Mowrator Standard vs Wide Wheels vs Grip Tread: Which Tires for Your Slope?
The Mowrator S1 4WD comes in three tire setups, each rated for a different slope and ground. Here is how standard wheels, wide wheels and Grip Tread tires compare, and how to pick.
Last updated: November 2026
The Mowrator S1 4WD has three tire setups. Standard wheels are rated for 75% (37°) slopes and suit firm lawns. Wide wheels are rated for 85% (40°) and spread the weight on soft, wet or uneven ground. Grip Tread tires are rated for 119% (50°), the steepest in the lineup, with deep tread on flat-free tires for very steep, firm banks. All ratings are Mowrator's. Pick by your steepest slope and by how soft the ground is.
One Mowrator owner on X described buying the 85% wide-wheel model and adding the Grip Tread tires to push it further. That is the question most S1 buyers face: which tires? Here is the comparison, using Mowrator's own figures.
All three are on the same S1 4WD machine: four independent brushless motors with 1,000 W of traction power, a 21-inch deck, and grass up to 51 inches tall, per Mowrator.
When are standard wheels enough?
If your steepest slope is comfortably under 75% (37°) and the ground is firm, the standard wheels are the simplest choice. Mowrator says they give balanced traction without tearing up turf, and the patterned tread limits compaction. Replacement standard 4WD wheels are sold as a pair.
When should you choose wide wheels?
Choose wide wheels when your slopes are soft, damp or uneven: ditch sides, spring-fed banks, clay that stays wet, or lumpy pasture. Per Mowrator, the wider tread spreads the machine's weight for grip and less turf damage, and resists wheel spin. They are rated for 85% (40°). You can buy the wide wheels as a pair to fit to an existing S1 4WD.
When should you choose Grip Tread tires?
Choose Grip Tread for the steepest firm banks: road cuts, dam faces, terraces. Per Mowrator, the 12 mm non-directional tread on semi-solid TPU needs no inflation, resists punctures, and is gentle on concrete and stone paths. The Grip Tread edition comes with two pairs of Grip Tread tires plus four standard drive wheels, so you can match the tires to the job. A spare Grip Tread tire pair is sold separately.
Mowrator lists two limits: the tires stiffen below 14°F (-10°C), and performance drops after long exposure to damp or water. That makes them a summer and fall tire for most owners, not a snow tire.
Can you swap tires yourself?
Yes. The tires and wheels are sold as parts for the S1, and the Grip Tread edition ships with both sets so you can swap. Swap on flat ground with the mower off and the battery removed, and follow Mowrator's instructions.
Do Grip Tread tires fit the 2WD?
Per Mowrator, the Grip Tread tires fit the S1 2WD and 4WD. On the 2WD, Mowrator lists the rating as 45% (24°) with weights, the same as the S1 2WD's own rating. The extra slope ability comes from the 4WD drive.
What about snow?
For winter, the S1 4WD takes Mowrator's Snow Plow Kit, which comes with snow chains. Because the Grip Tread tires stiffen in deep cold, many owners will use the standard or wide wheels with chains for plowing. See remote control snow plow vs robot snow blower.
Add margin. Wet grass and loose soil cut grip, so choose a rating above your slope.
Check the ground. Soft and wet points to wide wheels; firm and very steep points to Grip Tread.
Think about the season. Grip Tread for warm months; standard or wide with chains for winter.
Consider both. The Grip Tread edition includes standard wheels, and wide wheels can be added as a pair.
Which is easiest on the lawn?
Wide wheels spread weight the most, so they leave the lightest marks on soft turf. Standard wheels have a light footprint on firm lawns. Grip Tread tires are kind to hard paths, per Mowrator. On any tire, avoid sharp turns on wet grass, and mow when the ground is dry where you can.
Grip is not free. On a steep slope, more traction means the motors work harder, which uses more battery. Expect fewer acres per charge on steep banks than the flat-ground figures. Per Mowrator, the Wide Wheels and Grip Tread editions both come with the 18Ah battery, rated for up to 2.25 hours and 1.125 acres per charge, which helps on long, steep jobs. A spare pack lets you swap and keep going.
What do the tires do on paths and driveways?
Often you drive the mower across a patio, path or driveway to reach the slope. Mowrator says the Grip Tread tires absorb shock and will not scratch concrete or stone paths. PU wheels are also kind to hard surfaces. Avoid spinning any tire on gravel, which wears tread and throws stones.
Still not sure which fits your property?
Tell us about your slopes, ground and grass and a Yard Automation Pro will reply by email with a recommendation, or tell you honestly if none of our machines fits. Book a free consultation, or call +1 423-927-3776, 9am to 5pm EST. You can also try the Find Your Robot quiz and cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What slope can the Mowrator S1 4WD handle?
Per Mowrator, 75 percent (37 degrees) on standard wheels, 85 percent (40 degrees) on wide wheels and 119 percent (50 degrees) on Grip Tread tires.
What are Mowrator Grip Tread tires?
Semi-solid, flat-free TPU tires with a 12 mm non-directional tread, rated by Mowrator for 119 percent (50 degrees) on the S1 4WD.
When should I use Mowrator wide wheels?
On soft, wet or uneven slopes. Mowrator says the wider tread spreads the weight for grip and less turf damage.
Can I swap tires on my Mowrator S1?
Yes. Wheels and tires are sold as parts, and the Grip Tread edition ships with standard drive wheels too. Swap on flat ground with the battery removed.
Are Grip Tread tires good in winter?
Mowrator says they stiffen below 14 degrees Fahrenheit and perform worse after long exposure to damp, so they are best in warmer months.
Do Grip Tread tires fit the 2WD?
Yes, per Mowrator. On the 2WD the rating is 45 percent (24 degrees) with weights. The higher ratings need the 4WD.
Which Mowrator tires are easiest on turf?
Wide wheels spread the weight the most, so they mark soft turf the least. Grip Tread tires are gentle on hard paths.
Do grippier tires use more battery?
On steep slopes, more traction means the motors work harder, so expect fewer acres per charge than on flat ground. A spare battery helps on long jobs.
