Once the temperatures warm up, it’s time to start cutting your lawn. But if you’re trying to mow an area that sits on a slope, then you may have a big challenge on your hands. Luckily, mowing a sloped lawn is very possible, but there are some key tips you should keep in mind. Keep reading to learn about five important tips for mowing a sloped lawn.
Inspect Area Prior to Mowing
Before any mowing job, you should always do a walkthrough of the area. This is done to check for rocks, toys, branches, garbage, or anything else that can get in the way. If you forget this step, you could do harm to your mower blades or cause injury to you or others. But given that hills and sloped lawns make it more difficult to see and inspect the area, this step is more important than ever. As you’re riding up the hill on your lawn mower, it may be very challenging to see what’s on the other side of the hill. To prevent injury and possible damage to your mower, be sure to do a thorough walkthrough before the job.
Adjust Mower to Maximum Height
While you may want to give your lawn a short cut, you should be very hesitant if you have a sloped lawn. That’s because mowing too short on this type of lawn can actually remove far too much grass than you intended to cut. That being said, one of the most important factors when cutting on a slope is to adjust the mower to its maximum height. This will ensure that you won’t cut off too much grass, especially on the sloped areas. If you notice that the sloped area looks short while the other areas look long, simply lower the mower height on the flat sections while keeping it on the maximum height where it’s sloped.
For Push Mowers, Mow Side to Side
If you’re utilizing a push mower, then one of the most important tips to remember is to always cut side to side instead of up and down. If you mow up and down on a sloped hill, then you can risk severe injury. While mowing uphill, there is a possibility you may fall, allowing the mower to roll on top of you. When mowing downhill, you also risk slipping under the mower, or losing grip and having the mower roll down the hill. Even though it is still possible to tip the mower when mowing side to side, those chances are very slim. In addition, mowing side to side can make you feel a lot more in control.
Mow Up and Down for Riding Mowers
Do you have a riding mower? If so, then you’ll want to tackle the hill by mowing up and down instead of side to side. Given the size of riding mowers, mowing side can easily cause them to tip over. If that happens, there could be serious injury and possible damage to your equipment. The mower could even fall on top of you — a potentially life-threatening scenario. From the tire design to the weight of the mower, it is highly unlikely for the mower to tip when going up and down on a sloped lawn.
Take It Slow
Although mowing on a slope is difficult enough, mowing too fast can make the process even more challenging. That being said, another tip for mowing on a hill is to take things slow. Not only does this allow you to easily identify obstacles in your path, but it also allows you to stay in control while you’re mowing. In addition, going slow also allows you to make smarter decisions and plan for a better route. While it depends on the type of mower you have, there may be an adjustment that can easily change the speed.
Call Main Street Mowing Today!
Not sure how to approach your sloped lawn? Does the whole mowing process sound too difficult? If so, then pick up the phone and give Main Street Mowing a call today! We’re happy to be a professional mowing and lawn care team that operates in Lewisville, Flower Mound, and Highland Village. We have lawn mowing experts who have tackled hundreds of sloped lawns in the past, and we’d be happy to add you to our long list of satisfied customers.
Here at Main Street Mowing, we completely understand that mowing your lawn can be time consuming, stressful, and downright scary — especially if you have a sloped lawn. That being said, we’re here to take away the stress and leave you with a gorgeous, vibrant, and healthy lawn for many years to come. Call us today to make an appointment!