Walk Behind Brush Cutter

[Solo]

Look on e-bay for Gravely. You can find them with sickle bar mowers. Even though they no longer make them new you can still find parts for them. I use mine to clear fence lines creek banks and tree lines.

Solo

 

[Believer]

Is there a way to get something or make something to lock the differential on older DR brush mowers?

 

[marks]

I've used the Billy Goat and wound up purchasing a DR off Ebay. It is a much better machine, I've beaten it up as much as it has abused me, but it is an awesome machine. And their tech support is fantastic.

 

[gibbsb]

I have now used both the Billy Goat Outback and the DR Field and Brush Mower and can compare the two. I have a little over an acre that I just purchased and it was covered with cactus, mesquite trees and every kind of thorny bush known to man. It is also very rocky. I rented a Billy Goat and cleared the first half. The Billy Goat did a pretty amazing job, but there were a lot of the mesquite that I had to cut down with a chainsaw. The Billy Goat would try, but it was a no go. The narrow tires and lack of differential lock got me stuck a few times.

The DR is a monster. I purchased the 30" with the 17hp Kawasaki and it never broke a sweat. I only had a couple of mesquite that it wouldn't handle and the wider tires and locking differential prevented me from getting stuck. The DR is heavier than the Billy Goat, which is good and bad. The DR is harder to turn, but the extra weight allows it to bend over more brush. The gearshift on the Billy Goat is down by the engine and you have to bend over to get to it. Sometimes, that area is obstructed by thorny branches. The DR shift lever is up by the other controls. The shift on both of them could be smoother to operate. The only thing I really missed on the Billy Goat were the handguards. You have to keep your left hand on the presence lever or it will stall if the blade is engaged. If you are in a bunch of thorns, you will get scratched.

Sure, I could have continued to rent the Billy Goat and come out money ahead. But now I can go mow on a whim, don't have to reserve the Billy Goat and don't have to return it to the rental yard early Monday. Convenience is worth a lot.

I am 64 and mowed most of the day Friday. In most cases the DR is no more work than any walk behind mower. I don't understand the comments I have read saying that it will really beat you up. So far I am very happy with the DR.

Barry

 

[two_bit_score]

I was thinking about buying a Billy Goat and after renting one I was not impressed. Glad I didn't waste the money on it.

 

[JakeBrake]

I have now used both the Billy Goat Outback and the DR Field and Brush Mower and can compare the two. I have a little over an acre that I just purchased and it was covered with cactus, mesquite trees and every kind of thorny bush known to man. It is also very rocky. I rented a Billy Goat and cleared the first half. The Billy Goat did a pretty amazing job, but there were a lot of the mesquite that I had to cut down with a chainsaw. The Billy Goat would try, but it was a no go. The narrow tires and lack of differential lock got me stuck a few times.

The DR is a monster. I purchased the 30" with the 17hp Kawasaki and it never broke a sweat. I only had a couple of mesquite that it wouldn't handle and the wider tires and locking differential prevented me from getting stuck. The DR is heavier than the Billy Goat, which is good and bad. The DR is harder to turn, but the extra weight allows it to bend over more brush. The gearshift on the Billy Goat is down by the engine and you have to bend over to get to it. Sometimes, that area is obstructed by thorny branches. The DR shift lever is up by the other controls. The shift on both of them could be smoother to operate. The only thing I really missed on the Billy Goat were the handguards. You have to keep your left hand on the presence lever or it will stall if the blade is engaged. If you are in a bunch of thorns, you will get scratched.

Sure, I could have continued to rent the Billy Goat and come out money ahead. But now I can go mow on a whim, don't have to reserve the Billy Goat and don't have to return it to the rental yard early Monday. Convenience is worth a lot.

I am 64 and mowed most of the day Friday. In most cases the DR is no more work than any walk behind mower. I don't understand the comments I have read saying that it will really beat you up. So far I am very happy with the DR.

Barry

Congratulations on your new DR. I am also 64. I have a 2002 DR with the 15 HP Kawasaki and the 26" brushcutter. In 2002 this was the top of the line. I now have about 650 hours on it. Personally, I can do much more mowing in December than in July when it's 95 degrees in the shade and there is no shade. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) I don't need to do much mowing in December.

I also have the 42" mower attachment which cuts much faster and neater, with less effort, just like any quality walk behind mower. You might want to consider purchasing one of these after you get your property into shape with the brushcutter.

I also have the 6KW generator attachment. The 15HP engine is ample to operate the generator. Plus with the mower's powered wheels, the generator will easily roll up the ramp into your truck or trailer or out to the back 40.

 

[FlaDon]

Look on e-bay for Gravely. You can find them with sickle bar mowers. Even though they no longer make them new you can still find parts for them. I use mine to clear fence lines creek banks and tree lines.

Solo

And if they had, they could be using it to throw snow too. A 30" Rotary mower on a Gravely doesn't need more than 7.6 HP to show the others how it's done.