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Mowers and tractors

Best Riding Lawn Mowers and tractors for Hilly terrains in Reviews

Published In Automotive , Home & Garden , Outdoors

Mowing your lawn is always a rewarding activity but this is only true with a good lawnmower, and here we provide reviews and useful buying tips to help you pick a good one for mowing hilly terrain.

Our Picks

 

Key Consideration before buying

When it comes to buying a lawnmower, most people will always go for the latest model from their favorite manufacturer. 

While there is nothing amiss about this, it is also important to consider the following vital things.

Engine

The engine is the first and most crucial things to consider when shopping for a lawnmower for your hilly terrain as it will affect everything else. 

It is what powers the machine and gives it the ability to mow uphill and the more powerful the engine the better. A mower with at least a

350cc and 15 to 20 horsepower engine is often good enough for hilly terrains.

Deck Size

Deck size determines how good a lawnmower can cut grass, and so it is a crucial factor to consider before settling on any brand or model. 

Deck sizes will typically range between 30 and 50 inches. The larger the deck size the better, and this is because small ones will not yield the best mowing results.

Cutting Width

As you are choosing a lawn mower for your hilly terrain, it is important to consider the cutting width and choose the most appropriate for your lawn. 

Lawnmowers will typically come in two or three blades with the latter having a larger cutting width than the former. 

But, it is important to note that a larger cutting width is not always the best for you, and so you need to choose something that suits your particular situation.

If you were to rank your favorite places in your home, your well-manicured lawn would probably make one of the first few spots in the list. 

But, every homeowner knows that keeping the lawn looking pristine and inviting takes a lot of mowing. And if you have a hilly lawn, it will even require more effort and time. 

However, a good riding lawn mower can help make things less tedious. What makes these types of riding mowers great is that they are more powerful and are designed to handle the challenging terrain.

But, like with the regular flat terrain mowers, there are many of them in the market from different companies. These mowers will also differ in a lot more than just the appearance and brand. 

Hence, to help you choose the best ones, we review 5 top rated mowers for hilly terrain, and also provide a buying guide.

01

Troy-Bilt 540cc 46-Inch Riding Lawnmower by Troy-Bilt

Our Pick

Pros

  • Powerful 540cc engine
  • Automatic transmission
  • Large side discharging deck
  • Soft touch steering
  • Mow in reverse capability
  • Sturdy wheels with durable tires
  • Comfortable mid-back seat

Cons

Single slow speed reverse can be annoying.
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The fact that this Troy-Bilt lawnmower runs on a 19 horsepower/540cc Briggs & Stratton engine should be enough to show you that it has what it takes to handle any hilly terrain.

Besides the massive power, it also has a 46-inch side discharging deck that is big enough to mow large sections with every pass.

The lawnmower also has mow in reverse capability, and it uses a soft touch steering. And it comes with a mid-back seat for comfortable mowing. Also, it has some sturdy wheels with durable tires that will allow you to mow at speeds of up to 5.2 mph.

This is a powerful mower with a large deck size to make mowing hills fast and easy.

You know what’s the most important feature of Troy-Bilt 540cc 46-Inch Riding Lawnmower? One customer wrote details about this on Amazon. If this is what you're looking, Check current price and Buy Now on Amazon

02

Poulan Pro 960420182 15.5 HP Auto Hydrostatic Transmission Mower by Poulan Pro

Multipurpose

Pros

  • Optional attachment for bagging or mulching
  • Easy speed change without stopping
  • High performing and durable engine
  • Provides level cuts in all terrains
  • Multiple position cutting deck adjustment

Cons

Not very good for mowing taller grasses.
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Although a more powerful engine is always better, the 15.5 HP one on this Poulan Pro is still quite powerful, and it should handle hilly terrains with ease.

Besides this being a high performing mower, it comes with optional attachments for mulching or bagging and hence making it a great multipurpose mower.

Also, it uses the hydrostatic transmission system that ensures you can change speed fast and without having to stop.

And it is designed with an oscillating front axle with a 6-inch turning radius that provides level cuts even in rough terrain and makes it possible to cut close to trees.

This is the perfect choice for those that want something that can also mulch or bag.

For more about Poulan Pro 960420182 15.5 HP Auto Hydrostatic Transmission Mower, check out customer reviews on Amazon. If this is what you're looking, Check current price and Buy Now on Amazon

03

Troy-Bilt 382cc Premium Riding Lawnmower by Troy-Bilt

Budget

Pros

  • High forward speeds
  • Adjustable cutting deck settings
  • Fast and easy engagement of the blade
  • Compact size for easy storage
  • Comfortable mid-back seat
  • Durable and smooth riding wheels

Cons

Significantly less powerful engine and smaller deck width.
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Although this Troy-Bilt lawnmower runs on a relatively less powerful 382cc engine, it makes up for what it lacks in power with convenience.

It is a compact machine that is designed to take up little space in your garage and with a 30-inch deck to make it easy to mow those tight and small spaces.

This cutting deck also allows you to choose from 6 different cutting heights. The lawnmower has an 18-inch turning radius for easy maneuverability and it is designed with manual power take-off to make engagement of blade fast and easy.

And it comes with some durable wheels and tires for smooth rides and a comfortable mid-back seat.

High-performing but relatively affordable lawnmower for those shopping on a tight budget.

You know what’s the most important feature of Troy-Bilt 382cc Premium Riding Lawnmower? One customer wrote details about this on Amazon. If this is what you're looking, Check current price and Buy Now on Amazon

04

Husqvarna YTA24V48 24V Variable Transmission Tractor Mower by Husqvarna

Auto Transmission

Pros

  • Fast and efficient automatic transmission
  • Choke less start
  • Improved deck airflow for consistent cutting
  • Spring assisted deck for easy operation
  • Convenient fender deck mounting

Cons

Might struggle to mow very steep hills.
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An automatic riding lawn mower is always more convenient, and if you are looking for one for mowing hilly terrain, this will be a good choice.

The fast and automatic transmission provides a maintenance-free operation, and it also features a choke less start and an electric clutch.

This lawnmower uses the more advanced air induction mowing technology that improves airflow within the deck to ensure that you always get a consistent cut every time.

Its deck mounted and spring assisted deck is also a great feature as it helps to ensure easy operation.

If you prefer the convenience and speed of auto transmission lawnmower this is a great buy.

If you’re interested in reading customer reviews of Husqvarna YTA24V48 24V Variable Transmission Tractor Mower, you should check from Amazon Now. If this is what you're looking, Check current price and Buy Now on Amazon

05

Yard Machines 420cc Riding Lawnmower by Yard Machines

Pros

  • Powerful and durable engine
  • Comfortable mid-back seat
  • Can also mulch and bag
  • Equipped with 7-speed transmission
  • Larger deck for cutting wider areas with every pass

Cons

They are a little flimsy.
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You can never go wrong with any lawnmower that runs on at least a 400cc engine as it packs enough power to tackle almost any hilly terrain.

This particular one has 420cc engine and if you combine this with its large 42-inch deck then there is almost no mowing task that will be too tough for you.

And it can also help with mulching and bagging. The lawnmower is equipped with a 7-speed shift-on-the-go drive system for faster and more efficient mowing.

And it also comes with a well-cushioned mid-back seat for maximum comfort and some large and durable tires.

For those with overgrown lawns looking for a powerful lawnmower to bring them back to shape this is it.

For more about Yard Machines 420cc Riding Lawnmower, check out customer reviews on Amazon. If this is what you're looking, Check current price and Buy Now on Amazon

Conclusion 

Hilly terrains can be very challenging to mow but this should not be so if you have a good mower for the jobs. And with this handy guide, you now know how to choose one. 

For recommendations, go for Troy-Bilt 382cc Premium Riding Lawnmower if you do not have a very steep hill to mow and want something cheap while the Troy-Bilt 540cc 46-Inch Riding Lawnmower is our top choice overall.

Buy Now

01 Troy-Bilt 540cc 46-Inch Riding Lawnmower
by Troy-Bilt
This is a powerful mower with a large deck size to make mowing hills fast and easy. Buy now on Amazon
02 Poulan Pro 960420182 15.5 HP Auto Hydrostatic Transmission Mower
by Poulan Pro
This is the perfect choice for those that want something that can also mulch or bag. Buy now on Amazon
03 Troy-Bilt 382cc Premium Riding Lawnmower
by Troy-Bilt
High-performing but relatively affordable lawnmower for those shopping on a tight budget. Buy now on Amazon
04 Husqvarna YTA24V48 24V Variable Transmission Tractor Mower
by Husqvarna
If you prefer the convenience and speed of auto transmission lawnmower this is a great buy. Buy now on Amazon
05 Yard Machines 420cc Riding Lawnmower
by Yard Machines
For those with overgrown lawns looking for a powerful lawnmower to bring them back to shape this is it. Buy now on Amazon
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