You're finally ready to tackle that steep hill in your backyard, but you're unsure if your Spartan mower is up for the challenge.
You've heard mixed reviews about the performance of these mowers on hills, and you're hesitant to take any risks.
Well, we're here to put your mind at ease and answer the question: Are Spartan mowers good on hills?
The short answer is yes! One of the key features of Spartan Mowers that make them great on hills is their GT Trac technology.
With the GT Trac, Spartan mowers can easily adjust to changes in terrain through precise weight distributions, control, and balance.
Additionally, Spartan Mowers are equipped with a high-quality Rollover Protection System (ROPS) for driver safety in case of a rollover.
To provide you with real, unbiased answers, we’ve scoured the internet for product reviews and feedback from Spartan mower customers.
In this article, we'll explore Spartan mowers' effectiveness on hills, including their pros and cons and important considerations for using them on slopes.
Overview of Spartan Mowers
Spartan mowers are manufactured by the Spartan Mower Company, a reputable producer of top-notch lawnmowers.
With a diverse range of models, Spartan equips each mower with advanced features for enhanced efficiency, catering to different needs and budgets.
Spartan specializes in heavy-duty zero-turn models, known for their reliable engines such as Kawasaki, Briggs & Stratton, and Kohler.
A few distinctive features that set Spartan mowers apart are their Smart Ride Technology, GT Trac feature, high-quality ROPS, and Foot-Assist Decklist.
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Are Spartan Mowers Good on Hills?
If you own a Spartan mower, chances are it's a zero-turn mower, and you may be wondering: Are these types of mowers good for hills?
The good news is that Spartan mowers, specifically their professional line of zero-turn mowers, are generally well-suited for tackling hills.
The majority of their zero-turn models are equipped with roll bars or ROPS to ensure user safety.
Additionally, all Spartan mowers feature GT Trac, which provides precise balance, weight distribution, and control.
When mowing on dry grass, Spartan mowers demonstrate excellent cutting capability on inclines.
Learn more: Zero-Turn Mower Not Working On One Side – Why? What To Do?
Safety Tips for Using Spartan Mowers on Hills
When mowing on dry grass, Spartan mowers demonstrate excellent cutting capability on inclines.
However, it is always important to exercise caution when using any mower in hilly terrains.
Below are some recommended safety measures to observe.
Always Follow the Safety Guidelines
Take the time to read and follow the owner’s manual for your Spartan Mower.
Get to know the specific safety guidelines, features, and controls to ensure a secure and efficient mowing experience.
Get Familiar with Your Lawn
Besides understanding your Spartan Mower's controls, you should get familiar with your lawn or backyard.
Take note of bumpy terrain, areas near water, and hidden holes.
Measure uncertain hills with a slope gauge and make sure it's not steeper than 15 degrees.
If it measures beyond that, opt for a push mower for safety, even if it takes longer.
Ensure the Use of Safety Equipment
Wear appropriate safety gear, including goggles for eye protection, earmuffs for noise reduction, durable footwear, and long pants.
Use Rollover Protection System (ROPS)
Most zero-turn mowers, including Spartan mowers, come with ROPS to protect the driver in case the mower tips or flips over to the side.
Make sure that the ROPS is in place before mowing hills or inclined terrain.
The Spartan RZ Series, RT Series, SRT Series, and CAT Diesel Mowers come with ROPS installed.
Slow Down on Hills
While Spartan Mowers are known for their speed, it's important to take it slow when tackling hills and inclines.
By reducing your speed to 4-5 mph and maintaining a steady pace, you ensure better traction and achieve a clean cut.
Keep the Front End Slightly Uphill
Making sure that the front end of the zero-turn is a little bit above the rear end while mowing is extremely important.
The front end will always want to pull downhill so you’ll need to maintain a bit of extra force on the lower lap bar while crossing slopes.
If your front end winds up below your rear end at all, you will most likely lose traction and begin to skid.
Avoid Wet or Slippery Conditions
Avoid mowing hills in wet or slippery conditions. Wet grass is harder to cut and often results in an uneven trim.
It also becomes even riskier when dealing with wet grass on hills, as slippery ground can cause the mower to slide.
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What Are the Hill Climbing Abilities of Spartan Mowers?
Spartan mowers are built to be one of the best on the market, with features that set them apart from the competition.
Here are some of the key specifications of Spartan mowers that make them suitable for hill cutting.
Traction and Stability
One key feature that makes Spartan Mowers great for hills is their exceptional traction.
These mowers have a GT Trac system that offers excellent stability on slopes, keeping the mower firmly grounded and preventing it from slipping.
The GT Trac system works by evenly distributing the weight of the mower across all four tires, allowing for better balance and precise control.
Engine Power
Spartan Mowers' hill climbing abilities are boosted by powerful engines from trusted companies like Kawasaki, Briggs & Stratton, and Kohler.
These mowers come with engines that range from 25 to 37 HP, which is more than enough to tackle steep inclines of about 15 degrees.
Safety Features
Finally, Spartan Mowers come with a range of safety features that make them ideal for hills.
In addition to ROPS, they come with foot-assist deck lifts that make it easy to adjust the cutting height of the mower while you're on a hill.
The easy-lift deck feature improves convenience, efficiency, and safety by providing enhanced leverage over hand levers.
Pros and Cons of Spartan Mowers on Steep Hills
If you haven’t bought a Spartan mower yet, this will help you determine whether investing in one will lead to cost and time savings in the long run.
The Pros
Powerful Engines
Spartan mowers offer power engines, ranging from 25 to 37 HP.
With Kohler, Kawasaki, and Briggs & Stratton as the main engine brands, you can trust it can tackle the bumps and slopes in your backyard.
Long Fuel Life
These mowers also have a long fuel life of 1000 hours, giving you more time to do your job with less downtime.
You can also save a few bucks since this will allow for lower service intervals.
GT Track for Steep Inclines
The Spartan GT Trac feature is engineered to ensure optimal grip on hills by effectively integrating weight distribution, balance, and control.
The yard assault mower not only offers a comfortable ride but also delivers an unparalleled premium cut.
Maneuverability
Despite operating on steep hills, Spartan mowers offer good maneuverability.
Their agile design and responsive steering enable users to navigate around obstacles and make precise turns, enhancing overall productivity.
The Cons
Battery Charging Issues
Instances where the battery may fail to charge correctly happen quite often.
These are mostly due to faulty alternators or the need for battery replacement.
Starting problems
Some owners have reported difficulties starting their mowers.
Typically, the issue can be addressed by simply removing the dirty spark plug or replacing the stale fuel.
Uneven Cut
Certain Spartan owners have also expressed concerns about the lack of a precise cut.
The cutting blades are not adequately sharp and are spaced too far apart, resulting in "stripes" left on the lawn and uneven grass cutting.
Which Spartan Models Are Good for Hills?
Having learned about the performance features, pros, and cons of Spartan Mowers, you might be wondering: which models are best for hills?
Which specific models from their extensive lawn mower series are most suitable for hills?
Good news! We’ve found a few recommendations for you.
Spartan RZ Pro
The Spartan RZ Pro has a range of 42” to 61” cutting deck widths and engine horsepower selections of 22 & 24 for Kawasaki and 25 for Brigs.
Specifically, this mower is equipped with 4" deep decks, enabling improved maneuverability.
It also features a 400 Tuff Torq transmission and 22” Turf tires that allow for stability while moving on bumpy terrains.
Spartan RT Pro & SRT XD
For heavy-duty mowing tasks, we recommend the RT Pro or SRT XD models.
The Spartan RT Pro is equipped with a 6" deep cutting deck and a robust 7-gauge metal deck system.
It features GT trac technology, which ensures excellent traction on steep terrain.
The RT Pro also offers convenient features such as anti-vibration control, easy deck lift, and easy touch brakes, enhancing user comfort and efficiency.
On the other hand, the SRT XD is a mower that boasts commercial-level features.
It is available in cutting widths from 54" to 72" and is powered by engines from 24 to an impressive 40 horsepower.
The Verdict: Are Spartan Mowers Good on Hills or Not?
After considering all the features and pros & cons of Spartan mowers, we can say safely say that they are good for mowing on hills.
The GT Trac technology, powerful engines, and safety features make them a reliable choice for mowing on slopes and inclines.
If you're specifically looking for Spartan mower models that excel on hills, consider the Spartan RZ Pro, Spartan RT Pro, and SRT XD.