Mowing Hills 17 degrees 30% Grade looking for suggestions 3.2 acres to mow

6567 Views 29 Replies 22 Participants Last post by Wingnutt, Jul 3, 2021

paul70stang

Discussion Starter · Jun 26, 2021

Just moved to New Hampshire nice house with 4000sq ft of garage space on 3.2 acres. The main garage is 32' x 49', 16' ceiling and has a bathroom with a shower.
Issue is I have some steep hills to maintain.
The lawn mower I have is a 1999 Walker Mower 20hp diesel GHS. 48" rear discharge to a collection box. I am typically running with the box open except for the are close to the house. Not sure what the added weight of the grass would do to the performance on the hill.

The front hill is 14 degrees and I getting accustomed to mowing it, but the machine seems to slow down when climbing the hill.

Now I just realized I also own this hill on the back side of my property. (see pics)

It looks like it has not been cut at least not very often. The steepest part of the hill measure 17 degrees or a 30% grade.

The previous owner left a brand new Cub Cadet ST100 walk behind string trimmer, which is the machine in the picture. I just completed cutting the entire hill with this machine. Not a task I want to repeat.

The land is not that rough and I think a few good cuts with a rotary mulching mower I might me able to maintain it with a finish mower.
I have a 2011 John Deere 2720 Cut,
If I purchase a 5' brush hog, flail mower, or finish mower do you think the 2720 climb that hill in 4x4 mode and do a decent cut?
I kinda nervous put that machine on such a steep bank?

Or
Should a look for a walk behind 48" to 60" mower?

I love my Zero Turn walker but it is slow for this size property, what other mower would you guys recommend?
I just saw an advertisement for a Cub Cadet Pro z 972SD, expensive but advertised to mow hills up to 25 degrees.

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dodgeman

· #2 · Jun 26, 2021

I’d say your JD will mow that fine as long as you can go up and down the hill, not sideways. I’d finish mow it. I’m not sure what the availability of a mid mount is for your tractor, might be hard to find. I personally am not a fan of rear finish mowers but in your case might be a perfect fit. Take the end loader off and throw 3 or 4 suitcase weights on the front. Just make sure it’s dry when you do it.

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Rob R

· #3 · Jun 26, 2021

I have a road ditch (in town) which is 30 degrees (yes, very steep) which is about 200 yards long and 35 feet from top to bottom. I have mowed with my 445 both up and down and sideways without problems. My 430 works, but with the MCS on it, the up-hill wheel will come off the ground so when I collect grass in the fall, I use the 445 and blow it all to the bottom for pickup.

I just purchased a 2025r. Have mowed up-down, wheel spacers on their way, may be able to mow side to side, maybe not...will know soon.

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The Satch

· #4 · Jun 26, 2021

Am I losing it, or was there another thread just like this that now doesnt exist? I swear I posted a response like 4 hours ago...

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cc1999

· #5 · Jun 26, 2021

X738, x758 any 4wd/awd X7 are the best I have found for mowing adverse terrain. Like steep ditch banks, slopes etc.

Ventrac is even better especially with duals on. TTWT has some good videos on the ventrac machines mowing slopes .

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Steve-1026r

· #6 · Jun 27, 2021

17 deg isn't too bad. you just aren't used to it yet. I"m up and down a 22-24 deg slope with 1026R and 54mmm. going straight is easy in FWD low. I've been doing some sidways on it because I have to turn a bit, or back down. wheel spacers for sure, remove FEL and weights, ROPS up. a MMM can handle it, just cut on the high side with it. that push mower looks like pure misery.

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PickupMan

· #7 · Jun 27, 2021

Sweet looking place. Sweeter sounding garage area

Depends on the budget but I might agree about an x7. Have awd nice and low and field weighted down would make that a fine experience.

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Scoutx

· #8 · Jun 27, 2021

cc1999 said:
X738, x758 any 4wd/awd X7 are the best I have found for mowing adverse terrain. Like steep ditch banks, slopes etc.

Ventrac is even better especially with duals on. TTWT has some good videos on the ventrac machines mowing slopes .

I have slopes like that, and a 1025r and wouldn't mow them sideways. I have a 61" grasshopper zt that I can do it with, but not when it's wet. I have a few spots with retaining wall ledges that I just get out the old pushmower for - it's not worth dying.

I would consider the x series 4wd if I were you or that cub cadet looks pretty interesting.

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johninthecamper

· #9 · Jun 27, 2021

Orec makes a few off road mowers.i just got a cyclone trac. Seems like about a half acre/hour.have not hit one blade damaging thing in a few hours of use,wonder how many hours I get from a set of hammers.not for use where it needs to be pretty,kinda like r4 tires marks and not very turn friendly towards the grass,being a skid steer.using it,is like a boat or plane,picking your line and wide, time wasting turns will help minimize damage

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coaltrain

· #10 · Jun 27, 2021

I mow as steep as that with my 2520 a couple times a month. Both with the belly mower or 4’ brush hog.

You just have to go directly up and down the hill in 4WD.

Looking at the pics it looks like you have plenty of room both top and bottom of the hill to turn around on nearly level ground.

Just try it with the tractor only first - no mowers mounted. That should give you the confidence to do it with a mower.

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paul70stang

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 27, 2021

coaltrain said:
I mow as steep as that with my 2520 a couple times a month. Both with the belly mower or 4’ brush hog.

You just have to go directly up and down the hill in 4WD.

Looking at the pics it looks like you have plenty of room both top and bottom of the hill to turn around on nearly level ground.

Just try it with the tractor only first - no mowers mounted. That should give you the confidence to do it with a mower.

The somewhat flat area at the top of the hill is the leaching field off my septic tank. Top layer of pipes is only about 6" down,
Can I drive my 2720 (2000+lbs) on top of that?

Also my 2720 has FEL and BH mounted 90% of the time which I use. Taking the BH off putting the 3ph on to mow this hill also just seems to be a lot of work.
Just not sure what the perfect answer is.
Right now I thinking either a JD X7 with mower or that Cub Cadet Pro Z. Either choice ia a lot of money.
I found one used 2019 JD X738 in NH about 90 minutes away. The guy is selling just the tractor (no attachments) he wants $12,000 --- Seems very high priced to me

Thank You

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cc1999

· #12 · Jun 27, 2021

Sounds high to me too, how many hours were on it?

Saw a brand new 2021 for 12999 on machine finder.

Used Lawn & Garden Tractors For Sale | 2557 listings | MachineFinder

Search for used lawn and garden tractors for sale using John Deere MachineFinder. Get dealer information and equipment specifications right on our website.

www.machinefinder.com

www.machinefinder.com

It cost 500-800 to ship mowers like this anywhere in the US .

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coaltrain

· #13 · Jun 27, 2021

paul70stang said:
Also my 2720 has FEL and BH mounted 90% of the time which I use.

I wouldn’t try it with a backhoe on at all. Deere makes it pretty simple to remove and attach implements.

It can easily be done with what you have. But if you want to buy something new that’s a different story.

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Seasled

· #14 · Jun 27, 2021

paul70stang said:
TheI found one used 2019 JD X738 in NH about 90 minutes away. The guy is selling just the tractor (no attachments) he wants $12,000 --- Seems very high priced to me

Thank You

Yea ,if it’s the same one on fb marketplace For 12 k your getting the 47” snowblower w/ 4 suitcase weights with it (@ $3000 option)
32hrs on tractor and It does look mint or you can buy the just the tractor for 10k , either way it looked like a fair deal. JMHO

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paul70stang

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jun 27, 2021

Seasled said:
Yea ,if it’s the same one on fb marketplace For 12 k your getting the 47” snowblower w/ 4 suitcase weights with it (@ $3000 option)
32hrs on tractor and It does look mint or you can buy the just the tractor for 10k , either way it looked like a fair deal. JMHO

yes, I need a mower, I have a front mount 54" blower on my 2720, I do not have a mower.
The only mower I have is the Walker GHS which is not going make it up that hill, it has trouble on my front 14 degree hill

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Rule292

· #16 · Jun 27, 2021

paul70stang said:
The somewhat flat area at the top of the hill is the leaching field off my septic tank. Top layer of pipes is only about 6" down,
Can I drive my 2720 (2000+lbs) on top of that?

Also my 2720 has FEL and BH mounted 90% of the time which I use. Taking the BH off putting the 3ph on to mow this hill also just seems to be a lot of work.
Just not sure what the perfect answer is.
Right now I thinking either a JD X7 with mower or that Cub Cadet Pro Z. Either choice ia a lot of money.
I found one used 2019 JD X738 in NH about 90 minutes away. The guy is selling just the tractor (no attachments) he wants $12,000 --- Seems very high priced to me

Thank You

It is...

My dealer has a new 2020 x738 for $12050 on the showroom floor.

BTW I love my x738 for it's hill climbing (and descending) ability. Stab and steer! 😂

Just noticed, my tractors are just like all of the vehicles in my house. Three pedals!

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Tractor Tim

· #17 · Jun 28, 2021

cc1999 said:
X738, x758 any 4wd/awd X7 are the best I have found for mowing adverse terrain. Like steep ditch banks, slopes etc.

Ventrac is even better especially with duals on. TTWT has some good videos on the ventrac machines mowing slopes .

The Ventrac really works well on slopes.

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Rule292

· #18 · Jun 28, 2021

Tractor Tim said:
The Ventrac really works well on slopes.

For the price, it ought to! 😉

Nice tractors but as I opine they are targeted for deep-pockets entities like governments, educational establishments and healthcare providers.

I did see a local contractor using a well-used Ventrac with a front mount wheeled cart for demo work.

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etcallhome

· #19 · Jun 28, 2021

My back yard looks as steep as yours, I can mow across , up and down . Main thing use 4xd , IMO L range and go slow till you get accustom to the feel of your machine on the hill . Yes I'm using a 1025r with 1 1/8 (i think ) wheel spacers.

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etcallhome

· #20 · Jun 28, 2021

Rule292 said:
For the price, it ought to! 😉

Nice tractors but as I opine they are targeted for deep-pockets entities like governments, educational establishments and healthcare providers.

I did see a local contractor using a well-used Ventrac with a front mount wheeled cart for demo work.

Very pricey machine , several landscaping and mower businesses in Morgantown area use them and yes the government.
I think with dual wheels on all 4 wheels will do a 54 or 57 ° slope.

For me I had always used a MF1655 and then our JD425 up till I bought our first 2210. Scared the crap out of me the first time I mowed across the back yard. I stopped the tractor half way across making the first cut on the steepest part of the yard. Got off the tractor, and I tried rocking it to see how stable it was , to see if upper wheels would come off the ground. NOPE could not get either wheel to even come close to being off the ground. Took a few more passes tried the same thing. I can mow in H or L range going across the back yard and feel safe.

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