Anyone with an incline or two in their garden will know that cutting the grass can be a bit trickier when the ground isn’t totally flat. While most lawn mowers should be able to tackle the odd incline, steep hills can be a headache for even the most experienced gardeners.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!When it comes to steep slopes and uneven terrain, it’s both the mower and the technique that can make a difference.
Let’s take a look at the best way to cut grass on a steep hill.
What is the Best Lawn Mower for Steep Hills?
The right lawn mower to use will depend on the actual gradient, as well as the size of your garden and your own physical fitness. Whilst flatter areas can be mown with most self-propelled petrol lawnmowers or ride on mowers, you’ll need to use a mower specifically designed for slopes if you’ve got a lot of steep hills.
Most lawn mower manufacturers will list the maximum incline that their mower can handle. Many ride on mowers and garden tractors, for instance, are designed for inclines of less than 15 degrees. Whilst speciality mowers can be purchased, they can be a lot more expensive.
If you’re after an everyday mower that’s capable of taking on inclines, you should look for a wider deck walk-behind mower. These allow you to cut the grass faster, covering a larger amount of lawn in less time.
However, it’s also important that the mower you use is lightweight, which in most cases will mean an electric lawnmower. A heavy petrol-powered model can have you exhausted before you reach the top of the hill! Instead, a lightweight cordless mower is the best option – as there’s no cable to worry about.
Finally, look for a rear-wheel-drive mower. This will give you better grip on slopes and inclines, making mowing steep hills a lot safer.
The Importance of the Right Footwear
When mowing on steep hills, it’s more important than ever that you have full control of your mower. If you slip whilst operating the mower, it could fall on top of you.
It goes without saying that you should never wear flip flops or open toed shoes whilst mowing. Opt for sturdy, comfortable shoes that offer good grip on hills.
Using a Walk-Behind Mower on Steep Slopes
The technique is arguably just as important as the mower itself.
To mow uphill or on uneven terrain, you should raise the cutting deck to its highest point. This will make it easier to push the mower over bumps in the ground. Cutting your grass a little longer will also give your mower better grip next time around.
When mowing hilly ground, the grass should be completely dry. Mowing wet grass can damage your lawn mower, and your grip will also be impacted. Slipping downhill while in control of a powerful machine is not going to end well!
If you’re using a walk-behind mower, you should mow along the hill laterally. Don’t go straight up and down, but push your mower from one side of the hill to the other. Move slightly up the hill and repeat until you reach the top. It can help to lean slightly into the hill to help keep your balance.
Using a Ride On Mower on Steep Slopes
If you’ve got a ride on mower, the technique is different.
It can be dangerous going downhill on a ride on mower, as the majority of the weight of the machine is both underneath and behind you. If the mower gets stuck on a bumpy patch of ground, it could flip over.
Instead, you should mow along the top edge of the slope, then, starting from the bottom, raise the deck and mow upwards vertically. Do not turn the mower around to mow downwards. Instead, reverse backwards down the slope, then move across and mow the next patch uphill. This technique is only recommended for smaller slopes, as opposed to long stretches of steep incline.
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