Grass Cutting Equipment for Steep Hills

Riding Lawn Mowers

• Riding lawn mowers and lawn tractors are the obvious choice for lawns of 1/2 acre or larger. Those with undulating lawns and other landscaping obstacles should look for models with a rear-mounted engine, small tires and a short wheel base, as these provide maximum maneuverability. These low-horsepower machines have a lower center of gravity and do not tip as easily as heavier, more powerful models; however, as a safety measure, mowers should be driven up and down hills and slopes, not from side to side.

Motorized Rotary Lawn Mowers

• Motorized push mowers are perfect for lawns 1,000 square feet to 1/2 acre. While it is not difficult to operate an engine-powered lawn mower, it can be arduous work. Slopes not only make it tough to find solid footing; they also make the machine seem much heavier and, consequently, more difficult to control. To lessen the odds of slippage, mow the slopes from side to side, rather than trying to push the mower up and down the hill.

Reel Lawn Mowers

• Non-motorized reel mowers can be used to keep lawns of less than 1,000 square feet under control. Reel mowers are much lighter than motorized models, because they are designed without engines. As the mower is pushed, the spiral blade spins against the cutting bar, giving the grass a clean, close-cut trim. Like power mowers, reel mowers can be used on hills -- just be sure to work at a right angle to the slope.

String Trimmers

• String trimmers are the safest way to cut the grass on a steep hill. These lightweight, handheld machines use a spinning nylon string to cut the grass down without sharp blades or heavy engines. While this may seem ideal, bear in mind the average cutting width of a string trimmer is usually narrow -- only 7 to 18 inches, and thick, tall clumps of grass may require multiple passes. Consequently, string trimmers may not be appropriate for large lawns or weedy, overgrown ditches.