How To Safely Mow On A Slope

When you think about potential hazards that can come up while mowing, your mind most likely jumps to things like sticks or rocks that can do harm to your mower's blades if not cleared out of the way. However, those are not the only potential problems you should be on the lookout for. Slopes can cause a dangerous loss of traction and stability, especially if you are using a riding mower. In order to help you safely mow on slopes, follow these tips from the mowing experts at Tractor Bob’s.

Get The Right Mower

If you are looking at models and know that you will be mowing a lot of slopes, shop with that in mind. A zero-turn mower or lawn tractor with traction-supporting features such as a differential locking option on the wheels or a low profile will be much less likely to tip over, so look for these features. If the model you are looking at doesn’t have these features, determine if the manufacturer offers the option of adding them via accessories.  

Understand The Model

Operation Tips

As always, the best way to ensure safety is to understand your model, and the best way to understand your model is by reading the owner’s manual. Your manual will have all kinds of important safety information, slope related and otherwise, so familiarize yourself with its contents. Also, keep in mind that some slopes are simply too steep to mow, so keep your model’s limits in mind. 

Reduce Risks

Remove Obstacles

While you should be removing obstacles like sticks and rocks from your mower’s path whether you are mowing on a slope or on flat land, removing these obstructions will reduce the chances that your mower will tip over. 

Avoid Mowing Extremely Wet Or Dry Grass

When grass is too wet or too dry, it can be difficult for your mower to get traction. If conditions are not right, consider mowing another day or doing everything except the slopes and coming back later. 

Use Best Practices When Mowing On A Slope

When mowing on a hill, you should always go slow so that you can maintain control and give yourself extra time to react to obstacles. Trying to mow a hill side-to-side makes it more likely to tip over, so tackle the slope up and down. You should avoid starting, stopping, and turning on the slope if possible. Instead, save these actions for higher ground. 

To view our selection of lawn mower models, visit Tractor Bob’s at our dealerships in Oklahoma City and Yukon, Oklahoma. We also have financing and servicing departments, so visit us for all your tractor and mower needs. We hope to see you soon!