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Shopping for riding lawn mower..."the best" within reason. Steep hill
#1
J
jcoplan
J
jcoplan
Hi everyone,
Who knew such a thing as a lawn mower forum existed
.
We are in the process of moving into a new home with a fairly steep hill. I have mowed my current lawn for the last 11 years with a Toro Personal Pace that was when the body was of higher quality (bought in 2004) than apparently they are today. I have been very happy with it, and because I keep my machines maintained (by professionals, I'm useless myself), it has been great.
Mowing on this new hill has been unbearable, though. I have to mow across it due to the layout of the lawn, so not only am I a full mower strip below my mower, my ankle is getting crushed at an ankle the entire time.
I prefer walking, but I may have to get a riding mower because of this.
When I buy machines, I tend to spend what I need to get something that will last for the long run when maintained. I also see the difference in what specialty shops sell as opposed to big box retailers, often from the same brand.
I dropped into a local Toro dealer today, and they said the zero turn mowers aren't best on a hill. They sell Simplicity, which the guy said was "lesser known, but higher quality". He also told me I probably need a "tractor" rather than a zero turn.
So forgetting that bias (if I should), is there some form of consensus about "the best" for what I've described? I realize there is always subjective opinion, but I would assume there is a "Honda" of lawn mowers.
I'm looking forward to the comments.
JC
Who knew such a thing as a lawn mower forum existed
. We are in the process of moving into a new home with a fairly steep hill. I have mowed my current lawn for the last 11 years with a Toro Personal Pace that was when the body was of higher quality (bought in 2004) than apparently they are today. I have been very happy with it, and because I keep my machines maintained (by professionals, I'm useless myself), it has been great.
Mowing on this new hill has been unbearable, though. I have to mow across it due to the layout of the lawn, so not only am I a full mower strip below my mower, my ankle is getting crushed at an ankle the entire time.
I prefer walking, but I may have to get a riding mower because of this.
When I buy machines, I tend to spend what I need to get something that will last for the long run when maintained. I also see the difference in what specialty shops sell as opposed to big box retailers, often from the same brand.
I dropped into a local Toro dealer today, and they said the zero turn mowers aren't best on a hill. They sell Simplicity, which the guy said was "lesser known, but higher quality". He also told me I probably need a "tractor" rather than a zero turn.
So forgetting that bias (if I should), is there some form of consensus about "the best" for what I've described? I realize there is always subjective opinion, but I would assume there is a "Honda" of lawn mowers.
I'm looking forward to the comments.
JC
#2
Ric
What your dealer told you about a ztr not being the best on hills isn't exactly true. A ztr can be very efficient on hills if used correctly. Most ztr's will have a lower center of gravity than a tractor and are more maneuverable than a tractor and are rated up to a 15 degree slope according to the manufacturers. The Simplicity has been on the market for a number of years so when he tells you it's lesser known there's a reason why.
The best mower or the ones that are rated higher as far as mowing the highest degree of slope or incline are going to be a Stand-On mower of some type, a Toro Grandstand or Wright, Gravely etc. Those will mow an incline or slopes up to 20 degrees. As far as mowing slopes a tractor would be the last thing I would buy. Without knowing your budget and what your willing to spend it's hard to say what to tell you to buy.
Ric
Hi everyone,
Who knew such a thing as a lawn mower forum existed
We are in the process of moving into a new home with a fairly steep hill. I have mowed my current lawn for the last 11 years with a Toro Personal Pace that was when the body was of higher quality (bought in 2004) than apparently they are today. I have been very happy with it, and because I keep my machines maintained (by professionals, I'm useless myself), it has been great.
Mowing on this new hill has been unbearable, though. I have to mow across it due to the layout of the lawn, so not only am I a full mower strip below my mower, my ankle is getting crushed at an ankle the entire time.
I prefer walking, but I may have to get a riding mower because of this.
When I buy machines, I tend to spend what I need to get something that will last for the long run when maintained. I also see the difference in what specialty shops sell as opposed to big box retailers, often from the same brand.
I dropped into a local Toro dealer today, and they said the zero turn mowers aren't best on a hill. They sell Simplicity, which the guy said was "lesser known, but higher quality". He also told me I probably need a "tractor" rather than a zero turn.
So forgetting that bias (if I should), is there some form of consensus about "the best" for what I've described? I realize there is always subjective opinion, but I would assume there is a "Honda" of lawn mowers.
I'm looking forward to the comments.
JC
What your dealer told you about a ztr not being the best on hills isn't exactly true. A ztr can be very efficient on hills if used correctly. Most ztr's will have a lower center of gravity than a tractor and are more maneuverable than a tractor and are rated up to a 15 degree slope according to the manufacturers. The Simplicity has been on the market for a number of years so when he tells you it's lesser known there's a reason why.
The best mower or the ones that are rated higher as far as mowing the highest degree of slope or incline are going to be a Stand-On mower of some type, a Toro Grandstand or Wright, Gravely etc. Those will mow an incline or slopes up to 20 degrees. As far as mowing slopes a tractor would be the last thing I would buy. Without knowing your budget and what your willing to spend it's hard to say what to tell you to buy.
#5
Ric
Ric
#7
Ric
Ric