Zero turn owners have all been there when it comes to hills. My property is hilly. The government mandates that ZT makers post charts in their manuals showing 18 degrees as the max. I'm sure everyone of us have pushed that. Some a little, some a lot. Personally, I have one slope that's probably around 20 degrees that I am very comfortable mowing sideways. I have another that approaches 30 degrees that I mow by driving straight up, and then slowly backing down. In our quest for efficiency, many ZT operators have become very proficient at maneuvering their machines on slopes as great as 45 degrees. Some have gotten seriously hurt trying, and a few haven't lived through it at all. Front brakes have been invented, which apparently work very well. Others have even fabricated locks that keep the front casters from swiveling. Still others have made a foot pedal with a linkage to the parking brake to stop the back wheels if an out-of-control situation should arise. This of course kills the engine, unless the parking brake wiring is defeated. I'm curious to hear some thoughts and ideas here. Obviously, the safest approach would be not to attempt steeper grades at all, especially if you're the least bit uncomfortable trying. Then again, he who is leary of trying is likely to be more cautious than the guy that wants to impress his friends with a "Hey, watch this!" As I said at the beginning, those of us that use our machines for their intended purpose of mowing, and not trickery, all know of some hilly situations that we would love to be able to safely conquer.
Mowing Zero Turn on hills
- Thread starter feetr2c
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Gale Hawkins
Super Member
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2009
- Messages
- 8,262
- Location
- Murray, KY
- Tractor
- 1948 Allis Chambers Model B 1976 265 MF / 1983 JD 310B Backhoe / 1966 Ford 3000 Diesel / 1980 3600 Diesel
I find when I loose traction on our bank gravity takes the mower to the side ditch. If they only had front wheel steering. 
However vs the old Snapper that would flip the ZTM is more safe.
However vs the old Snapper that would flip the ZTM is more safe.
Birdhunter1
Veteran Member
Bar tread tires (chevron pattern) help quite a bit, filling them with water helps alot more.
Gale Hawkins
Super Member
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2009
- Messages
- 8,262
- Location
- Murray, KY
- Tractor
- 1948 Allis Chambers Model B 1976 265 MF / 1983 JD 310B Backhoe / 1966 Ford 3000 Diesel / 1980 3600 Diesel
Since the liquid that was in the old tractor (now in the new 16.9-28 tires) froze when I tested it after the fact I am going to have about 25 gallons removed from each tire and replaced with alcohol so I may have the guy to the ZTM at the same time unless it may cause us to get stuck in soft places.
Are you referring to these?
These are a 2 Ply made by Hi-run. Amazon has them for 80 clams.
Birdhunter1
Veteran Member
Yes those are the tires I was speaking of. If you turn in a "K" type pattern and not a true zero spin you end up with less wheel slippage and less turf damage than if you had been using turf tires.
Zero turns get stuck easily, now way around it. Lug tires (Chevron pattern) help in some instances and just bury you deeper in other spots, but they help on hills (dry or soft) tremendously. Even with Chevron tires they aren't mud bog rated.
Zero turns get stuck easily, now way around it. Lug tires (Chevron pattern) help in some instances and just bury you deeper in other spots, but they help on hills (dry or soft) tremendously. Even with Chevron tires they aren't mud bog rated.
Seems like loading the tire on a Zero might void the warranty on the transmissions, assuming a new machine like mine. That's a lot of weight to add to the machine. They told me not to put a hitch on and tow with the mower because of that. Also wouldn't that rust the rims out?
Birdhunter1
Veteran Member
I am going to use RV antifreeze in a tube in mine when I get around to finally doing it. Calcium chloride yes would rust them out eventually.
I was told by an Exmark dealer that would likely void the warranty as well. I have a Grasshopper long past warranty.
I was told by an Exmark dealer that would likely void the warranty as well. I have a Grasshopper long past warranty.
RG1
Platinum Member
Carlisle AT 101's come in the exact sizes most ZTR's require. I have a friend in Oz that is a commercial cutter. He has used the AT 101's on a couple of his SZ's now, and believe me, he cuts some steep stuff! He used to have videos on his channel showing him cutting some of them. I'd be white knuckling it on many of them.
As for the 18 degree thing, not correct. My manuals for my commercial grade JD's specify 20 degrees as do several other manu's. Some brands say 15, but that is not that steep of an angle really. 20 is starting to push it for come what may conditions.
http://www.carlisletransportationproducts.com/product/tires/lawn-garden-golf/at101-chevron
As for the 18 degree thing, not correct. My manuals for my commercial grade JD's specify 20 degrees as do several other manu's. Some brands say 15, but that is not that steep of an angle really. 20 is starting to push it for come what may conditions.
http://www.carlisletransportationproducts.com/product/tires/lawn-garden-golf/at101-chevron