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Trimming steep hillside - how to navigate

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Roger

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have a customer with a hillside that separates a top lawn around the house, and a lower level of lawn. It is steep and she wants it cut down. It is far too steep for any mower, so this leaves a string trimmer. The vegetation is mostly grass and weeds, no saplings. The other instrument of choice would be a three-pointed grass/weed blade.

I trimmed one side down this morning. The entire hillside is split with an old railroad tie set of steps. The side I finished is about 35-40% of the total. It is so steep that navigating it was a major task. I believe that most of the remainder is even steeper. My intent was not to cut down the entire hillside, but only part today (my understanding with the customer is to cut it periodically, and only when necessary). Both parts need cutting now, but I only had time for the first part.

My question: Can I find some device for a rope to rappel down the slope, with the line tied to me (e.g. belt), a device that has a cam or some other quick way of setting a hold-position? I don't want to make repeated hard ties of the rope, rather something that I can adjust easily (standing on the hillside while making the adjustment will not be easy!). There are solid anchor points at the top (1" rebar stakes to hold a bumper railroad tie).

The associated pics show the project. You can see how one side of the steps has been freshly cut down. I believe the steps are not quite 1:1, perhaps a 5:6. On the uncut side, I made a few passes up the slope from the bottom with my w/b mower, but that only takes the first 4-5 feet off the bottom. use the posts at the top for vertical alignment on the slope.

Any ideas? I don't want to spend much money on any device. This is a "through the end of the season" customer, not to be part of any list for 2015. This means it will need to be cut down 4-5 times before season-end. I have too much to risk to tumble down the hillside.

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#3 ·
I'll see if I can manage some pics for you this week coming. Its tough but you just keep doing it how you been. The majority of that is walk behind work but I see some spots that are def too tough for a mower and you need to get used to this type of work. About a third of what my worker does is this work. That's why I say I'll get you some pics. You aint alone. I would try going head first up that thing as far as I could with the ztr before I put it away. The WB would do a lot of that. A WB on a hill is better than a hand railing. It is stable and it pulls you along. I used to think like you and I used a ton of string and elbow grease.
 
#4 · (Edited)
I believe I see a flat bottom with some running ground down below.
That is good because you'll need it to run off the speed you gain from coming back off that slope.

You'll need a Ztr with full ROPS, only a Zero turn rider can do it and you must have ROPS installed.
Then set the cut height to 5" and get a running start from down below.
The faster the machine the better, you'll need a full speed running start.
And careful not to hit the steps you run it UP the slope as far as she'll go...
Making SURE the Ztr stays pointed UP slope at ALL times!!!
Then you back down and try not to flip, just don't stop suddenly until you're back on flat ground.
Careful you don't overshoot the top as well.
Repeat however many times, side by side, until most of the slope is cleared.

Then all you have left is those steps and what the Ztr may have missed.
 
#5 ·
I've heard in a previous thread that some people use a really cheap/old/light push mower, tie a rope to the handle or cut the handle off and tie to the frame or deck, then pull it up and down from the top of the slope, thats my best idea other than trimming it like you have, you could also try to put a trimmer head on an extended pole chainsaw if you have one.
 
#6 ·
I put my vote with herler. I've got hills that I do with my Z-Turn. Always facing up the hill, then back down very slow. I'm doing hills that 10 years ago, I never dreamed of doing with a mower. Keep the front wheels heading up the hill always. Like a car you can not control a skid. Do on a regular basis when it is dry. Too long and it stays wet. Finish up with a string trimmer. 15 -30 minutes tops for the whole thing. Once you get past the nearly crapping your shorts period, it's not bad at all.
 
#7 ·
Scag SWZ would do 75% of that hill (far more than any Z rider)
the rest can be weed whacked you need good shoes/boots with aggressive soles that tie above the ankles and you can do it (as long as it's not wet)…some golf spikes would help too!

IF you have a lot of this kind of work, husquvarna used to make (maybe they still do?) a product called "Fly mo"
we used to use it in the military for mowing down grassy side hills on fire bases.
What it is , essentially is a hover mower.
Attach two pieces of rope to it, lower down a hill side and pull one one side or the other to get it two "swing" back and forth across the hill.
works pretty good as long as there are no stumps or rocks.
IT will go flying! if it hits something with the blades.
But you're semi safe, because you're up the hill holding on to the rope, and it can only fly so far.
works best with two people, limited use with a rope in each hand but it can be done
 
#9 ·
Except for pic #6 and the steps, a wb could safely cut most all of it. I've done hills like that with a ztr but the grass will sometimes tear while coming down. Depends on how particular the customer is.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Thanks for the replies. The hillside is steeper than the pictures apparently convey. Pics #2 and #3 show some of the "nibbling" at the bottom and edge I tried with my w/b. I could get no further. Not only did the wheels spin, the engine was shutting down because of the angle. The carb does not handle fuel at sharp slopes.

I was remiss in not posting a pic of the up/down ramp that I do use for my ZTR. It is in the background of #3. And, I am standing in the ramp for #2. The ramp is a lesser slope than the hillside. But, even at its slope, I am barely able to get to the top. The front wheels are off the ground when I reach the top. Thinking of trying it on the steeper hillside is totally out of the question. The front of the machine would never remain on the ground, IF the drive wheels stuck. And, if the engine shuts down because of the angle, while somewhere in the middle, I have lost control of the machine. Any side direction would undoubtedly roll it side to side. Remember I said it is just shy of 45", perhaps 5:6 (based upon the steps).

I spent time on the finished piece, and I am barely able to stand. Spiked shoes isn't the issue, trying to find a small spot that may be just a little less steep for a foot placement. This is why I was seeking advice on some way to use a rope to my body, with the end anchored at the top. I work solo, so having another person at the top holding a rope, moving with me on the slope, is not a choice.

The "mower on a rope" idea has merit. My problem is I don't have any simple hand mower that would work. It would take one with good discharge, lightweight, and perhaps disposable because of lack of lubrication.

I have a couple of things rolling around in my head, a movable platform to put one foot against, a light chain with links I could hook an S-hook (position at various locations up/down).

Thanks.
 
#12 ·
Roger said:
Thanks for the replies. The hillside is steeper than the pictures apparently convey. Pics #2 and #3 show some of the "nibbling" at the bottom and edge I tried with my w/b. I could get no further. Not only did the wheels spin, the engine was shutting down because of the angle. The carb does not handle fuel at sharp slopes.

I was remiss in not posting a pic of the up/down ramp that I do use for my ZTR. It is in the background of #3. And, I am standing in the ramp for #2. The ramp is a lesser slope than the hillside. But, even at its slope, I am barely able to get to the top. The front wheels are off the ground when I reach the top. Thinking of trying it on the steeper hillside is totally out of the question. The front of the machine would never remain on the ground, IF the drive wheels stuck. And, if the engine shuts down because of the angle, while somewhere in the middle, I have lost control of the machine. Any side direction would undoubtedly roll it side to side. Remember I said it is just shy of 45", perhaps 5:6 (based upon the steps).

I spent time on the finished piece, and I am barely able to stand. Spiked shoes isn't the issue, trying to find a small spot that may be just a little less steep for a foot placement. This is why I was seeking advice on some way to use a rope to my body, with the end anchored at the top. I work solo, so having another person at the top holding a rope, moving with me on the slope, is not a choice.

The "mower on a rope" idea has merit. My problem is I don't have any simple hand mower that would work. It would take one with good discharge, lightweight, and perhaps disposable because of lack of lubrication.

I have a couple of things rolling around in my head, a movable platform to put one foot against, a light chain with links I could hook an S-hook (position at various locations up/down).

Thanks.
Click to expand...
To be honest, I would just take a trimmer and be done with it. Too much talking and not enough doing.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#15 ·
Roger said:
Thanks for the replies. The hillside is steeper than the pictures apparently convey. Pics #2 and #3 show some of the "nibbling" at the bottom and edge I tried with my w/b. I could get no further. Not only did the wheels spin, the engine was shutting down because of the angle. The carb does not handle fuel at sharp slopes.

I was remiss in not posting a pic of the up/down ramp that I do use for my ZTR. It is in the background of #3. And, I am standing in the ramp for #2. The ramp is a lesser slope than the hillside. But, even at its slope, I am barely able to get to the top. The front wheels are off the ground when I reach the top. Thinking of trying it on the steeper hillside is totally out of the question. The front of the machine would never remain on the ground, IF the drive wheels stuck. And, if the engine shuts down because of the angle, while somewhere in the middle, I have lost control of the machine. Any side direction would undoubtedly roll it side to side. Remember I said it is just shy of 45", perhaps 5:6 (based upon the steps).

I spent time on the finished piece, and I am barely able to stand. Spiked shoes isn't the issue, trying to find a small spot that may be just a little less steep for a foot placement. This is why I was seeking advice on some way to use a rope to my body, with the end anchored at the top. I work solo, so having another person at the top holding a rope, moving with me on the slope, is not a choice.

The "mower on a rope" idea has merit. My problem is I don't have any simple hand mower that would work. It would take one with good discharge, lightweight, and perhaps disposable because of lack of lubrication.

I have a couple of things rolling around in my head, a movable platform to put one foot against, a light chain with links I could hook an S-hook (position at various locations up/down).

Thanks.
Click to expand...
If you had a Bike handle type trimmer doing steep hills is easier to balance your self on The hand held trimmer can throw you off loose you balance
I have few places I trim only I should wear cleats but I don't I learned how to walk on it
 
#19 ·
If you have a Kombi system a extension may get it all.

Theres no majic pill for this one.

BALANCE your self so when you Fall you fall onto the hill, otherwise you will roll down the hill. Work from the bottom up and wear somesort of face shield.

Id say have fun, but that aint likely.
 
Discussion starter · #20 ·
Sorry, update is so slow ... job finished several days ago.

Based upon the input here, I tied off a rope on the anchor stakes at the top, and tied it to my waist on the hillside. Yes, some work, but job finished for this time. Thanks for the input.

I learned a couple of things:
1. The present owner has never seen a single person trim it down, ... always with one person at the top with a rope to hold the person with the trimmer on the hillside.
2. Somebody (perhaps a previous owner) had sunk some stakes in the ground along the hillside, 1/2" rebar, about 6" exposed. I think they were to hold a board, such as a 2x4, 8 ft, as a foothold. I can see this working, using a couple of boards to work one's way across, and yet have something to keep one from sliding/falling down the hillside.
3. About half of the hillside was covered with poison ivy, growing in the grass. Yes, I cut it down too, and I am allergic to some extent. I came right home, cleaned up with soap and cold water, on my exposed limbs and face. I had no outbreaks. BTW, the cold water (keeping pores closed), with soap, soon after the encounter seems to work pretty well. I had another encounter with a fallen tree, smothered in poison ivy, and survived it as well without breaking out -- same deal, cold water, lots of soap.

Case closed. Thread closed. Thank you.
 
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