How to Mow A Steep Hill

This is how you can safely and effectively mow a steep hill. Make sure there is nothing (pets, kids, a flower garden) at the bottom of the hill for the mower to run over if it gets away from you. Also make sure the strap/rope you're using doesn't get run over.

If your grip/arms are not strong enough you can make a handle and walk back and forth instead.

Also if you pull it uphill at the correct angle you can mow on the way up, too.

I know someone is going to say "you can just go sideways." No, you cant. The mower will not go sideways across this hill, and you would fall over or destroy your knees/ankles trying to walk sideways on this hill. If that's your solution you really aren't getting how steep it is.

Again, a weed trimmer would also not work, and would be even worse, because you can't hold it low enough to go below you, can't hold it high enough to go above you, and you can't balance nearly as well when your arms are occupied by holding it. And standing sideways on this hill while waving around a spinning cutting implement is a really dangerous and stupid thing to do and just asking to be maimed.

[RandomDuude]

Just a suggestion: If you attach the rope to the body of the mower instead of the handle, it won't lift its front wheels when you pull it up. Meaning you can mow both ways.

[jeffkluckman]

I have a lawn care business and the fastest easiest lowest cost way to do steep hills is similar but not like this. Turn that mower sideways tie one end of a rope to the front and the other end to the back at the base by the wheels somewhere. Then walk at the top of the hill side to side starting at the top with the mower. Drag it by the rope side to side and steer by pulling the rope at the front or back and when you get the the end let some slack out and walk back the other way and keep doing it till the mower gets to the bottom. Its about as easy as normal push mowing and it works the same as long as you have a rope long enough. I've done 30ft plus tall 50 degree steep hills in no time. Just have to watch the mower tipping and make sure the engine is pointing correctly (air filter up the hill usually) so the engine still gets oil and fuel without flooding or starving it too.

[jcolonna]

Him: “Cutting this hill is dangerous”
Also him: “so I defeated the safety mechanism”

[TheDude-lrmb]

I've lost tip of a toe while mowing downhill. Just as you said in the video, I've slipped and my right foot went under the mower. Thankfully I've lost only a tip of my big toe, but it was still a serious injury and it could've been much worse. I guess it's a life lesson learned for me.

[doyourpeace]

Thanks for making this video, it’s obvious for some people but I have been constantly running uphill/downhill mowing (I lose control of it side-to-side) so this was super helpful. Thanks for sharing

[zxjvwjc]

I have a 45 degree or more embankment that's about 5 ft tall and 100 ft long. I just lace my shoes up tight and mow it length wise. You have to turn the mower where it's facing uphill a little bit so it'll stay in a straight line. It's less dangerous cutting that direction.

[OTG]

I’ve been doing this for years. But it’s a lot easier if you attach the rope to the lower part of the handle, down close to the mower. That way the mower won’t bounce up and down when you pull it back up the hill.

[krazzykid]

I've been there, done that. Mowing an incline sucks for sure. I solved it the same way too.

If the property allows it, has enough room, and is permitted, I would consider taking some dirt off the crest of that hill and lengthening the incline so it's a shallower grade. It's a lot of work though without heavy equipment and isn't always a possibility.

[Ichinin]

Just pour concrete over it.*Bam* - never have to mow that part again. Or just do what i did when my parents asked me to do the lawn: lie and say you did it and live blissfully in ignorance - it is only a problem if you make it one :o)

[biffedya]

I did the same thing but I turned the mower around with a self propelled mower so I lower it backwards and when I pull it back up I configured the rope to engage the self propulsion and i don't have to pull it back up hard at all

[armstronglance]

Just get a 4 wheel drive lawnmower. I bought one from Lowe’s and the suckers strong enough to drag me up the hill.

[chrissheafer]

My hill is 4 times as long. Tried this....

Weed eating has been the safety and easiest solution so far.

[ShaKur]

Any suggestions for steep hills that lead into a canal?

[StyxAnnihilator]

I have tried similar ones, with manual mower even. Try sideways (that the mower always is angled) or diagonal. Another method is to do it in stripes, from the bottom, push up as far as you reach, move to the side and continue. Then move up the hill for next section and repeat. Can also do opposite from the top, if feel better to pull up back.

[meganhammonds]

Hysterical… thanks for the video I have to Mow and layered yard and was looking for some tips.

[mickeycg]

How about rubber tyre and go across the slope

[Fourandaquarter]

You can either mow it length-wise, or what I do is push it up and down at an angle, beginning the left most extent and working to the right. It seems way easier than straight up and down.

[rashadabdullah]

What about lubrication? Have you had any valves remain stuck open or notice metal dust in the oil? Bcoz at that slope the oil will either settle in the bottom of the crank case or under the piston in the cylinder. I think thats why my 675 series briggs exhaust vlave was stuck open. Pushing up hill then coasting backwards down.

[ardalla]

I have the same problem except it's city property I have to maintain as part of my yard. I can't do anything to it except keep it cut or put roundup on it. I'm going to try something new this year: a self propelled, battery mower with a low center of gravity. I'm thinking it won't tip over.

[MickeyMishra]

okay I'm going to make a video on how to do this because I've been doing this for years. And some special tools to help you on your way.