The Green Industry's Resource Center

flatlander42 · #1 03-26-2011, 08:17 PM

This may be better in the "off topic" section...But I also thought it fit here too.

I don't know about you.....but....I don't know how comfortable I'd be w/o a ROPS and a helmet on!!! I mean, the mower is doing perty good at holding the hill but clearly it is past the point of safe operation!

I enjoy a good crazy vid as much as the next guy but these guys are waiting to be another newspaper headline!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhYsy..._order&list=UL

93Chevy · #2 03-26-2011, 08:20 PM

That's definitely a hill for a walk behind. Most of the hill doesn't seem to present a danger of tipping, only sliding. But if you're sliding down sideways and stopping suddenly, that presents a tipping hazard.

P.Services · #3 03-26-2011, 08:32 PM

And that's what you get for using the low bidder on the county parks contract.
Posted via Mobile Device

Mowingman · #4 03-26-2011, 08:33 PM

Brings back memories for me. I used to mow about a mile of hillside just like that for our City Landfill. I would do the same thing they were doing. Crab it along the hill until it breaks loose, then turn downhill and slide to the bottom. Find a good spot and head back up the hill. Do it over and over until you get it all mowed. The best mowers I had for that work were my Grasshopper diesel midmounts. Low center of gravity and the heavy diesel helped provide good traction and lots of power.
Those mowers will not turn over on a hill like that, unless, they slide sideways and the downhill drive wheel drops into some type of hole. Then, they might flip. However, with a big heavy deck under them, chances are slim of a rollover.
I always like mowing our "big hill" contract. It was a fun challange every week.

Pro-Lawn&Grounds · #5 03-26-2011, 09:03 PM

why not mow up and down the hill rather than sideways? it seems safer to just ride up the hill and back down? I have a hill like that to do but i borrow a buddy's swisher trailmower and put it behind a quad it is a bit of a PITA but it feels a lot safer than using a ztr

flatlander42 · #6 03-26-2011, 09:03 PM

I understand that they were "just" sliding.....but it could turn bad fast.

93Chevy · #7 03-26-2011, 09:05 PM

You can't go up because there's not enough weight on the front and the front end would be stable on the ground. You could mow down, but not only would you scalp the top of the crest, but you'd slide the whole down and if your front tire caught a rut or hole, the mower would stop and you'd be thrown over the handles.

kilgoja · #8 03-26-2011, 09:10 PM

they should get a tractor riding mower for the hills...they hold hills better

Raymond S. · #9 03-26-2011, 09:23 PM

"Hey Y'all watch this!!!"

nobagger · #10 03-26-2011, 09:28 PM

Going down sideways wouldn't bother me but when he turned and was looking right up the hill....thats where things could go from bad to worse specially with no bagger or ROPS. I take our rider on a few "more than 17% grade" hills and if it starts to brake loose, just steer out of it like he did, doesn't make for a pretty looking lawn unless they like racing stripes. But yeah, a large w/b would be more productive than those things.