics to set yourself up for a safe mowing experience.
Some ways to reduce your risk can be:
- Adding ballast (more weight) to the equipment per the instructions in the operator’s manual
- Adding the correct specialty tires with better traction and ability to redistribute weight (this is where the Ventrac’s dual wheel kit can come in handy)
- Make sure safety features like the ROPS attachments are ALWAYS installed and locked in the correct position. ROPS protect operators from being crushed by the units on the off chance they do flip over.
- Read your operator’s manual thoroughly BEFORE operating your tractor on a hill for the first time. Lawn mowers and tractors often come with controls that must be adjusted in order to appropriately operate on slopes.
- Always consult your operator’s manual so that you know your machine’s unique limits and abilities.
Remove Obstacles
Before you start up your mower, walk over the sloped area. Clear away obstacles such as rocks and sticks. Around here, groundhogs, rabbits, and other rodents can often create risk by digging holes and burrows in the land you’re trying to maintain. If your machine hits these obstacles or holes on the hill, it can greatly increase the chances of tipping over.
Maximize Visibility
Avoid mowing a hill when it is in the shade or getting dark outside. This reduced visibility will make it harder to spot obstacles, which can increase the chances of an issue.
Avoid Mowing Extremely Wet Or Dry Grass
The grass needs to be not too wet and not too dry. Otherwise, it will compromise the riding mower's ability to maintain traction and can pose extra risk. Wet grass especially can get caked
into the tread of your tires and cause them to lose some of their grip. While the Ventrac is right to boast about its minimal damage done to wet turf, it’s still a good idea to wait until your lawn is dried off a bit before mowing.
Use Best Practices When Mowing On A Slope
There are three key practices to use when mowing on a hill:
- Take it slow. A lower speed makes it easier to maintain control of the riding mower. It also helps you spot upcoming obstacles and adjust or hit the brakes in time.
- Go straight up and down the slope. If you drive the riding mower side to side up a hill, it can more easily tip over.
- Avoid starting, stopping, and turning on the slope. Instead, do this on the most level ground possible, and consider where it might be safe to do so before climbing or descending a hill.
Want to shop Ventrac or other riding lawn mowers for sale? Check out the selection at Middletown Tractor Sales. We carry garden tractors, zero turn mowers, and more. Let our hometown experts help you find the best match for your budget and needs. Reach out or stop by our dealership. We proudly serve those in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Clarksburg, West Virginia.