The AS 53 2T ES 4WD RB is built for jobs where a normal mower simply won’t hold its ground. Its AS 165 ES 2-stroke engine delivers full lubrication at any angle, making it safe to use on extreme slopes and damp embankments where 4-stroke engines risk damage or cut out. With strong torque and a 53 cm cutting width, it keeps moving through rougher, wetter grass that would stall most machines.
All-wheel drive, a rear-wheel brake and a reverse gear give the operator full control on steep banks and uneven terrain. It’s a practical tool for contractors, councils and estates that need predictable grip, safe handling and a mower that can take daily punishment. If the work involves banks, ditches, orchard slopes or ground too risky for a standard mower, the AS 53 2T ES 4WD RB is the machine that gets the job done.
What the AS 53 2T ES 4WD RB Is Made For
The AS 53 2T ES 4WD RB is designed for slopes and rough ground that are simply too risky for a collector mower. The all-wheel-drive system provides constant traction on steep banks, uneven surfaces and wet ground, keeping the mower stable when the operator is working across angles. The 2-stroke engine keeps full lubrication regardless of position, which is the main reason this model can work on slopes beyond 40 degrees without damaging the engine.
If you need to work on ditches, orchard slopes or terraced land, this model holds its line and keeps cutting where two-wheel-drive machines slide or lose drive. The reverse gear is particularly valuable when repositioning on a slope, letting the operator pull the machine back cleanly without relying on body weight or risking a slip.
Who This Model Suits
- Contractors dealing with steep banks, wet verges and awkward terrain.
- Councils and road teams maintaining grass along embankments and ditches.
- Estates and orchards with uneven ground and thicker growth.
- Operators needing a safer alternative to strimmer work on slopes.
- Users replacing ageing AS 53 2T machines that have lasted decades.
Why the 4WD System Matters
The all-wheel-drive setup doesn’t just add traction — it stabilises the mower on angles where a rear-wheel-drive machine struggles. On damp slopes, the machine keeps a steady downhill speed instead of accelerating or slipping. Combined with the rear-wheel brake, the operator has clear control when stopping or holding position on an incline. This makes the mower safer and easier to handle in real-world banking work.
The large drive wheels with aggressive tread patterns also help the mower climb out of ruts or track across loose ground without fighting the machine. It’s a practical feature for embankments with soft soil, orchard drop-offs and areas where traction changes quickly.
Engine Strength and Cutting Performance
The AS 165 ES 2-stroke engine produces strong torque, which helps the mower keep turning through wet or thick grass. When mowing orchard grass, rough meadows or damp verges, the engine maintains power without bogging down. The friction discs and third crankshaft bearing protect the engine from impacts, which is important when working in areas where stones, roots or hidden debris are common.
The mower cuts grass up to 40 cm high and has a wider cutting height range than the collector models. This gives operators more flexibility when dealing with uneven surfaces or areas where the ground level varies along the slope.
Where It Sits in the AS Range
This is the most capable slope mower in the AS walk-behind lineup. It sits above the AS 531 2T ES models in terms of traction and slope safety, thanks to the all-wheel drive and rear-wheel brake. While it doesn’t collect grass, it offers far better control and grip for steep terrain and is chosen for banking work where a collector mower isn’t safe to operate. For many commercial teams, this is the specialist mower that handles the jobs too dangerous for anything else.
Relevant Accessories
- Twin Tyres: Increase flotation and add more stability on loose or soft slopes.
- Plastic Hand Guards: Useful in orchards, brambles and overgrown areas.
- Side Collection Bag: Only for light clipping collection where needed.
- Mulch Kit: For users who want a cleaner finish on more regular areas.
Operational Realities to Keep in Mind
This isn’t a mower for fine lawns or ornamental areas. It’s a work tool built for reliability on slopes and uneven terrain. It’s heavier than the 531 series, but the 4WD system takes most of that weight out of the operator’s arms. Fuel use is higher than a 4-stroke, and like any 2-stroke, it’s louder, but the trade-off is slope safety and torque that a 4-stroke cannot match.
If you’re working on very rough areas with scrub or saplings, a flail mower or an Allmäher would be more suitable. But for banks, verges, orchard slopes and areas that require controlled movement and a clean rotary finish, the AS 53 2T ES 4WD RB is the model that holds up year after year.
How Suffolk Mowers Supports Your AS 53 2T ES 4WD RB
Buying the AS 53 2T ES 4WD RB from Suffolk Mowers means the machine goes through a full dealer setup before it reaches your site. We check the drive system, confirm the 4WD engages correctly, set the cable tensions and ensure the rear-wheel brake and reverse gear operate cleanly. For slope work, these checks matter because the mower must hold its line and stop predictably in real banking conditions.
Our workshop handles all ongoing servicing for the AS 165 ES 2-stroke engine, including carburettor work, blade balancing, belt replacement and general maintenance. We hold key wear parts in stock and can help you set up a service interval that suits commercial operators or estate use. Because steep-ground work places extra stress on components, we pay close attention to bearings, belts and the blade carrier during each service.
We supply accessories such as twin tyres, hand guards, mulch kits and side bags, and we can help you decide which extras are worth keeping on hand depending on the sites you maintain. If you rely on this mower for daily slope work, keeping the right spares close by can reduce downtime dramatically.
AS-Motor offers up to a 2-year professional warranty when the machine is serviced through an authorised dealer. Suffolk Mowers manages all warranty inspections and claims directly, so if anything develops, you can bring the mower to us and we’ll handle the repair and paperwork while keeping you moving.
Technical Specifications
| Cutting Width | 53 cm |
| Maximum Grass Height | 40 cm |
| Engine Manufacturer | AS-Motor |
| Engine Type | AS 165 ES (2-stroke) |
| Work Rate (Max) | 4.4 kW / 6.0 hp |
| Rated Power | 2.8 kW / 3.8 hp |
| Nominal Speed | 2800 rpm |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 5 litres |
| Drive Type | All-wheel drive (4WD) |
| Reverse Gear | Yes |
| Number of Speeds | Variomatic |
| Maximum Speed | 4.8 km/h |
| Brake | Rear-wheel brake (parking & safety) |
| Mulching Function | Optional (with mulch kit) |
| Cutting Height | 30–100 mm |
| Cutting Height Adjustment | By axle |
| Cutting Height Levels | 6 |
| Dimensions (L × W × H) | 178 × 82 × 99 cm |
| Weight | 68 kg |
| Warranty | Up to 2-year professional warranty (dealer serviced) |
Frequently Asked Questions About AS 53 2T ES 4WD RB
Thanks to its 2-stroke engine with position-independent lubrication and full-time 4WD, it can handle slopes beyond 40 degrees without risking engine damage or losing traction.
No. The 2-stroke’s strong torque makes it better than most mowers in damp, thick or orchard-type grass. It keeps the blade turning where 4-strokes often bog down.
No. This is a non-collector machine designed for safety and control on steep terrain. If you need slope capability with collection, the AS 531 2T ES MK B is the better fit.
It gives constant traction on all four wheels, holds a steady downhill speed and stops the machine sliding sideways on damp banks. This makes slope work far safer and more predictable.
The reverse gear allows controlled repositioning on steep ground without forcing the operator to manhandle the mower. It’s a key safety feature for banks and ditches.
AS-Motor provides up to a 2-year professional warranty when serviced through an authorised dealer. Suffolk Mowers handles inspections and warranty claims directly.

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