Mowing In Rough Terrain And High Elevation

The average lawn you see in lawn mower promotions is flat, simple, and no challenge at all. Unfortunately, life isn’t an advertisement, and you might need to mow in tougher conditions. We here at Bobcat of York, Frederick, Hagerstown, Lancaster, and Adams County want to make sure you’re ready for any mowing challenge you might face, so here are some tips on mowing in rough terrain and at high elevations. If you want to know more, or you’d like to see the lawn mowers we have for sale, contact our stores throughout Pennsylvania and Maryland, today!

The Right Mower

If you’re going to be dealing with a difficult lawn, you’ll need the right tools to make the job easier and less painful. For rough terrain, look for a mower with the following features:

• Plush or air-ride suspension seats for improved rider comfort
• Seat isolators
• Steering lever grips
• Foot mat kits to minimize foot vibration

Handling Tough Terrain

The right tools aren’t everything, and there might be terrain that a riding mower can’t handle. For instance, mowing slopes is safer and easier using a self-propelled push mower than with a riding mower. While mowing, go up and down rather than side-to-side. If it’s a steeper slope, move slowly to avoid sudden momentum changes that can interrupt your flow.

Other tips include:

• Always adjust and maintain your mower’s brakes and suspension
• Avoid mowing wet grass to prevent traction loss
• Install rollover protection on your mower to protect you if you roll on a hill

Mowing In Higher Elevations

Higher elevations means thinner air, which can present a challenge to your combustion engine. That combustion relies on both gasoline and oxygen drawn in from the air to keep the reaction going, and without enough oxygen, your engine will idle. Air density decreases by a third with every 10,000 feet above sea level, so mountain mowing is going to be tricky with a typical engine.

Instead, look for a naturally-aspirating engine that lets atmospheric pressure control the oxygen intake as it changes. Otherwise, you’ll need a turbo- or supercharger to get enough power in higher elevations. 

Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) is another great option with their engine control units (ECUs). These monitor atmospheric pressure and pull in the correct amount of air to ensure proper engine operation, as well as providing more fuel-efficient and consistent engine operation.

We hope these tips help you tackle the tough terrain you need to mow! If you have any questions, or you’d like to see the various lawn mowers in our inventory, contact us at Bobcat of York, Frederick, Hagerstown, Lancaster, and Adams County. We proudly serve the people of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Baltimore, Maryland—let us serve you today!