Hilly Mowing - riding mower

[FlowRoll]

I have several hilly acres that I am maintaining at my house and am looking for recommendations on the best mower for it. The hardest part is a dam and the soggy areas near a drainage ditch downstream of the pond. I tried mowing it with my snapper ProZ front mounted mower but ended up sliding down the hill. I now mow it with an old Exmark Viking. The rest of my land is hilly but more manageable. The Snapper ProZ is pretty good but there doesn't seem to be enough weight on the drive wheels at times and loses traction pretty easily. I also don't like it when going across hills. The engine is behind the drive wheels and it feels like it wants to rotate with the back facing down. What is the best ride on mower for hills?

Thanks for any input you all may have!

 

[Teachu2]

I recently bought a Husqvarna GT48DLXS. It has a K66 transaxle with a locking differential that is engaged by the operator. Fantastic on steep hills with loose soil, even with my 280lb weight in the seat. Several threads on it in the Husqvarna thread.

If money is no object, the John Deere X540 would be comparable.

 

[FlowRoll]

Husqvarna GT48DLXS - looking it up now... thanks for the information.

 

[Teachu2]

They also make a 52" version. I have lots of obstacles, so I went with the 48".

 

[buickanddeere]

Make don't matter, tires do.

 

[Teachu2]

Make don't matter, tires do.

Make don't matter, components matter. My Deere L120, which had a strong Kohler Command engine paired with a K46 transaxle and ag-style rears, was weak on slopes. The Husky has a Kawasaki engine, a K66 with locking differential, and climbs every slope with authority - on factory turf tires, with my 280lbs in the seat. The wife mows across the hillsides with it. I am sure the Deere x540 with the upgraded Kawasaki, the K76, and the locking diff, would do the same. Mud might require ags on the rear.

 

[buickanddeere]

I swapped on ATV tires from the factory turfs on the old LX188. Would not know it was the same tractor. Climbs ditches and grades now that it used to either spin uphill or skid down hill.

 

[Teachu2]

That LX188 has a K61 transaxle and a water-cooled 17hp Kawasaki, doesn't it? Quality components, able to make use of the better traction provided by your more aggressive ATV tires. You took a great tractor and made it better for your environment. Put those same grippy tires on a lesser mower and you would not be as happy. I bet they would lead a K46 to an early death.

I do like the ATV tire idea, though. I wonder.....

 

[Coyote machine]

Husky 322T AWD articulating mower, with combi 103 deck. Cuts whatever I throw at it, up, down, sideways, no issues. Wet grass, dry grass, tall grass, it just cuts it without complaints and always in control.
Replaced my Scag Wildcat 60" deck ZT mower. Have lots of slippery slopes and hills. Scag was dangerous on many of them; either slide off cut line at random or lost control of front end- it just points to lowest point on hill and goes there on its own.

 

[9973720wb19]

I use a Toro Grandstand for my hills and trimming. it holds hills well side to side and pretty fast. plus you can bail if you get in trouble...which has not happen to me yet. You might want to demo one to see if it fits your needs. very small to store away as well.