Best Zero Turn Mowers for Hills [2022 Reviews]

If you’re lucky enough to own a house or a cabin, you likely have a beautiful lawn to show with it. Having a garden, a yard, or any natural green space in your home is fantastic. It brings a lot of life to your property, and it increases in value in the long run. The only gripe with all this green space is that you must keep it tidy and clean.

Some people find this work tedious, and they prefer to pay a third party to take care of it. A lot of service providers do great work with this. Other folks are rather fond of yard work. They love to take their time to clean their green spaces. They even manage to buy the hardware required to do the job well.

There is a lot of advice about how to get an exceptional looking yard out there. A quick search on YouTube and you will find at least a 100 tutorial of people telling you how to cut grass. The pros always advise a more straightforward approach: never cut it lower than the third leaf blade. Grass, like hair, grows every week, and while you usually shave every 20 days, the lawn needs trimming once a week.

This is not as bad as many people think. Having a hill in your lawn or backyard can offer a great deal of protection to your property. The bad news is that it needs a lot of maintenance since hills favor the growth of plants. To get the job done correctly, you will need the best zero turn mower for hills, and that is just the topic we are going to discuss in this guide. 

The Best Zero Turn Mower for Hills – A Market Overview

If you are still on the fence about the benefits of getting your zero turn mower to work on hills, keep reading. We are going to share with you a list of the six best commercial mowers for hills. All these machines are available on Amazon.

The Ariens Zoom 34 – 19-hp Kohler 6000 Series

The top model we can recommend right now is the Ariens Zoom 34. This baby comes equipped with a 34-inch blade, and it has an ultra-powerful 19-hp engine. As the current smallest model of zero turn mower for hills, this little wonder is primed to take care of the yards and lawns of average-sized homes. The engine can withstand the ongoing use of any station of the year.

This mower is great for people on a budget since it doesn’t require a lot of add-ons. It only requires a small rear bag to collect the chopped grass, and that’s it. The Ariens Zoom 34 is sleek and powerful, it slices everything on its way, and it can leave the green spaces of your home looking great after just a couple of hours of work!

Pros

• Briggs and Stratton 19-hp engine
• Doesn’t need any additional add-ons to do the job
• The 34-inch blade is amazing to trim the green in your yard
• Needs minimal maintenance
• Best price for a commercial mower for hills

Cons

• Not as powerful as other models in the list
• Best suited for smaller households

Ariens 915229 IKON-XL Zero Turn Mower

The Ariens 915229 IKON-X is a fantastic lawnmower that features a 60-inches long blade to keep a clean yard and keep the hills in your property clean of weed. The machine was built resembling an agrarian tractor, and it moves swiftly and without causing too much noise. This little monster comes equipped with a 23-hp Kawasaki FR V-Twin Engine that consumes 726cc of gas per yard.

We can’t lie about this. Bigger is always better when it comes to choosing the best commercial mower for hills. The Ariens 915229 IKON-X 60 fits the bill to the letter. It gets the work done quickly and efficiently. The build of this equipment is pure casted metal that can withstand the power of the elements with very little maintenance.

The long blade is an assurance that you’ll get the job done in no time, and the back-padded seat will make the chore feel like a breeze.  It also has a cutting deck that goes as deep as four and a half inches. This zero turn mower for hills is probably the best and most balance device on the list since it suits large houses as well as common ones.

Pros

• It’s probably one of the most comfortable mowers we have ever raided on
• The 23-hp Kawasaki FR691 engine grants the machine with enough power to last a lifetime
• It’s perhaps one of the most user-friendly lawnmowers in the market
• It has a low consumption of gas per yard

Cons

• It’s kind of expensive
• The long blade might be a problem if you don’t know how to use it

Ariens 915227 IKON-X 7000 Zero Turn Mower

The Ariens 915227 IKON-X is actually the predecessor to one we just described, it’s still in production, and it’s probably one of the most well-regarded recommendations in the list. This wonder is equipped with a powerful 22-hp Kohler 7000 engine in a very compact package. It does a beautiful job in average-sized households. It has fantastic maneuverability for difficult soil.

The 52-inches blade is suitable for larger than average yards if it’s necessary. The cutting deck has been manufactured with stainless steel to make it as durable as possible. One of the most unusual traits of this device is that professional lawnmowers can’t seem to fit in one of the established criteria. Some of them see it as a commercial model, while others say it’s a residential one.

With a solid build and a powerful engine, this product is excellent for professionals and enthusiasts alike. The full build of this zero turn mower for hills makes it a very desirable device with a comfortable, padded backseat and well-assembled navigational controls. It can offer precision in the most challenging terrains.

Pros

• Incredibly comfortable with a set of padded armrests and backseat
• The machine runs with a 22-hp Kohler 7000 V-Twin engine that consumes 725 ccs of gas per yard
• It has a fantastic set of controls, and it’s incredibly maneuverable
• The zero-turn features are on point and allow the user to navigate any obstacle

Cons

• It requires assembling that can go quite messy for impatient people
• It may require some add-ons

Husqvarna Z254 Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Riding Mower

Is it possible to get something that makes you feel pleasure while mowing your lawn? If such a thing is out there, it is probably this machine. The Husqvarna Z254 Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower is the best zero turn mower for hills. It comes equipped with a 54-inch blade that will leave your yard and hills looking like a paradise. Equipped with powerful air-inducting technology, this mower won’t leave a mess behind as others do.

 The cutting deck for the Husqvarna Z254 Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower is built using the best flat-steel stock available on the market, meaning that this cutting tool is made to last for a very long time. This machine has a riding power of 26-hp in a Kohler engine that can tackle any terrain without problems. The park-brake system seals the deal-making one of the most accessible machines to handle on the list.

Pros

• It comes equipped with a 26-hp Kohler engine that consumes 730cc of gas per yeard
• It features some of the most amazing zero turn riding controls
• Has a park-brake system to stop the machine easier mid-task
• It’s incredibly versatile, and it can sort any type of obstacle
• The 54-inch cutting deck slices grass like a knife on butter
• The induction mowing technology is excellent for cleaner tasks

Cons

• It requires a mulching kit and bagger add-ons that are sold separately
• It consumes more gas than other options listed

Poulan Pro P46ZX Briggs V-Twin Pro

We have made a point across this guide that when it comes to zero turn mowers for hills, you need to aim for quality. The Poulan Pro P46ZX Briggs V-Twin Pro is a relatively rare combination of every single trait we have listed so far in all the other devices. This zero-turn mower is equipped with a 46-inch blade made of stainless steel that is incredibly balanced for housework or yard work in open spaces.

The Poulan Pro P46ZX is the best choice to deal with a problematic yard, regardless s of the type of terrain or the prominence of hills. It comes packing 22-hp on a V-twin engine, and it features the Hydro-Gear EZT transmission system to make the blade cut like scissors on silk. The intake of gas of this mower is balanced, lasting over 700c per yard and swooping a full two yards in a single ride. The extra settings for adjustable blades are a plus for people who might have smaller homes.

Pros

• It features with six adjustable blade height settings
• It has probably the best quick radius turning on all these devices
• The incredibly powerful 22-hp V-twin engine uses a balanced distribution of the gas intake
• The machine has a set of digital controls to monitor performance

Cons

• For all the power it packs in the engine this machine is very slow
• Not suited for any yard work that goes over two acres of terrain

Husqvarna MZ61 Zero Turn Mower for Hills

Last but not least is the Husqvarna MZ61. This pick is based mostly on reliance over everything else. This model is an upgrade of the not so distant Husqvarna 967324101, and it outdoes it in every aspect. The MZ61 is powered by a 27-hp B&S V-twin engine that can work long hours and offer a great deal of yard work per cc of gas. 

The Husqvarna MZ61 Zero Turn Mower for Hills also features a fantastic Hydrostatic Gear Transmission System to make the blades work swiftly. This machine is meant for heavy-duty work. The powerful engine and precise zero turn controls will make sure that no little corner of the yard is left unattended. The mower is equipped with three sets of blades in a single row to work faster.

Each cutter is made with pure 100% stainless steel that can withstand the force of the elements. It will take quite a while for any part of this device to get rusted. The 5-gallon capacity of the gas tank makes this machine the top option for enduring yard work. The top speed of 8.5mph is in place to make sure your lawn looks pristine after the job is done.

Pros

• Ultra-powerful 27-hp B&S V-twin engine with a cutting deck 61-inch wide
• Well-suited for yard work in large areas with steep terrain
• Some of the most comfortable backseat and arm-holders in a mower
• Allows the operator to bag or mulch grass clippings
• The best maneuverability on all the machines on the list

Cons

• Probably the most expensive device on the whole list
• It doesn’t work well against tall grass fields

What to Look for When Buying a Zero Turn Mowers for Hilly Terrain

Don’t scratch your head too hard; we are about to answer this one for you. Run an internet search for the best commercial mower for hills, and you can get an idea. We can get started by explaining that these devices are some of the most powerful lawnmowers manufactured in the market. They look a lot like an agrarian tractor, and they have a wide range of actions.

Getting the right tools can be tricky if you don’t know what you are doing. The good news is that we are here to help you out with that. Not all yards are the same. Not everyone has the perfect flat yard. A lot of people have hills in their gardens.

As you can probably imagine, this machine has a lot of power when it comes to chopping off grass and weeds. The zero-turn in their name it’s not a big secret or anything. The term is used to highlight the capacity of these machines to turn a lap using a small range of space in challenging radiuses. These machines can zigzag like the best and with outstanding precision.

The best zero turn mowers for hills run on gas and four wheels. Two small ones in the front that work like a swivel, and two large ones in the back for maneuverability. If you got a big property with lots of irregular land, this is just the machine for you. Stick with the guide until the end to learn why you need the best zero turn mower for hills and how far can you go with it.  

Buyers Guide

If you want to buy the best Zero turn mower for hills, you need to do a little homework ahead before making this type of expense. You will find a lot of options on the market. All of them different, all of them offering something unique depending on the type of lawn you have in your property. Every single model has its own set of pros and cons. The following is a list of the most popular models:

Commercial Zero Mowers

The commercial zero mowers are probably the best model offered in the list. These machines pack quite the horsepower, and they are great to keep your lawn pristine at all times. These devices are often used to maintain golf yards looking great as well as baseball camps. These are great if you have a home with a terrain well over 10 acres. They are expensive but quite efficient.  

Residential Zero Mowers

As the name implies, a residential zero mower is a machined used for average-sized houses. These devices are primed to cover well over 2 acres of lawn in less than an hour. They are mostly well-made and sturdy enough to withstand the ongoing work required on an hour yard without needing too much maintenance. The best about these models is how affordable they are.  

Prosumer Zero Mowers

While this variation of the zero mowers is a mix of the previous two, it can be quite costly, depending on the model you choose. Some people buy this for their homes if they want to decorate their landscape after a particular fashion. This machine is probably a bit too much for an average house, but It certainly works for a larger one with a least 5 acres of terrain.

There also some additional facts you need to keep in mind, such as the ones listed below:

Know your lawn

If the green in your property does not grow more than 12 inches tall, you probably don’t need a zero turn mower for hills. If your yard is a pasture, a large field, or a paddock, this machine is a literal overkill for these types of spaces. Sharp cutters or rotary machines will get the job done. Zero turn lawn mowers are heavy machinery, and they are built to deal with dense weeding

Get the Right Attachments

All zero turn lawn mowers have accessories available. There are a lot of attachments for each one, even the model we have listed here. Most of these add-ons will help you do a much better job in the field. They increase the range of the machine in terms of making it more practical or do what it does much better.  

Look for Comfort

Don’t take for granted how much time you can spend sitting on your zero-turn mower. If you enjoy taking care of your property, you will spend a couple of hours sitting on the mower as you work. Having a comfortable machine will make the chore feel like a sweet ride in your yard. 

Hill Compatibility

This guide is about zero turn mowers for hills. But you would be surprised at the sheer number of variants of this piece of hardware out there. The zero-turn feature is something increasingly sought after for pastures. Hills, however, are trickier than any other surface. You need to make sure the zero mower you are getting is specially designed for hills.

Engine Power

One of the best pieces of knowledge you can have beforehand is about the conditions of the terrain you plan to work with your zero lawnmowers. The hardest grounds call for more engine power. This also means that the machine you are about to get will be a bit more expensive, but it will be something built to last. 

Zero Turn Mowers FAQ

You’ve probably realized how bad you need a zero turn on the hills of your property. These are the basics you need to get before making your purchase:  

What is a Mower for Hilly Terrain?

It’s a high-powered piece of machinery that is useful to mow lawns in hilly terrains by turning a lap in a small range of radius. They are designed to zigzag with outstanding precision. They run on gas and four wheels. Two small ones in the front that work like a swivel, and two large ones in the back for maneuverability.

What’s a Mower for Hilly Terrain suitable for? 

Crunch some numbers about your lot of land. If you have a large property, the cost of keeping the yard looking good might be piling up in your budget if you have a lot of terrains to cover. Professional gardeners can be quite expensive, even if they are mowing the lawn. If you buy the best zero turn mower for hills, you’ll make a one-time expense for the rest of your life.  

Who can benefit more from mowers for hilly terrain?

People with lots of lands that have a steep terrain or scaling hills. Quite frankly, the best answer is about anyone who has to deal with green lawns, yards, and people who don’t want to spend a lot of money paying someone else to take care of their garden or yard. 

Why don’t I pay someone else to do this job?

If you trust your lawn or yard to a service provider, you probably have to deal with waiting lists, schedules, and all that nonsense. You only want your yard looking great, so you might as well do it yourself without having to rely on anyone else. Turn your zero turn mower on your hills and get the job done. No schedules, no waitlist. Justyou and the grass.  

Final Thoughts

After reaching down here, we hope you are convinced to try on one of these bad boys. We surely had a great time testing each one of these or the purposes of this guide. Keep in mind that investing in the best zero turn mower for hills for your home is a lasting addition that will save you a lot of money in the long run, plus it will give you an excuse to go out and enjoy the sun while doing an enjoyable chore in the most natural way. Best of luck and enjoy the mowing!