Slopes
The operator's manuals for all of the machines we tested recommend the mowers not be operated up and down slopes greater than 10 degrees (the Deere manual says 13 degrees, provided the mower is not being operated with an attachment such as a bagger). Manufacturers studiously avoid any mention of side-slope mowing. Good, conservative advice. Steeper slopes should either be mowed with a walk mower or landscaped so there is no grass to mow.
If you're already using a tractor to mow a lawn with a steeper slope than what's recommended, you may not have the same experience with a ZTR mower. These machines are rear-heavy. Generally, 75 percent of their weight is in the back, where the engine is, while 25 percent is in the front. Also, ZTR mowers don't steer with their front wheels, which are caster types. In fact, a ZTR can lose the ability to steer properly downhill because of wet grass, ruts, or washboard surfaces.
You may find that compared to the tractor that you're used to using, a ZTR mower will be easier to drive up a slope.
Check you lawn's slope by buying an inexpensive pitch-and-angle reader ($7 to $10). Place the device on a straight edge or a level and press it firmly into the grass. Here's the one we use.
Other Obstacles
You can get hurt operating any kind of mowing equipment. The best advice is to stay alert and be aware of where you are relative to obstacles.
Water: Stay at least one mower's width away from the edge of ponds or streams when operating riding equipment. Again, steep slopes are particularly hazardous because they can cause a mower to overturn to the side or flip backward.
Retaining walls and other drop-offs: While concentrating on getting the lawn mowed, it's easy to forget where you are and get hurt. Mow with extreme caution near retaining walls, ditches, steep swales, or the drop-off where a culvert runs under a lawn. If possible, stay well back from these areas and cut around them with a push mower.
Curbs: Landscape contractors often bang a zero-turn mower over curbs in their race to finish the job. Don't do it. This can wreck a residential mower faster than you can say "gouged mower deck."
Mailbox posts, light posts, trees: Because ZTR mowers afford extreme maneuverability, it's all too easy to mow right to the edge. Bad idea. One slip and you'll bang the mower deck against the object. Light posts and mailbox posts are particularly prone to damage this (and from string trimmers, by the way).
Avoiding Lawn Damage
Take a test drive: Before taking a new mower out on the lawn, drive it around on your driveway first. Practice going straight, making curves, backing up, and turning around without squealing the tires.
Avoiding lawn gouges: Any self-propelled mowing equipment?from a walk mower to a tractor to a ZTR mower?can gouge a lawn. Prevent this by avoiding sharp, angular turns; pivoting the mower in place; or rotating the mower by spinning one wheel forward and one wheel in reverse. Instead, as you come to the end of the row, slowly reverse a ZTR and swing the mower into the next row, then go forward in a maneuver somewhat like making a K turn in a car. If you do this correctly, you don't have to swing one lap bar all the way forward and one back, causing the tires to counter-rotate. All it requires is that you move one lap bar all the way back to reverse the mower and then move both levers forward to go forward and cut the next row.
Reverse mowing: You'll reverse-mow in order to avoid lawn damage, but remember that you should never reverse without looking behind you. Obviously, children and pets should be kept inside while you mow.
Safety Gear
Eye protection: There's no need to wear cumbersome eye protection. A standard wraparound pair of safety glasses is all you need. This protects you from debris thrown by a mower blade that could bounce off a house, shed, or fence, or from the grass clippings that can blow around and irritate your eyes.
Hearing protection: Use foam squeeze-in earplugs or earmuff-style hearing protection.
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