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Well, apparently you live in a hilly terrain and your yard/garden needs frequent mowing. Choosing the perfect mower for hills is difficult.
If you choose the wrong mower which is not suitable for hilly areas, you have to suffer a lot in long run.
As riding mower is an expensive item, you should pick the right one after extensive research.
Worry not!
I have done that “extensive research” for you and picked 3 best zero turn mower for hills.
Just read on this in-depth buying guide and pick the most suitable mower for your garden.
Why Zero Turn Mower is a “Must” for Hills?
Riding lawn mowers or lawn tractors are life savers.
You no longer need to spend several hours pushing the mower to keep your extra-large lawn neat.
However, You also need to consider the surface structure of your garden to pick the right one. Not every riding mower is good for all types of terrain.
While most of the mowers work great in flat terrain, some are specialized to work in hilly steep surface.
Zero turn mowers are the best choice for hilly landscape as they don’t take extra space for turning around.
Best Zero Turn Mower for Hills 2019
With so many options out there, choosing the best one can be confusing and overwhelming.
This article will introduce you to the top 3 best ZTR mowers for hills in 2018, as well as their pros and cons to bring you several steps closer to finally making a purchase.
Husqvarna Z246 23HP 747cc Kohler Confidant Engine 46″ Z-Turn Mower (Best Budget)
Capacity:
2.4 acres/hr
Cutting Width:
46 inch
Engine Power:
23HP
Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Transmission:
Hydrostatic
Cutting Height:
1.4″ – 4″ Inch
Fuel Tank:
3.5 Gal (US)
Warranty:
Limited 3 Years
Husqvarna is known for producing superior quality riding lawn mowers. This model is also one of the best budget options. Husqvarna 967844501 model offers easy maneuverability and a smooth ride.
Equipped with 23 HP/747cc Kohler Confidant KT730 4-Cycle OHV engine, this mini beast can mow 2.4 acres/hr with a max speed of 6.5 mph.
Husqvarna 967844501 has a 46-inch reinforced stamped steel 2-blade cutting deck which is 13 gauge thick. It ensures highest possible durability and strength to mow in the most difficult terrain.
It has air induction mowing technology that allows improved grass lift which and delivers a high-caliber cut. As it gives more airflow in the deck, you will get a clean and consistent cut each time you mow the lawn.
The hydro-gear transmission system ensures smooth maneuvering along the slope.
This tractor is easy to operate and it also has reverse mowing capability, however, you need to be careful while mow in reserve.
You will also enjoy its versatility for sure. Using this machine is definitely comfortable and smooth. Overall, this model gets the job done perfectly with a little fun.
Positives:
- Effective air cooling system to prevent overheating
- One of the lightweight heavy duty mowers for hills
- Comfortable vinyl seat with spring
Negatives:
- Manual hand operated deck lifting system
- Comes with only 3 years limited homeowners warranty
Poulan Pro P46ZX Briggs V-Twin Pro 22 HP Cutting Deck Zero Turn Radius Riding Mower, 46-Inch
Capacity:
2.4 acres/hr
Cutting Width:
46 inch
Engine Power:
22HP
Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Transmission:
Hydrostatic
Cutting Height:
1.5″ – 4″ Inch
Fuel Tank:
3.5 Gal
Warranty:
Limited 3 Years
This Poulan ProP46ZX zero turn mower comes with a powerful 22 Horsepower Briggs V-Twin pro engine.
It features a 46-inch stamped reinforced cutting deck which is covered by 10 years warranty!
It has a 15″ high rear seat, electric clutch blade engagement, and a dual wheel hydro transmission that ensure maximum comfortable and precise maneuvering. You can also mow in reverse with this mower.
You will notice that Poulan Pro focused on ensuring high level of maneuverability for this model. The zero turn feature allows the driver to skim around obstacles like trees easily. It also cuts the time of mowing significantly.
Poulan Pro P46ZX also comes with a digital hour meter, 4 different types of rollers and foam padded dual levers.
This mower is easy to clean and store. It features improved control, and low fuel consumption. People who want a comfortable and durable mower for hills may find this model the best choice in terms of quality and budget.
This model is built with durable materials to make it last for years. Moreover, they offer 3 years of warranty for the mower.
Positives:
- Amazing small radius turn capability
- Lightweight yet powerful for home use
- Comes with some cool addons like tow, cup holder, and water hose connector
- Equipped with anti-scalp deck wheels to prevent damaging your yard
Negatives:
- It’s an expensive mower
- Assembling can be difficult for new users
Ariens Zoom 34 – 19hp Kohler 6000 Series V-Twin 34″ Zero Turn Lawn Mower
Capacity:
2.2 acres/hr
Cutting Width:
34 inch
Engine Power:
19HP
Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Transmission:
Hydrostatic
Cutting Height:
1.5″ – 4.5″ Inch
Fuel Tank:
2 Gal
Warranty:
Limited 3 Years
The Ariens Zoom 34 is another great mid-range Ariens product which is great for small and tight space. This mower offers easy maneuverability with zero degree turning radius and has a nice design and color that can compliment your garden. With 12-Gauge l34″ steel stamped deck and 2 Spindles EZT Transaxlesit, it will give you the quality cutting results.
Ariens Zoom 34 is operated by a powerful Kohler 6000 Series 19HP/660 cc v-twin engine to keep its performance exceptional. Another good thing about this model is that it has electric start system. The dual EZT transmission will make your mowing experience comfortable.
With 7 point deck height positions ranging from 1.5″-4.5″, this ZTR mower will allow you get desired cut height. By adding the trailer hitch kit you can turn this mower a multitasking machine for your yard.
Moreover, the mid-back padded seat of Ariens Zoom 34 is ergonomically-designed to make mowing more fun and less tiring.
Positives:
- Best mower for compact yard with obstacles
- Compatible with grass mulching kit, arm rest, trailer hitch (sold separately)
- 7 deck positions
- Quick mowing with 6 mph forward and 3 mph reverse
Negatives:
- Foot-operated deck lift
- Only 2 gallons of fuel capacity
- Not CARB compliant
How Zero Turn Mowers Work?
Zero turn mowers use their rear wheels to turn instead of front wheel. This subtle difference plays a huge impact on the space required for turning around. They can turn on their own trajectory.
These mower take no extra space for making turns which is very important for mowing on a hilly surface. With these type mowers, you can easily mow along the slopes.
5 Criteria for Choosing the Best ZTR mower for Hills
1. Easy Driving
As you need to drive your mower in a hilly terrain, the driving and controlling should be easy enough.
Always pick a mower which is easy to handle. You will need steady and accurate steer control.
Focus on steering control instead of speed. A high speedy mower in a hill isn’t a good idea at all.
2. Determination of the Slope
Determining the the degree of the slope is one of the most important factors to consider before making the buying decision.
Typically a zero turn mower can mow up to 15 degree slope.
However, it’s always recommended to keep it under 10 degree. You may use a clinometer/pitch indicator to determine the degree of the slope. Alternatively, you can also use a clinometer app in your android or iPhone device.
3. Safety & Security
Mowing in a hilly area requires proper safety precautions.
Ideally, zero turn mowers should have built in general safety measurements like safety belts and roll bar systems. However, you should also look for advance safety features like accurate steering option, slow speed capability etc.
Tires are another important safety feature for a mower for hilly area.
Good quality tires will give you stronger grips and precise control which is a must to ensure maximum security.
4. After Sales Service, Warranty & Return Policy
Most of the buyers miss this crucial factor before buying a mower.
As said before, mowers are expensive. Both for homeowners and professionals, it important to choose a mower brand that provides quality after sales service.
It will be a huge burden for you, if your mower brand doesn’t have an established after sales care service.
Lawn mowers are considered as a heavy machine and with proper care they can last for more than 12+ years.
You should also carefully check the warranty and return policy of the brand. Most of the brands accept return within 30 days. Some brands offer few years of warranty too.
5. Additional Attachments (Do you even need them?)
Riding mower is a versatile equipment for your yard.
Several mowers come with additional attachment of different other use. These attachments (leaf vacuum, brush, snow plow, dump cart, sweeper) may help you to get a range of different job done.
However, they will obviously increase the overall price of the mower.
If you don’t need extra attachments for different uses, you should pick a basic mower. It will help you to keep the budget down.
Conclusion
There are plenty of zero turn lawn mower options available in the market. The 3 best ZTR mower for hills discussed in this article are equipped with the most useful features for mowing in the hilly areas. Once you know what you want in a zero turn mower, you can simply choose from the list above and finally make the best purchase decision.
