What Is a Slope Mower? Types, Ratings and Which One Fits Your Hill

Last updated: November 2026

A slope mower is a mower designed to work safely on ground too steep for a standard ride-on or zero-turn mower. The main types are remote control slope mowers, which you drive from flat ground; tracked or four-wheel-drive robot mowers; and large commercial slope tractors. Ride-on mowers and zero-turns are generally rated only for gentle slopes, and rollovers on steep banks cause serious injuries. Measure your slope first, then choose a machine rated above it for the job you need.

"What is a slope mower" and "what slope can a riding mower handle" are rising questions. Here is a clear guide to the types and what their numbers mean.

Why are slopes dangerous to mow?

On a steep slope, a riding mower's center of gravity can shift past its wheels, and it rolls. Wet grass reduces grip. Push mowers on slopes put your feet near the deck if you slip. Mowing across or along a slope each has risks depending on the machine, which is why makers specify how to mow their machines on slopes.

What slope can a riding mower or zero-turn handle?

Many riding mower and zero-turn makers rate their machines for gentle slopes only, and advise against steeper ground. The exact figure is in each machine's manual. Zero-turns steer by braking one wheel, which can lose grip on wet slopes. If your bank is steeper than the manual's figure, do not mow it with that machine.

What are the types of slope mowers?

What are the ratings for the machines we carry?

Mowrator machines are remote controlled, not autonomous; you steer them. The Yarbo is autonomous and mows a mapped lawn on its own. See is Mowrator autonomous.

What do percent and degrees mean?

Slope ratings use either grade in percent (rise over run, times 100) or angle in degrees. A 100% grade is 45°. A rating of 75% is about 37°, not 75 degrees. Always check which unit is used. Our how to measure lawn slope post shows how to measure yours with a phone.

How do you pick the right slope mower?

1. Measure the steepest part you need to mow.
2. Choose a machine rated above it, with margin, because wet grass and rough ground reduce grip.
3. Check the ground. Soft, wet banks suit wide wheels; very steep, firm banks suit deeper tread. Mowrator says its Wide Wheels spread weight for soft, wet or uneven slopes, and its Grip Tread tires have 12 mm tread on semi-solid, flat-free TPU.
4. Check grass height. The S1 4WD cuts grass up to 51 inches tall, per Mowrator.
5. Check area per charge. The S1 with the 18Ah battery covers up to 1.125 acres per charge, per Mowrator.

See Mowrator standard vs wide wheels vs grip tread for the tire choice.

What does a slope mower cost?

Prices vary by type and size, from compact remote control mowers to large commercial slope tractors. We keep prices off the blog; see the product pages for today's prices. Compare against the cost of a service that hand-trims steep banks, and the safety cost of mowing them yourself with the wrong machine.

How do you mow a slope safely with a remote mower?

• Stand on flat, stable ground, above or beside the slope, never below it.
• Walk the slope first for stones, holes and wire.
• Mow when the grass is dry for the best grip.
• Keep people and pets away.
• Keep the remote's emergency stop in reach.
• Follow the maker's guidance on mowing direction for that machine.

Should you mow a steep bank at all?

Sometimes the best answer is not to. Very steep banks can be planted with ground cover, native grasses or shrubs that need little or no mowing. That reduces erosion and work. A slope mower makes sense where you need the bank kept short: road visibility, dams, ditches, fire breaks, or a lawn you want to look tidy.

Wheels, tracks or tires: what grips best on a slope?

Grip depends on the ground as much as the machine:

• Firm, dry grass: standard tires with good tread work well within their rating.
• Soft, wet or uneven ground: wide wheels spread the weight so the machine sinks and slips less. Mowrator rates its wide-wheel S1 for 85% (40°).
• Very steep, firm banks: deeper tread grips best. Mowrator's Grip Tread tires have a 12 mm non-directional tread, rated for 119% (50°) on the S1 4WD.
• Mixed lawns: tracks spread weight and climb well, as on the Yarbo Core.

Mowrator notes that its Grip Tread tires stiffen below 14°F (-10°C) and that long-term damp reduces their performance, so match the tire to the season too.

What does a remote slope mower not do?

It does not mow on its own; you drive every pass. It does not replace a trimmer along fences and posts. And on very large areas, battery runtime means you plan around charging or carry a spare battery.

Still not sure which fits your property?

Tell us about your slope, yard and how steep it is 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.