walk behind brush mowers???

[marks]

During the past few years I've been renting a Billy Goat brush mower, and tackling some of the steep terrain. Hence I've come to appreciate its mobility and am considering the purchase of one. Can anyone provide insights as to the various manufacturers such as DR Field and Brush Mowers, Billy Goat, and Swisher? On comparable machines the engines are similar, as well as the weight, yet the DR costs 50% more than the Billy Goat, and 100% more than the Swisher. The rental yards use the Billy Goat, however with only occassional use it might be somewhat of an over-kill for my application.

 

[DmansPadge]

I've never used one myself, but, I know that Snapper and Simplicity make them as well and might be worth a look!

 

[timb]

I've only been looking into them, no purchases yet, but the DR does allow changing out the brush deck with a finish mower or a snow blower (only single-stage though). IF that flexibility helps in your situation, it might make the DR more cost-effective.

DR has a six-month if-you-don't-like-it-return-it for a full refund policy (including shipping both ways) and claim even with that they don't get many back. They will send a pretty nice packet of info including a video tape that helps explain their lineup.

What did you think of the Billy Goat itself?

 

[marks]

Tim B,

Since the Billy Goat is the only machine the local rental yards carry, I have nothing to compare it to. However, on the several occasions that I rented it I've been thoroughly impressed. It will handle any terrain, and brush that it comes across. The operator sets the limitations, in that operating this equipment can be exhausting. Which is part of the push for purchasing the machine, in that I won't feel compelled to get a full day of use and that several hours in the cool of the a.m. on a regular basis is more feasible.

The machine is well built, and easily handles rental yard use and their mechanics have nothing but praises for these machines.. There seems to be an issue of performance on side slopes in that non-pressurized lubrication systems are limited to 15 degrees and pressurized are 20 degrees. The Swisher is not pressurized, and the DR isn’t until the 13hp. The 10.5 hp BG machine, 2401, is the direction I’m leaning; yet the 13 hp, 2402, offers a Honda pressurized lube system. I’ve spoken with several rental yards all of which use Billy Goat exclusively, and was informed the parts availability on the DR is limited. As with most TBNers I agree that service is a crucial variable in the valuation equation.

Regarding the Swisher, the few testimonials I’ve located have been mixed. Some are very pleased and others have had minor issues. I don’t think it would take too many minor issues to make up for the cost differential between it and the BG. Furthermore, Swisher is unable to provide me with any distributor within 250 miles of my home; Los Angeles is 180 miles away and San Francisco 220 miles. The service centers listed on their web site do not carry their products, it seems so half-hazard.

Well, Tim now that you listened to my diatribe it appears that galvanized my position. I did look at Snapper and Simplicity (Snapper was purchased by Simplicity), but their pricing is $500 more than a comparable BG. It’s a lot of money to spend on a piece of equipment, but I was also reluctant in purchasing my JD, which was a mistake in the long run. Hence I’ll probably purchase a brush mower within the next two weeks. Let me know what your thoughts are.

 

[Willman]

I have a 15 hp DR, got it about 6 years ago.
Its a dream to use if you dont mind walking.
I use alot around my pond where I cant get with tractor.
Cuts darn near anything and I have never bogged down the engine.
The pozi lock for the trans comes in handy when I get down the pond bank too far and starts to spin. Put the pozi in and she backs right out.
I have never used a Billy Goat (seen pictures) but I dont regret buying the DR even though they are expensive.

 

[timb]

Pressurized lube and the ability to handle fairly steep banks would be 50% of my reason for buying one of these. I chicken out (pucker factor) around my pond and a few other slopes probably long before my CUT is actually in danger of tipping. The pond banks and the fence / treelines are what I have in mind. I know the local rental yard has a BG, I'll have to rent one and get a feel for the job.

The DR did impress me from the video, though, and either they're making a killing on profit margin or they're awfully confident in their machine to offer the kind of return policy they have. Don't have the material in front of me, but I think it was the 15hp version I was leaning toward.

 

[Jim_Presley]

I also have a 15HP DR. Love it. Yeah, not the lowest price, but it just keeps going and going. I have walked over BIG stuff and it doesn't even sound like it is slowing down. All I can say is that it has never dissappointed me. Very nice unit, and by the way, parts are no isue at all. Don't know where someone would have that thought.

Jim P

 

[js5020]

Might want to consider an older Gravely with the 30" brush deck, the Gravely engined ones had pressure lube for the engine and trans, and would work on a fair slope. Just a thought.

 

[Alan L.]

Speaking of slopes, the one use I would have from one of these beasts would be places where I can't get my brush hog. That would be steep slopes leading down to the creek. These slopes currently get tall weed and brush growth that I can only get to with my Stihl FS85 with brush blade. This is ALOT of work, and I just can't do much of it.

I wonder if one of these machines would handle such a slope. It is steep enough I would not even consider getting my tractor sideways on it. I have backed down it a ways and driven straight back out, but there aren't many spots with large enough openings in the trees to do this, plus there are numerous offsets, bumps, and holes on the way down in spots.

 

[BarryinMN]

I've had the 15hp DR for 4 years & have thoroughly abused it & still going strong: smooth vibrationless cutting. Have not needed parts, I get oil filters (Fram) at wally world. In heavy brush the motor does drink fuel. Hitting rocks the drive belt slips so have not destroyed original blade.

 

[timb]

If you dig far enough in the original engine manufacturer's web sites for specs - you can often find the maximum allowable operating angle. 25 degrees is about the highest number I've seen for a 'normal' air cooled pressure lube 4-cycle engine, although I'm sure there's some special purpose stuff out there that could do more. I'd bet it's in the DR information pack as well or they (or Billy Goat) could answer it via an email.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Ferris makes a hydro drive brush mower thats quite a bit heavier than the DR and a bit cheaper. That might be worth a look.

 

[XmasTreeGrower]

Mark

You are on the right track realizing the limiting factor with these machine is the physical exertion they require.

I have used them all, and the Billy Goat is especially tiresome to use because of the poor front-rear balance. It is way too heavy up front. Going to the 13 hp version just magnifies the problem.

Bar far the easiest of these machine to use is the Bachtold Bros. weed mowers. They too are common in most rental yards. They have very tall, spoked wheels, and look like something from a Frankenstein movie. With the wide open, revoling weed head, they never get clogged or choked down. I have an 8 hp Briggs on mine, and never need any more power. They are realtively light compared to the rest, perfectly balanced, and quite a bit cheaper to boot.

Remember, think smaller, lighter. and easier to handle; and you will be much happier in the long run.

BTW, don't waste any time or energy on the high wheeld string trimmer things. They just don't work.

Thanks
Bill

 

[fouracres]

We've had a DR Field and Brush mower since the early 90's. It's one of the hard rubber, spindle wheeled ones with no reverse. Works just like the video, pretty much goes where it wants to. You are simply along for a ride. You get to direct your first movement's direction and then hang on until you stop. Goes through or over most anything.

Looks like they have improved a lot over the years but you might want to check and see if they have made the handles any longer. I'm around 6'4" or 6'5" with steel toe boots on and the handles are way too short. After an hour or so my back gets pretty sore.

 

[EastTexFrank]

My DR is just like fouracres, it's old and beat up and basic (single speed) ... no reverse or pneumatic tires on that bad boy. It's always started very easily. You just point it where you want to go and hang on. It'll do everything they say it will but I find that it's not as easy as they make it look. When cutting lots of saplings and high weeds around the lake I find myself tripping on the stuff that it chops up and leaves on the ground. After a few hours it gets really tiring walking and wading through that stuff. That's not the machines fault, it's mine for leaving it so long between cuttings. I've got a lot of good use out of that machine and taken it places that I'd be terrified to go on the tractor. On steep slopes, it's easier to mow going uphill that coming down. There's no engine braking and it'll give you a wild ride, running to keep up. I used the finishing mower deck for years and it's very good too although mine is the worse for wear now. For the longest time it was the only walk behind mower I owned. Without a reverse, it's a little heavy to rug and tug at while maneuvering around trees and things but its a good, go anywhere mower. All in all, I don't regret it's purchase in the slightest.

I've never had any problem getting spares although I've never needed many. I once called them up to order a drive belt. The rep told me that he'd sell me one but that it'd be much cheaper if I just went to the local auto supply store and got a such and such size. You can't ask for any more honesty than that.

 

[Jagmandave]

I rented one of these to try and clear some areas I wasn't brave enough to run the brush hog on, it like to killed me. I've never been so tired after an hour of fighting that thing. I need a better answer I think. I have the same problem with steep pond sides, I usually wait till fall and just pull it out, but it looks terrible during the summer. I was thinking about a chemical solution like roundup or something, but I don't want that stuff going into the pond, do I?

 

[slowrev]

Just cross grass carp and walking catfish, the offspring will keep the grass trimmed around your pond /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Ben

 

[viking65]

I have the Simplicity brush mower.

http://www.simplicitymfg.com/field_brush.php

I have cut saplings almost 3" in diameter. It is built very well, very rugged. Best of all it has a hydrostatic transmission in both forward and reverse. No shifting, easy to operate. Electric start. I would buy another one, it's a beast.

 

[zio]

Sarlo is another brand to consider. Don't know much about them, though... only that they sell them here at the place I get my small engine stuff.

I rented a billy goat once. I hated every minute of it. Figured every other machine would be the same, so I bought myself the biggest trimmer I could afford- a Stihl FS250 (2.5 hp or so) for around $325. I'd have preferred a Husqvarna just because I love my Husqvarna 350 chainsaw so much, but they were more expensive and less powerful (1.5 hp).

I can do more on the hilly terrain here with this than any mower. Throw on the gnarly blade & I can cut down small trees like they were daisies. And the only energy I exert is me walking. No big machine to wrestle. And with the new harness I bought, carrying it all day is a breeze. Of course, on the flat stuff a mower would be way better. But here on our ranch we don't have much flat stuff. And wide open terrain that we do have can be mowed with the tractor & rotary mower.

 

[robison]

I too have a DR and it's a great machine. It really does what those TV ads claim! It's kind of a workout to use on a big area but for really big areas I have the tractor. What it really excels at is rough or hilly terrain, along narrow paths, next to stone walls . . . all those places you can't drive a tractor.

Mine is a 13HP which has never bogged down with anything I mowed.