Hillside mowing

[jimbob200521]

Most of the property that I mow is pretty darn level but I do have two roadside banks that I need to keep nice and trimmed up. They're too big to push mow so the only real option is the Cub. I'm just curious (I haven't gotten around to installing an oil pressure gauge yet to keep an eye on things ) how are our lil Cubs on hillsides as far as keeping oil pressure? Or do you practically have to flip the thing to get the sump to run dry?

[J-Mech]

I'd say you'd be more worried about it flipping before losing oil pressure. I've had mine on steep enough inclines it slid down and never lost pressure.

On a side note, be careful mowing on hills.

[john hall]

I've thought/worried the same thing myself. I've been mowing the road ditch with the 128 for years-- I actually sit over on the fender. Tried it the other day with the 1811 and wouldn't you know it, the safety switches wanted to do their job.
I really would like to know how many degrees incline these engines can tolerate--both front to back and left to right. left to right should be fairly steep as they seem to work for bottom plowing OK.
Concerning operator safety, I ran a Yazoo once with a tilt indicator. Staying in the seat while turning was a larger concern on those machines.

[Mike McKown]

Originally Posted by john hall

I really would like to know how many degrees incline these engines can tolerate--both front to back and left to right. left to right should be fairly steep as they seem to work for bottom plowing OK.

I've seen that angle quoted in the Kohler manual. Can't remember if it was the M 18 engine or the CH 18 engine.

Once a week I get on several banks that are probably twice as steep as the Cub recommendation of 15*. This requires me to ride the fender(s). Some of these banks I mow up/down. Not too smart maybe but I've been doing it for a long time with no damage to the engine.

Proceed at your own risk.

[cadzag72]

My front lawn has a slope that ranges from 25 degrees at shallowest to 40 degrees at steepest, and I mow sitting on the uphill fender in a controlled slide (pilots call it "crabbing") and though I dislike it, after 6 years it's the only way I've found that keeps the grass at bay, and the engine has been holding up just fine. Once i've attacked the honey-do list a bit further, lessening that slope is on the agenda.

[Rescue11]

Weight the beach and put duals on. Use turfs not ags.

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by Rescue11

Weight the beach and put duals on. Use turfs not ags.

Why wouldn't you want AG's? That's what I would use. Less chance of slippage. More likely to get traction. With turfs, more likely to slide. Slide= fall. Plus, if you slide, and then gain traction that might = flip.

[rocker582special]

I agree with John I would definitely want ag tires while mowing a hill. I mow the hill at my church with a JD 214. It has ag tires on the rear and have never had an issue with slipping or sliding.

[drglinski]

If I were doing serious hillside mowing I'd have duals and they'd be AGS for sure. Get that wheel base as wide as you can get it. Or modify it so it's like a hillside combine.

[green 4 acres]

A bug mower makes a great hillside mower, jump off and steer from the bottom side and behind . We have a 60 degree terrace , I wouldn't try a 30 degree with a tank like a CC. I spent decades struggling with a self prop.