DR Field and Brush mower

[WanabeeFarmer]

I've been considering the DR Field and Brush mower (16.5 HP) to mow about 4 acres of field that sits on varying terrain. One field is relatively flat, slight slope but is rough. The other field (1 acre?) sits on a 5-10 degree hill. I only want to cut this twice a year so the grass and weeds will get (has already gotten) 2-3 feet tall.

I have a couple of concerns:

1) I'm a healthy 58 year old male, but still worry that this "beast" of a machine will wear me out cutting that much property. Just how much work is it to follow this mower around on this sort of property? I don't plan on cutting down saplings or blackberry patches with it.

2) Also, does it do as good of a job of mowing as they advertise or is it just for knocking down thick stuff that needs to be mowed again?

I have an old MF 250 with an old bush hog that I have been nervous about using (you can tell I'm new at this tractor stuff). I'm not comfortable running the tractor up and down the hill yet. I did bush hog the more level field but getting around and under trees was a problem and the turn radius and rough terrain prevent me from getting a lot of it.

I have wondered about the OREC Rover bush mower but can find very little information on it. They don't seem to be for sale anywhere in Georgia and I suspect it would be pretty expensive.

Any input or suggestions would be appreciated. It's been a lot of years since I've done this kind of work but am looking forward to getting back at it.

 

[WanabeeFarmer]

Well, I hired someone to cut the entire property. Needed to get it done before I could decide what was needed. He used a 60HP Ford with a 6' rotary cutter. I believe it would have taken me the entire summer walking behind any field and brush mower, he did it in 6 hours. Watching him work these hills was very educational. I'd eventually like to be able to do this myself but don't mind paying a few hundred dollars once or twice a year. In the mean time I've also been pondering my plans for this property. My intention has been to thin the pines and grow hardwood. I want to mill some of the timber as well. This means which means carrying logs across the property. Also, there are some old buildings I want to take down and salvage their beams.

In order to fulfill these dreams I'm going to need a new tractor, so my research begins. I don't think I can add an FEL to my FM 230 can I? Even if I could it might not be worth the investment. My initial thoughts are 30-40 HP, 2000-3000 pound tractors. Reading on this site it seems like Mahindra, Kioti, and Kubota will be the best value.

Thoughts anyone?

 

[madpuma13]

The number one thing I've read here on TBN is to judge the dealer more than the tractor. Make sure the dealer has been around. Are they friendly? They keep stock of parts or can get them pretty quick?

I just recently purchased my tractor and from my shopping Kubota was not a good value at all. Kubota is a **** fine tractor but they seem to be too proud of their name.

Make sure to shop around! Good luck and have fun!

 

[Coyote machine]

I was going to tell you it's possible to do the work with a DR Field and Brush mower, BUT it would take a LOT of time.
Look for a new tractor, and seek out a Kioti, if they're anywhere near you at around 40 HP. The other brands are fine too, but I believe you will find most features and best price point with Kioti. Mine NEVER sees the dealer's lot, and between the two Kiotis I've owned since 2009, I have over 1200 hours of all kinds of hard work between the two. I traded the first one up to the DK-40 I have now; needed more loader capacity, and at the time was new to tractors mostly, and learned by usage what I really needed. See my implements list, I've covered all the bases of hard work for woods and field use.

 

[yanmars]

Recently the Kiotis were on sale for the 50 HP, as reasonable as some lower horsepower. One often wishes he had the additonal power. I have a DR mower also, it certainly has its place but it takes more time and effort. If you could get it mowed for that price that is a way to go before you purchase something, gives you time to look around.

 

[ArlyA]

Ops! I thought you were asking about a tow behind model!!

We have a 8yo version of that very same DR mower. How can I say this nicely........ it might make a good boat anchor, but as a mower, its not up to the task.

It averages around 4 hour of repairs per every 8 hours of use. Maybe its not designed for actual use and we cherish the day when we get rid of it.

 

[Sheldon Hamblin]

I have owned a dr mower for a little over ten years now.
Use it spring summer and fall. Uneven ground, steep hills, no problem. Turning in tight spaces you do have to bull it around, but other an that, not much physical work. I've had 4 back surgeries and it is no problem handling it. Love it.
Tall grass or saplings no problem, it's not a finish mower but it's not sold as one.
Over the winter I don't start it at all, fires right up in the spring.
I replaced the blade once, but always keep it in good shape. Does not require much sharpening.
PM every couple of years.
Personally, I do recommend it.

 

[Code54]

Tractor is the way to go! 10 degree slope will not be a problem once you get use to the machine. A little time one it will get you used to to the feel of the machine and make you get more comfortable. I would suggest a hydrostatic drive, much simpler to use and great for on hills. We brush hog several hills that you back up until you spin (in 4x4) then come back down, move over a bit and do it again. Don't know the angle but very hard to walk up.

 

[Msamt]

Look for a new tractor, and seek out a Kioti, if they're anywhere near you at around 40 HP. The other brands are fine too, but I believe you will find most features and best price point with Kioti. Mine NEVER sees the dealer's lot, and between the two Kiotis I've owned since 2009, I have over 1200 hours of all kinds of hard work between the two.

This...
My DK is a beast and gets the snot beaten out of it frequently, but
Just. Keeps. Working.
Its was my first tractor and so far has not gotten to a task it couldn't perform well.
340 hours in 3 years and still a joy to use whenever I Can!

 

[John Fitzgerald]

I have a well preserved 1998 DR 10.5 hp 26" cut field and brush mower and a LS XJ2025H tractor with 5 foot rotary cutter. If you get the DR, make sure you get the add on heavy duty double sided blade with it; I feel it's necessary. I got the rotary cutter for the tractor to do away with using the DR so much, but it has so far this year been so wet that the tractor sinks, but the DR floats right over the soggy soil. I have been mowing about an acre about three times a summer with it in scattered places around the edges of my property, usually in two hour sessions a couple of days apart. I am a healthy nearly 65 yrs. If it ever dries up, the DR will only get use on steep banks and for trimming around trees, on a total of maybe 1/4 acre. The DR will give you a beating if you try to go all day with it, if the ground has much roughness. I haven't had much trouble with the DR other than one belt, and a loose engine head, and this is the third season with it. I would not recommend it for four acres unless it is super steep or has a lot of trees or other obstructions. The DR is a beast for its size, and will surprise you at the size of the weeds, tall grass, and brambles it will cut with the heavy duty blade.

 

[Cataclysm]

I have a 30" cut DR Field and Brush Mower. It will cut anything you can run it over. I picked mine in like new condition for a song at a local pawn shop. First couple of owner didn't take the time to learn how to let it do the work and it beat them up pretty bad. Everyone including the pawn shop was glad to get rid of it.

I'm glad to have it because it will do things nothing else will, like steep banks and ditches and anything that's too small to get a tractor in plus it hauls cheap and easy in the back of the pickup for the odd job here and there.

With all that said anything you can get a tractor/brush hog do it and leave the DR in the shed.

 

[Stefaniesdad]

Let me start by saying I had my doubts about this DR Premier 26. Especially after reading some of the unbiased reviews others had written. But the warranty was ironclad (I am a legal type guy)
After doing the research we decided to buy one (and an extended warranty - $199.00).

I have had it for a few weeks now and will break the experience down into several categories for the reader:

1) Ordering and Price - Ordering was pretty straight forward, web site was clear and accurate and the unit I bought was on sale for $1399.00 - Happy with this category.

2) Shipping - Shipping is a bit .. lets say.. "creative"! The unit get shipped to a "depot" where you can go pick it up.. keep in mind these are very heavy and one person cannot pick it up and put it in a truck. It has to be driven into your pickup but you have to assemble it first because it comes in a couple of pieces on a pallet.. no one tells you that part. I wanted mine delivered to my ranch (They did this for free, but I need my forklift to get it off of the truck..) Delivery service was by contract carrier who did call me before delivery but arrived late (after 8pm) due to a break down en-route. In any case I got it off the truck and into my equipment building with my fork lift.

3) Assembly - Straight forward, easy and completed in a few minutes with standard skills and tools. Instructions were very good. Un-crating actually took longer as another reviewer reported.

4) Fuel, oil and start up - easy and no issues. Started right up on the second pull.

5) Operation/Brush cutting Day 1 - First day out and within the first hour the belt came off of the drive wheels.. this is not 'user-friendly so I took it into a local authorized DR repair shop - belt had been "put on wrong" according to the mechanic who proceeded to tell me that the machine was "junk" since Generac bought the company.. (I don't agree and frankly the kid was obnoxious anyway..). DR covered the repair under the warranty and I brought the machine home to continue working the following weekend.

Operation/Brush cutting Day 2: Fired right up and off I marched into the brush. The machine cut through 3 feet tall Chamise and Buck Brush and mowed down four feet tall grasses like a hot knife thru butter! Incredibly powerful it ran all day and I cleared two acres of land that hasn't seen the brush cut down in years. Someone described the experience as "wrestling a bear.." I agree -more like a big monster of a bear.. (I am a big guy but it wore me out after about six hours of up and down hill work through some of the toughest brush California has to offer.

Operation/Brush cutting Day 3: Manzanita, small hardwood saplings and rattlesnakes in the poison oak! I really pressed the DR into heavy labor through manzanita brush (very hard wood!), some oak and wild plum saplings and four foot high poison oak..(I don;t recommend this for the person who is effected by this plant.. it doesn't bother me.) I ran over two rattlesnakes while mowing the brush and grass down and the machine simply vaporized them! I am very pleased with the operational ability of the machine so far.

Operation - HILLS - Be careful.. the recommended 20 degree max is true - the machine is heavy and can get the better of you. The lubrication system is such that you cannot mow on inclines for very long over 20 degrees without risking oil issues.. the machine will also roll backwards if you're not careful when in neutral ("N").. I found that letting the machine work, works better than trying to manhandle it.

Fuel consumption - Use good fresh gasoline - It burns up the entire tank in about four hours.. it's about what one would expect from a 10.3 HP 'no name' engine. (It's actually a RADO 10.3 engine.. Google it.. as I said, "No Name".)
Air filters - A two part or dual air filter system will suck dirt like there's no tomorrow. Order extra filters and change often - follow instructions in the included operators manual.

Customer Service - Many thanks to the excellent customer service (especially the tech guys). Main complaint is that they get either a lot of call for service and tech advice or they don't have enough of them working the phones as it takes forever to get one on the phone - once on the phone they rock!

In conclusion - If you read this whole thing you have too much time on your hands - but thank you! This machine is WELL WORTH the money (especially at $1,399.00) - It will provide many years of hard labor for me and I suspect it will last beyond me to my heirs.

 

[Stefaniesdad]

Here are the "before" and "after" shots of a section I did with the DR Brush Mower.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

Looks nice.

When I was in my 20's, I had an original style DR that I used for everything on my 18 acres until I bought a tractor and then when I moved to a larger ranch, I used the same DR around my new home site.

It got my career started with land clearing using it where I couldn't get a tractor and I have had a successful mulching and excavation company now in its 23rd year. I still miss the simplicity (and exercise) of the DR product and agree the customer service was good. My original style machine was self propelled through a simple pulley and belt and it had a simple belt-driven blade with two blade options.. one for grass and one for brush. I had solid spoked wheels and I think it was only 8 or 10 horsepower. I've owned 16 Bobcats over the years and other heavy equipment like excavators and a couple of "toolcats" and the DR literally was my first semi-industrial tool that I purchased to get some work done.

Thanks for sharing and helping me go down my own memory road.

Here are the "before" and "after" shots of a section I did with the DR Brush Mower.

View attachment 613055
View attachment 613056

 

[bridge4]

I recently got a DR Brush mower 30inch 20h.p. model. I've been cutting trails through brush for walking, I've found if I can run it over, I can cut it. I too was skeptical when I ordered it and couldn't find many good videos, but I've been really impressed. I only have about 10 hours on it so far though. Looking forward to using it more!

 

[Stefaniesdad]

I recently got a DR Brush mower 30inch 20h.p. model. I've been cutting trails through brush for walking, I've found if I can run it over, I can cut it. I too was skeptical when I ordered it and couldn't find many good videos, but I've been really impressed. I only have about 10 hours on it so far though. Looking forward to using it more!

Glad you like yours Bridge.. be sure to order a few extra belts and filters before you actually need them.. ordering parts is a slow tedious process with DR.. I try to front load these parts because it does take so long for them to ship them out to you.

 

[Stefaniesdad]

snip

Thanks for sharing and helping me go down my own memory road.[/QUOTE]

You're welcome Dog.. I love going down memory lane myself from time to time!