Best Zero Turn Mowers for Hills

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All claims are strictly my personal opinion.

best zero turn mower for hillsWith unbeatable mobility and unmatched performance, zero turn mowers are the top choice for those that want excellent results in a quick, easy and comfortable way regardless of a lawn’s size or shape. Even though they’re extremely versatile – as we’ve seen on personal picks for the best zero turn mowers list – they need a few specific features in order to be able to perfectly handle tricky terrain like hills and still deliver top notch cuts. After thorough testing and evaluation, we’ve found the models that are, in our opinion, the best zero turn mowers for hills and we’re going to be taking a look at them in this article, ensuring you find the right one for you.

From superb construction quality and beastly power to big wheels and nimble handling, they can take on hills with ease and ensure beautiful looking lawns, no matter what. To further ensure your safety when taking on hills, they’re also heavy to improve stability and prevent tipping – plus, in the case it does tip, all the units featured on our list are either pre-equipped with a roll-over protection system or have the ability to install one with ease. Let’s take a look!

Best Zero Turn Mowers for Hills Comparison

These are, in our opinion, the best zero turn mowers for hills, thoroughly compared for you.

Zero Turn MowerSwisher ZTR2766BS Response 27 HP 66-Inch B&S ZTR MowerHusqvarna MZ61 61 in. 24 HP Zero Turn Riding MowerAriens Apex 60" 24 HP Kawasaki V Twin Zero-Turn Riding MowerHusqvarna MZ61 61 in. 27 HP Briggs & Stratton Zero Turn Riding MowerSwisher ZTR 24HP 54-Inch BS-CA Response Gen 2Ariens IKON-X 52" Zero Turn Mower 23hp Kawasaki FR691 Series
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Price $$$ $$$ $$$ $$ $$ $$
Deck Width 66 Inch 61 Inch 60 Inch 61 Inch 54 Inch 52 Inch
Engine Power 27 HP 24 HP 24 HP 27 HP 24 HP 23 HP
Hydrostatic Transmission
Roll-Over Protection System Available as an Add-On Available as an Add-On Available as an Add-On
Warranty 2 Years 3 Years 3 Years 3 Years 2 Years 3 Years
Availability Shop at Amazon Shop at Amazon Shop at Amazon Shop at Amazon Shop at Amazon Shop at Amazon

Best Zero Turn Mowers for Hills Reviewed

Let’s take a look at our in-depth reviews of the machines that are in our opinion the best zero turn lawn mowers for hills and find the perfect one for you.

Swisher ZTR2766BS Response 27 HP 66-Inch B&S ZTR Mower

The Swisher ZTR2766BS 27 HP featuring a 27 HP Briggs & Stratton engine is designed for durability and reliability. This zero-turn lawn mower has a 66” cutting deck that enables the lawn mower to tackle large-sized lawns and yards quickly and efficiently. The cutting deck of the Swisher ZTR2766BS 27 HP is the widest among all models that have been reviewed on our list and it also equipped with 3 Gator blades. The lawn mower has cutting and mulching capabilities of a real beast.

The Swisher ZTR2766BS 27 HP has a full engine wrap which offers convenient storage. All the features of the lawn mower along with its performance, maneuverability and affordable price, make it an excellent buy.

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Features

  • 66” cutting deck
  • 27 HP Briggs & Stratton engine
  • 11-gauge fabricated cutting deck
  • Hydro-Gear 2800 transmissions
  • Ogura clutch
  • Foot-assisted deck lift

Pros

  • Large cutting deck
  • Easy to use
  • Powerful performance
  • The heavy-duty steel construction makes the mower durable

Cons

  • The mower is quite large and bulky

Husqvarna MZ61 61 in. 24 HP Kawasaki Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower

If you are looking for the best zero turn lawn mower for steep hills with safety and ease, then the Husqvarna MZ61 24 HP is definitely a top choice, in my view, due to its power, weight distribution, pre-equipped ROPS system and all-around excellence. This beloved mower features a powerful, unrelenting 24 HP Kawasaki engine that just won’t quit and a 61” wide cutting deck that can cut even extensive lawns super quickly. It’s handily equipped with a deck lifting system that is pedal operated and lets you choose from 12 settings that you can adjust between 1.5 inches to 4.5 inches.

The cutting deck is solid and durable because it is built from 11-gauge steel. The ROPS (roll-over protection system) of the lawn mower keeps you safe when you’re working on uneven, hilly terrain in case the mower tips over. The Husqvarna MZ61 24 HP has been designed to offer maximum comfort and the high-back seat and armrests with comfortable padding reduce fatigue if you’re working for long periods of time and the vibration dampeners help to reduce the impact of the vibrations on your hands and arms.

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Features

  • 61” cutting deck
  • 24 HP Kawasaki engine
  • Fabricated 11-gauge steel cutting deck
  • Roll-over protection system (ROPS)
  • Deck lifting system
  • High-back seat with armrests, foam-padded grips and vibration dampeners

Pros

  • The 61-inch cutting deck can handle large lawns, especially in hilly areas effortlessly
  • The engine is powerful and reliable
  • The grass clippings can be bagged, discharged or mulched with the 9 bushel and triple bag collection system

Cons

  • Quite expensive

Ariens 991151 Apex 60″ 24 HP Kawasaki FR730 V Twin Zero-Turn Riding Mower

One of my all-time favorites, the fantastic Ariens APEX model is for many reasons one of, in my opinion, the very best zero turn lawn mowers for hills. Starting with the essentials, it features an extra-wide 60″ cutting deck and a potent, highly reliable 24 HP Kawasaki FR730 that’s famous for its quality. When combined, they make this beast of a machine sail through the lawn at great speed and deliver flawlessly clean cuts while the extra-large wheels ensure it can take on any terrain, no matter how rough or extensive.

It’s also incredibly comfortable due to the high-back cushioned seat, the handy controls and the reduced vibration. It’s built like a tank and just like the brand itself proudly proclaims, the Apex’s design is “indestructible”. Apart from the features you’d expect like hydrostatic transmission and cutting height adjustment, you also get ones that are uniquely useful for hills – the extra heavy weight frame, the wide wheels and the great power behind them plus it has a ROPS kit available as an add-on, which ensures you’re safe in the case of a rollover. The price is also beautifully attractive, making this machine rank confidently, in my opinion, among the best zero turn lawn mowers for hills.

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Features

  • 60-Inch cutting deck
  • 24 HP Kawasaki FR730 engine
  • “Indestructible” frame
  • Comfortable seating
  • Hydrostatic transmission
  • ROPS kit available

Pros

  • Heavy weight frame adds stability on hills
  • Great power ensures it can climb steep terrain
  • Extra large and wide wheels give further stability to the machine
  • Compatible with Ariens’ roll-over protection system kit
  • Excellent performance and mowing results
  • Will last a lifetime of use even under heavy-duty use
  • Beautifully attractive price

Cons

  • Can get a bit noisy while under operation

Husqvarna MZ61 61 in. 27 HP Briggs & Stratton Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower

The next machine on our personal list of the best zero-turn lawn mowers for hills – in our view – is the Husqvarna MZ61 27 HP. The lawn mower is fitted with a 27 HP Briggs & Stratton engine that delivers the power needed to cut grass on a sloping lawn or a hilly area. The 61” wide cutting deck of the mower allows you to clear the grass very quickly and efficiently.

Made from 11-gauge fabricated steel, the cutting deck lets you tackle any kind of mowing challenges and it does not really matter if the grass on the hilly area is coarse and tough or the ground is slippery. The Husqvarna MZ61 is equipped with a seat with a high back and armrests that lets you work for prolonged periods of time without feeling the fatigue. The lawn mower is also equipped with a seatbelt that offers added safety, especially when you are working on a steep incline or a hill.

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Features

  • 61” wide cutting deck
  • 27 HP Briggs and Stratton Endurance V-Twin engine
  • Hydrostatic Gear Transmission
  • 11-gauge fabricated steel cutting deck
  • Pedal-Assisted Cutting Deck Lift
  • 3-blade cutting system
  • ROPS kit compatibility

Pros

  • High-quality build
  • Cutting deck is sturdy and durable
  • Offers excellent maneuverability
  • Zero-turn offers precision and speed
  • ROPS kit is easy to install and very effective

Cons

  • Downhill traction of the mower can be better

Swisher ZTR2454BS-CA Response Gen 2-24 HP/54 B&S ZTR Zero Turn Mower, 54″, Black

The Swisher ZTR2454BS 24 HP is an excellent zero-turn lawn mower which works quite well on sloping lawns. The 54” cutting deck lets you work quickly and efficiently. The mower is equipped with the Rapid Response Control System which ensures that you are comfortable while working on the mower.

The zero-turn lawn mower features the Hydro-Gear 2800 transmission and a front and back hitch allows you to control the mower very easily, especially if you’re working on a hilly area. Overall, the Swisher ZTR2454BS 24 HP is a very good lawn mower if you have a sloping lawn or you’re using it to cut grass on hills.

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Features

  • 54” cutting deck
  • 8-gallon fuel capacity
  • 24 HP Briggs & Stratton Professional Series engine
  • 11-gauge fabricated cutting deck
  • Rapid Response Control System
  • Hydro-Gear 2800 transmission
  • 8 mph forward/reverse
  • 3 Gator mulching blades
  • 3-year warranty

Pros

  • The lawn mower is very balanced
  • The maneuverability of the mower is excellent
  • The mower is very easy to control
  • Seating is very comfortable
  • ROPS kit available and easy to install

Cons

  • Needs regular maintenance

Ariens 915223 IKON-X 52″ Zero Turn Mower 23hp Kawasaki FR691 Series

If you are planning to buy a zero-turn mower that you can use in the hills, then the Ariens 915223 IKON-X is worth considering. The lawn mower has a 23 HP Kawasaki V-Twin engine that delivers the power you need to mow the lawn on slopes efficiently and the mower’s 52” cutting deck speeds up the process.

The Ariens 915223 IKON-X’s cutting deck is made of 10-gauge steel which makes it extremely durable. The lawn mower has a very comfortable seat that has a high back and armrests, which prevents you from feeling fatigued when working for a long time. The Ariens 915223 IKON-X works very well on steep slopes and the various features of this zero-turn lawn mower make it, in my opinion, one of the best zero-turn lawn mowers for hills.

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Features

  • 52” cutting deck
  • 23 HP Kawasaki V-Twin engine
  • 10-gauge tubular steel frame
  • 4-point dual arm deck hanging system
  • Padded control levers
  • Padded high-backed seat with armrests
  • Comes with a 3-year warranty

Pros

  • Very comfortable to ride
  • The lawn mower is very easy to use
  • Cuts your lawn flawlessly
  • Excellent performance and quality for the price
  • Heavy frame, big wheels and great weight distribution makes it stable and safe on hills

Cons

  • The mower is not very fuel efficient
  • No ROPS kit available

Final Word

And there you have it – the machines that are, in our opinion, the very best zero turn mowers for hills on the market. With unique features and qualities that make them excel at taking on hills, they’re the top choice to handle this type of terrain flawlessly and safely, ensuring you get a gorgeous result in the end. Thanks as always for reading and have yourself a great day!

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