Steep banks are so hard to mow that a simple hand tool simply won’t the trick.
If you want to complete the job fast, get finer cuts, and make the banks look breathtaking even from a distance, you should consider investing in the best lawn mower for steep banks.
If you’re not pressed on a budget, a zero turn mower can be a good investment for the job. But if you don’t have much to spend on such a riding lawn mower, go for a self-propelled model.
In this guide, well look at some of the best lawn mowers that are ideal for steep landscapes. Plus, a buyer guide in the last section to help you buy the right model.
Let’s get to it.
| Brand | Note | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Husqvarna Z254 Hydrostatic Riding Mower | Editor’s Pick | ||
| Greenworks 2502202 Cordless Lawn Mower | Best Budget | ||
| Husqvarna YTH18542 Hydrostatic Riding Mower | Best Value |
Review of the Best Lawn Mowers for Steep Banks
1. Husqvarna Z254 Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower
If you want to mow steep banks faster, an ordinary push mower simply won’t do the trick. Instead, you want to consider a powerful equipment such as the Husqvarna Z254 to get the job done. With a powerful 26 HP Kohler engine and an air induction mechanism, this power tool is quite reliable and dependable on incline gardening.
Since this is a hydrostatic zero turn lawn mower, it requires less effort to start and minimal input to ride and maneuver. The engine has a filtration system, which ensures dirt and debris from the yard doesn’t clog the machine. And the additional chrome plated valves and cooling fan keep the engine in good condition for enhanced performance and overall durability.
The cutting deck features a spring-supported lift system, which makes mowing different parts of the yard easier and less tiring.
From a performance standpoint, this lawn mower gives you the result that will leave you smiling when the job is done. The cuts are precise, the lawn ends up looking even, and there’s never going to be a need to redo a section you’ve already given a pass.
Husqvarna Z254’s parking brakes activates and deactivates depending on the cutting edges, allowing you to mow with confidence, regardless of how steep the banks are.
Pros
- Non slip wheels make the model safe enough to use on steep banks
- Powerful engine for optimum cutting performance
- Cutting deck made of steel for strength and durability
Cons
- This lawn more is expensive
- Headlights not included
2. Greenworks 2502202 Cordless Lawn Mower
The verdict is out; the Greenworks 2502202 is one of the best cordless lawn mowers that you can use to landscape a steep bank. So if you’re on a budget, and a zero turn mower is just too luxurious and expensive to own, you can still invest in the 2502202 model and get the mowing job done.
This lawn mower is powered by a 4.0 Ah battery, which offers up to 60 minutes runtime per full charge. That’s an equivalent of 1/2 acre of land, so it’s easy to get a lot of work done before the charge runs out. The machine allows 3 clipping discharge, which are mulching, rear discharge, and side discharge.
Made of steel for strength and durability, the 21-inch cutting deck allows you to cut a wider path, so clearing half an acre of a steep bank under an hour should be achievable. Greenworks even goes as far as to add a Smart Cut mechanism to the mower, and this is quite handy in getting professional cuts. Moreover, the cutting deck has 7 adjustable heights, so you can mow with preciseness as you climb up and down the banks.
Greenworks get the ease of movement of the 2502202 model just right. In fact with ball bearings added to the wheels, you get a smooth ride up and down a slope, so you don’t have to strain too much to get the mowing job done.
Pros
- Up to 7 adjustable deck height for a professional cut
- Ball bearing added to the wheels enhance easy mobility
- Easy to start; push the start button and you’re good to get started
- 60 minutes battery runtime on a single charge
Cons
- Doesn’t offer a decent runtime on a full battery charge
- Not ideal for extremely tall grass as cuts tend to be irregular
3. Snapper XD MAX Cordless Push Lawn Mower
Snapper doesn’t need an introduction to a handy worker who has ever used a power tool before. It’s a reliable brand known for designing some of the best tools that make work easier, including the Snapper XD Max Cordless Push Lawn Mower. Even at a relatively lower price point, this machine provides sufficient power to landscape small to medium-sized yards with steep terrains. And it’s damn good at what it does.
Cordless in design and requiring an 82V lithium ion battery to power the engine for maximum cutting efficiency, this lawn mower doesn’t hinder your movement and maneuverability is therefore easy and straightforward. The Briggs & Stratton battery offers a 45-minute runtime, which isn’t the best we’ve seen but it isn’t bad at all for small and medium banks.
The cutting deck, which is made of premium-grade steel for strength and durability, is 21 inches wide, so it allows you to cut a wide path. Instead of 2 to 4 cutting deck adjustment heights, this model features 7, adjustable by a single lever, and they’re quite handy in letting you get finer and precise grass cuts at different heights.
Weight is often an issue when it comes to lawn mower for steep banks, and the XD Max somewhat fails a bit in this department. Weighing as much as 86 pounds, it might feel quite heavy to push on a large steep bank. But if you intend to use it for moderate mowing, where you take breaks in between the job, the weight shouldn’t be such a big deal.
Pros
- 3-in-1 design, allows bagging, mulching, and side discharge
- Long battery life
- 7 different height adjustments for cutting deck
Cons
- You have to buy a charger and battery separately
- Terrible battery runtime
4. Husqvarna YTH18542 Hydrostatic Riding Mower
Husqvarna has mastered the art of power tool design, and from their years of experience comes yet another model built to make mowing steep banks easier. It’s the Husqvarna YTH18542 hydrostatic riding mower, a power tool that can cut grass that’s at most 4 inches tall.
We recommend this product because it’s easy to start. Because it’s a hydrostatic lawn mower, its engine doesn’t require choking. All you have to do is to turn the ignition key, and you’re good to get started.
Husqvarna fine-tunes the air induction system to easily life off the grass so you can achieve finer cuts. And with a steel built cutting deck as wide as 42 inches, twice what you get from walk behind mowers, this machine can cut grass from a wider path in just a few minutes.
While the cutting deck is wide, it suffers a little in terms of height adjustment. Push mowers like the Snapper XD Max have seven-level height adjustments. But this one only gives you four. In a way, it’s a compromise between deck size and height options, and a larger deck with a few adjustment height isn’t that bad after all. You still get better cuts at the end of the day, and that’s what really matters here.
Pros
- The 13-inch vinyl seat is comfortable
- 42-inch cutting deck for wide path cutting
- Steering wheel with a reliable grip makes the machine easy to maneuver
- Has an 18.5 HP engine and a variety of speed for better performance
Cons
- This is not the best lawn mower to use on small lands
- Expensive; look elsewhere if you’re on a budget
Choosing the Best Lawn Mower for Steep Banks
While there are many things to look at when searching for a lawn mower for steep banks, we think it’s important to pay close attention to the following factors:
Size of the Cutting Deck
Lawn mowers, whichever the type, feature steel cutting decks of different widths, and the one you choose will generally depend on the size of the yard and how much time you have for the job. A 17-inch deck is rather too small, a 21-inch is the standard, and a 42-inch cutting deck is generally better.
If you have a small bank, pick a lawn mower with a 21-inch cutting deck. If the bank is large and demanding a lot of work, a mower with a 42-inch cutting deck will do the trick.
Weight
When it comes to choosing a lawn mower for steep banks, lighter is always better. So check the weight to make sure that the model you choose can move up the banks with the least effort possible. That way, you’ll spend less time on the job than you would if you chose a heavy lawn mower.
Warrant
Check to make sure that the lawn mower you are about to buy for steep banks has a reasonable manufacturer’s warranty attached to it.
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