Loading a ride-on mower onto a trailer is one of those jobs that looks simple when you see your neighbour doing it, but takes a bit of preparation to get right. And you definitely don't want to get it wrong!
There's a whole lot of things that can go wrong:
❌ Too steep an angle and the mower loses traction halfway up.
❌ Ramps that are too short put the deck at risk of grounding out on the trailer edge.
❌ Ramps that are too narrow and the wheels are hanging off the sides.
❌ Using an old pair of cheap universal ramps that were never designed for a ride-on causes flexing and bouncing
✅ The good news is that getting the right ramp for a ride-on mower is not complicated once you know the three numbers that matter: the weight of your mower, the height of your trailer deck, and the width between your mower's front and rear wheels.
Those three numbers tell you exactly what ramp length, weight rating, and width you need, and the difference between a safe mower loading ramp setup, and a white knuckle ride up and down your ramps.
What size ramp do you need for a ride-on mower?
Most domestic ride-on mowers, the kind you would buy from a dealer for a half-acre to one-acre residential block weigh between 160 and 280 kg. Commercial zero-turn mowers and larger tractors can push 400 to 500 kg or more. Always check your mower's spec sheet for the operating weight before buying ramps. If you cannot find the number, 250 to 280 kg is a reasonable estimate for a mid-range domestic ride-on.
For weight rating, choose ramps rated at least 25 percent above your mower's weight. A 250 kg mower calls for ramps rated at 340 kg pair or higher.
You can see our full range of Ride On Mower Loading Ramps Here
How long should mower loading ramps be?
Ramp length determines the angle of the incline. The steeper the angle, the harder it is to maintain traction and control, especially with a mower that has a high centre of gravity and relatively small rear tyres. For comfortable, safe loading, aim for a ramp angle of no more than 18 degrees.
A standard single-axle trailer deck sits around 500 to 600 mm off the ground. At an 18-degree angle, you need a ramp roughly 1.8 to 2.1 m long. A ute tray typically sits 700 to 900 mm high — that pushes the recommended ramp length to 2.3 m or more for a safe angle. This is why Ramped Up's standard 2.3 m ramp pairs are the go-to for most ute-loading jobs, while a 2.1 m pair often works well for lower trailer decks.
If you want to work out the exact length for your specific setup, check the Ramp Calculator Australia guide on the Ramped Up blog — it walks through the exact formula and has a quick-reference angle chart for any deck height.
Ramp width — why it matters more than most people think
Most ride-on mowers have a rear wheel track (distance between the outer edges of the rear tyres) of 700 to 950 mm. Your ramps need to be positioned so each wheel sits comfortably on a ramp, with some margin on each side. Ramps that are too narrow for the wheel width cause the tyre to ride the edge of the ramp, which creates an unstable, off-camber loading position.
Standard aluminium ramp pairs position the two ramps roughly 700 to 900 mm apart depending on how you set them up. For most domestic ride-ons this works well. If you have a wide-track zero-turn or a larger agricultural tractor, measure your wheel track before ordering and confirm the ramp width suits your setup.
Folding ramps vs Sureweld curved mower ramps — which should you choose?
You have two main options for loading a ride-on mower: standard aluminium folding ramps, or the Sureweld Curved Folding Mower Ramps purpose-built for this exact application.
Standard aluminium folding ramp pairs ($239 for 460 kg, $259 for 680 kg) are a practical and affordable choice for most domestic mower loading jobs. They fold in half for easy storage, they handle the mower weight comfortably, and they work for any other loading jobs around the property — bikes, ATVs, trailers. The trade-off is that straight ramps have a sharp lip transition at the top where they meet the trailer deck, and on a standard straight ramp that lip can cause the mower deck to scrape or ground out if the ramp angle is steep.
The Sureweld Curved Folding Mower Ramps ($549 per pair, 450 kg, 2.1 m) were specifically designed to solve this problem. The curved profile means the ramp's top section transitions smoothly from the incline into a flatter angle right at the trailer-edge lip, which eliminates the grounding-out issue that catches ride-ons on straight ramps. The curved design is a genuine engineering advantage for mowers — it is not just a premium aesthetic choice. If you load a ride-on mower regularly or have had issues with the deck scraping, the Sureweld Curved Mower Ramps are worth the extra investment.
Loading a ride-on mower onto a ute tray
Loading a mower onto a ute tray is harder than onto a trailer because the tray sits higher — typically 700 to 900 mm versus a trailer deck at 450 to 600 mm. That extra height means a steeper angle on a standard 2.3 m ramp pair, which is why most people doing this regularly either use longer ramps (3.2 m pair if available for their weight rating) or use a trailer instead.
If you must use a ute tray, the 2.3 m 460 kg folding pair at $239 is the minimum — it will work for a light domestic ride-on on a lower ute tray. For taller utes or heavier mowers, the 2.3 m 680 kg pair at $259 gives a better weight margin, and positioning the ute with two wheels in a gutter or a slight downhill grade to reduce effective tray height is a common practical trick that makes a real difference.
Mower ramps at Bunnings and Supercheap — what you need to know
If you have looked for loading ramps at Bunnings or Supercheap Auto, you will have noticed the range is limited — usually one or two options in lighter weight ratings, not always with a weight rating that suits a ride-on mower properly, and at prices that are not significantly cheaper than specialist supplier pricing once you account for the narrower range and lower ratings.
Ramped Up stocks a wider range of aluminium loading ramp pairs — from a 460 kg pair at $239 through to purpose-built Sureweld Curved Mower Ramps at $549, plus straight pairs up to 5,000 kg capacity for heavier equipment. Every product ships Australia-wide, so you are not limited to what happens to be on the shelf at your local store on any given day.
Other loading jobs your mower ramps can handle
A good pair of aluminium folding ramps is not a single-purpose tool. The same 460 kg or 680 kg pair you use for the ride-on mower works equally well for loading quad bikes, small motorbikes, garden tractors, electric scooters, and any other wheeled equipment in the same weight class. If you are buying ramps specifically for the mower, it is worth thinking about what else you might load over the next few years — the extra $20 to go from a 460 kg to a 680 kg pair is worth it for the flexibility.
For heavier equipment alongside the mower — say a 400 kg ATV plus accessories — the 1,000 kg folding pair at $359 covers the mower and gives you solid capacity headroom for the bigger jobs.
How to load a ride-on mower safely — step by step
Park the trailer or ute on level ground and chock the wheels. Set the ramps at even spacing matching your mower's wheel track. Make sure the ramp hooks or lips are properly seated on the trailer deck — the ramps should not slide or wobble when you push on them. Start the mower engine, engage low gear (or drive mode if electric), and approach the ramps at a straight-on angle.
Maintain steady forward momentum as you climb — do not stop partway up as restarting on a steep incline is where most mowers lose traction. Once the rear wheels are on the trailer deck, apply the parking brake and cut the engine. Secure the mower with tie-down straps through the frame before removing the ramps. Always tie down — even a short drive can shift an unsecured mower enough to cause serious damage.
