Buying Advice Best dedicated mower for hills and rough terrain

[sjgieson]

Thanks everyone for the responses, it has given me a lot more to consider. The front mount mowers I really wasn't considering, a 4x4 front mount certainly sounds like a much better setup for my situation. I see two categories of front mounts, I do think I need a 4x4 but perhaps a traditional grasshopper style would be sufficient. I am going to keep looking and see what I can find. Thanks again.

 

[Supraman0614]

My property has several hilly sections, as well as a dike around the lower side of my pond. I found that of all of the tractor/mower styles I tried (CUT w/ 3-pt mower, garden tractor, zero-turn, front mower) that the front mower works far and away better than any of the others. My tractor with a 3-pt deck works ok, but I can tackle steep hillsides sideways with the front mower, also can mow faster and result in better cut quality. I found an old New Holland 4wd CM224 for $2500 that I've been using for several years now. I'm mowing ~7 acres in about 3-1/2 hours (lots of trees, hills, buildings, etc). If I had to get another mower, I would buy a front mower.

 

[radios1]

in the meantime, try putting wheel weights on all 4 wheels, and front and back weights on the craftsman, load it down!. since you put AG tires on that, I don't see it slipping with the weights!.. btw, zero turns can be bought with a regular steering wheel too!. personally, I would not like using the sticks, more work..

 

[sawtooth]

Get a front mounted Kubota, Deere, Toro Groundsmaster, or Grasshopper. I have a Groundsmaster with a 6' front deck. Best hill mower I've ever owned. The long wheel base and low center of gravity makes it almost impossible to flip. I mow areas you can't hardly walk up and I mow it side hill.

What he said. I have same issue. Just settled in on a 72” cut 900 series front mount Grasshopper mower. Bad to the bone. Best setup I’ve tried to date.

 

[dragoneggs]

in the meantime, try putting wheel weights on all 4 wheels, and front and back weights on the craftsman, load it down!. since you put AG tires on that, I don't see it slipping with the weights!.. btw, zero turns can be bought with a regular steering wheel too!. personally, I would not like using the sticks, more work..

Why would anybody would want a steering wheel on a Z-turn? :confused3:

I didn't know there was such an animal. As to more work with 'sticks'. I don't see that at all. Each stick controls a wheel. How does a steering wheel make one wheel go forward and the other backward?

 

[nards444]

Why would anybody would want a steering wheel on a Z-turn? :confused3:

I didn't know there was such an animal. As to more work with 'sticks'. I don't see that at all. Each stick controls a wheel. How does a steering wheel make one wheel go forward and the other backward?

agrred, kind of the whole point of a zero turn lol

 

[LouNY]

I'm not a zero turn fan but with a steering wheel might consider one. :2cents:

 

[radios1]

Why would anybody would want a steering wheel on a Z-turn? :confused3:

I didn't know there was such an animal. As to more work with 'sticks'. I don't see that at all. Each stick controls a wheel. How does a steering wheel make one wheel go forward and the other backward?

read here. Do You Really Need A Steering Wheel Controlled Zero Turn? | Top Rated Zero Turn Mower Reviews

 

[paulfun9]

read here. Do You Really Need A Steering Wheel Controlled Zero Turn? | Top Rated Zero Turn Mower Reviews

I forget the name now but the cub wasn’t the first to market one

 

[Industrial Toys]

Anyone who tries to hold a beer while mowing appreciates a steering wheel.

But it does make steep hills challenging with my old style Steiner with the dash mounted hydro control.