Are Zero Turn Mowers Good on Hills? (Good Question)

Dealing with hills when you’re cutting grass can be a huge pain, but the right equipment for the job makes things much easier. Buying a zero-turn lawn mower is one of the best investments you can make if you have a large yard with a lot of obstacles. Able to whip around on a dime, cover more ground at once, and operate comfortably, there are a ton of perks. But, with an upright orientation and small wheels in the front, a lot of people wonder, are zero turn mowers good on hills?

Are Zero Turn Mowers Good on Hills? (The Short Answer)

When it comes to zero-turn mowers on hills that you’d find in most yards, they work very well. But, like all riding lawn mowers, there is a risk of tipping over when tackling particularly steep slopes. Because of this, it’s recommended that zero-turn mowers are only used on slopes of less than fifteen degrees. Still, if you operate your zero turn correctly, you can mow most hills safely.

You Can Use a Zero Turn Mower on a Hill If You…

As far as actually using zero turns on hills goes, there are a handful of things that are really important to keep in mind. I’ve mowed some hilly areas in my time and over the years I’ve picked up some tactics that make mowing with zero turn mowers on hilly terrain possible and safe. The most important things to do regarding how to use a zero turn mower on a hill are: go slowly, only mow when the grass is dry, turn cautiously, and maintain good tires.

Go Slowly

A lot of manufacturers brag about the speed of their zero-turn mowers, but when mowing hills you’ll want to go as slowly as possible. The faster you’re going, the worse traction you’ll have. Going across a hill too quickly can result in the back end of your zero-turn mower skidding and tearing up your lawn. In more extreme cases, going too quickly and losing traction could even result in a rollover. Slow and steady wins the race when it comes to hills. This is also true for acceleration. Most zero-turn mowers are pretty sensitive when it comes to acceleration so be sure not to accelerate quickly when entering a hill or reaching the end of one.

Mow in Dry Conditions

Making sure you only mow when the grass is dry can be a really tough thing to follow, especially if you live in a rainy state. I know that I get tired of waiting around for the morning’s dew or last day’s rain to dry, but it’s an important thing to do. Wet grass and rubber don’t make a good combination. Wet conditions can lead to poor traction which is something you don’t want to run into on hills.

Also, grass that has dried properly cuts more easily and evenly. This saves you and your mower from doing extra work. Another way that cutting dry grass saves time is during cleanup. If your trimmings are wet, they’ll clump together on their way out and make cleaning the underside of your deck (which you should do every time you mow) more cumbersome.

Turn Cautiously

Best practice for cornering on hills is to turn gently and gradually. It takes a bit of time to be able to do this effectively on most zero-turn mowers, but it’s a skill that will keep you safe and efficient. I’m no physics professor, but if you try to whip your mower around while you’re on a hill bad things can happen. You can easily lose traction, and the jolting action of a sharp turn can certainly cause your mower to tip. Though you may be tempted to make sharp turns so that you don’t miss a single inch of grass, it’s always better to make gradual corners at first and then do a second pass.

Use Good Tires

Since zero-turn mowers only have two big wheels in the back, it’s important to make sure that they’re in good shape. As a rule of thumb, the wider the tire, the better. All your power is generated by the back wheels and they are what clings onto the grass when you’re on a hill. Making sure that your tires have plenty of tread and are properly inflated (ensure you’re aware of the best tire pressure for your zero-turn mower) is the best way to ensure good traction.

How to Use a Zero Turn Mower on a Hill Safely

Do you want to know the exact method for how to use a zero-turn mower on a hill? There are actually a few universal approaches that will give you the best traction and reduce the risk of losing control. While there is no guarantee that doing everything right will make your mower invincible, these tactics will give you the best odds against hills.

1. Mow Side to Side

Contrary to what you might assume, going side to side while mowing hills with a zero turn is the best technique. This is because it’s really hard to stay in control on hills if you’re going straight up or down them. Also, since zero turns are heavier in the rear and accelerate quickly, it’s easy to cause the front wheels and deck to lift up off the ground when going straight uphill. While doing wheelies can be fun on a bicycle, they definitely aren’t on a zero-turn. Chances are you won’t be able to cut perfectly straight across on every pass, but it’s still your best option.

2. Keep the Front End Slightly Uphill

Making sure that the front end of the zero-turn is a little bit above the rear end while mowing is extremely important. The front end will always want to pull downhill so you’ll need to maintain a bit of extra force on the lower lap bar while crossing slopes. If your front end winds up below your rear end at all, you will most likely lose traction and begin to skid.

3. Start at the Bottom of the Hill

Where you start mowing actually makes a pretty big difference when it comes to mowing hills with a zero-turn. Beginning with an incline from flat ground rather than beginning with a decline will increase the amount of traction and control you have. With gravity on your side, it’s easier to start a horizontal path slowly from the bottom of hills. If you can’t get to the bottom of a hill, your best bet is to slowly back down the hill. Reversing downhill will increase your ability to slow yourself down and prevent skidding.

4. Turn Uphill at the End of Each Pass

Going uphill at the end of each pass may seem counterintuitive but it follows the same logic as keeping your front end above your rear end. If you can’t quite whip around in a tight enough circle in one go, just go for a three-point turn and make your way to the next pass under control. Choosing to turn downhill usually ends up with at least a little bit of sliding and can cause you to completely lose control of the mower.

5. If You Lose Traction, Don’t Stay in a Skid

When, for whatever reason, you lose traction in a zero-turn mower, don’t try to power through. Accelerating will only worsen your chances of regaining control. Most of the time your best bet is to ride it out straight downhill if possible. Obviously, if there isn’t an open area at the bottom of the hill you’ll want to avoid this. But, most of the time it’s safest to just let gravity take the mower without resisting and come to a stop slowly at the bottom of the hill. Bouncing around beats tipping your mower over or tearing up a huge chunk of good grass.

When You Shouldn’t Use a Zero Turn Mower On Hills

Now that we’ve talked about how to go about mowing hills with a zero-turn, we should probably talk a little bit about when it’s not a good idea to take your mower on hills. Basically, if you’re using your zero turn mower properly, the only time you need to avoid hills is when they are too steep or when the grass is wet.

Very Steep Slopes

I wouldn’t go as far to say that you should carry a level around your yard and measure the slope of all the hills, but you should keep an eye out for hills that are just a bit too steep. The official recommendation is fifteen degrees or higher, but I’d just follow your gut feeling. If there’s a hill that seems a little too steep, use your push mower on it instead. You might have to work a bit harder, but it’s worth not risking injury, or worse, rolling your precious zero-turn mower. When in doubt, get your push mower out.

Wet Grass

I already mentioned the importance of dry mowing conditions, but let me elaborate a little bit more about the dangers of wet grass and zero-turn mowers. When you’re dealing with incline, your zero turn needs all the traction it can get. If you lose traction in wet conditions, it’s possible that you’ll lose all control of the mower. If you start skidding downhill, you might not be able to stop. I’ve had more than my fair share of close calls with running into something I don’t want to during a skid. It’s not much fun. Plus, you’ll leave a nasty scar on your lawn.

Summary

Still wondering, are zero turn mowers good on slopes? All in all, zero-turn mowers can handle hills if you operate them with care. Going slowly, cornering cautiously, and mowing only when it’s dry are the best ways to ensure personal safety and the longevity of your mower. Follow the recommended techniques, stay away from extremely steep slopes, and if needed, wait all morning for your grass to dry before getting started.