Hey there, lawn mowing enthusiasts! If you’re looking for the best lawn mower for hills, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll review the top picks for the best lawn mowers for hills, and provide a buying guide to help you choose the right mower for your needs.
Why do you need a special lawn mower for hills?
Mowing hills can be tricky and dangerous, especially if you’re using the wrong lawn mower. A regular lawn mower is not designed to handle the steep inclines and uneven terrain of a hilly lawn. This can lead to the mower slipping and sliding, or even tipping over.
A lawn mower designed for hills, on the other hand, has features that make it safer and easier to mow steep slopes. These features include:
A powerful engine to handle the increased workload
A low center of gravity for stability
Wide tires or a four-wheel drive system for traction
A safety features such as a roll-over protection system (ROPS) and a seat belt.
Top picks for the best lawn mowers for hills:
1. Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT46 Lawn Tractor
The Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT46 Lawn Tractor is a great choice for homeowners with large, hilly lawns. It features a powerful 22 HP Kohler 7000 Series engine that can easily handle even the thickest grass and steepest slopes. The hydrostatic drive provides smooth and effortless operation, while the 46-inch stamped deck delivers a clean, even cut every time.
Features:
22 HP Kohler 7000 Series engine
Hydrostatic drive
46-inch stamped deck
15-inch high-back seat
AGM battery for reliable starting
Cruise control
LED headlights and taillights
Pros
- Powerful engine can handle even the toughest mowing conditions
- Hydrostatic drive provides smooth and effortless operation
- 46-inch deck cuts a wide swath, reducing mowing time
- Comfortable seat and cruise control make for a more enjoyable mowing experience
- LED headlights and taillights allow for safe mowing in low-light conditions
Cons
- Can be expensive
- Large size can make it difficult to maneuver in tight spaces
- Overall, the Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT46 Lawn Tractor is a great choice for homeowners with large, hilly lawns. It is powerful, reliable, and easy to operate.
2. John Deere S120 Lawn Tractor
The John Deere S120 Lawn Tractor is a great choice for homeowners with small to medium-sized lawns. It is affordable, reliable, and easy to operate. The S120 features a 17.5 HP V-Twin engine that provides plenty of power for most mowing conditions. The hydrostatic drive provides smooth and effortless operation, while the 42-inch deck delivers a clean, even cut every time.
Features:
17.5 HP V-Twin engine
Hydrostatic drive
42-inch deck
18-inch high-back seat
AGM battery for reliable starting
Cruise control
LED headlights and taillights
Pros
- Affordable price
- Reliable performance
- Easy to operate
- Hydrostatic drive provides smooth and effortless operation
- 42-inch deck cuts a wide swath, reducing mowing time
- Comfortable seat and cruise control make for a more enjoyable mowing experience
- LED headlights and taillights allow for safe mowing in low-light conditions
Cons
- Not as powerful as some other lawn tractors
- Smaller deck size may not be ideal for large lawns
- Overall, the John Deere S120 Lawn Tractor is a great value for homeowners with small to medium-sized lawns. It is affordable, reliable, and easy to operate.
3. Craftsman T3200 Turn Tight Gas Riding Lawn Mower
The Craftsman T3200 Turn Tight Gas Riding Lawn Mower is a great choice for homeowners with hilly lawns. It features a powerful 24 HP V-Twin engine that can easily handle even the thickest grass and steepest slopes. The hydrostatic drive provides smooth and effortless operation, while the 54-inch stamped deck delivers a clean, even cut every time.
The Turn Tight feature allows the mower to make sharp turns, making it ideal for navigating around trees, shrubs, and other obstacles. The mower also features a comfortable high-back seat, cruise control, and LED headlights and taillights.
Features:
24 HP V-Twin engine
Hydrostatic drive
54-inch stamped deck
Turn Tight feature for sharp turns
Comfortable high-back seat
Cruise control
LED headlights and taillights
Pros
- Powerful engine can handle even the toughest mowing conditions
- Hydrostatic drive provides smooth and effortless operation
- 54-inch deck cuts a wide swath, reducing mowing time
- Turn Tight feature makes it easy to maneuver around obstacles
- Comfortable seat and cruise control make for a more enjoyable mowing experience
- LED headlights and taillights allow for safe mowing in low-light conditions
Cons
- Can be expensive
- Large size can make it difficult to maneuver in tight spaces
Overall, the Craftsman T3200 Turn Tight Gas Riding Lawn Mower is a great choice for homeowners with hilly lawns. It is powerful, reliable, and easy to operate.
4. Ryobi RY48111 Electric Riding Mower
The Ryobi RY48111 Electric Riding Mower is a great choice for homeowners with hilly lawns who want a quiet and powerful mower. It features a trio of whisper-quiet and low-maintenance brushless motors that can easily handle even the thickest grass and steepest slopes. The 48-volt 100-amp-hour (Ah) battery provides up to 2.5 hours of runtime on a single charge, and the mower can be fully charged in around 6 hours.
The RY48111 also features a 38-inch stamped deck that cuts a wide swath, reducing mowing time. The mower is also easy to maneuver, thanks to its hydrostatic drive and zero-turn capability.
Features:
Three whisper-quiet and low-maintenance brushless motors
48-volt 100-amp-hour (Ah) battery
38-inch stamped deck
Hydrostatic drive
Zero-turn capability
LED headlights and taillights
Pros
- Quiet operation
- Powerful performance
- Long runtime on a single charge
- Easy to maneuver
- Zero-turn capability
- LED headlights and taillights
Cons
- Can be expensive
- Battery runtime may not be enough for some lawns
- Not as powerful as some gas riding lawn mowers
Overall, the Ryobi RY48111 Electric Riding Mower is a great choice for homeowners with hilly lawns who want a quiet and powerful mower. It is easy to operate, maneuver, and maintain.
5. Troy-Bilt Bronco is a riding lawn mower
The Troy-Bilt Bronco is a riding lawn mower that is a great option for homeowners with large, hilly lawns. It is powered by a 26-horsepower Kawasaki engine and has a 50-inch cutting width. It also features a hydrostatic transmission, which makes it easy to maneuver on hills.
Features:
26-horsepower Kawasaki engine
50-inch cutting width
Hydrostatic transmission
7-position cutting height adjustment
23-inch rear tires Adjustable steering wheel and seat
Pros
- Powerful engine can handle tall grass and weeds on hills
- Hydrostatic transmission makes it easy to maneuver
- Wide cutting width allows you to cover more ground in less time
- Large rear tires provide good traction on hills
- Adjustable steering wheel and seat for a comfortable ride
Cons
- More expensive than some other riding lawn mowers
- Can be difficult to maneuver in tight spaces
- Requires regular maintenance
Overall, the Troy-Bilt Bronco is a great option for homeowners with large, hilly lawns. It is powerful, versatile, and easy to maneuver. However, it is more expensive than some other riding lawn mowers and can be difficult to maneuver in tight spaces.
6. Ariens Ikon 52 Kawasaki Zero-Turn Riding Mower
The Ariens Ikon 52 Kawasaki Zero-Turn Riding Mower is a great choice for homeowners with hilly lawns. It features a powerful 23 HP Kawasaki FR691V engine that can easily handle even the thickest grass and steepest slopes. The hydrostatic transmission provides smooth and effortless operation, while the 52-inch stamped deck delivers a clean, even cut every time.
The zero-turn capability makes the Ikon 52 extremely agile and easy to maneuver, even in tight spaces. The mower also features a comfortable high-back seat, cruise control, and LED headlights and taillights.
Features:
23 HP Kawasaki FR691V engine
Hydrostatic transmission
52-inch stamped deck
Zero-turn capability
Comfortable high-back seat
Cruise control
LED headlights and taillights
Pros
- Powerful engine can handle even the toughest mowing conditions
- Hydrostatic transmission provides smooth and effortless operation
- 52-inch deck cuts a wide swath, reducing mowing time
- Zero-turn capability makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces
- Comfortable seat and cruise control make for a more enjoyable mowing experience
- LED headlights and taillights allow for safe mowing in low-light conditions
Cons
- Can be expensive
- Large size can make it difficult to maneuver in some spaces
Overall, the Ariens Ikon 52 Kawasaki Zero-Turn Riding Mower is a great choice for homeowners with hilly lawns. It is powerful, reliable, and easy to operate.
7. Great States 415-16 lawn mower
The Great States 415-16 is a manual reel lawn mower that is a great option for homeowners with small to medium-sized lawns, especially those with hills over 25 degrees. It is quiet, easy to maneuver, and requires no gas or oil.
Features:
16-inch cutting width
5-blade ball bearing reel
10-inch composite wheels
Adjustable cutting height from 1″ to 2.5″
T-style cushioned grip handle
Easy, tool-less assembly
Pros
- Quiet operation
- Eco-friendly
- Easy to maneuver
- Lightweight
- Affordable
- Durable
Cons
- Requires manual effort to push
- Not suitable for tall grass or thick weeds
- Requires regular sharpening of the blades
Overall, the Great States 415-16 is a great option for homeowners who are looking for a quiet, eco-friendly, and affordable lawn mower. It is especially well-suited for those with small to medium-sized lawns and hills over 25 degrees.
Buying guide for lawn mowers for hills over 25 degrees
When choosing a lawn mower for hills over 25 degrees, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
Engine power: A more powerful engine will be able to handle steeper hills with ease. Look for a mower with an engine of at least 20 horsepower.
Cutting deck width: A wider cutting deck will allow you to mow more grass in less time. However, keep in mind that a wider cutting deck will also be more difficult to maneuver on hills. Choose a cutting deck width that is appropriate for the size and terrain of your lawn.
Transmission: A hydrostatic transmission is the best choice for hill mowing, as it provides smooth shifting and better control. Avoid mowers with manual transmissions, as these can be difficult to shift on hills.
Traction: Look for a mower with good traction, such as wide tires or a four-wheel drive system. This will help to prevent the mower from slipping and sliding on hills.
Stability: A mower with a low center of gravity will be more stable on hills. Avoid mowers with a high center of gravity, as these are more likely to tip over. Safety features: Look for a mower with safety features such as a roll-over protection system (ROPS) and a seat belt. These features can help to protect you in the event of an accident.
How to mow hills safely
Here are some tips for mowing hills safely:
Always mow uphill: This will help to prevent the mower from slipping and sliding.
Slow down and take your time: There is no need to rush when mowing hills.
Make smooth turns: Avoid sudden turns, as this can cause the mower to lose traction.
Be aware of your surroundings: Watch out for obstacles such as trees, rocks, and holes in the ground.
Conclusion
If you have a hilly yard, you know that mowing it can be a challenge. But with the right lawn mower, it doesn’t have to be.
The mowers reviewed in this blog post are all excellent choices for hills over 25 degrees. They all have features like a low center of gravity, wide tires, and powerful engines that make them safe and easy to use on hills. No matter which mower you choose, you can be sure that you’re getting a high-quality machine that will make mowing your hilly yard a breeze.
