Why not zero turns for hills?

[Parocket]

Why not zero turns on hills and what is a too big of a hill? Do the hydro's melt down?
I have a cub 3235 that is wearing old. Thinking of replacing with a mid range zero turn.
I mow about 2 acres, has some elevation changes with one hill section maybe 100x75 high. Its a farm so its not pretty yard. Would love the extra speed.

 

[Parocket]

Never mind found it through search

 

[dragoneggs]

As you probably have learned... really just a function of slope. If not too great, mowing the hill should be no issue.

 

[oldpilgrim]

mowing across a hill with a ZT can be difficult as it wants to steer downhill all the time.

 

[ruffdog]

I have a friend that has a very steep yard hill that he needed something stable to mow it with. He has a bigger Cub Cadet garden tractor that he just didn't feel safe with. Some dealers said he could use a zero turn and he told them to demonstrate the unit on HIS hill before he would buy. Some would not even unload the unit when they saw the hill. Others would try the hill only to take a trip through the rock garden below. He ended up with the high end Cub Cadet zero turn that has a steering wheel that controls the front wheels. It seems to be working for him.

 

[dragoneggs]

I should add that wet grass makes it more of an issue. Also I am not implying that I recommend Z turns over other mowers for hills. I have a z turn and some steep hills as well as not too steep hills to mow. Must learn the limits!

 

[namesray]

A zero turn going across a side hill suffers due to 2 things. 1. To go straight a zero turn rulies on both rear drive wheels to have the same speed and traction. On a side hill the upper drive wheel usually looses traction. This leads to number 2. The front wheels of most zero turns are castors and free rotate 360 degrees. Naturally they want to turn sideways with the weight and gravity of the machine and go downhill. Only the rear drive wheels keep them going straight. And when one drive wheel looses traction, the front castor wheels give and head downhill, then from this point it is difficult for the rear drive wheels to get traction and go up hill or straight across hill again, and the impending fun ride down off the hill.

A heavier zero turn will help with the rear drive wheels keeping traction. Heavier units will operate better on side hills.

The cub cadet style of steering wheel zero turns and your regular garden tractor mowers are more stable on side hills due to having fixed front steer wheels that greatly help hold going across a side hill. They actually help keep traction better on the rear drive wheels too.

 

[4570Man]

The drive train can handle it. They could probably climb straight up a 45 degree hill. Their downfall on hills is the front non locking swivel wheels drift down the hills, and then the back wheels loose traction. Another problem is if you loose traction on one wheel you can only only drive in circles. Most farm yards are rough as a cob. A zero turn might be the fastest mower, but they are also among the roughest riding.

 

[DK35vince]

A zero turn might be the fastest mower, but they are also among the roughest riding.

All the years I've been mowing. From garden tractors to Compact tractors with MMM and rear finish mowers.
I think my current zero turn ( Hustler Super Z with suspension seat and flex forks) has the best ride of any mower I have ever had.

 

[4570Man]

All the years I've been mowing. From garden tractors to Compact tractors with MMM and rear finish mowers. I think my current zero turn ( Hustler Super Z with suspension seat and flex forks) has the best ride of any mower I have ever had.

My Dixie chopper doesn't have either of those and rides horrible.

 

[ovrszd]

Friend of mine bought a Cub Cadet zero turn with a steering wheel and steerable front casters. It mows very well on a slope. Not saying it will mow with anything made. Just saying they really like it. And they mow some relatively steep slopes.

Another friend has a typical zero turn. he put chains on the drive tires so he could "attempt" to mow slopes.

 

[LD1]

I have at101 rear tires. I think it is excellent on slopes. Better than snu thing else I have used.

With proper tires, I think the only thing that can beat a ztr is one of them mowers made for steep slopes

 

[Creamer]

I have at101 rear tires. I think it is excellent on slopes. Better than snu thing else I have used.

With proper tires, I think the only thing that can beat a ztr is one of them mowers made for steep slopes

Agreed!

Although some ZTRs are better than others. For hills I prefer Grasshopper for its very low center of gravity and weight distribution.

 

[gladehound]

Not all ZTRs are created equal. Some are awful on hills (my previous Toro 420Z for example). Some are magnificent on hills (my current 2010 Exmark Laser Z). You just have to test them out.

 

[dragoneggs]

I have at101 rear tires. I think it is excellent on slopes. Better than snu thing else I have used. With proper tires, I think the only thing that can beat a ztr is one of them mowers made for steep slopes

I love my ZT so far. Yes want to add a suspension seat. Oh and a cute girl serving drinks from a golf cart nearby when I get thirsty! Seriously I need to look at some tires as an upgrade.

 

[Coyote machine]

Better question is what to use for hills?
I've recently been researching the Husky front mower, AWD mowers. From what I've read about from those who have them, they are unbeatable traction wise, and are rated to 10 degree slopes. They have been on the market for a number of years, have a rear pair of articulating wheels that do the steering, and a second stationary pair under the mid-section, as well as caster wheels, on the up to 48" deck. Speeds up to 6MPH, and cut height up to 4".

Mulching decks (2 choices) are most popular with a rear plate removal for regular discharge, or a 48" deck with side discharge and flapper. Steering wheel, highback seat, no rollbar. They also support front snow blower, power broom, blade, etc. Gas models, no diesels, to my knowledge....

AND the front mounted mower deck(s) allow for them to be pulled forward and lifted up for easiest blade change and cleaning of deck underside. Check out the link below.

They run about 5-7K $, from what I've seen so far on price. R322 model, and others.

Video link, showing all uses:Riding Lawn Mowers - Mower and accessories, reviews, buying guide and comparison charts Husqvarna

 

[LD1]

A 10 degree slope is nothing. And something only rated for such wouldn't be considered a steep slope mower IMO.

My pond bank is roughly 24-25 degrees. And a few areas that hit 30. I have 2" spacers on my l3400 and it is dicey. It is no problem at all with my 61" ztr. Which is pretty similar platform for most other commercial grade mowers. My scag wildcat is almost identical in dimensions to dad's bobcat zt223

 

[Coyote machine]

All I know is the specs: 'drive system safety limit slopes: 10 degrees', BUT everyone who has done a review of the machines says they are mountain goats and never slip, even on wet grass....

See the video link for actual slope climbing.

 

[gladehound]

I don't think the published safety limit for slopes means much. I don't know how it is tested or if it is even tested the same way for different manufacturers. If I recall correctly, my laser Z is rated for 15 degree slopes (I think this means you can drive like a brainless idiot on a 15 degree slope). However, I have one bank that starts around 20 degrees at one end and goes to about 30 degrees at the other end (corrected on edit after measuring the slopes) and the Laser Z laughs at the ~20 degrees (can do it wet without slipping as long as you are smooth on the controls). The 30 degree side can be tricky but the Laser Z sticks just fine in the dry. It will slide when wet at this pitch. Keep in mind the 30 degrees has to be mowed side slope or front wheels down with the Laser Z. It cannot go up this slope forward because the fronts come off the ground as soon as you start pointing the nose up the hill. Basically, it can turn on and back up stuff that it can't go up forwards without flipping over, that's how good the traction is.

This is all OEM turf tires.

The bank is only 3-4 feet high so it's a good place to explore the limits, no long scary ride if it slips.

At the place where I work, the lawn service uses a Laser Z to mow a 30 foot high man made bank that goes around the property. They mow it side slope. Previously, I have only seen this slope mowed with a special mower that has hydraulics to make it lean into the hill, or with a walk behind. I would guess this slope is about 30 degrees. Don't know if they are using bar tires or not.

All this said, I know there are mowers that are specifically designed for steep slopes and I'm sure they are much better in this environment than the Laser Z. My point is simply that some ZTRs are very good on hills and the Laser Z is and example of one that is.

 

[gladehound]

Incidentally, I just looked up the slope rating for my old Toro 420Z which is absolutely horrible on slopes and it is also rated at 15 degrees. So now I really think that rating is meaningless.