The Top 10 Riding Lawn Mowers for Hills and Two to Steer Away

 

The Top 10 Riding Lawn Mowers for Hills and Two to Steer Away

Recently, I gained a new customer for my lawn care firm. She hired us to take care of her yard for a few different things, like regular lawn cutting, weed control, and fertilizer. 

A detailed look at his huge lawn indicates that the steep, uneven terrain and enormous expanse of grass will make lawn maintenance services pricey. 

I'll need to employ a riding lawn mower developed particularly for hills for this activity because a push mower won't work for me. 

Riding lawn mowers are loaded with numerous wonderful features and are available in various deck sizes.  This covers characteristics like front- or rear-wheel drive, excellent traction, soft-touch steering, and robust engines like a Briggs & Stratton engine. The majority of riding lawn mowers do exceptionally well in leaving velvet-like manicured grass. 

However, this does not imply that every yard and its owner are a suitable fit for every riding lawn mower. Tall grass, moist grass, and overgrown grass are examples of tough mowing settings that certain riding mowers are intended to tackle. Some are more successful at cutting grass on uneven or sloping land.

I put more than twenty riding lawn mowers through their paces in hills to test how effectively they cut, how well they finished, and how comfortable the operator would be. These are the best five riding lawn mowers for hills, based on my full investigation. 

In a hurry? These are the ones that I propose. If you'd like more specifics on each, though, continue reading.

  • Husqvarna riding mowers are the best for slopes.
  • The Ryobi Electric Riding Mower is the Best Battery-Powered Lawnmower for Hills.
  • The Toro Zero-Turn Mower is the Best Zero-Turn Mower for Hills.
Table of Contents

For Hills, the Best Riding Lawn Mower

1. The X500 Select Series by John Deere

The leading American maker of lawn care equipment, forestry equipment, riding mowers, and agricultural gear is John Deere.  

The X500 Select Series is the finest riding lawn mower created by John Deere.  How do you ask? To begin with, the series is provided in a number of deck sizes, such as 48 and 58 inches. 

The X500 Series also sports an FS730V engine and a 24 horsepower (17.9 kW) iTorque power system. They also boast unequaled power and a performance-delivering V-twin air-cooled design.

One of the greatest riding lawn mowers for hills is the X500 Select Series, which has no issue ascending steep inclines. 

The 24×9.5-12 turf tires that come with the John Deere X500 mower give exceptional traction on uneven and tough terrain. They have a transaxle paired with a K72 hydrostatic transmission. 

They come with a 4-year/500-hour bumper-to-bumper guarantee for added peace of mind. 

Advantages:

  • 24 hp (16.9 kW) iTorque power system
  • V-twin air-cooled design
  • 24×9.5-12 turf tires
  • K72 hydrostatic integrated with transaxle
  • 4-year/500-hour bumper-to-bumper warranty

Drawbacks

  • Limited to 1 color option

2. Quest E-Series Exmark

With an array of cutting-edge innovations, the Exmark Quest E-Series lawn mowers are unparalleled in their capabilities. With them, you can go at 7 mph and mow 2.8 acres per hour. 

Additionally, the Quest brand of riding lawn mowers offers zero-turn functionality. This suggests that there is basically no turning radius. 

In addition to being more fuel-efficient, Exmark lawn mowers require less gasoline to cut your grass. The suspension system joins the floating decks of the Exmark Quest E-Series to the frame, letting them adjust to uneven terrain and bumps with ease. 

Not only that, but the Exmark Quest mowers are equipped with a powerful 22-horsepower Kohler engine and come with cutting decks that measure 42 and 50 inches. 

The Exmark Quest lawn mower boasts a huge 3-gallon gasoline tank, so you won't have to waste time filling it up.

Furthermore, the Exmark Quest Series contains tires built for professional use that give greater handling and higher grip. 

Two Hydro-Gear ZT-2100 hydrostatic transmissions and operator presence controls are provided with these Exmark riding lawn mowers. 

Advantages:

  • Two Hydro-Gear ZT-2100 hydrostatic transmissions
  • 3-gallon fuel tank
  • Commercial-grade tires 
  • 2.8 acres per hour, and travel at 7 mph.
  • Available in 42-inch and 50-inch cutting deck sizes
  • Floating decks 

Three. Maverick the Bad Boy Riding Lawn Mower for Hills

The company's distinctive EZ-ride technology is included in the Bad Boy Maverick riding lawn mower for hills, which is advertised as the first commercial-grade mower with an integrated drive system.

It boasts various modifications over its predecessor, which together give a smoother-riding vehicle and a better-kept lawn. 

New front forks and a luxuriously padded seat are two of several changes that make long-distance riding pleasurable. The Hydro-Gear 3200 Series integrated drive system drives the sturdy, all-steel, all-welded chassis of the Bay Boy Maverick riding lawn mower. 

Its independent front and rear suspension systems make cutting on uneven terrain straightforward. 

One of three engines drives the Bad Boy Maverick lawnmower:

  • Kohler Trusted ZT740, 747cc, 25 horsepower
  • FS730 Kawasaki 726cc, 24 horsepower, or
  • 810cc, 27hp Briggs CXI27

Besides that, it includes a deck lift pedal with a deck dial adjustment mechanism and spindles that require no maintenance. The Bad Boy Mower is a serious rival for a home-riding lawn mower for hills that demonstrates features found in professional equipment. 

Advantages:

  • Three types of engines are available.
  • New front forks and plush padded seat
  • Maintenance-free spindles, deck lift, and deck dial adjustment
  • Hydro-Gear 3200 Series integrated drive system
  • Patented EZ-ride system

Drawbacks

  • Lacks control dashboard

4. For slopes, Cub Cadet Riding Mowers

There is a huge assortment of riding lawn mowers from Cub Cadet.  When it comes to mowing grass on slopes and undulating terrain, most models do very well. 

The one-stacked deck of the Cub Cadet lawn mowers is comprised of stamped and machined components.  They are created utilizing the most contemporary electronic fuel-injected (EFI) technology, which cuts fuel consumption by more than 25%. 

Comfort-grip steering, adjustable seating, and better ergonomics are all aspects of Cub Cadet lawn mowers, which are designed to deliver both great performance and optimum comfort. 

They feature delicate handling and automotive-grade corrosion resistance, which safeguards the equipment from abrasion. 

The Kohler 7000 Series twin-cylinder engines, which have received multiple honors, power the majority of Cub Cadet riding lawn mowers, if not all of them. As a consequence, you may anticipate great performance on the job site. 

A 3-year guarantee with no hour restriction protects them against any product faults. 

Advantages:

  • Electronic fuel-injected technology (EFI)
  • Adjustable seating, comfort-grip steering, and excellent ergonomics
  • Kohler 7000 Series twin-cylinder engines
  • Automotive-grade corrosion resistance
  • One stacked deck

Drawbacks

  • A 3-year warranty is a bit less compared to the competition.
Also Read : The 5 Best Electric Riding Lawn Mowers

5. Riding Mowers for Hills, Made by Husqvarna

Another well-known brand in the lawn and garden equipment market is Husqvarna, which sells a range of mowers. Great features are featured in their gas-powered variants, and some even include an automatic transmission and 20-inch heavy-duty tires. 

With its strong performance and unequaled features, the Husqvarna TS 354XD riding lawn mower is the finest in its category.

It is hidden away quietly in a robust frame composed of bolted steel that is 11-gauge and coated to prevent corrosion. In addition, the Husqvarna TS 354XD's hood is composed of solid steel, which greatly decreases paint fading in contrast to plastic.

With its wide, extra-thick luxury steering wheel, the Husqvarna TS 354XD lawn mower for hills stands out from the bulk of other models in this category. For increased ergonomics, the interior surface is velvety to the touch. 

A handy cruise control system that helps the user sustain a constant pace throughout undulating and mountainous terrain is another addition to its broad range of features. In order to prevent having to open the engine hood to fill up with gasoline, there is also a durable brush guard up front and an easily accessible fuel cap. 

The dazzling LED headlights that come standard on the Husqvarna TS 354XD lawn mower enable you to utilize the equipment in poor light.

Included with it is a two-cylinder Kawasaki engine that operates on pressure and has an oil pump and filter, as well as a cutting deck made of reinforced steel that is produced using ClearCut for optimal durability. 

The high-back seat and armrests of the Husqvarna TS 354XD lawn mower give extra comfort and support during mowing.

The Husqvarna TS 354XD riding lawn mower includes several significant features, such as an electronic locking differential and a deluxe gauge set with ammeter and hour meter displays. 

Advantages:

  • Two-cylinder Kawasaki engine with an oil pump and oil filter
  • ClearCut fabricated cutting deck
  • High back seat and armrests
  • Deluxe gauge package
  • Oversized, extra-thick deluxe steering wheel

Drawbacks

  • Doesn’t come with cupholders 

6. Handmade Riding Mowers for Elevations

After using it a few times, I can vouch for the Craftsman lawn mower my neighbor just purchased for its great performance and sturdiness. Craftsman lawn mowers are very competitively priced, have a robust structure, and don't scrimp on vital features. 

One of the company's best-selling models, the Craftsman TURNTIGHT riding lawn mower, features a 42-inch cutting path. It sports a foot pedal hydrostatic transmission for smooth riding and a 19.5 HP Kohler single-cylinder engine. 

With its 42-inch stamped steel deck, the TurnTight lawn mower from Craftsman is intended to offer ideal cuts, enabling users to mow up to 1-1/2 acres of grass. 

Superior comfort is provided by the Craftsman TurnTight's cut-and-sew high back seat and soft-touch steering wheel. In addition, a brush guard and shock-absorbing front-end protection defend the machine from dents and scratches. 

There are 12 mowing height settings available for the Craftsman TurnTight lawn mower, which also includes a 3-gallon fuel tank. An outstanding 3-year warranty against any manufacturing problems covers it. 

  • 19.5 HP Kohler, single-cylinder engine
  • Foot pedal hydrostatic transmission for smooth riding
  • Shock-absorbing frontend protection with a brush guard
  • 3-gallon fuel tank
  • 3-year manufacturer warranty

Drawbacks

  • Lacks steering wheel cover

7. Riding lawn mowers from Remington

There are two riding lawn mower versions offered from Remington: a 38-inch model and a 42-inch one. Both versions offer features, including mulching and bagging capabilities. 

With its CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission), commonly known as an automated transmission, the Remington 42-inch riding lawn tractor merely requires you to pedal to operate. 

It boasts a robust Remington 420-cc engine and quick tool-free deck removal. The 42-inch riding lawn mower from Remington offers a deck wash option as well, and it assembles swiftly. 

Bright LED lighting and a cup holder are just two of the user-friendly features of the 38-inch Remington mower. It is powered by a Remington 420cc engine and features a 7-speed transmission. 

The Remington 38- and 42-inch lawn mowers come with a two-year warranty that covers any manufacturing problems. 

  • There are two slicing depths to choose from.
  • Automatic and 7-speed transmissions are available.
  • Cup holder and LED headlights
  • Bagging and mulching capabilities
  • 2-year manufacturer warranty

Drawbacks

  • A 2-year warranty seems a bit less compared to the competition.

8. For hills, Troy-Bilt Riding Lawn Mower

Although Troy-Bilt provides a large assortment of mowers for slopes, the Pony 42-inch model hits the optimum balance. If your lawn is bigger, you may upgrade to the 46-inch Bronco, which boasts a 541-cc Kohler engine that is the greatest in its class. 

In addition to being a stunner, the Troy-Bilt Pony 42 boasts a ton of high-end conveniences, including a durable and trustworthy 42-inch steel deck.

Being one of the few riding lawn mowers with a step-through frame, it provides effortless access for users of all heights.

The strong 500-cc Briggs & Stratton engine of the Troy-Bilt Pony 42 lawn mower for hills is intended to deliver loads of power, making it simple to manage overgrown grass. 

It boasts the company's revolutionary 7-speed shift-on-the-go gearbox, which automatically adapts the speed to meet your demands.

With an 18-inch turning radius, the Pony 42 makes it simple to navigate around impediments in your lawn. It has a limited manufacturer warranty and a dash panel control.

  • 18-inch turning radius
  • 500-cc Kohler engine
  • 42-inch steel deck
  • 7-speed shift-on-the-go transmission
  • Dash control panel

Drawbacks

  • Warranty information is unavailable.
Also Read : 5 Ways to Increase a Lawn Mower's Speed

9. The finest battery-powered riding mower for slopes is the Ryobi electric riding mower.

In the riding lawnmower market, there aren't many electric models available, such as the Ryobi battery-powered variety. With a streamlined design, it can work for up to 2.5 hours or cover up to 2.5 acres on a single charge. 

Since the battery-powered Ryobi mower doesn't require belts, spark plugs, filters, or gas fill-ups, it's a low-maintenance model. It contains three robust brushless motors that work together to generate power equivalent to that of gas. 

Furthermore, the Ryobi electric riding mower barely emits a whispery sound when in operation and offers cruise control. This mower is flexible as it has the capacity to mulch, discharge, and bag in addition to having an adjustable 12-position manual deck. 

The Ryobi is a battery-powered mower, although despite this, it can mow a 38-inch cutting swath and run pretty fast—7 mph. A three-year manufacturing guarantee is included with this electric riding mower for slopes. 

  • 2.5 hours of runtime/up to 2.5 acres per charge
  • 3 brushless motors
  • 12-position manual deck
  • 7 mph  
  • 38-inch cutting swath
  • 3-year manufacturer warranty

Drawbacks

  • Bags are not included.

10. The finest zero-turn mower for hills is the Toro zero-turn mower.

Homeowners are utilizing zero-turn mowers more regularly, and Toro has a vast assortment of models. Because the MyRide comfort technology is included in the mower, Toro zero-turn mowers are a fantastic alternative for hilly terrain. Make sure you are aware of the best techniques to mow hills and slopes with a zero-turn mower.

A suspended, totally floating operator platform with adjustable front and rear shocks is part of this suspension system, absorbing the bumps so your body doesn't have to. 

Additionally, the IronForged decks on Toro zero-turn mowers are comprised of reinforced deck shells and 10-gauge high-strength steel. Bulletproof material belts and 6-inch spindles are put on the deck shell. 

Despite being developed for commercial usage, Toro zero-turn mowers are a great alternative for home lawns. You may be sure that there is a model to fulfill your expectations because the business supplies 33 riding mowers in all. 

Cutting widths for these mowers reach up to 60 inches. Large, robust, and capable of zero-turn mowers, the Toro Titan Max is made with commercial-grade components, including G-force-producing hydros. 

It sports robust, hyper-styled, two-tone aluminum alloy wheels with integrated LED light bars. Cup holders, storage areas, and a pro-control damper system are featured with the Toro Titan zero-turn mower. 

  • Suspended, full-floating rear and front shock-adjustable operator platform
  • 33 models are available in up to 60-inch cutting widths.
  • Bulletproof-grade 6-inch spindles and belts
  • LED light bars
  • Rugged, hyper-styled, two-toned aluminum alloy wheels

Drawbacks

  • The seat doesn’t have extra padding 

Avoid these two riding lawn mowers.

Since not every riding lawnmower is manufactured similarly, there are lots of inferior models out there that you should avoid. 

There are no special brands of mowers to mention, but even if a mower has a lot of comfort features, you should stay away from mowers that are manufactured with low-quality materials, including drive tires. 

Because you'll be cutting grass on a slope, engine power is vitally crucial, although the bulk of poor models only deliver mediocre horsepower. 

See my opinion of the best and worst brands of lawn mowers, depending on the conditions.

Buying Guide for Riding Mowers in Hills: Features I Considered When Selecting the Best Mower for Hills

Riding mowers are expensive equipment, so here are some things to think about when purchasing the perfect model for your purposes. 

Cutting Width 

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when selecting a riding tractor for hills or even downhill roads is to acquire a mower with an improper cutting width. 

The good news is that there are an abundance of alternatives available on the market for cutting widths; yet, picking the right one for your lawn might be difficult. 

Though it's not always the ideal decision, many consumers prefer the widest cutting width that's provided, such as a 46-inch cutting deck.

Although it is crucial to remember that fewer passes are necessary to mow a bigger lawn, smaller lawns, such as hilly, uneven, and flat lawns, are not ideal for broader cutting decks. 

Measuring the size of your lawn should be your first step in picking the proper cutting width, but I also propose the following:

  • Little grass: 34 inches
  • 35–40 inches for medium-sized lawns
  • Big lawns: 40 inches and up

Kind of Hill Riding Mower

For slopes, there should ideally be two distinct kinds of riding lawnmowers available:

  • An automated lawn mower
  • An average riding mower.

Because of the unique technology, zero-turn mowers are normally a little more expensive than regular models, but they are an ideal alternative for lawns that have curves or that are littered with trees, bushes, and flower beds. 

Riding Mowers' Power for Hills

There are two power options to choose from: a gas-powered lawn mower and a battery-powered mower, comparable to the sort of mowers for hills. The best choice for huge lawns with hills (at least 1/3 of an acre) is to acquire a gas-powered mower. 

Delivery of a Riding Mower for the Hills

Hill-specific transmissions exist in two varieties: manual and automatic. Both sorts of gearboxes work in a way analogous to that of a car's transmission. 

The Riding Mower Engine for Hills

The engine, which is measured in horsepower (HP) and affects the mower model's speed, provides more power when the number is higher.

A Riding Lawn Mower's Ability to Mulch and Bag

You may mulch and scatter the grass pieces in your lawn or bag the grass clippings using the majority, if not all, of the mowers on my list of the best riding mowers for hills. 

Riding Lawn Mowers and Lawn Tractors' Comfort Features

Numerous comfort components, such as rubber foot pedals, a high back seat and armrests, a cup holder, and much more, are incorporated with riding mowers for slopes. 

Final Reflections 

You have various possibilities while seeking the greatest riding lawn mower for hills.  The Johen Deere X500 Select Series lawn mowers are my top choice and the greatest riding lawn mower for hills. To make your choices easier, I've also included a list of electric lawn mowers for hills, riding mowers to avoid, and extensive purchase tips. 

Also Read : 12 Lawn Mower Brands to Steer Clear of (and What to Pick Instead)

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