Standon Mower vs Walkbehind on Hills Pt1

[@jamescopeland8813]

Another great video example of "Just because you CAN, doesn't mean you SHOULD". Thanks for the post.

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

James Copeland your are exactly right. Walkbehind is still the king on slopes

[@jamescopeland8813]

@@PlemonsLawnCare - still a great video, though. It proves how much safer standers are... and that standers can pull you through a tough situation, where a ZTR might have you running for the truck and a winch.

[@hipskipne1984]

First minute of vid...props to the laid back customer, they're the real MVP here

[@changingseasonslandscape6142]

Just Demo a Z2. Handle the ditch and hills I cut Great! It's a kick ass mower

[@kevinp5004]

Advice from one mower rider to another: start at the bottom of the hill. It’s much safer to make your turns up the hill

[@BobbyBowker]

Makes sense to me!

[@CraigSmith568]

I have an Ariens Zero Turn and it does good mowing sideways on a hill and it will climb a tree. Problem is once you aim the front downhill you better hang on because it is like a sled on ice. Thinking about a walk behind.

[@daveallen4194]

I use my John Deere X739 4 wheel drive garden tractor for my hilly properties here in MN. It also has a rear differential lock. The nice thing about it is for hills, like that, you can cut up, down, angled, or across, wet, or dry, it don't matter. They are pretty fast (9 mph) have a 60 inch or 54 inch deck, and they work great in the winter time with a front mount snow blower. They cost about 12 k new, and you can find them used for 8k to 10k. They can be had in a diesel model as well. I run two Ferris zero turns for my flatter properties. I mow 65 weekly, and have for 10 years now.

[@paulreints2279]

Thanks, brother. I'm relatively new to this business & habe a 652R stander that seems to handle hills, but I'm terrified.

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

Takes a little time getting use some steeper hills. Just take it slow and you will get the hang of it

[@BobbyBowker]

I can tell how steep she is. Hills like that keep us in business 😆. Very technical and athletic, got a tad bit sketchy when the front wheels popped up.

[@jc51373]

Great demo, this just convinced me to go walk behind for my home. I was considering a stander but looks tricky to control it and in turn give you the choice of cut varying a walk behind would. Love the standers but for single use home with a hill seems like WB is the better more versatile choice.

[@hairstonpropertymanagement2937]

I've got a hill similar to that. Only difference is it's straight across and I have to push mow it!!

[@GreenworksLawnandLandscape]

Videos and cameras for some reason can never do a hill justice. Can for sure tell it was a bit wet. Nice job!

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

Extremely wet in some areas. She slid a few times

[@GreenworksLawnandLandscape]

Plemons Lawn Care Wright? 😂

[@Christfollower8344]

@@PlemonsLawnCare, I saw it slide and make some devits. We have a hill steeper than the one in this video that is not as high but high enough to take a half hour to complete going across it as fast as humanly possible. I also have slippery tree roots growing up about ground, so I would prefer a stand on ride on mower that has a foot platform you can reposition to turn the standing ride on into a walk behind mower. One neighbor has tried both the so called Zero turn mower which if turned only at a zero degree turn radius, it would not turn at all, and he didn't slide as much as you did. We had a pro come out and do it a couple of times and his 360 sitting ride on mower handled it well but the grass wasn't wet and his tires had a lot of traction.

[@raywasch4727]

I got the same mower it does take hills real well . It’s a tank ! I know a Deere standup wont hold half that hill! Good video.

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

she will get tested this week on some nasty hills

[@stuartspicer3386]

Very well done, something most normal people would never consider or think of. But something a lawncare company encounters on a regular basis. Side to side was very challenging, and had me scared for you at times, but up and down seemed much better for your safety and also for the lawn. I think the Ferris did a great job, but everyone needs to realize a lot had to do with your experience also. Great Video, thanks for always showing us different challenges

[@jeffpratt3707]

Looks like a good toboggan hill for my zero turn. Good calf workout. That ferris is one good looking machine of course the highly qualified green team operator makes it look easier than it really is. Have a great week and stay cool .

[@eldodiaz1863]

Straight up and down looked like it performed sooo much easier than the side to side.

[@georgecook1374]

I was impressed specially with how wet it was as I could clearly see that. Thnx for doing the vid as I have been on the fence in a stand on, usually the vids i have seen is flat ground mowing.

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

Yea wouldn’t typically run it on this lawn it was for demo purposes only and it held on great

[@lackeylawncare7826]

Very impressive... watch all of your and David Farmers videos... Between the two of you, I’m pretty sure a Ferris Z2 will be my next mower. Want to demo one for a few days just to make sure tho. But from what I’ve seen and read, I’m pretty much sold on a Z2. Enjoy all your videos. Keep em coming

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

Thank you. The Ferris is a great mower

[@lackeylawncare7826]

Plemons Lawn Care . Do you have the vanguard or the Kawasaki?

[@maxbewsey4871]

Lackey Lawn Care... if you can get the Ferris with the oil guard... only have to change oil every 500 hours! I have Ferris Z2 as well and I absolutely LOVE mine! Can’t recommend that mower enough

[@rachaelmann3724]

Is there an electric stand-on mower that you recommend for yards with steel inclines?

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

Currently at this time I couldn’t. I know exmark, toro and mean green currently offer standers in electric.

[@fredygump5578]

I think this answers all my questions. It would also be nice to see the walk behind come behind for direct comparison, though. I'm understanding why the walk behind is better on hills. I was skeptical at first, but you made a believer out of me!

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

Awesome I am glad I could help brother

[@tripper176]

I cut hills side to side and up and down all the time with my scag zero turn tiger cat 52". No problems at all. A wright dual wheel setup stand on will do this and not even flinch.

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

Don’t be fooled by the video this hill would blow your mind. I promise you want put a zero turn on this. Yes a weight dual wheel would do this but the cub cadet dual wheel actually failed to maintain this hillside up and down and side to side. Video doesn’t do it any justice.

[@secondsonsfilms3299]

Great video! Stand-on mowers are better for hills, i've taken my stand-on on hills id never take my zero turn on. Im running the Bobcat QuickCat 52

[@preni428]

Fill the tires with 50/50 windshield washer fluid and water. You will be amazed how much better your mower will stick to hills. We do it to all our mowers and it's a noticable difference

[@BobbyBowker]

We had a client lead last year through LawnStarter and when I got to the backyard and looked down the slope I couldn’t even see where it bottomed out it was so steep and curved over. We promptly said no thanks and left the property.

[@yardvarkslawncare7866]

Put all of your weight on the high side of the tire. Our Ferris stander can handle the steepest of slopes but its all about weight distribution. Put both feet on high side tire and lean👍

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

I appreciate that I will try that.

[@TNsher776]

You need a turf tracer on the slope!

[@MrQcsfinest]

I cut a pretty steep hill with my 52” Z2. I have found it holds if I keep both feet as close as I can get them to the side Im leaning into the hill. I never cut it wet.

[@Joe-sg8tk]

Walk behind hydro is by far safest. A wide stand on is far safer than a zero turn. Can’t really bail out zero if u had to!

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

You got that right. I sold my ZTs We live in the mountains and prefer standers over the zt

[@lawnman3638]

Walk behinds are the safest bet. Stand ons will rut the hills if wet.

[@Christfollower8344]

Lift up the foot platform on some stand on mowers and you can use it as a walk behind so that you have a two in one walk behind and ride on mower.

[@lawnman3638]

@@Christfollower8344 Good idea however standers with the deck up is still not as reliable on hills as walk behinds.

[@Christfollower8344]

@@lawnman3638 I appreciate your comment. What makes the walk behind more reliable than standers with the platform pushed up?

[@Weeble_Warbles]

Would they have performed the same if you walked behind the stand-on? I just want to buy one as a homeowner, but I want versatility and "future-proof" my lawn equipment for any future home purchases. Thanks for the video.

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

AZ0960440 unfortunately the stand on blades will not engage unless you’re in the deck. If I was going to purchase just as a homeowner not knowing what you Lawn is like I would go stand on as long as your hill isn’t as steep as this one. We normally run a walkbehind on it but for demo starting that this mower can stay on it doesn’t mean we should lol

[@Weeble_Warbles]

@@PlemonsLawnCare Oh, I didn't know you had to be on it. My buddy's Toro Grandstand will run without being on the deck. I wonder what Ferris' reasoning was behind that safety feature. My current land is no more than 20%. I can't imagine ever buying a house with an yard that isn't good for anything other than downhill mountain biking and a slip-n-slide so the stander will likely be what I go for. Thanks for responding. I appreciate you taking the time.

[@chrisdonovan2053]

Someday if you get a chance it would be great if you could measure that slope to show how steep it actually is. It looks really steep, but it's so hard to tell on a video.

[@futurosystems2886]

Definitely going to demo a z2 now, had been considering it but got some misinformation that standers didn't handle hills.

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

They blow a Zero turn away on hills.

[@KenMrKLC]

Not bad.... Hills like that I have to go up and down on my walker..... Reverse it climbs almost anything. Sometimes I need to push down on the deck with my feet to prevent the tail end from coming up.

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

Yea reverse would get a little hairy up a hill. I did learn that the walker I demoed does prefer reverse uphill.

[@davieslawnservice1455]

Not easy mowing steep grades...I have a subdivision 'W a bunch of bowled out drainage areas and they are very scary to mow. We just take our time and use the standers. I gotta demo a ferris one of these days...

[@tlallen0001]

On steep hills like that one how does tire air pressure help? Grip better if you let some out?

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

Better grip

[@ronniealford3339]

What stand on do you all think is best.

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

Ferris

[@imperialservices9892]

That mower looks nice I just demoed 52” and 36” Wright for a day I loved the 52” now I want to demo Ferris I filled out the form just waiting for the call 😜👍

[@robertheinkel6225]

Watching the body language gives a better idea of the severity of the slope.

[@zaineridling]

The first company to put motorcycle pegs outside of the platform for weight distribution will win a lot of business.

[@Eddie54013]

One slip or bump there goes your ankles 😂

[@shawnh6734]

How about the new Gravely prostance stander... has fenders that you can put your foot on.

[@jerrymeyers4177]

Never ever start a hill or a slope of any kind and work it from the top to the bottom. Always start at the bottom and work it up. The machine will never slide and your turns will be significantly easier without having to back into the next pass. Standers are great for hills - I don't even own ZTO's anymore. I hope this will help you in the future.

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

It was for demonstration purposes. We have all standers and walkbehinds as well. Sure saves you from back problems

[@zippitydoooda8409]

Have you demoed a wright stander it eat those hills for breakfast wet or dry

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

Yes I have and honestly I didnt see a big difference in the two machines. Both very capable units.

[@zippitydoooda8409]

Keep up the kickass work brother..great to see the American dream right in front of my face very inspirational

[@upscalelawncaremonroe408]

Wow I don't know if I would try that one

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

Plenty of room at the bottom if I had slid off

[@daileyconstruction]

Move your feet! Transfer weight to uphill tire!

[@TreeK7]

how about that cinematography ! ... great camera work with them angles tho....drifting around that hill like a boss.

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

LOL Gracefully Sliding right

[@moneyjunkiemitch9018]

We have Ferris Z 2 for the Company I work for sold on Standers I use to argue about sit down zero turns how I could hug hills with them better I cut a steep property on Thursday that Z2 showed its ass on them steep inclines house sits at the top of a hill!

[@moistpudding9606]

I just use a lawn tractor for hills, no problem

[@Browns4life]

Damn dude you screwed that all up!

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

Paul Provan 😂did you watch the whole video or bits a pieces?

[@Hayden_parham]

I wouldn’t have side hilled that particular hill. Straight up and down wouldn’t have rutted it as bad.

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

joseph parham it was for demonstration purposes only up and down wouldn’t have done any good. They aren’t worried about the ruts it’s mowed only with walkbehind regularly

[@jamesboyer6656]

Who sing that song

[@swiftlawncarellc4576]

I’ve had the Toro Grandstand, Scag v-ride, and now the Z2. My advice on hills, slowly back down to the bottom and work your way up. That way you’re always facing up and have a better chance of not sliding down when turning.

[@swiftlawncarellc4576]

Love the videos, I always tune in.

[@gerrykline744]

Just a heads up cut it up and down the Z2 will handle it and you will not tip. Trust my I have a 43 degree hill tackles it 100% the front dnaces but never comes up. I can send vids if you wold like and ypu will not damage the lawn.

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

gerry kline thank you. I’ve ran it for a couple of years up and down and side to side on some gnarly inclines. It performs both ways beautifully. I’ve got a football stadium that we maintain that would blow some people’s mind that we get these things on them.

[@gerrykline744]

Awesome. Be safe happy cutting!

[@daflea66]

Grandstand on that hill, sticks like glue. Are you up in Western PA? looks like our normal terrain. =( So sick of hillsides

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

We are located in the North Georgia Mountains. I use to live up your way though.

[@ventrac]

That is a steep hill!

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

Yes it’s pretty steep. Glad this customer didn’t mind us testing on this machine on it and not worry about tearing up the lawn

[@ricepadi29]

You looked like you were riding a flat track bike sliding that thing around.

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

LOL I wouldnt mind a try on a flat track bike.

[@tonyslawncare]

Hows the fw25??

[@4wheelers10]

I put a zero turn on some banks and hills every day that its shouldn't be on. Seriously feels on the edge. I personally don't think that a stander would stay on some of them

[@raywasch4727]

Is that a 61 deck

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

It sure is

[@hipskipne1984]

Wow, no thanks, I'll take the turfmaster hdx all day, then again, I'm not a fulltimer

[@g4outdoors]

That would be a no thanks for me. lol.

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

Come on bro you could do it

[@wendywillis5692]

Do you vape

[@puff3400]

Or maybe learn how to do your job. Always harder to control working from top to bottom. Start at bottom of hill and work up. If too steep then go up and down not horizontally. But when you go down go down in reverse.

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

😂 I think we are doing just fine. It’s demonstration purposes. I’d be happy to show you how.

[@roadstar499]

that ferris is really messing up that lawn...

[@rodneyconaway1600]

Why don't you come to Ohio and I'll show you some heels my Toro 42 inch TimeCutter could mow that without slipping wow I wouldn't recommend a ferris For Hills if you want to call that a hill

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

Rodney Conaway hahaha that’s funny. Guarantee your Toro want stay on that hill. How about you video you on your big hill and send it.

[@rodneyconaway1600]

Plemons Lawn Care you're welcome you're a funny guy good sense of humor that's what it takes to be in that business

[@PlemonsLawnCare]

Rodney Conaway that’s what’s wrong with most people they can’t let things roll off there backs. I’ve never been one to let anything bother me. Get a laugh about it and have fun.

[@lawnman3638]

Ferris makes some of the best commercial mowers especially their 52 inch walk behinds. Bet mine would leave a better cut than that Toro you speak of.