I bought the DR Brush cutter with the 17 HP engine a few years ago. The thing is a monster. It kicks a...s. It will kick your a....s.
There was an 18 HP Honda engine but it was quite a bit more money for one HP.
The DR will cut down the same sized saplings as my MX 6. About 2-2.5 inches. I also use it to mow the lawn.
It is nice to know if the lawn gets long, say 24 inches, it really does not matter to the mower.
The DR does what it is supposed to do. I did by the generator a few years ago since it can attach to the engine. They know have a blade that looks interesting. :laughing:
I have only had two problems with the DR and one is my fault. The key switch jammed up on me because dust would get into the switch when the engine was turned off. The DR is in a shed an dust gets into the shed. I know keep a piece of tape over the key hole.
I ended up having to get a new assembly to fix this problem. DR did have GREAT customer service. They helped me shoot the electrical problem I ran into because of the gummed up switch. They really knew what they were doing. AND they told me I could likely get the assembly at Lowes, HD or a JD dealer. :thumbsup: I just bought it from them since it would save me a trip AND I would have what I needed.
The bigger issue is that the lid to the gas tank tells you how much fuel you have left. The problem is that the mechanism to do this is metal and sits in the gas. This metal has rusted on me and clogged up the fuel filter. Major PITA. DR sent me a new gas lid without a problem but the new assembly rusts as well. I just took apart the fuel gauge assembly. Now that the engine is broken in 2.5 gallons of gas lasts at least three hours. After 2-3 hours behind the DR *** I *** am out of gas.
The DR will work your fanny off. It is powerful. It will walk over you in reverse. The dead man switch is needed. The hand controls took some getting used too. I don't know if they got easier to use over time or if I got stronger, likely both, but my fore arms hurt bad the first 10-20 hours on the DR. Could have been related to my back injury as well.
The DR brush cutter has skids not tires up front. To turn you have to push DOWN to pick up the skids and then turn. It would be nice if the handle bars where an inch or so taller for me. That pushing down did not make my bad back feel good but I guess I got used to it.
I did have to buy some very good work gloves. the pushing down to turn will give large blisters on your hands. Given my space I am turning quite a bit which really can blister up your hands. And bother your back.
I run my DR in the yard but also in the woods and along property lines were the tractor cannot go. It is a beast. It chews up trees, grass and rocks.
If it is tall grass or thick saplings you just have to put it in low gear and go slow. It does not bog down. If the grass is low enough and I use the DR on our road instead of the MX 6 four gear is a fast walk.
The DR does everything I would have expected. And more. I would guess that their returns are from people who cannot handle the machine. You really do have to watch it especially in reverse. It will push you over or into a tree. Anyone who disables the dead man switch to mow is asking to get seriously hurt. Mowing next to a tree you need to leave a bit of space because you can hit a rock or stump which tilts the mower and tosses your handed into the tree. Did I mention good gloves?
Later,
Dan
