I have a 15 month old top-of-the-line DR self-propelled string trimmer that is giving me a lot of trouble. This last season both drive wheels failed (cracks along the tread) so I lost over two weeks of use waiting for replacements. The wheels were replaced under warranty and are different so maybe they changed vendors to something better. I guess time will tell. Then the bearing right above the rotating assembly failed--also easy to replace. Now I have an intermittent problem with the transmission. It occasionally it locks up with the clutch disengaged and I have to physically drag the unit backwards with the wheels locked. I took it into a repair place and they couldn't duplicate the problem so DR would not authorize any repair--I will have to live with it I guess. Also, the mow balls are made of nylon and only last about 15 hours of use since we have some rock on the surface on our property. I will go through two of them a year. Also, the design results in the engine being tipped forward about 10deg when on a level surface so you have to tilt the unit back to check the oil level. The engine is specified for use on a maximum of 15deg slope so you can only mow downhill on a 5deg slope which is fairly limiting in our area. The B&S engine is great.
I have an old Bear Cat self-propelled unit with a three speed transmission. I had to replace the engine last year and tried to sell it on craigslist.com after I bought the "superior" DR. Fortunately, it didn't sell so I had it available to use when the DR was down. It is actually a superior design in several ways; heavy steel mow ball, the engine sits level on a level surface and, has a three speed transmission (the newer DRs do also) and the design is rock solid with no problems after six years of heavy use. I wish I had bought another Bear Cat instead of the DR.
Am I the only one having problems with DR trimmers?
I have an old Bear Cat self-propelled unit with a three speed transmission. I had to replace the engine last year and tried to sell it on craigslist.com after I bought the "superior" DR. Fortunately, it didn't sell so I had it available to use when the DR was down. It is actually a superior design in several ways; heavy steel mow ball, the engine sits level on a level surface and, has a three speed transmission (the newer DRs do also) and the design is rock solid with no problems after six years of heavy use. I wish I had bought another Bear Cat instead of the DR.
Am I the only one having problems with DR trimmers?
