Fairly steep for some is a slight incline and for other just slight of climbing mountains. I have spots in my yard that drop 3 to 4 feet in 20 and are just bumps in the yard. So can you define what you consider steep a little better.

 

 

My X500 drives up several slopes almost twice that steep every time that I mow. A couple of spots are more than twice as steep as that. I can't even get up a couple of the spots if the grass is wet because the tires spin, even with the differential lock engaged.

 

A belt driven geared trans axle may be better than a hydro in this situation.

 

You definitely need to look at garden tractors, not lawn tractors. Not going to finds many garden tractors with 42" decks.

The John Deere X500 and X700 series tractors have the ability to run on hilly terrain for years without problems. The X500 series has the K72 transaxle that is very strong and is available with 48" or 54" decks and the X700 series has the even stronger K92 transaxle and has 48", 54" and 60" decks available. They all have differential lock and some of the models in the X700 series have 4WD available, but I don't think that you need that.

The Simplicity Prestige series is comparable to the JD X500 series and the Simplicity Legacy XL series is comparable the JD X700 series and will handle hills without issues as well. The Prestige Series has the K72 or K664 transaxle depending on th eindividual model, 50" and 52" decks available and the Legacy XL series has the K92 trans and has 52" and 61" decks available. There si one model in the Simplicity Prestige seris that does not hav differential lock, but all of the others do, and the Legacy XL series has 4WD as well.

For 0.6 acres with the hills you describe I would go with a JD X500 series with a 48" deck and is the least expensive of all of them.

There are a couple of Huqvarna models that have K66 transaxles with differential lock available that are a bit less expensive than the JD X500 series, but I feel that you get what you pay for, while some folks on here will probably recommend them to you.

 

A good hydro will do 15* or better all day long like a cake walk. But don't expect to buy one at the big box store. I also find the15* max to be kind of a joke unless that's all your hydro can handle. But for a K-46 that may well be the limit.

 

Yep when the tool bar on the three point hitch prevents rear tire contact on the way up its to steep to mow.

 

More likely the engine is the limiting factor for how steep a slope the tractor is rated for.

 

Not likely, unless the hydro in question is a Sundstrand Series 15. TRACTION is the important factor, followed by the horsepower handling capabilities of the hydro. No current model GT has a hydro that can kill the engine powering it up a slope unless the mower deck is working hard.

 

@Coda What is your budget? Lots of good used GTs available that can handle big hills for not too much $$$ if you aren't afraid to wrench a little. .6 acre isn't too much to mow.

 

I'm not sure on the degree of incline, but the last 15-20ft before it levels seems like it is beyond the limit of what would be safe. I'm even leaning forward over the steering wheel to try to keep the center of gravity lower and forward hoping the front tires stay down.

 

For a yard of this size and with this many turns/direction changes a geared tractor seems less than ideal. I hate to spend the price of a 500 series on half of an acre, but its looking lime the best option

 

Cub XT3 GS will tackle any hill you can throw at it. with 42" deck is $4500/tractor, $600/deck= $5100.

If you can find a leftover you can get it really cheap. One of the Canadian guys found a few leftovers (I think a 2016 model) for $3000 ish new.

Cub Cadet XT3 GS Garden Tractor | Cub Cadet US

Read reviews and learn more about the Cub Cadet XT3 GS. Choose Dealer Delivery or Pick-up. Financing Available.

www.cubcadet.com

 

Personally for your lawn I would look for a small commercial zero turn in the used market. You will end up with more maneuverability and a lower center of gravity. With a drive train heavy enough to tackle anything your yard can throw at it.

 

Your K46 won’t live long. As was stated a GT will suit your needs better. It’s fortunate it sounds like you have plenty of traction in 2wd, so that leaves you with many more options.

 

I've pulled 15 cf trailer loaded to top of rails with wood up steeper hills than that when I had the JD 318. I had no issues doing load after load.

 

Tyres will help no matter what tractor you get. Turf tyres are great for level and dry turf. As soon as that turf tyre begins to spin and not go anywhere, you have lost traction and it makes no difference what transmission you have. Consider getting ATV tyres which have a more aggressive tread pattern to increase the traction going up and down hills. Contrary to popular opinion, ATV style tyres don't chew up the turf as they are made of a softer compound.

 

Feather the throttle or hydrostat ? Makes a difference . Kevin .

 

I already have meaty ag tires on the tractor due to traction. Otherwise it was like riding a rollercoaster going down.
Hitting the hill with the pedal to the floor causes the trans to slip and give up the quickest. Once it comes to a stop, i can ease off the pedal slowly and the trans will eventually grab once I am down to maybe 20% on it.

 

For tgose still reading as well as future readers with the same problem;
I think I have decided on a JD x380 with a k58 transaxle. A new one comes with a 4yr (300h) warranty which should be plenty of time to put it to the test. It allows for fluid/filter changes (unlike the k46), and has about twice the torque as the k46.

 

The thing with engines and slopes is where is the oil pickup for the pump. As long as it is submerged, the engine is lubricated. Most pickups are somewhere in close vicinity to the center of the sump so that they are submerged at any angle left or right, or forward or backward. Extreme angles left and right will more likely cause the tractor to turn turtle well before the pickup runs dry. Sustained slope climbing will eventually cause excessive aeration of the oil resulting in poor or no lubrication due to the crankshaft counterweights churning it up.

The maximum potential dirt slope that a GT might face is 39°. I mowed the grass on the side of a bridge approach when I was a teenager that was close to that angle. The pucker factor is a wee bit higher than most mature operators will be willing to deal with. (Teenagers all think that they are bullet proof.) The 1960's vintage model engine with splash lubrication had no problem. That tractor survived for several years on that duty . . . until the steering broke and it made a home run down the slope into the chain link fence at the bottom, so I was told. I didn't enquire as to the particulars of the incident, but I surmise that it rolled sideways. The narrow "level" path at the top of the slope wasn't all that level.

 

I have searched and scoured online for information on what lawn/garden tractors are the best for climbing hills. To my dissapointment, almost every result ranged from 5-10 years old.

My question to you folks is, well, what current tractors CAN handle hills that push the trans to climb and decline over and over for years without trouble?

My specific situation: I have 0.6 acres and a hill that runs across my property that requires about 15 passes down, and 15 passes back up. It is swooping starting gradual going up, and right before levelling off at the top it gets fairly steep. The k46 in my new JD E-130 can do it, barely, slowly, feathering the throttle.

What are my options for machines that can handle this without struggle - for several years to come?
I would like to stick with a 42" deck, 48" if I must. Dont need any extra bells or whistles, as this is already going to be breaking the budget of what I thought the E-130 could handle.

Thank you

Anything 4WD/AWD, or with a diff lock button will work just fine.

 

I don't know why you are disappointed that the recommended tractors are 10 years old....and you do need a GT...not LT get something older but simple....gear transmission...shaft or belt..and definitely a pressure engine lube system...if all you are doing is mowing, maybe a little snow blowing or plowing ...for a piece of property that size you can find something for a lot less$$$ than new ...and probably better Cub, Bolens, Wheel Horse, Simplicity, JD...even some SEARS stuff...a lot of really good older stuff out there...and this is the time of year for it

 

Hey Coda, you live anywhere near Maine?

 

Thats quite a way from me, in Ohio

 

Ah, well it was worth an ask. Selling a machine that would work well for you, for a lot less than it's worth- but you're rather far lol.

 

Coda:

Did you consider a k66 upgrade for your current mower? If your current tractor otherwise fits your need but just can’t climb the hill, it might make most sense to upgrade the trans, especially if you want to keep the current deck. Upgrade is pretty expensive, but not compared to finding another tractor, selling your current, not knowing what you’re getting with a used one etc.

 

My parents have an E130 as well. It does not like the hills around their own half acre from heck that approach 30* in spots. It’ll drive up about 20-25* when traction allows on turf tires but it feels like I am killing the hydro drive every time. The poor thing is just not up to the task.

Jlynch’s suggestion seems to be a good one. I’d consider a transaxle swap before I would spending big bucks on a new tractor. That engine has plenty of power to drag you up a hill, it’s just not being fully utilized.

If that fails, I would then echo the other’s advice: look into an older unit with a diff lock and direct gear/shaft drive or a zero turn rider. I used a JD 737 on some seriously sketchy slopes at the farm last year.

 

Update: I sold the E-130 and purchased a new x380 with a k58. I have mowed once and my first impressions are more mixed than I'd like. It does great on taller grass as far as keeping up and clearing out the deck. I notice it also has a faster top speed - which I'm not a big fan of - I feel like the tractor is a little underpowered when climbing the hill where a higher gear ratio would shine. Its also 100 lbs heavier than the e-130 and still only 22hp.
I'm not a fan of having the forward reverse and brake pedals all on the right foot. I preferes to hover the brake at times while inching forward in some spots but now that isnt possible.
I also have a scalping issue with the breakover angle where the hill flattens abruptly. I assume this is a byproduct of the longer wheelbase. I'll figure that out more with time.
Lastly, traction. Wish the x380 came with a locking diff but that would require a $2k jump to a x570 with a k72. I figure I can get hopefully 4 mows in before the 30 day return window expires; just incase I decide it isn't up to the task. I'm already thinking how it will do trying to climb towing a leaf sweeper up the hill, as well as other odds and ends tasks pulling a utility cart around.

I would say our hill approaches 25-30 degrees at the steepest part.