Mowing across a semi-steep slope

I have a 2026 CC XT1 LT46 and part of my yard has about an 18-degree slope. Is there a safe way to mow this area horizontally, not vertically, using weights, and/or liquid in the rear tires? I do have access to two 42 LBS suitcase weights if those would help.

I would try the water in inner tubes in all four tires as in just not the tires only as it can rust the rims. This would lower your center of gravity without an extra load on the bearings.

used to road race (SCCA) cars. There is a lot that goes into lowering the center of gravity. Making something heavier can also make it less controllable in certain conditions. I would not get too comfortable betting against gravity. Might try to find a way to lower the battery, maybe find a way to lower the fuel tank, keep an eye on the suspension to make sure the tires are not cupping under when on the slope. It isn't just tipping over, it is losing traction so the front or rear slides down, or the suspension sliding sideways on the chassis.

xoomer said:

I have a 2026 CC XT1 LT46 and part of my yard has about an 18-degree slope. Is there a safe way to mow this area horizontally, not vertically, using weights, and/or liquid in the rear tires? I do have access to two 42 LBS suitcase weights if those would help.

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Many riding mowers are unstable and tippy on steeper slopes. That’s when a good zero turn is better. In this case, you either can maintain control and it feels acceptable, or it doesn’t.

Lets try to this slope some of us more familiar with.

18 degree slope is basically a 4 12 roof pitch. Otherwords it raises or drops 4 inches for 12 inches of horizontal movement. So it is like mowing on your roof depending its pitch. Now is one problem mowing at this angle and that is the engine oiling.

Now most mower are designed for a max of 15 degree slope which about a 3 12 roof pitch. And here is a visible example of a 15 degree slope.

Unless you realy know what you are doing, understand the limitations of your machine (including is it fitted with ROPS) do not risk cross slope mowing or steep up slopes.
Ride on mowers can kill or severely injure you - why take the risk.
There are only a very few ride on mowers, that are specifically design to operate on steep slopes, get one and stay safe.

Skippydiesel said:

Unless you realy know what you are doing, understand the limitations of your machine (including is it fitted with ROPS) do not risk cross slope mowing or steep up slopes.
Ride on mowers can kill or severely injure you - why take the risk.
There are only a very few ride on mowers, that are specifically design to operate on steep slopes, get one and stay safe.

View attachment 74214View attachment 74215

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I used to mow commercially before doing small engine repair. The two zero turn mowers that really hold a hill well are Scag and Ferris. Some were so steep it required going up and down to mow it. Way more that 18 degree slope. More like closer to 45 degrees. Never had a problem with oil starvation in engine or hydro pumps, but something to definitely be aware of.

I would guess at adding any more weight would not be productive.

Thanks for all the replies. In the end I think I will pass on trying to mow this particular area since it can be dangerous with the riding mower I have. I suppose I will just weed eat the area--about 1,500 sq. ft. since I don't have a push mower. (I tried a robotic mower a few weeks ago, but it would barely move in the thick Florida Floratam grass.)

I would get a steering wheel ZTR. I have one, and I got it because they were supposedly better on slopes & hills. They absolutely are. I still have a lap-bar ZTR, and it doesn't hold a candle to the steering wheel machine on slopes & hills. Unfortunately, Cub Cadet is the only mfr making them. Zero turns have a lower COG than a typical lawn tractor, but since the front wheels behave like casters, they don't perform well on slopes. And the rear diff is open, so the uphill wheel will tend to spin. A steering wheel ZTR solves all that. To get better than a steering wheel, ZTR for hills & slopes, you'd need to move up to something like a Ventrac. BTW, my SW ZTR is rated for slopes up to 20 deg.