I live in a hilly part of California and have always wanted a mower that can help me beautify my environment.
Many friends recommend a stand-on mower and I asked, is a stand-on mower good for hills? She smiled and asked me to give it a trial. The trial has turned to a five-year obsession.
Stand-on mowers have continued to gain popularity—largely due to their compact size, maneuverability, visibility, and hillside stability.
Manufacturers of stand-on mowers point out that when standing, the operator can more easily shift his weight from one side to the other, helping to counter a slope’s incline. Additionally, the stand-on mower’s lower center of gravity helps reduce the possibility of tipping over.
Some contractors, particularly those fixated on mowing speed and overall fast job completion, might view all of this as a green light to tackle any “hilly” properties with unfettered confidence.
But even manufacturers such as Wright, who pioneered the stand-up mowing concept, offer some cautionary advice concerning slope mowing.
For instance, in the operator’s manual for its Stander ZK mower, Wright says, “Do not operate the mower on slopes steeper than you can feel secure about the traction of the tires and the stability of the mower.
Do not operate the mower on slopes at all when the grass is wet; there is a danger of suddenly sliding sideways or down the hill. When operating on a slope, travel across the grade whenever possible, not in an up or down pattern.
Reduce speed and exercise extreme caution on slopes and sharp turns to prevent tipping or losing control. Be especially cautious when changing direction on slopes ” concerning the threshold on its stand-on mowers.
I recommend that you never exceed 5° slopes when mowing sideways, 10° when mowing uphill and 15° when mowing downhill.
With the number of mowers online, you should not rush to make your selection. Talk to professionals, friends, family, or owners of this type of mower before you buy a model. Sometimes, models come with different functionalities that make mowing easier.
Advantages Of Stand On Lawn Mowers
As I have mentioned, landscapers commonly use stand-on lawn mowers, especially those who work in metropolitan areas where clients have smaller, highly landscaped properties.
A major benefit of the machine is that it is easy to maneuver through very tight spaces. It also manages hillside terrain well and it offers the operator great visibility as he works the machine in and around landscape obstacles.
In addition, the stand-on lawn mower can mow fast in open areas. These machines compare well to the compact mid-mount zero-turn rider mowers because they feature floating decks and more engine power.
Stand-on lawn mowers come in two styles – fixed-deck and floating-deck. The fixed deck stand on lawn mowers offers a lower price point, which can help entice one to choose them over a traditional walk-behind mower.
A stand-on lawn mower with a floating deck may also feature a wider cut width and higher horsepower engine, enticing one to buy it over a ride-on mower.
Furthermore, stand-on lawn mowers assist in cutting down unproductive time because you can quickly step on and off them and they permit the operator to readjust their position to reduce stiffness.
They are also more compact than ride-on mowers and so they can easily be loaded onto a trailer. They are lighter than a zero-turn rider mower and it is easier for the operator to adjust their position, moving their center of gravity, an ideal feature when mowing on slopes.
In addition they are light, and won’t create ruts on certain lawns.
Disadvantages Of Stand On Lawn Mowers
Stand-on lawn mowers commonly have a slower ground speed and require the operator to stand throughout the mowing process. In addition, because they are so compact, they are more difficult to service than a sit-down zero-turn mower.
Stand-on lawn mowers cannot carry a high-capacity bagger as easily as a zero-turn mower and zero-turn mowers have a wider footprint than stand-on lawn mowers, assisting in achieving better stability.
In addition, the size of the stand-on lawn mower reduces its capability of carrying more tools, features, and aftermarket accessories.
My Thoughts
What do I think about this mower? If you live in a hilly place, the last thing you want to do is use a push mower around. You may do a bad job and get exhausted sooner than expected.
I will recommend a stand-on mower if you want an easy mowing job, especially if you run a mowing business.
Finally, these mowers come in different models that offers varying functionalities, features, and designs. You can read customer review on your preferred model to learn about the product.
Zero-turn moder is often the preferred mower for hills since it doesn’t have a tall center of gravity like other ride-on mowers.
This means the lawn tractors tend to be quite high and prone to tipping over. Stand-ons are suitable for smaller properties like my yard, but zero-turn mowers are larger in size and take up more space on a trailer. However, the productivity benefits of zero-turns make them ideal for large properties.
FAQs
Is a stand-on mower Good for hills?
Manufacturers of stand-on mowers point out that when standing, the operator can more easily shift his weight from one side to the other, helping to counter a slope’s incline. Additionally, the stand-on mower’s lower center of gravity helps reduce the possibility of tipping over
What is the advantage of a stand-on mower?
A standing mower makes getting on and off the mower much faster, allowing for a much quicker job. In addition to a stander’s agile feature, the lawn mower’s compact design makes it easier to fit more mowers on trailers as you travel from one job to the next.
Is a stand-on mower better than a zero-turn?
Stand-on is ideal for smaller properties and landscapers that want to fit several machines on one trailer. Zero-turn mowers are larger and take up more space on a trailer. However, the productivity benefits of zero-turns make them ideal for large properties.