Mower with independent rear braking system.

[Kmicah40]

I currently have a 1997 Cub Cadet 2284 hydrostatic transmission shaft drive 22 hp tractor mower that has independent right and left rear wheel brakes. This mower does a fantastic job of mowing a very steep hilly terrain going across the hill. The slope in some cases is greater than 45 degrees. The mower has 26” dia. 10” wide beet juice filled rear tires (ag type like on farm tractor). Mower has 60” cut mowing deck. The only way I can mow this hilly area is going across the hill and never sitting on the seat but sitting on the upper side over the rear wheel. Now is where the brakes is used and the only way to mow this hill. I basically keep the front wheels in a straight path and use the rear wheel upper side brake to keep the mower in a straight path across the hillside. I tried going up and down the hill but was a little dangerous when going downhill because tractor mower did not have good traction and wanted to slide. Let me say what I’m doing when I do this mowing is pretty dangerous and I do not recommend anyone trying it.

The reason I did this long winded explanation is because I’m trying to find a new tractor mower capable of doing what this CC 2284 mower does. The engine on my tractor is getting very tired and either needs replacing or I get new tractor mower. New Kohler 25 HP Horizontal engine is close to $3000.00. My problem is I cannot find anything close to what this tractor mower offers that I can purchase new. Anyone, anyone have a suggestion of a mower capable of mowing hilly terrain like this. I might say I’m not that familiar with the zero turn mowers but the center of gravity on those mowers scare me especially on a hillside.

Thanks for any advice.
Larry H

 

[workinonit]

You need a Ventrac or something similar. That slope looks steep in your pictures and slopes never look as steep in pictures as they really are. I'm not saying you are crazy for cutting that with a Cub but you are. I find it somewhat interesting that rear brakes helps mowing this slope. BTW, I'm scared of few things on a tractor but you couldn't pay me to cut that on an old worn out Cub.

 

[ruffdog]

My dad's neighbor also used a CC tractor to mow his very steep areas. He wanted to upgrade and asked dealers to bring units to his home to show him how they work. Some didn't even take the mowers off the trailer and one did and crashed the mower. He ended up buying a CC ZTR that uses a steering wheel to control the front wheels and he was happy with it. Here is the top of the line of these type CC mowers:

Commercial Zero Turn Slope Mower| Pro Z 972 SD | Cub Cadet US

 

[dodge man]

I’d probably mow that with something that has 4wd. I’d mow up and down the hill also. There might not be room to turn around at the bottom but you could back up and down the hill.

 

[ruffdog]

Deere has the X700 series garden tractors that can have diesel, all wheel steering, and all wheel drive options.

https://www.deere.com/en/mowers/law...1y_hl6FzPayeGLL8AwRoCL6AQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Kmicah40]

My dad's neighbor also used a CC tractor to mow his very steep areas. He wanted to upgrade and asked dealers to bring units to his home to show him how they work. Some didn't even take the mowers off the trailer and one did and crashed the mower. He ended up buying a CC ZTR that uses a steering wheel to control the front wheels and he was happy with it. Here is the top of the line of these type CC mowers:

Commercial Zero Turn Slope Mower| Pro Z 972 SD | Cub Cadet US

Yes, that’s exactly what I need, but being 80+ years old I don’t think I will go that route. That is a very nice mower. Being a zero turn and do what It does when mowing is impressive.

 

[Kmicah40]

You need a Ventrac or something similar. That slope looks steep in your pictures and slopes never look as steep in pictures as they really are. I'm not saying you are crazy for cutting that with a Cub but you are. I find it somewhat interesting that rear brakes helps mowing this slope. BTW, I'm scared of few things on a tractor but you couldn't pay me to cut that on an old worn out Cub.

The rear brakes was the only way I could mow going across the hill. When mowing you always have your foot on the upper side brake to force the wheel on the lower side do all the forward motion of the mower. The wheel on lower side doing all the pulling and the upper wheel doing the braking automatically makes the tractor want to go uphill. Therefore by using the brake on upper side it was easy keeping the tractor in a straight line. I’ve replaced the brake pads a few times, but this method works. The old engine has over 3000 hours and needs replacing but everything else works good. I agree most people won’t attempt to mow a yard like this.
Larry H

 

[bnold]

My dad's neighbor also used a CC tractor to mow his very steep areas. He wanted to upgrade and asked dealers to bring units to his home to show him how they work. Some didn't even take the mowers off the trailer and one did and crashed the mower. He ended up buying a CC ZTR that uses a steering wheel to control the front wheels and he was happy with it. Here is the top of the line of these type CC mowers:

Commercial Zero Turn Slope Mower| Pro Z 972 SD | Cub Cadet US

Huge fan of my 760S for the slopes around my place. A traditional zero turn would just make a mess dragging that uphill tire around.

 

[stevem5215]

I have two slope mowers. I have a 94' Steiner 420 that is a good slope mower of course. You do need the duals on it to do a slope job though. And I have a Simplicity Citation XL with a 61" fab deck that weighs a good bit and has wide tires that give good traction across my slope behind my house and garage. Mine is probably around the same as yours based on that picture. A heavy ZTR with good wheel traction will do the job. I bought the Simplicity Citation brand new at a dealer for $6000. It was a good deal at the time and was a year old model in the showroom they wanted to sell. My kinda deal. He wanted $6600 for it. I offered 6 cash. (a check) It came with a 3 year warranty and I've had it about 3 and 1/2. It's been good and the full suspension is great on my 4 acres I cut. I also have a backup mower which is a Simplicity XT2500 with front suspension but it doesn't do the hill well and is basically dangerous on it so I don't use it there. So you can get one that works, just depends on what you feel is good for you. A used Steiner is a good machine IMO. I bought used and have had it for around 18 years now. 15 here and at least 3 at the other house. It's amazing how I could brush the snow off the driveway and drive up (it was a angled bend driveway that had a vertical from top to bottom of around 50 feet) and if it was icy underneath that Steiner with it's AWD could walk up that driveway and not be sliding all over. If I tried at times to walk it I would slip and usually fall. But that machine was like a Billy goat on it. Amazing AWD system they have. Like I said it depends on what you need. For me, I'm happy with the equipment I have currently for the tasks I do around here especially. (although a Snowblower would be nice we haven't had the snow to support the expense. Same with a trencher, and a stump grinder lol attachments are great things!)

 

[Kmicah40]

I really appreciate all the responses to my issue of steep hill mowing. I’ve went ahead and purchased the new 25hp Kohler engine. I like what I’m able to do with my current mower even if it’s 25 years old. Getting a different mower would be a new learning experience on how to use it, and thought of liking my old mower more made me make my decision to re-power my old one.

Thanks
Larry H