Big wheel string trimmers

TresCrows · Mar 8, 2002

OK, does anyone know anything about the Swisher brand 6 horse Ranch King 22 inch Briggs powered big wheel string trimmer? It looks OK to me and has a swiveling front shaft for trimming and stuff. If not what is a good fairly heavy duty unit?
Now, I realize this particular area of TBN is populated by my Garden Web fan club but was thinking that perhaps someone other than them know something/anything about lawn care products and equipment being as we are just Compact tractor wussies or whatever that was all about.
Soooooo, who has what when it comes to big wheel string trimmers. Let me tell ya, what I want is a PTO powered 48 inch string trimmer or better yet one I can mount on the FEL arms in place of the bucket even if it had to have it's own (Honda for you know who) engine, about 10 horsepower or more, shaft driven from the center PTO would be my first choice. Now that would be my kinda big wheel string trimmer. Yipee ka yeah, get along little 'bota!
J

Bird · Mar 9, 2002

TresCrows, I haven't seen the Swisher, but like you, wish I had one that mounted on the tractor. However, I've got the DR trimmer/mower (sounds like the same size and engine). Mine will be 4 years old in a couple of months. I don't think you can beat the DR for quality, or the service from the Country Home Products people, but I do think they're over priced. I suspect their advertising budget far exceeds the production budget./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Thomas · Mar 9, 2002

I tried one from Sears and yes it does a nice job on somewhat even ground.
If your planing to do steep slopes or trim under lot of trees or ditches,and hand held trimmer does a better job for you can get in closer.

Thomas · Mar 9, 2002

Indeed Bird DR products are very well made and stand 100% behind there products,like there chipper in which I like to purchase..but the price tags do make one stop and think. /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif
I visit the DR store in Vergennes,VT and the staff was just plain great..the saleman told me to get all my limbing done than come back and try there chipper out for 30 days at no cost /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif now is that catering to a pre customer or not.

I didn't take him up on his offer for I knew I would be sending a check for $2,495.oo plus tax.

s1120 · Mar 9, 2002

Ya the DR stuff does look nice. I could REALY use one of those brushcutters, but just cant see spending that kind of money at this time. And you NEVER find a used one.

Thomas · Mar 9, 2002

Saw one of those beast in action at the store in VT.
Inch to inch half it ate it right up and tall hay no problem,but you got to hang on for the unit has a mine of its own at times.

TresCrows · Mar 9, 2002

The problem with handheld trimmers, I have several, is that the string always breaks off in the spool and they are a pain in the rear coupled with a tiny engine, heavy weeds are too much for them. I fgured a 6 horsepower big wheel could take out the sunflowers and other stuff that spring up along my banks and ditches and down in the lagoon. OK, maybe a flame thrower is what I need! Neither tractor can get in the lagoon, or my side ditch but the BX did reconfigure my front ditch such that it is 90 percent mowable. backing the new KK brushcutter into certain areas will be a big help but there are still many areas that are essentially tractor proofed by nature and a walk behind trail cutter or rotary brush cutter is expensive and not sure that is a solution either. Nature has it's place, just not in my ditches!
J

Harv · Mar 9, 2002

And you NEVER find a used one (DR Brush Cutter)

Keep an eye on their <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.countryhomeproducts.com:80/onenavbar.asp?sf=outlethome%2Ehtml&mscsid=NNL83QJP1R1Q8GHP9X32RL3QLGG163C3>Outlet Store</A> or give them a call from time to time. I got my DR Trimmer/Mower as a refurbished unit which I only found out about when I called to order one. Still a little pricey, but it allowed me to step up to a better model than I could afford otherwise.

Looked like new when I got it and, like Bird's, mine is going on its fourth year of excellent service.

FYI -- I just posted an <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/47-116247-WeedWhacking.jpg>"action" shot</A> of the thing in another thread.

Bird · Mar 9, 2002

Thomas, of course I haven't visited in person, but they've always been very nice to deal with on the phone. try there chipper out for 30 days at no cost Yeah, darn it, I've have never paid that much for mine if it hadn't been for their offer for a 30 day "free" trial, and I kept it. Then they sent me the literature when they came out with the new head and I didn't order it; too expensive. So they sent me more literature and a letter that if I'd buy it and didn't like it, I could keep it and they'd still refund my money. I let'em keep the money./w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif

Harv · Mar 9, 2002

they came out with the new head and I didn't order it; too expensive

Yeah, I balked at the price, too, Bird, but I remembered some cold mornings when I was trying to load new line on the old head and decided to give the new one a try (that's back when I had money

).

Turns out it's a pretty rugged piece, was easy to attach, and it's so easy to reload now. I'm really glad I got it.

I had to re-read this thread to figure out if you actually like your DR, but it sounds like you like it just fine. Like me, you'd probably like it even better if it didn't trim your pocketbook as well as it trims the weeds.