OT - Anybody ever use a DR Mower?

[scott_vt]

Mornin,
My neighbor has the 15HP DR and it is definitely a work horse and will do everything they claim it will !!! He offered to let me use it on about 1/2 acre of my property that is just too steep to do any other way. I have not taken it yet but will eventually take him up on his offer. As the others have stated it takes a little muscle to operate that thing in steep conditions but does a great job !

 

[dmccarty]

I have a 17 HP DR that I got this past January. It has the differential lock which is real nice if you are in low traction or need to push down some stout saplings. It wears me out in about two hours of heavy brush cutting but I'm getting tougher.

I also use it to mow the lawn. With the brush deck. I figured I would get the finish mower one day but now I'm not so sure. The heavy brush blade seems to work on my grass just fine. The first few times I used the mower it really did I job on me. I have a bad back and having to push down on the mower to turn it hits my back problem. BUT, I think its helped my back. I have not had any problems this summer and it fact my back has been doing pretty good. The only thing I can think of is that I'm not pushing like I used too especially with work that would mess with my back AND the mower has helped strengthend some muscles....

The mower works as advertised.

It will wear you out especially in hot weather and until you get used to the mower.

It is MUCH better than using a hand held brush cutter. Much faster, more work done in less time, less effort and easier on the equipment.

I am using it to clear areas that I can get into with the tractor. Eventually the tractor will keep the areas cleared but the DR is just the machine for tight spaces.

I'm glad I got one. Getting ready to buy the generator they have as well...

Later,
Dan

 

[Jordanbear]

We've got one, about 6 years old - only 8hp (that was the bigger of the models at the time) , but it is absolutely big enough for the job. It's a workhorse and gets to all the stuff the tractor & brushog can't maneuver into but is too big for a weedwhacker. It really will mow 2" saplings. Your hands get tired, and it can be a little bit of a bear to maneuver, but it's not that hard. Use it all the time.

 

[dmccarty]

Your hands get tired, and it can be a little bit of a bear to maneuver,

I went out and spent $30 on a good padded pair of work gloves. Regular leather just was not stopping the huge blisters I would get. Before I bought the expensive gloves I was putting moleskin on my hands and then the work gloves. That helped but not enough. When I'm using the mower, especially in the woods I'm constantly having to turn and that really wears out the hands.

The manual warns you about backing up. Duh! But that mower will run your fanny OVER. Or back you right into a tree. Or stump hole. The other reason for good gloves is PADDED knuckles. The DR has a knack for finding a rock, stump or hole when you are passing within knuckle busting distance of tree. The mower hits that object and BAM, your knuckles get thrown into the tree and scraped. Leather gloves help but not much...

Later,
Dan