Mowing on slopes can be a major challenge, even for professional gardeners. Slopes and uneven terrain require special techniques and equipment to ensure both operator safety and efficiency.
For over 10 years, Builtronics has specialised in the maintenance of difficult terrain and steep slopes. Here we share our experience with you to help you maintain your difficult terrain. Whether you're a landscape gardener, a farmer, a road manager, a cantonal maintenance manager or a private owner of large areas, this article is for you!
When you decide to take on the maintenance of a sloping site, it is essential to follow a number of steps:
1. Choosing the right equipment
2. Preparing & analysing the site
3. Choosing the right mowing technique
4. Ensuring operator safety
5. Regular machine maintenance
If you do not follow these steps, you risk :
- Endangering yourself or another person
- Technical or mechanical problems with your machine
- Wasting a lot of time and energy mowing sloping ground
- Damage your equipment over time
1. Choosing the right equipment
The choice of equipment is essential when mowing sloping ground. Conventional machines are often not suited to sloping ground and can even become dangerous. We recommend using specialised tools such as radio-controlled slope robots or mowers for sloping terrain. These machines are designed to offer maximum stability and minimise the risk of tipping over, while enabling fast, accurate work.
However, there is a wide range of equipment suitable for this work. Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of machines that might be suitable for you:
Radio-controlled slope robot
A radio-controlled slope robot that lets you maintain land with a slope of up to 60°. The advantage of this radio-controlled slope robot is that it can be guided remotely. As a result, the operator doesn't run the risk of slipping or falling with his machine, should it slip or turn over.
The Green Climber is therefore part of the large family of radio-controlled slope robots. We recommend our article: " Which radio-controlled tool holder to choose? "Click here to get an idea of the different radio-controlled slope robots available on the market.
Benefits
- Increased safety: The operator controls the machine remotely, avoiding the risk of accidents on steep slopes.
- Versatility: These machines can be fitted with a range of accessories to adapt to different types of vegetation and ground conditions.
- Efficiency: They enable large surfaces to be covered quickly, even in hard-to-reach areas.
Disadvantages
- High cost: Generally more expensive to purchase than conventional machines.
- Specialist maintenance: May require specific skills for maintenance and repair
Ride-on mower for slopes
Benefits
- Stability: Designed specifically for slopes, with a low centre of gravity to prevent tipping.
- Easy to use: for fast, efficient work on large surfaces.
- Cheaper than robots: Cheaper than a slope robot, but still efficient.
Disadvantages
- Incline limit: Not suitable for extremely steep slopes.
- Limited manoeuvrability: Less agile in very uneven areas or areas with many obstacles.
Backpack brushcutter
Benefits
- Mobility: Allows you to work in areas where heavy machinery cannot reach.
- Affordable cost: Less expensive to buy, ideal for small areas.
- Precision: Allows you to work in detail and get round obstacles with ease.
Disadvantages
- Physical effort: Requires considerable physical effort on the part of the operator.
- Less effective on large surfaces: Not ideal for maintaining large sloping areas.
Cable mower
Benefits
- Safety: the operator remains at a distance, controlling the machine via a cable, minimising the risk of accidents.
- Ability to mow on steep slopes: Designed to operate on very steep terrain.
- Precision: Ideal for precise cuts in specific areas.
Disadvantages
- Less mobile: Requires cable assembly and disassembly, limiting mobility.
- Specialist use: Less versatile than other machines, mainly used for specific tasks.
2. Site preparation
Before you start mowing, it's important to prepare the ground properly. This involves inspecting the slope to identify potential obstacles such as rocks, stumps or debris that could hamper the work or damage the equipment. In some cases, it may be necessary to clear these obstacles or mark their location to get around them.
If you have a radio-controlled slope mower, we advise you to prepare and use the appropriate tools. You can visit our accessories page to find out about all the tools available for mowing and/or maintaining sloping ground: https://builtronics.ch/nos-accessoires-pour-green-climber/
Preparation tips :
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Defining work areas
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Check the stability of the ground
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Point out obstacles and/or remove them
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-Assessing the incline
3. Mowing Techniques on Sloping Groundtitle goes here
When mowing sloping ground, the method of working is as crucial as the equipment used. The key is to work slowly and methodically to avoid losing control of the machine.
Some techniques to adopt:
- Working in horizontal strips Mow horizontally, gradually moving up or down the slope. This stabilises the machine and reduces the risk of slipping or rolling over.
- Use of additional supports In some cases, it may be necessary to add stabilisers or anchor the machine in order to work safely.
- Watch out for bends Avoid sharp turns or rapid changes of direction, which can throw the machine off balance.
We also advise you to adopt sustainable mowing techniques. For more information on this subject, we recommend you read our article on ecological mowing processes: https://builtronics.ch/fauche-ecologique/
4. Ensuring safety
Safety must always be a top priority when maintaining sloping ground. As well as choosing the right equipment, follow these precautions to minimise the risk of accidents:
- Wear protective equipment Helmet, gloves and non-slip shoes are essential.
- Training operators Make sure that anyone using the machines on sloping ground has received appropriate training.
- Regularly assess conditions The ground can become more slippery after rain or when there is dew, so adjust your work to the conditions.
Training courses are available for the use of slope robots. At Builtronics, we offer both online and face-to-face training to ensure that operators know how to use the equipment safely. You can find out more on our training page: https://builtronics.ch/formation/
5. Regular machine maintenance
Regular maintenance is essential to keep your machines running at peak performance. Check the condition of the blades, tyres and hydraulic systems before each use. Well-maintained equipment not only performs better, but is also safer to use and will last longer.
About Us
Builtronics
At Builtronics, we offer a complete range of machines specially designed for maintaining slopes and difficult terrain. Don't hesitate to contact us contact for personalised advice and to discover our solutions tailored to your needs.
At Builtronics, you are our priority! By joining the Builtronics community, you benefit from :
- Machines designed to maximise your efficiency
- Dedicated support to guarantee your safety
- Local services, always there for you
With the right tools and preparation, even the steepest slopes can be maintained effectively.
Proximity.
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