Lawn mowing has for long been viewed from the perspective of flat terrains and push mowers. However, with increased innovations, uneven lawns are becoming easy to manage using the best riding lawn mower for hills.

Finding the right riding lawn mower can be tedious, considering there are many options in the market. In this article, we have researched and compiled a list of the best lawn mowers for hills, their features, pros, and cons. Additionally, we have provided insight into factors to consider for a wise purchase.

What are the Best Lawn Mowers for Hills?

1. Husqvarna MZ61 Zero Turn Riding Mower

Husqvarna MZ61 61 in. 24 HP Kawasaki Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower
  • 24 HP Kawasaki engine provides reliable startups and high ground speeds
  • Roll-over protection system (ROPS) ensures safer operation in all conditions
  • Fabricated 11-gauge steel cutting deck offers an excellent 61 in. cut with an ergonomically designed deck...
  • Clippings can be discharged, mulched or bagged with a 9-bushel triple bag collection system (mulching kit and...
  • High-back seat with armrests, foam-padded hand grips and vibration dampeners make mowing comfortable for hours...

The Husqvarna MZ61 is the best riding lawn mower for hills under zero-turn mowers for hills. This lawn tractor is equipped with a triple-blade cutting mechanism, a powerful Kawasaki 24hp engine, and a hydrostatic transmission. Additionally, it has a massive 61-inch mower deck.

Another prominent feature is that it is the best zero-turn mower in rough terrain. This means that it can make precise zero-turn maneuvers within small spaces on a lawn and even in place. This machine also boasts an efficient deck lifting system that guarantees stable and comfortable rides together with its oversized chassis.

Due to its immense power, this lawn tractor can mow up to 4.2 acres of flat terrain. Moreso, in the context of uneven terrain, its 6-inch front and rear wheels help it cruise stably.

It is also safe for users because it is equipped with a steel rollover safety structure, a seatbelt, and a high-back rider's seat that offers outstanding back support. During steering, users are also shielded from vibration by padded levers. Ultimately, the Husqvarna MZ61 mower is one of the best lawn tractors in terms of functionality, comfort, and rider safety.

  • Pros
  • Powerful and fast
  • Adequate 61-inch cutting deck
  • Safety of rider offered by the seatbelt and rollover safety structure
  • Covered by warranties for both commercial and homeowners
  • Cons
  • It is an expensive option
  • Unsuitable for steep slopes beyond 10 degrees

2. Ryobi 38 inches 100 Ah Battery Electric Rear Engine Riding Mower RY48111

Ryobi 38 inches 100 Ah Battery Electric Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower RY48111
  • Includes: (1) Ryobi 38 inches 100 Ah Battery Electric Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower RY48111
  • 3 Brushless motors for superior power and performance
  • Up to 2.5 hours of runtime or 2.5 acres of mowing
  • Charges through standard 120-Volt outlet
  • .

For people who desire eco-friendly riding lawn mowers, the Ryobi RY48111 Electric Riding lawn Mower would be an excellent choice. These rear-engine mowers rank as the best riding lawn mowers for hills in the electric category due to their power, equivalent to gasoline-powered engines. In addition, its battery charge can run the mower for 2.5 acres or 2.5 hours continuously.

Moreover, it is equipped with a 38-inch dual-bladed cutting deck with room for adjustment in 12 different positions. While in tight spaces, this riding mower has a turning radius of 16-inches for easy maneuvering.

When it comes to maintenance, this machine requires little maintenance besides sharpening its blades and charging its battery. It does not require part replacement, such as spark plugs, belts, or filters.

Compared to a gas-powered mower, the Ryobi RY48111 is quieter, making lawn mowing less disturbing to neighbors. Additionally, it is suitable for nighttime mowing due to its less noise and LED headlights.

On top of the mentioned functionality features, this machine is among the best riding mowers because you can store it in limited spaces. Users also love it for its easily adjustable and comfortable seat.

  • Pros
  • Quiet running
  • Remarkable low maintenance
  • Small size for easy storage
  • Ability to reverse mow
  • Ability to handle 15-degree inclines
  • 3-year warranty
  • Cons
  • Lack of padding to protect users from vibrations and bumpy rides
  • Limited battery life

3. Craftsman T225 Riding Lawn Mower

Craftsman T225 19 HP Briggs & Stratton Gold 46-Inch Gas Powered Riding Lawn Mower
  • POWERFUL BRIGGS AND STRATTON GAS ENGINE WITH READY START: Powerful gas engine suitable for larger yard jobs...
  • 46-INCH CUTTING WITH INCLUDED DECK WASH: Lawn tractor comes equipped with wide 46-Inch cutting deck for...
  • HYDRO-TRANSMISSION: Unit is equipped with foot hydrostatic transmission.
  • MOW-IN-REVERSE: Take your mower in reverse to easily maneuver in and out of trouble spots.
  • SUPPORTIVE HIGH-BACK SEAT: High-back cushioned seat provides optimum comfort.

The Craftsman riding mower is another great choice among lawn tractors for large yards and rough terrain. This incredible machine is gasoline-powered with a Briggs and Stratton engine that enables its efficiency for large yards.

This riding mower has large rear wheels that make it stable and excellent maneuvered to tackle uneven ground. Considering that uneven grounds can be slippery, its large wheels provide more traction without damaging the lawn.

This mower also has a cutting deck of 46 inches that provides greater coverage, thus reducing the time spent. It also has a flexible 5-inch turn radius that makes steering easy. Furthermore, it can mow in reverse, making it possible to get out of trouble spots.

On the part of user comfort, it has a supportive and comfy high back seat. Alongside the smooth hydrostatic transmission, its ergonomic characteristics make it a comfortable mower to ride for hours.

  • Pros
  • Smooth ride due to its hydrostatic system
  • Flexible radius for easy turning
  • Reverse mowing
  • Comfortable high back seat
  • Time efficiency due to its wider cutting coverage
  • Cons
  • Slow leaking of tires
  • Difficult to read the fuel tank

4. Swisher ZTR2766BS Response 27 HP 66-Inch B&S ZTR Mower

Swisher ZTR2766BS Response 27 HP 66-Inch B&S ZTR Mower
  • 27hp Briggs & Stratton engine
  • 66" 11-gauge fabricated cutting deck
  • Hydro Gear 2800 transmissions/Ogura clutch
  • Foot assisted deck lift
  • Made in the USA

Seeking to do a quick and neat lawn job even in hilly and rough terrains? The Swisher ZTR2766BS mower has both the capacities of power and speed. It is equipped with a 27-hp engine, along with a 66-inch cutting deck that helps it cover up to 25 acres in the range of 1-hour.

It is a zero-turn machine, making it an incredible 360-degree turner. Its hydrostatic transmission enables it to change speed and direction seamlessly. For precise grass height, this riding mower provides eight different heights ranging between 1.5 and 4.5 inches.

An added advantage for this mowing machine is that it has a mulching kit made up of 3 gator blades that are lowered using a foot-assisted deck lift. It also has a large fuel tank with a capacity of up to 8 gallons, which allows for longer mowing periods.

  • Pros
  • It saves time for large yards
  • Big-capacity gas tank
  • 360-degree turning
  • It offers a variety of grass heights
  • Powerful engine
  • Mulching ability
  • Cons
  • It is expensive

5. Troy-Bilt Pony 42X Riding Lawn Mower with 42-Inch Deck and 547cc Engine Tractor

Troy-Bilt Pony 42X Riding Lawn Mower with 42-Inch Deck and 547cc Engine Tractor
  • Premium 420cc Troy Bilt OHV engine with oil filter
  • 7 speed transmission
  • 42 inch steel deck with dual blades
  • Mulch and side discharge
  • Steel front axle, comfortable mid back seat, OCR mow in reverse

The Troy-Bilt Pon 42x mower is among efficient grade tractors that are suitable for rough and extensive areas. It has room for adjusting the desired grass height with a selection of 5 deck heights between 1.5 and 3.75 inches.

It is equipped with anti-scalp wheels that the slicing of large grass clumps by the deck. More its movement is that also provides the ability to reverse mow.

Over and above that, the Troy-Bilt 42x mower also has a hydrostatic transmission and cruise control. These features help users change speed without clutch and direction smoothly. Adding to its turning ability, it has an 18-inch turning radius, making it possible to maneuver obstacles easily.

Users can enjoy the benefit of a high-back seat with suspension for comfortable rides. This mower also has an adequate fuel capacity for longer working hours. After mowing, this mower offers the advantage of an integrated deck wash port for easy machine cleaning.

  • Pros
  • Anti-scalp wheels for a neat lawn job
  • Ability to mow in reverse
  • A variety of deck heights
  • Smooth change of direction and speed
  • Adequate fuel capacity
  • Cons
  • Uncomfortable ride on rough surfaces

Factors to Consider Before Buying a Riding Lawn Mower for Hills

1. Cutting Width

This aspect for consideration refers to how wide a mower can cut in a single pass, and it is also referred to as a cutting deck or mower deck. The wider the cutting width, the less time spent covering an entire lawn. It is therefore important to compare the yard size against a mower's cutting deck for time optimization.

Different lawns require different cutting widths depending on the individual layout of each lawn. A wide cutting deck is most applicable for open lawns instead of smaller lawns with obstacles such as trees and gates. A mowing deck below 50 inches can be achieved using rear engine mowers for smaller lawns in the range of 2 acres and below, while a minimum of 50-inch width is recommended for lawns spanning three or more acres.

2. Engine Power

Before choosing the top riding lawn mowers, users must match the horsepower of a lawn mower to the amount of work to be completed. For example, a riding mower usually has the function of cutting through vegetation while carrying a rider. Consequently, the best riding lawn mowers and lawn tractors are heavy and require powerful engines to propel them.

Depending on their intended purpose, different riding mowers have different engine horsepower. For example, smaller areas of two acres would best be served by a 14-16 horsepower engine, while larger areas of 3 or more acres would require an 18-24 horsepower engine. More powerful riding mowers cost more and can also be appropriate for hauling a snow blade, snow blowers, or carts, but are not necessarily fast.

Furthermore, it is also vital to consider the options of electric-battery-powered riding lawn mowers and gas mowers. Electric mowers are eco-friendly and quiet but often require recharging, adding to the time used to trim. On the other hand, gasoline-powered mowers emit fumes, are noisy but more reliable depending on the fuel capacity, and cheaper than their electric counterparts.

3. Turning Radius

While buying a riding mower for hilly terrain, it is critical to consider the space available for turning while mowing. The turning radius for a riding mower indicates its capacity to handle hill terrain while cutting grass smoothly. It is critical to note that it can be difficult to turn on a slope if the lawn mower has a big radius.

Additionally, the best riding lawn mower for hills should provide an efficient turning radius and safety. Despite zero-turn mowers offering the most turning control, it is not the best lawn mower for uneven terrain since it may flip.

4. Cruise Control

Cruise control also adds to the efficiency of lawn mowers for hills. This feature helps beginners easily navigate during mowing due to the responsive steering tires. There is also the advantage of controlling the mowing speed depending on the condition of a lawn.

5. Safety Tips

Regardless of how efficient a riding lawn mower is, it is critical to prioritize your safety as a user. Unlike the use of a push mower, here are a few safety tips to consider for riding lawn mowers.

Always make sure that the mower has a seatbelt for protecting the rider while mowing an uneven lawn. Also, only mow along hills and not across downhill paths to prevent the mower from tipping over.

Also, remember to read the instructions manual to appropriately identify the lawn mower that fits your intended use along hills. Finally, keep in mind to check for additional safety accessories such as discharge chutes that prevent accidents to people and pets by lawn debris.

6. Type of Terrain and Yard Size

Further on hilly lawns, it is paramount also to consider the diverse types of hill terrain. Most riding lawn mowers are equipped with height adjustment features to allow clearance from objects that may cause damage to blades. Therefore, understanding the target terrain will enable users to identify riding mowers that optimize mowing and enhance their safety.

In addition to the terrain type, the yard size determines the time taken to finish the job. Accordingly, one should compare the speed of a riding lawn mower with the size of the yard. In the end, when a lawn mower is appropriately adjusted for the terrain and is fast enough for the yard size, it is possible to complete a neat and smooth job within a reasonable time limit.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) on Riding Lawn Mowers

1. What is the Best Type of Riding Lawn Mower for Hilly Terrain?

The best riding lawn mower for hills is a rear-wheel-drive mower. It provides spectacular traction, especially for application in wet and uneven hilly lawns because of its bigger back wheels, which provide impressive support for climbing steep hills. In addition, this type of riding lawnmower is faster as compared to other types of mowing machines. They also have a maximum forward speed more than other kinds of lawn mowers.

2. Are Zero-Turn Riding Mowers Good on Hills?

Considerably, zero-turn mowers can be used to maneuver hilly lawns but with care and expertise. However, a zero-turn mower is not the best mower for hills because of its uneven weight distribution and high center of gravity. Moreover, they pose a potential safety risk of the mower tipping over on steep inclines.

3. Which Riding Mower is Best for Cutting a Large Lawn with Uneven or Hilly Terrain?

Fast and powerful riding lawn mowers are best for lawn care on large yards considering they use less mowing time with utmost efficiency. Additionally, it would be best to choose a machine that can cut in reverse to save time and turns made on a hilly lawn. Finally, a mower with durable blades would be best for extensive mowing on large lawns with uneven terrain.