Export thread

Need help choosing a strong pulling self propelled mower ...

#1

D

dave27614

Howdy folks,
I recently moved from a home with .3 acres to one with 1.4 acres. Maybe a bit over .5 acres on the new lot is grass and my old electric isn't going to "cut" it anymore.

Even though a big riding mower seems like overkill to me, I'd probably get one if I didn't have about a 200' long stretch at the front that's fairly steep (maybe too steep for a rider).

I actually did purchase a Toro 20332 (with the personal pace system) and it wouldn't pull itself out of a wet paper bag. So back it went.

I know the big, wide walk behinds pull their own weight, but is there a 21,22,23" cut mower (just a regular self propelled) that will strongly pull itself up a 25 - 30 degree slope?

Thx for the assist.


#2

B

benski

The Honda Commercial mowers will do it.:eek: I've also had pretty good luck with my cub cadet, 5-speed self-propelled with the Kawasaki engine. They are available used in the $200.00 range. If money isn't an issue, take a look at the Ventrac mowers. They'll do a 30* slope up and down, and across!


#3

JDgreen

JDgreen

dave27614 said:
Howdy folks,
I recently moved from a home with .3 acres to one with 1.4 acres. Maybe a bit over .5 acres on the new lot is grass and my old electric isn't going to "cut" it anymore.

Even though a big riding mower seems like overkill to me, I'd probably get one if I didn't have about a 200' long stretch at the front that's fairly steep (maybe too steep for a rider).

I actually did purchase a Toro 20332 (with the personal pace system) and it wouldn't pull itself out of a wet paper bag. So back it went.

I know the big, wide walk behinds pull their own weight, but is there a 21,22,23" cut mower (just a regular self propelled) that will strongly pull itself up a 25 - 30 degree slope?

Thx for the assist.
Click to expand...

How big (square footage) is the slope? That is STEEP, 25 to 30 degrees !!! It is recommended you do NOT mow up and down a slope, but lengthwise, for safety reasons. The roadfront culvert out front and my barn slope are about 18 degrees, and my two front drive push mowers (173cc and 190cc) have more than ample power to get up the slope of either as long as they have enough traction. I need to raise the handlebars going up to give the front wheels enough "bite" but I don't think power is your problem, it will be traction, and possibly oil starvation to the engine because of the slope. Does anybody else here know the maximum recommended slope for a push mower splash oiling system?


#4

D

dave27614

Well, I just went out and ran the math. I'm coming-up with a 23 degree slope. Not quite as bad as I guessed, but it looks steep to me.

Will that kind of slope roll a lawn tractor?


#5

JDgreen

JDgreen

dave27614 said:
Well, I just went out and ran the math. I'm coming-up with a 23 degree slope. Not quite as bad as I guessed, but it looks steep to me.

Will that kind of slope roll a lawn tractor?
Click to expand...

You can roll a lawn tractor on level ground by doing something stupid !!!!


#6

D

dave27614

Just to clarify ... I'm talking about mowing as a side slope with the tractor.


#7

JDgreen

JDgreen

dave27614 said:
Just to clarify ... I'm talking about mowing as a side slope with the tractor.
Click to expand...

Lot of variables, width of the lawn tractor, overall weight and height, weight of operator, width of deck, tire size...you get the idea. Impossible to predict the exact angle. My JD is a CUT, I sit high, the deck is wide, but because of the height I sit at any grade over 15 degrees makes me VERY uncomfortable because I have no idea what the maximum is. It may go to 25, 30 degrees before tipping, even with a ROPS and seat belt I do not want to learn the maximum. I may be wrong, but because a lawn tractor is light and has such small tires, the tires may slide downhill long before the tip over point is reached.


#8

B

benski

You can roll an average riding mower on a 25* slope, under the right conditions.:eek::frown: Where your CG is located, track width,heading, speed, etc., are obviously some of the variables that come to mind. I have absolutely no affiliation with Ventrac, nor do I even own one :frown:, but do take a look at the video link you can find here on the forum. Other than that, I just recommend caution, and a good "seat of the pants" feel.:thumbsup:


#9

D

dave27614

I'm sure the Ventracs are nice, but no way I'm spending that kind of scratch on a lawn mower (I saw a used on another site for $17.5k).

Maybe one of the wide area walk behinds is what I'm going to have to go with.


#10

JDgreen

JDgreen

benski said:
You can roll an average riding mower on a 25* slope, under the right conditions.:eek::frown: Where your CG is located, track width,heading, speed, etc., are obviously some of the variables that come to mind. I have absolutely no affiliation with Ventrac, nor do I even own one :frown:, but do take a look at the video link you can find here on the forum. Other than that, I just recommend caution, and a good "seat of the pants" feel.:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Over on TBN, the members talk about "seat of the pants feel" as the "pucker factor"....:laughing::eek:


#11

E

earthworm

benski said:
The Honda Commercial mowers will do it.:eek: I've also had pretty good luck with my cub cadet, 5-speed self-propelled with the Kawasaki engine. They are available used in the $200.00 range. If money isn't an issue, take a look at the Ventrac mowers. They'll do a 30* slope up and down, and across!
Click to expand...
I think my LawnBoy/Toro Pacer can do this; but are we talking of a slope or a mountain-side ?
Pacer = push to go, works great, but will not scale a mountain-side..$200 range ?? This LB was around $400; IMO, $200 buys junk.
I'll check out Ventrax.


#12

JDgreen

JDgreen

earthworm said:
I think my LawnBoy/Toro Pacer can do this; but are we talking of a slope or a mountain-side ?
Pacer = push to go, works great, but will not scale a mountain-side..$200 range ?? This LB was around $400; IMO, $200 buys junk.
I'll check out Ventrax.
Click to expand...

READ THE POSTS !!!! OP does not want to spend much money. Disagree with your "$200 buys junk" statement.


#13

D

dave27614

In case anyone's interested... I ended-up buying a Craftsman 37435 after reading good reviews. I went to check them out and they're almost exactly like several of the Husqvarnas (I understand Husqvarna makes these mowers for Sears).

First mowing is done and it worked very well. The cut was good, it is a strong puller and took the hill with no problem but it is loud. You need some hearing protection with this one. For $299 I think it's a good value. Hopefully it'll last a long time.


#14

E

earthworm

benski said:
The Honda Commercial mowers will do it.:eek: I've also had pretty good luck with my cub cadet, 5-speed self-propelled with the Kawasaki engine. They are available used in the $200.00 range. If money isn't an issue, take a look at the Ventrac mowers. They'll do a 30* slope up and down, and across!
Click to expand...
Must be used, $200 range...and not at dealers either....
A used Ventrax must be in the $2000 range used, and I mean used !
When I find the time and energy, I'll have to go shopping...


#15

E

earthworm

JDgreen said:
READ THE POSTS !!!! OP does not want to spend much money. Disagree with your "$200 buys junk" statement.
Click to expand...

Well, I did...the OP spent $300...a great value...Craftsman may be number one in sales quantity...I do not know, but I would believe it...
I still hold to "$200 buys junk", considering the OP's needs..
Our "needs" are very similar, the 10685 Lawn Boy works for me ($400 new) but the mowing time is long and I am old...
Its great exercise, mowing 1/2 acre plus with a 21" walk behind...
One man's junk is another's treasure.
And it appears to be another great day.


Footer Links 1

Top