Comments on: The DR Brush Mower http://www.coldclimategardening.com Hardy plants for hardy souls Sat, 13 Mar 2010 21:45:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Chuck http://www.coldclimategardening.com/essays/rundy/the-dr-brush-mower/comment-page-1/#comment-64312 Chuck Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:01:28 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/the-dr-brush-mower/#comment-64312 I used the smallest (220 lbs, 8.25 hp) fixed deck model to clear some overgrown fields in NH. Your description of the physical work involved is accurte, although this model does not have the variable power transmission. It never got seriously stuck, and went over ground far too uneven for our garden tractor. It did a great job on heavy grasses and brambles, but would not mulch small trees. Although it would cut up to 2 inch saplings it would often then hang up on the resulting stumps, and the steering work involved in avoiding rocks was no fun. I did not find it helpful in the woods making trails, as it is too long to maneuver safely between the bigger trees, and tends to haul one right into the branches of the trees that are too big to cut down. DR shows people mowing happily with safety glasses.... I now use safety glasses, a good logging helmet with a face screen, a heavy coat and pants, boots, and anti-vibration gloves. When stuff gets thrown out of the machine, which will happen when you tilt the blade housing up to maneuver or go after saplings, it becomes shrapnel, and 2 inch chuncks of tree can bounce right back at you. My advice is to go slow, as in 1st gear, unless you are on level ground, be careful, and quit when you are tired so you do not get sloppy. Its not as dangerous as using a chain saw, but it is nothing like a lawn mower. By the way the DR brush mower is, in my opinion, very solidly built, the company support is excellent... and their 6 month return warranty seems very generous (I have never had to use it). None of these things are true of some of the other lawn/gardening machine makers I have dealt with. But the gear from DR is, I suspect, rather specialized in application. My mover works very well on flat, rockfree ground, for example, but poorly on uneven slopes because of its length, narrow footprint, skid steering and weight. But it was cheaper to buy the DR and do it myself than rent one for 2 months, or hire someone with proper insurance, and now I have a pet monster hibernating in the shed. Hopefully next year I can motor over most of the ground I reclaimed in on my conventional 52" garden tractor, or a power drive push mower. Brush mowers are a last resort! I used the smallest (220 lbs, 8.25 hp) fixed deck model to clear some overgrown fields in NH. Your description of the physical work involved is accurte, although this model does not have the variable power transmission. It never got seriously stuck, and went over ground far too uneven for our garden tractor.
It did a great job on heavy grasses and brambles, but would not mulch small trees. Although it would cut up to 2 inch saplings it would often then hang up on the resulting stumps, and the steering work involved in avoiding rocks was no fun. I did not find it helpful in the woods making trails, as it is too long to maneuver safely between the bigger trees, and tends to haul one right into the branches of the trees that are too big to cut down. DR shows people mowing happily with safety glasses…. I now use safety glasses, a good logging helmet with a face screen, a heavy coat and pants, boots, and anti-vibration gloves. When stuff gets thrown out of the machine, which will happen when you tilt the blade housing up to maneuver or go after saplings, it becomes shrapnel, and 2 inch chuncks of tree can bounce right back at you. My advice is to go slow, as in 1st gear, unless you are on level ground, be careful, and quit when you are tired so you do not get sloppy. Its not as dangerous as using a chain saw, but it is nothing like a lawn mower.
By the way the DR brush mower is, in my opinion, very solidly built, the company support is excellent… and their 6 month return warranty seems very generous (I have never had to use it). None of these things are true of some of the other lawn/gardening machine makers I have dealt with. But the gear from DR is, I suspect, rather specialized in application. My mover works very well on flat, rockfree ground, for example, but poorly on uneven slopes because of its length, narrow footprint, skid steering and weight. But it was cheaper to buy the DR and do it myself than rent one for 2 months, or hire someone with proper insurance, and now I have a pet monster hibernating in the shed. Hopefully next year I can motor over most of the ground I reclaimed in on my conventional 52″ garden tractor, or a power drive push mower. Brush mowers are a last resort!

]]> By: Me http://www.coldclimategardening.com/essays/rundy/the-dr-brush-mower/comment-page-1/#comment-62081 Me Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:18:35 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/the-dr-brush-mower/#comment-62081 The DR Brush mower desperately needs brake steering like some of the competitors have. The brake steering lets the machine do the work when turning and not the operator. I'm 6ft tall 200 lbs and it is by no means easy to steer this machine. Brake steering would allow the operator to slow down one wheel so that the machine will turn under its own power. I did some searches and saw that the Gravely products have been doing this for decades. I'm considering switching. The DR Brush mower desperately needs brake steering like some of the competitors have. The brake steering lets the machine do the work when turning and not the operator. I’m 6ft tall 200 lbs and it is by no means easy to steer this machine. Brake steering would allow the operator to slow down one wheel so that the machine will turn under its own power. I did some searches and saw that the Gravely products have been doing this for decades. I’m considering switching.

]]> By: Elaine Pike (alias Pikette) http://www.coldclimategardening.com/essays/rundy/the-dr-brush-mower/comment-page-1/#comment-59982 Elaine Pike (alias Pikette) Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:16:36 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/the-dr-brush-mower/#comment-59982 This is my second attempt at renting brush mower. We have buildings on 5.91 acres (subdivided farm I grew up on in NE), but I can't afford to buy a brush mower right now. I wish I had a good old Champion mower (big, old, red thing from the 50's) that we used to use when we were kids. That thing would take care of the mixture of grasses, weeds, and, god forbid, the bind weed that got in there now. This rented mower will take care of it, but it is hard. It's not a Dr. Field, but what type of brush mower do you all think would do best on this bind weed? I am really going to wear out physically dealing with that stuff. We'll do our best to get it killed off in time, but in the mean time...... This is my second attempt at renting brush mower. We have buildings on 5.91 acres (subdivided farm I grew up on in NE), but I can’t afford to buy a brush mower right now. I wish I had a good old Champion mower (big, old, red thing from the 50’s) that we used to use when we were kids. That thing would take care of the mixture of grasses, weeds, and, god forbid, the bind weed that got in there now. This rented mower will take care of it, but it is hard. It’s not a Dr. Field, but what type of brush mower do you all think would do best on this bind weed? I am really going to wear out physically dealing with that stuff. We’ll do our best to get it killed off in time, but in the mean time……

]]> By: Mike http://www.coldclimategardening.com/essays/rundy/the-dr-brush-mower/comment-page-1/#comment-59310 Mike Sun, 17 May 2009 13:31:32 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/the-dr-brush-mower/#comment-59310 I have the 17HP Commercial model. What I like about it is that it can go places where a tractor will fear to tread. Living in the middle of 12 acres in the forest, I use mine to keep property lines cleared, trails cut and the underbrush cleared out around the house. The power of the machine is awesome and not for the meek. When I first started using it it literally wore me out until I figured out how to just let it do the work while I hung on. I have even pushed it to its limits to see just what it will and will not do. I would advise against it, but taking down a 3" oak is not easy on the equipment nor the operator but it will definitely do it. I have the 17HP Commercial model. What I like about it is that it can go places where a tractor will fear to tread. Living in the middle of 12 acres in the forest, I use mine to keep property lines cleared, trails cut and the underbrush cleared out around the house.

The power of the machine is awesome and not for the meek. When I first started using it it literally wore me out until I figured out how to just let it do the work while I hung on. I have even pushed it to its limits to see just what it will and will not do. I would advise against it, but taking down a 3″ oak is not easy on the equipment nor the operator but it will definitely do it.

]]> By: John http://www.coldclimategardening.com/essays/rundy/the-dr-brush-mower/comment-page-1/#comment-56548 John Sun, 21 Dec 2008 03:47:01 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/the-dr-brush-mower/#comment-56548 I have had the 15HP model for 3 seasons now to cut my small field (3 acres) Works great, but the rolling land has about done me in. I am now looking at the tow behind version for my ATV.. still better priced than a tractor and brush hog I have had the 15HP model for 3 seasons now to cut my small field (3 acres) Works great, but the rolling land has about done me in. I am now looking at the tow behind version for my ATV.. still better priced than a tractor and brush hog

]]> By: Adam http://www.coldclimategardening.com/essays/rundy/the-dr-brush-mower/comment-page-1/#comment-47701 Adam Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:15:13 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/the-dr-brush-mower/#comment-47701 I read and was entertained by your essays. I have a DR Mower 18 HP model. Yup you are right it is not meant for the "Grandma" on their commercial. I have 200 acres in the Adirondacks... trials on the property and 10 acres of fields. I have a tow brush cutter for the fields and use the DR to cut the field edges and trails. The machine is awsome a lot of power. It takes strength and endurance to run this machine. After you finish your results will be amazing. Buy an extra blade so you always have a sharp one ready to change. I bought the snow blower attachment too..... very good but it makes the machine too long. I read and was entertained by your essays. I have a DR Mower 18 HP model. Yup you are right it is not meant for the “Grandma” on their commercial. I have 200 acres in the Adirondacks… trials on the property and 10 acres of fields. I have a tow brush cutter for the fields and use the DR to cut the field edges and trails. The machine is awsome a lot of power. It takes strength and endurance to run this machine. After you finish your results will be amazing. Buy an extra blade so you always have a sharp one ready to change. I bought the snow blower attachment too….. very good but it makes the machine too long.

]]> By: Larry http://www.coldclimategardening.com/essays/rundy/the-dr-brush-mower/comment-page-1/#comment-46836 Larry Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:42:10 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/the-dr-brush-mower/#comment-46836 We got our DR in August of 2001. As you say, it's been a mixed blessing. More good than bad, and you definitely need to learn how to finess the thing, as it WILL wear you out if you don't. In turns, let off the clutch, push down on the handlebars, and make your turn. I used the DR nearly every weekend for 6 yrs, finally got a Cub Cadet so I could ride in the easy parts. Still have the DR, though, as some areas require that kind of machinery. We got our DR in August of 2001. As you say, it’s been a mixed blessing. More good than bad, and you definitely need to learn how to finess the thing, as it WILL wear you out if you don’t. In turns, let off the clutch, push down on the handlebars, and make your turn. I used the DR nearly every weekend for 6 yrs, finally got a Cub Cadet so I could ride in the easy parts. Still have the DR, though, as some areas require that kind of machinery.

]]> By: SteveA http://www.coldclimategardening.com/essays/rundy/the-dr-brush-mower/comment-page-1/#comment-44873 SteveA Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:54:52 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/the-dr-brush-mower/#comment-44873 I've used the DR for over 8 years. It is a thrill ride a minute on the ridge where I live. Cutting down towards the lake, where snapping turtles the size of car tires lurk is always a joy! Stay ahead of the growth and it's not so bad. Don't drive faster than 3, point it downhill and make wide turns. If only I hadn't stepped in the rabbit hole... I’ve used the DR for over 8 years. It is a thrill ride a minute on the ridge where I live. Cutting down towards the lake, where snapping turtles the size of car tires lurk is always a joy! Stay ahead of the growth and it’s not so bad. Don’t drive faster than 3, point it downhill and make wide turns. If only I hadn’t stepped in the rabbit hole…

]]> By: Fred Volk http://www.coldclimategardening.com/essays/rundy/the-dr-brush-mower/comment-page-1/#comment-20187 Fred Volk Fri, 10 Aug 2007 01:57:04 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/the-dr-brush-mower/#comment-20187 I have been thinking about getting one of these to cut some trails on our property (in WNY) through woods and along fields. I am unsure whether I am encouraged or discouraged by your essay. Entertained, definitely. I have been thinking about getting one of these to cut some trails on our property (in WNY) through woods and along fields. I am unsure whether I am encouraged or discouraged by your essay. Entertained, definitely.

]]> By: Arlene Mikelsons http://www.coldclimategardening.com/essays/rundy/the-dr-brush-mower/comment-page-1/#comment-15969 Arlene Mikelsons Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:49:44 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/the-dr-brush-mower/#comment-15969 I have spent many years trying to cut through tall, perpetually wet grass with one of the lighter DR machines. Machines which, incidentally, the advertising had assured me could do these jobs. I finally rented a brush mower to see if I wanted to buy one. Yikes! It pulled me around the field, exactly as described above. It attempted to climb small trees and take me along with it! It finally got stuck in a small depression and no amount of maneuvering or throwing my body against the machine would get it out. I had to get my husband, our quad and a length of chain to get the mower back on the driveway. I am not sure what to try next. Maybe a goat would be easier to deal with. I have spent many years trying to cut through tall, perpetually wet grass with one of the lighter DR machines. Machines which, incidentally, the advertising had assured me could do these jobs. I finally rented a brush mower to see if I wanted to buy one.

Yikes! It pulled me around the field, exactly as described above. It attempted to climb small trees and take me along with it! It finally got stuck in a small depression and no amount of maneuvering or throwing my body against the machine would get it out. I had to get my husband, our quad and a length of chain to get the mower back on the driveway. I am not sure what to try next. Maybe a goat would be easier to deal with.

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