How hilly is hilly?

[DanCollins]

Usually more than 15 degrees I'll mow with a push mower.

I don't want to put my lawn/garden tractors or my ZTs at risk of tipping.

I don't think tipping would be an issue as I would be riding the mower up and down the hill not along side it. And I'm no risk-taker so tipping isn't really a concern. My concern is the performance and durability of the hydro unit that some have mentioned in hilly situations, and I'm just wondering if a regular average normal typical suburban house with a walk-out basement and grass lawn constitutes a property that is hilly enough that I'll regret buying a turbo because it'll burn out due to the hills. I understand the hydros on higher end mowers are durable, but there seems to be a lot of conversations on the net about how the low-end market lawn tractors have hydros that are basically throw-aways. And I'm not sure if that's because of abuse or whether it really is the case that they can't even handle a hill as ordinary as one would find in a house with a walk-out basement.

 

[LazerZLandscaping]

If I am thinking right it would be about 40 degrees

Enough to tip a mower.

 

[SeniorCitizen]

40° is also plenty of slope to cause the rears to loose traction going down providing an out of control ride until more level ground is reached, or until the front hits a tree or goes in the pool.:laughing:

 

[Shughes717]

There are people that have no business with a mower at all of any kind. And then some of those same people involve alcohol in the mix.

Years ago I was acquainted with a foreign gentleman with a PhD in economics. Sober, never drank and never owned a mower before. He purchased a push mower with one of those whirley blades underneath that was recommended to him by my brother. First use, that paper coffee cup in the lawn just keeps being rolled by the deck. OK, let's evaluate the situation.:laughing: The cup is now behind the deck and if I lift up with the handle I can kick that cup under to see if the whirley blade will shred it. Yes sir, sure did and a good portion of the big toe cut off :licking:. by that whirley blade. Well DUH

My friend wasn't drunk. He had mowed that yard for years. His wife and 11 year old daughter were standing there. He was going to mow around the obstacles before letting his daughter mow. She won't touch that mower now. Lol

 

[Carscw]

I say you are doing fine with what you have so just stay with it.

You could go with a cub cadet auto.

You still press the pedal like on a hydro but without a hydro.

 

[DanCollins]

Enough to tip a mower.

So the answer to the question of how much hill will affect the performance and longevity of a hydro is equivalent to how much hill would make it tip?

 

[gfp55]

So the answer to the question of how much hill will affect the performance and longevity of a hydro is equivalent to how much hill would make it tip?

Their just being smart, use common sense on hills. To get back to your question on performance and longevity. If the specs on any new tractor/zero turn says it will do this or that, just figure that you will need a little more then they say. They used to build overkill into things back in the day, but today things are built with just enough to get the job done and with no overkill. Most manufactures don't want their stuff to last a lifetime because you won't be back to buy another in a few years. If you go with a hydro make sure you get one that has a filter and one that you can change the hydro fluid. Keep the cooling fins and cooling fan clear of dirt, grease and stuff. You can make your zero turn/tractor much safer on hills by putting ballast in you tires. Ballast will help with traction also. Keep us posted on which way you go, there are some on this forum that will give you the strait info without all the smart azz remarks. I have to admit I've got a smart mouth on me at times. "But thats just me"

 

[Carscw]

I know a hill is to steep when the engine starts running bad and puts out a lot of thick smoke. But I will still finish mowing and just add some oil when I get done.

My cub cadet would stick any hill you was brave enough to try.

I get calls all the time from guys want me to cut hills for them.

We just trade yards.

 

[pottsy38]

Howdy, I'm in the market for a lawn tractor. I have a narrow deep suburban lot with a walkout basement in the back. I like what I've read about the advantages of a hydro, but some have warned against it for hilly property for performance and reliability reasons. Is my property hilly enough that I should avoid a hydro?

When you dig ditches up and down the hill to plant potatoes . At harvest time open up the rows at the bottom end and let the taters roll out.

 

[gfp55]

When you dig ditches up and down the hill to plant potatoes . At harvest time open up the rows at the bottom end and let the taters roll out.

I can tell by your answer that you rode the short bus to school. How many fingers do you have on each hand?