Hills...?

[qualitylandscaping]

Do any of you have a picture you could email me of a lawn you cut with a belt-mower that has a fairly steep hill?? I just got a bid package for a commercial property and it has a huge hill (30-35deg).. I want to use my 48" belt wb.. I don't want to put my ZTR on that.. Its about 400' long x 100' high, so a 21" or trimmer wont do the job. I know I would need to go across or diagnonal..

I'm not asking to use the pictures for anything other than reference.

email them to qualitylandscaping2001@yahoo.com

Thanks!

[scannon]

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slopemaster, but there kinda pricey.. or do what the Ary corps. of enginers did on buford damn.. heard of goats.

[qualitylandscaping]

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Scannon,

I know about all the hill mowers, but for one account, I am not going to invest the money..

All I need to know is will a 48" Belt WB do the job or not?

[qualitylandscaping]

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I'll see if I can get a picture of it on here this weekend.. There is over 2' of snow on it right now and I have some pretty high plow piles so it looks pretty wimpy at the moment...

[scannon]

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Steve, Steve, Steve, I was just trying to put a smile on your face!

[MY PUPPY]

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Steve one of my sites 300 ft. across and 150 ft. high at
about 35 to 40 degree incline. I have found the quickest way
is to run my Z-turn 52" up and down the hill. I have wieghts
up front and a bagger.

[TerraCare]

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just work your way up the hill on a horizontal pattern... the wb should do the job

todd

[imograss]

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the belt drive w/b should do the job, ive put mine on slopes that steep , the two problems you may encounter is tracking up the turf and since a belt drive wont hold itself back on a decline you may have to chase this mower down, ive done it but dont like it.

[qualitylandscaping]

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Thanks for the advice guys!

[Seascape]

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I would look for exsisting lines.That might give some indication of what has been cutting it.I have drilled all the hub pullies on my belt drives.This helps some.I have also found cutting up and down works ok . I use bobcat textrons but still slide when rainy, or early morning. Also keep in mind that unless you have very trusty labor that you will be the one cutting this hill every week. Also if you decide to cut with a belt drive make sure you have some of those little jesus clip type wheel retainers that hold your wheel on. About 15 cents ea. mowing sideways on hills wears them fast. Dont find yourself broke on that site without them.
Mike

[qualitylandscaping]

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Thank you seascape!! I appreciate your advice..[]

[mariner]

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Just go up and down the hill. Your mower has brakes.

[captken]

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I mow a yard that would qualify as "lawn mower mountain climbing" It is a corner lot and the corner is lake front. The owners [over 20 years] claim that several riders and some 21" have gone into the lake. Roll overs, and runaways.
I had a friend help me last summer with his rider. It rolled and he got scared. Claimed when he came off, he could hear and see the blades as the mower rolled over twice barely missing him.
This can be dangerous. I've tried to use my JD and attaching a rope to one corner and having a buddy hold on to it [mowing across] Didn't work. The best technick I found [due to the contures of the property] is to wear CLEATS, you know football shoes. The biggest danger is slipping. Going up the hill with a heavy walkbehind and slipping. Where is all that weight going? If you are mowing straight up the hill and slip, the weight is coming straight back on YOU!
Wear cleats and mow diagional, the rear of the walkbehind will slip down towards the bottom of the hill. With practice you can use this to your advantage, letting the mower "crab walk" up the hill. Forget about striping.
Most people would hate to mow a property like I describe. I think of it a challenge. With time you can go faster, for now concentrate on mowing techniq and being safe.
What ever you decide to do, Wait until the dew dries, and that hill grass is completly dry. If you don't, It's not a question of If I slip, It's a question of when. If not cleats, waffle stomper work boots, not worn out either. Believe me I learned this the Hard Way.
Also, if you have one, remove the sulkie and walk.

[FeartheDeere]

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Steve, I tell ya what, you can subcontract that bird out to me and my X 485 wont slip an inch.[] Lock in the cruise control while I'm at it too! I promise ya I'll stick some horizontal stripes on there for ya as straight as the equator! Too bad the routing to that job would be a bit inconvenient!

[qualitylandscaping]

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Fear,

LOL!! []

Thanks for the advice everyone![]