On Aug 17, 10:29*pm, GeoLane at PTD dot NET GeoLane at PTD dot NET
wrote:
Anyone have any mileage with a largish self-propelled mower that works
good on slopes? *I'm looking for something that'll bag, but being able to
take off the bag and just fling the grass when I'm opening up new
territory would be nice.

Like one of the other guys (was it Karl?) said, an old 12 HP Gravely
walk behind would work. *I used to mow some pretty steep slopes with
one of those. *I had dual wheels on each side and a 40" deck. *If the
steering brake isn't worn out, it works ok. *The newer solution
probably would be a walk behind zero turn mower. *The old Gravelys
were all gear driven with a differential between the two big drive
wheels. *Once you had the dual wheels and anything wider than the 30"
mower on them, you really needed the steering brake attachment to make
them easier to use. * Actually the old original 8 HP Gravelys with the
30" deck may do the job for you without dual wheels and they're very
maneuverable without a steering brake. *Now *I use a Grasshopper zero
turn for my 4A. *The Gravely's been retired to winter snow blowing.

RWL

Actually, the ones back in the 40s were 5 HP. Then to 6.6 HP, then to
7.6 HP in the late 60s. No changes in displacement though - just cams
and carburetors and compression - with a good dose of marketing hype -
so the torque was all about the same and most people notice little if
any difference in power. These were the Gravely T head engines, with
pressure oiling - good on hills.

Dual or even triple wheels, or axle extensions, would be a real plus
on steep slopes.

The 30" decks are the heavy bush hogs which aren't the greatest for
finish mowing, but there are larger decks with multiple spindles which
give great cuts. Or reel mowers, single or gang.

John Martin