What is the best lawn mower for hills? 225 homeowners weigh in

What is the best lawn mower for hills?
225 homeowners weigh in

Mowing on slopes is no joke. Some hills test the resolve of even the most veteran lawn care professional. The best lawnmowers for hills make a huge difference. So, we surveyed 225 homeowners with an inclination to mow. What lawn mower did they choose to get the job done safely?

It's not easy to mow hills. They're steep. They're hazardous. Slopes make it more likely for the mower to slip or rollover. Mowing uphill places more stress on the engine and transmission of the mower. Let's look at a few of the lawnmowers homeowners said are up for the job. 
Key Takeaways: 

Key Results

# Ventrac and Steiner brands account for 33% of all votes

# Toro Super Recycler receives 11.1% of the vote

# 9.3% of survey takers said the Cub Cadet ZTS2 tackled hills best

# John Deere X300 Series claims 11.6% of the vote

Toro 21" Super Recycler Tops the List of Walk-Behind Mowers

If you've got slopes to tackle, homeowners in our survey named the Toro 21″ Super Recycler Mower one of the best mowers for hills. It has some smart features that come in handy once the ground starts getting tricky.

For starters, it runs on a 163cc Briggs & Stratton engine—plenty of power to keep charging up a hill—and its Super Recycler cutting system chops grass clippings into small pieces, making mulching more effective, so you might not have to bag as much. Every bit of efficiency you can get saves time and energy when mowing on a slope.

Toro's Personal Pace system is one of the features highlighted by survey takers. It responds to your walking pace, so the mower doesn't fight you as you go up and down a slope; it goes with you. The big rear wheels and rear-wheel-drive system provide extra traction, which is exactly what you need to keep things stable on an incline.

Though the 21-inch deck is less than ideal if you have a large yard, it may be a tool worth considering if you need to mow around trees and other obstacles. It's easy to maneuver. The aluminum deck is sturdy and is built to last.

John Deere X300 Series Lawn Tractors Receive High Praise

The John Deere X300 Series lawn tractors provide a solid ride on slopes. Stability is one of the main benefits of using a lawn tractor, such as the X300, on hilly terrain. Lawn tractors have a low center of gravity, making them less prone to tipping over.

The strong engines in these tractors can handle the extra effort required to power up a hill without bogging down or overworking the engine. The Kubota's Twin Touch™ hydrostatic transmission means you're in control and can easily adjust speed and direction.

The X300 is built on a rugged, well-balanced chassis with a wide stance. It has rear-wheel drive, too, which increases traction and offers better grip. Many homeowners noted this feature made a difference in helping them feel safe when mowing on an incline.

The John Deere X300 Series comes in several deck sizes and is worth considering if you have hilly terrain. It is stable, powerful, and easy to use — making mowing on slopes much less stressful.

Cub Cadet's ZTS2 receives the Most Votes for zero-turn mowers.

Zero-turn mowers aren't always the first choice for tackling steep hills. Many models heavily rely on the rear wheels for steering, power, and traction, but the Cub Cadet ZTS2 60" zero-turn mower provides four-wheel steering. It's stable, and homeowners noted it not only handled their large lots well but also easily handled their slopes (a couple homeowners mentioned the inclines they have to mow are about 20 degrees for reference).

While you still need to be cautious, this mower gives you more control and better contact with the ground. Another bonus is the 60-inch deck, which adds even more coverage for larger yards.

The ZTS2 is powered by a Kohler 7000 Series™ PRO engine, giving homeowners a whopping 26-horsepower machine to make light work of many hills. The thing's pretty comfortable, too, according to several respondents. The high-back seat and adjustable steering column ease strain on your back and arms.

Ventrac and Steiner Products Prove Their Value on Slopes

As for slopes and rough terrain, Ventrac and Steiner represent two of the most capable brands for handling steep inclines, according to survey takers. They're more expensive, true, but if you have serious hills and a good deal of land to mow, these two brands were constantly touted by homeowners.

Ventrac 4520

Ventrac mowers are engineered to accommodate landscape conditions for the most demanding properties—steep or hilly terrain and rough or uneven areas.

The 4520 is the flagship model—and typical of why the brand is so popular with anyone who needs to mow on serious grades. With a 30-degree slope capability, Ventrac's 4520 can tackle inclines many mowers can't handle. It's a strong machine with the agility to perform on hills and in any condition. Ventrac's FlexFrame technology allows the tractor to crawl over the toughest terrain.

A beefy 32.5 HP Kubota engine provides the torque-heavy muscle the 4520 needs to power through thick, difficult conditions. Ventrac also offers a plethora of attachments—mowing decks, snow blowers, and more—to maintain your property all year. And the available dual-wheel kit means there's not much the Ventrac can't handle.

Steiner 450

Steiner mowers are designed for tough conditions. Steiner mowers have rugged construction and excellent all-wheel drive, making them a top choice for homeowners needing to tackle steep inclines.

The 25-horsepower Kubota engine in the Steiner 450 provides excellent power for mowing. It also has an innovative four-wheel-drive system that delivers higher torque and traction on hills that most products can't match. The machine's articulated front and rear axles allow it to flex over steep and uneven terrain, providing excellent stability and balance while mowing on inclines.

An especially notable feature of the Steiner 450 is its Quick-Hitch attachment system, which lets you swap between more than 25 different attachments in little time. The 450 can mow grass, dig a trench for irrigation pipes, or remove snow – in every way, it's the perfect solution for a home with a large, mixed-use property.

Why Homeowners Say Ventrac and Steiner Are Worth the Investment

Though Ventrac's and Steiner's mowers are quite a spend, they will do things on a hill that few other lawn tractors ever can. That includes maintaining traction, stability, and control on a hill, which is why these mowers are a top pick  for hilly or ruggedly terraced properties, especially larger properties. Also, thanks to a range of attachments, maintaining your property year-round has never been easier.

The homeowners who wrote in said they have slopes up to 30 degrees and own a Ventrac or a Steiner to handle the several acres they have to mow. They noted that the hefty prices were worth the safety, dependability, and versatility these brands offer.

Quick Summary

Mowing a hill is not for the weak of heart. It is steeper, more dangerous, and just plain hard. We asked 225 owners of hillside lawns to help us find the best mowers for hills.

Homeowners with a steep slope were the quickest to recommend Ventrac and Steiner. Both are machines built for tough country, and both have two models that topped the list: the Ventrac 4520 and the Steiner 450. Both were described as the best of the best, with the best traction and stability on the steepest slopes: the Ventrac with FlexFrame technology and the Steiner with articulated axles. These are machines for serious landscapes that a normal mower alone can't tackle well.

The Toro Super Recycler topped the list, too. Respondents like its Personal Pace system, which senses your walking speed and adjusts the mower speed. The John Deere X300 Series also ranked high. Its low center of gravity and large motor help it handle the extra work required to mow uphill.

The Cub Cadet ZTS2, with its wide 60-inch deck and powerful motor, is best suited for large, steep properties, according to many who participated.

Mowing on an incline may be difficult, but the best mowers for hills certainly help. If your current mower is not built for slopes, start with this mower buying guide before you replace it. If your mower keeps struggling or breaking down on hills, here’s how to find the right repair help. If the slopes are more trouble than they are worth, compare lawn care providers near you. If you want to see the booking flow first, see how GreenPal works.