When you’re working in the lawn care industry, it’s pretty much guaranteed some of your clients will have hills and slopes. Slopes are notoriously challenging to maintain and the steeper they are the worse it gets. While nothing makes cutting grass on a slope as easy as mowing level ground, having the right tool for the job does give you a huge advantage.
Riding Mowers For Gentle Slopes
For slopes that aren’t too steep, you can keep using your regular mower as long as you’re careful. The best way to check if your zero-turn mower can be used safely on a slope is to try backing the mower up the slope. Start at the base of the slope and put your mower in reverse. If it can go backward up the slope without the wheels slipping you’re good to go. Never use a zero-turn mower or lawn tractor on slopes greater than 15 degrees (a 5.4-foot rise over a 20-foot length).
Even on gentle slopes, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re always using a mower with rollover protection and a low center of gravity. And never mow on slopes with wet, soft, or slippery ground. Also, familiarize yourself with the slope before you mow it. You don’t want to hit a bump in the earth or run into a hole that pushes the mower off-balance.
Walk-Behinds For Steeper-Slopes
Walk-behind mowers are the choice for slopes too steep to mow with a riding mower. They’re typically easier to control and if they roll they’re less likely to injure you. You’ll still need to be cautious, though. Remember to work slowly enough that you can maintain control of the mower. And don’t mow on wet or slippery ground.
Whether you’re opting for a commercial midsize walk-behind or a smaller model, you’ll want to choose one with good balance and low center of gravity. Scag, Toro, and eXmark all offer professional walk-behind mowers that would work well for mowing slopes.
Options For When You Can’t Mow
When the slope is too steep, rocky, or uneven to mow even with a walk-behind, it’s time to explore other options. Brushcutters and string-line trimmers are the best equipment for this type of task. When trimming, it’s a good idea to start at the bottom of the slope and work your way up. That lets the cut grass fall downhill so you aren’t cutting up grass you already trimmed.
If you also offer landscaping services, another option you can give your clients is landscaping the slope. Planting groundcovers, bushes, shrubs, and hardy perennials can help cut back on maintenance tasks when the slopes are too steep to mow. They’ll also help control erosion if that’s an issue.
Whatever equipment you need to tackle slope maintenance in your business, you can find it at Richardson Saw & Lawnmower. Stop by our location to see your options-first hand and talk with an expert about which of our products work best on slopes. We’re always happy to help you find just the right tools you need.
