Increase efficiency, profits, and safety

We all know that the earth is not flat. It is likely that your property doesn’t have a single, gentle slope. It is not your business to mow and/or maintain terrain with a constant slope or pitch.

It is important to be aware of the dangers involved in mowing steep slopes. This article will give you some tips, ideas, dos and don’ts, as well as best practices, for safely mowing steep slopes.

Measure up your hill and you

Assess the steepness of any slopes that you will be tackling. Is the slope too steep for you and your equipment? Are there any obstacles such as rocks or difficult vegetation? What about ruts and stumps? Is the weather suitable for this type of work?

Please continue reading if you decide to “climb” the mountain after making an honest and thorough assessment of your situation and ability.

To ride, push or remote-operate

We are Robotlawnsmower. We design, engineer, and manufacture Remote-Operated Robotic Mowers capable of safely and effectively mowing any steep slope. We know, however, that not everyone who reads this article is a landscape contractor or municipality with the financial resources to buy commercial grade equipment. We know that there are steep hills that need to be mowed.

Wear stable shoes with good traction and eye protection if necessary.

Push it

You’ve probably used a push-mower to tackle steep slopes. Make sure that it is running smoothly and has enough gas. The most efficient self-propelled mower is one with large wheels and good traction. Push mowers are heavier and easier to maneuver than riding mowers, but they also require more work. Electric mowers are the most lightweight and easy to handle.

You want to have the least amount possible of resistance when you are navigating steep slopes.

Always push mow the hillside side to side when pushing mowing. Instead of marching up the hill, traverse the slope by moving side-to-side. Mowing from side to side is safer and easier. You use less energy by plodding up the hill and then crashing down. A sideways cut is safer, as a mower cannot roll backwards. Use a slight vertical angle when cutting side-to-side. It helps you to control the mower, and keeps you in balance.

Some people have recommended using a rope and harness tied to an anchor when pushing-mowing steep slopes. If you need a climbing rope and harness, like Sir Edmund Hillary did, then this slope is too steep to safely mow. You can call in a professional with specialized equipment. Hmmm… how about an RT Series Remote-controlled lawn mower from Robotlawnsmower.

Ride it

A riding mower may not be the best or safest choice to mow steep slopes. All too often, and in a dangerous way, rollover accidents occur. You can ride a mower on a steep slope if you are comfortable with it.

It can be difficult to stop your machine on a slope if it is not in working order. Always mow the rider up and down, not side to side, as you would a push-mower. This reduces the chances of an accident involving a metal, large machine that has sharp, spinning blades. (Is our bias showing?) It is safer to mow only downwards. You can achieve this by finding a slope that is less steep to climb and then reaching the top of the hill. From there, you will descend to your next cutting line. Empty your grass catcher often to prevent an imbalance in weight.

Remote-Operate it

We’re now talking about efficient, effective and fast. And super safe. We build the R Series Remote Operated Robotic Mower at Robotlawnsmower for steep slopes of up to 50 degrees. It can cut brush as large as 1.5 inches. These are professional, badass machines–if we do say so ourselves. You can mow your lawn if you have a gentle hill in your backyard, say 10deg-20deg. You may need to call in experts with specialized equipment, such as Robotlawnsmower remote-operated robotic mowers, if you are faced with more dangerous and loftier conditions. No one pushes and no one rides. A single operator, comfortably positioned at a distance safe from danger, joysticks their way to an attractive and risk-free outcome.

Remote-operated Robotic Mowers are time-saving, cost-saving, and worker-protecting. Click to learn more.