DR Power

[sd455dan]

Anyone buy a DR Power brush mower? Have lots of weeds, scrub along a creek. May take a Year to clear it but their mowers look interesting.

I like the self propelled models with electric start and power reverse.

https://www.drpower.com/Power-Equipment/Field-%26-Brush-Mowers-/Walk-Behind-Professional-Series-/DR-Field-and-Brush-Mower-/p/AT45230BEN

Any comments appreciated.

We have the ancient original with the steel spoke wheels.

Still runs like a Champ and gets the job done, has held up to everything thrown at it.

The only maintenance has been greasing oil changes, blade care ,a new battery or two, belts and had to replace the nylon starter bendix gear for about $9. We also made home aid chains for the drive wheels.

Agree about steering brakes or left right drive control would be nice, but if you need a work out it is great for that and it does decimate brush.


Yep that's it. 30+ years going strong.

A Piece of DR History! The Original DR Field and Brush Mower

DR machines are built to last! This original 1988 DR Field and Brush Mower belonged to DR founder Dick Raymond and still runs great -- 25 years later!

www.drpowerblog.com

 

[superfarmerdad]

We have a 1999 model with a 14.5 hp kawasaki fc420v and it is a beast. Weighs like 300lbs and I've cut down 2 inch saplings with it.

 

[Chris In Gallupville]

I bought a reconditioned DR brush mower in 2018 and have been very pleased. I got the intro model b/c the tires do not extend beyond the cutting head allowing me to get close to fences and buildings. True, it’s pull start but after the first run of the season, it starts easily. It’s quite a beast and I’m really impressed at what it will mow down. The bigger motor ones will prolly do even better but these things do actually work. Buy from a dealer. Why? It can be a challenge to find parts and an established dealer with a repair division who sells DR will have the connections. If you have to start looking around on your own after it needs attention you may end up frustrated.

 

[ch47dpilot]

Don't want to change topic but has anyone used DR pull behind mower. I have an area near a pond where my tractor will sometimes get stuck in softer ground. Was thinking the pull behind would be great since my 4-wheeler wouldn't get stuck as easily

 

[crhunts]

My hunt club bought a DR self-propelled brush mower and parked it a year later, as it was a pain to use for anything other than tall grass/weeds, and went back to a tractor mounted bush hog. Hope you're in good shape if you buy one...just my opinion...

 

[thieany]

I have had a DR Brush Mower for a few years. Ii may have been one of the last models that offered a "locking drive axle". That makes a world of difference on slopes. I am very happy with it. 75 years old and finding is not too hard to handle. But, it is work.

I am not convinced of the "power steering". It looks more like the old days of stepping on one brake on your tractor to make a sharp turn.
Ken

Same age. Same experience. Glad I have it. Never look forward to using it.

 

[bearthebruce]

Same age. Same experience. Glad I have it. Never look forward to using it.

Same here... it has it uses and its purpose in our taming the brush on the land we are managing. One just needs to know that working it is no walk in the park. I am 69 now.. The days of me bulling machines are coming to a close! I can still do it but I never look forward to those days!

 

[NibbanaFarm]

Anyone buy a DR Power brush mower? Have lots of weeds, scrub along a creek. May take a Year to clear it but their mowers look interesting.

I like the self propelled models with electric start and power reverse.

https://www.drpower.com/Power-Equipment/Field-%26-Brush-Mowers-/Walk-Behind-Professional-Series-/DR-Field-and-Brush-Mower-/p/AT45230BEN

Any comments appreciated.

For about 50% more you can get a BCS two wheel tractor and bush hog to go on it. Brush Mower - BCS America

Then you have the two wheel tractor that will run any of the dozens of other implements from BCS. Very High quality. I have the bush hog and a sickle bar mower that will happily munch down 1 1/2 inch maple saplings all day. Lot's of soil working and snow removal implements too.

 

[Jlillie2]

We have a DR Power Brush Cutter and purchased it for working slopes we cannot manage with our tractor. Our biggest complaint is the wheel drive system. If you are working in trees and such where it is on uneven surfaces, rocks, roots, etc... the diff is set up that you end up with one wheel spinning and the other stopped. At that point, the only means to move the heavy machine is your own braun.

When we are working flat reasonably smooth ground, its a great little bruch mower.

Someone mentioned debris flying back? Does not really happen. It flies out the front and sides for us. I have never had a piece of brush fly at me.

I'm 68 - nearly 69 - I find the amount of effort I have to put into running it hard for an old guy. We have young hunters who help us take care of this place... they can bull it around and get it to go when I struggle.

Back to the drive system.. why they have independent diff is owing to their desire to give help on steering with the paddle steering. But the price of that is that you get stuck often. I would rather do the steering by bulling that than having to lift and push it over roots and such...

It still gets used because there are places we have to take it that a tractor cannot fit.. we are making those places smoother and easier for the machine.

Well, thats a bummer, I take it you have a newer one? Mine is the older unit with the manually locking differential. I've had to use that on power lines once or twice where it gets soupy. With out the locking diff, I'd be dragging it downhill.....

 

[bearthebruce]

Well, thats a bummer, I take it you have a newer one? Mine is the older unit with the manually locking differential.

Yes, our is 3 years old? Honda engine, 26" cut.
Don't get me wrong, we have used it to do a lot of brush hogging but whenever I can get the younger hunters who do their service here to earn their right to hunt, they get to walk behind it! A couple of them are very strong and capable.

As for me, not only am I weak witted, but I am also getting more and more physically weak searching for ways to work smarter, not harder.

The DR is dedicated now to working in tight places where we cannot use some of our other toys!

Mountain, heavily wooded properties take a bit of hard work. We're trying to push the brush back and keep it under control. So many invasive species here in Southwest Virginia just off the Blue Ridge Parkway.