Mowing a steep slope
Mowing a steep slope
Hi,
It's about that time when I need think about mowing the garden at our let for the first time. We purchased it in November, so I have got away with not having to do it yet!
I need some advice on the best petrol mower for mowing a steep slope. Our lawn has a slope which is about 35degrees and is some distance from the house so a petrol mower is the only way to go. A petrol hover mower doesn't collect the grass, so I prefer not to go down the route of having to start raking the grass cuttings. Has anyone any experience of using a standard self propelled petrol mower? Are they OK on such a slope?
The lawn is too large to strim. It would take ages - and then there's the raking the cuttings problem again!
Thanks !!
It's about that time when I need think about mowing the garden at our let for the first time. We purchased it in November, so I have got away with not having to do it yet!
I need some advice on the best petrol mower for mowing a steep slope. Our lawn has a slope which is about 35degrees and is some distance from the house so a petrol mower is the only way to go. A petrol hover mower doesn't collect the grass, so I prefer not to go down the route of having to start raking the grass cuttings. Has anyone any experience of using a standard self propelled petrol mower? Are they OK on such a slope?
The lawn is too large to strim. It would take ages - and then there's the raking the cuttings problem again!
Thanks !!
Harold Stone wrote:
In the Dordogne, 35 degrees is practically level ground! Any good quality self-propelled rotary mower with a grass bag should cope comfortably with that. I've got a couple of extensive steep slopes here (60-70 degrees) and I manage these with a combination of a rugged three -wheeled French rotary mower and a big strimmer. Have to pick up the grass though!The sky is blue so we know where to stop mowing.
Jim
-
- Posts: 68
- Joined: Fri Feb 25, 2011 10:22 pm
- Location: France
We never collected the cuttings... mowed very regularly and just left them in situ - several years of doing it to positive effect. Googled to see what I could come up with to back this up - list is lengthy -
http://www.google.fr/search?client=safa ... 0QWH0MCnBw
If you do decide to go that route - then perhaps a Flymo-on-a-rope?!
http://www.google.fr/search?client=safa ... 0QWH0MCnBw
If you do decide to go that route - then perhaps a Flymo-on-a-rope?!
I'm trying mulching this year instead of cutting - so far so good, but then the growth isn't much at the moment. The test will be when all my gîtes are occupied in a couple of weeks time - I don't want a lot of grass in the houses. But I know it is better for the grass to mulch cut frequently and not too short. I have had a lot of moss grow in the last few years because I have always cut the grass too short.
I was watching the grass being mowed on a very steep bank around the castle y'day and the gardener was standing at the top with a long rope around the handle of the mower.
It is better to remain quiet and have one think you are stupid, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt....
The biggest mistake we make in life is thinking we have time.
The biggest mistake we make in life is thinking we have time.
- Harborfields
- Posts: 358
- Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 11:29 pm
- Location: West Boothbay Harbor, Maine
- Contact:
-
- Posts: 414
- Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2009 4:06 pm
- Location: Luz, Algarve
One (long-term) risk with mowing slopes is that the lubricating oil in a four-stroke engine might not drain to the engine's oil pump as it should. While there is reduced oil flow there will be increased engine wear. That risk is eliminated by using a two-stroke engine as, I think, is typically fitted to a Flymo.
The greatest short-term risk is ending up underneath the mower, hence using a mower on a rope from a position of relative safety.
+1 for the mulching option.
The greatest short-term risk is ending up underneath the mower, hence using a mower on a rope from a position of relative safety.
+1 for the mulching option.
Same here LV. I've just renovated and re-seeded one gite's lawn because it had become about 75% moss. But, when the grass is growing like Billy-O in April-June, before the heat slows it down, cutting it short is the only way to avoid having to mow on days other than changeovers.la vache! wrote: I have had a lot of moss grow in the last few years because I have always cut the grass too short.
Jim
I can't mow on changeover days anyway Jim - I'm too busy doing the cleaning to mow the grass too. I hate disrupting guests, but I don't have a choice - I try and do it when everyone is out but that is difficult with 3 different gites and my work. But no-one has ever complained and it only takes around an hour and a half.