Wheeled string trimmer - good tool?

Franko · Aug 1, 2012

I am seriously looking at the DR Trimmer/Mower (wheeled string trimmers), either the 6.75 Pro or 8.75 Pro-XL. I plan to use it to trim the weeds along our rock-infested driveway edges. The driveway edges drop off into ravines at points, and rises steeply at banks at other points (but still manage to put up huge pokeweeds, blackberries, and small trees that really encroach on our driveway. I can't reach them with my bush hog, and the ground is too rough for my push mower. I sometimes drive along the ravine edge with my riding mower, but the rocks and risk of falling into the ravines is just too much.

So I have used a series of handheld string trimmers for these areas but I am absolutely tired of hauling those trimmers around, and fooling with the carbs to try to keep the darn 2 cycle engines running. (I am convinced that the new solvents that they use in gas have destroyed all my trimmer engines). But getting back to trimmers, have any of you used this type of gear for trimming on slopes and along driveways? Are the units fairly easy to handle going up and down? I guess my concerns is how long the strings will last when you have 6 or more HP driving them, and how long the old operator will last manhandling these 70-80 lb units around, even with those 16 inch wheels. I guess lastly, is there really any advantage with getting the 8.75 hp vs the 6.75 hp? It is only 8 more pounds.

Your thoughts and comments are greatly appreciated, as always!

Frank

MrPete · Aug 1, 2012

I have a craftsman wheeled trimmer. I have had it more than 10 years and I still love it. It's like a hand powered bush hog. It will also cut like a push mower. My brother and 2 friends have bought them after using mine. I will give them a high recomendation!

k0ua · Aug 1, 2012

Well here are my thoughts, I have had The DR trimmer for about 12 years.. I havent used it for the past 10 years hardly at all. I don't think I even started it last year. Here is why: It is a good product, and works well, BUT. I just cant pull and push the big heavy thing up and down these hills. When I lived in Willard Mo. which is much flatter, I used it a lot and liked it. But here in Branson, it is useless to me. Just not enough flat ground. I use a handheld string trimmer.. The strings last a good long while, as they are very large strings. It will cut light brush with ease, and is easy to go along a fence line or along a building using the tilting feature. You have the torque of a large 4 cycle engine working for you, and a lot of the time I ran the thing just a little above idle.. Mine is for sale if you want it.

James K0UA

Rusty · Aug 1, 2012

Franko said:
I am seriously looking at the DR Trimmer/Mower (wheeled string trimmers) ... to trim the weeds along our rock-infested driveway edges. The driveway edges drop off into ravines at points, and rises steeply at banks at other points ... the ground is too rough for my push mower. Frank

Franko - I have had a DR Trimmer "PRO" model since 1997. I specifically bought this model with the Tecumseh Vector XL/C 6HP engine to mow my pond bank. This engine has a carburetor designed to be used on steeper slopes. My experience is similar to k0ua's comment. I have used the DR very little the last 5 years. I have some rocks and bricks on/in my pond bank. I have found that the bicycle type wheels do not work well around rocks and on uneven ground. These wheels seem to hang up on almost anything. When I did use it around the pond, I went along the water line, rather than up and down the slope. I am 5'-10" and found the DR too hard on my back to handle going down a slope. I am actually going in the opposite direction from what you are considering - I have been using a borrowed 4-stroke hand-held trimmer this year and am very happy with it. Walking the pond shoreline with something that is NOT trying to roll on the ground has been much easier on my body. I will probably be buying my own unit next year. Best wishes!

Ken45101 · Aug 2, 2012

I haven't used mine in a number of years. It works very well on SMOOTH, LEVEL ground. I don't have smooth level ground and it's too hard to push along the rough ground or uphill. I've been trying to figure out a way to mount it on a tractor or 4 wheeler.

Ken

k0ua · Aug 2, 2012

Ken45101 said:
I haven't used mine in a number of years. It works very well on SMOOTH, LEVEL ground. I don't have smooth level ground and it's too hard to push along the rough ground or uphill. I've been trying to figure out a way to mount it on a tractor or 4 wheeler.

Ken

Hey now, that is an idea.. same problem here.. worked fine in Willard Mo. smooth much more level ground.. don't work worth crap here in Branson, (might be ok if I was 21 again) Just too hard to push/pull around.
Maybe a SSQA mount of some kind on a plate that sticks out to the right lets say.. crank up the 4 cycle Engine.. It has lots of torque and drive around on the ole 4wd Kioti and cut weeds.. hmm.. thats got me thinking.

James K0UA

Soundguy · Aug 2, 2012

i have a swisher model.. looks similar to the craftsman.. i love mine. lets me trim walk paths around fences where I can't get the hog to.. and is too thick for the rider mower. got mine from tractor supply.

it has pretty much obsoleted my push mower. havn't started that in 4 years... any trimming the push did is now covered by the swisher.. plus half the string trimming..

one thing.. wear long pants and eye protection!

i'm not kidding!

k0ua · Aug 2, 2012

Soundguy said:
i have a swisher model.. looks similar to the craftsman.. i love mine. lets me trim walk paths around fences where I can't get the hog to.. and is too thick for the rider mower. got mine from tractor supply.

it has pretty much obsoleted my push mower. havn't started that in 4 years... any trimming the push did is now covered by the swisher.. plus half the string trimming..

one thing.. wear long pants and eye protection!

i'm not kidding!

No joke, if you crank that thing up it will throw rocks half the size of your fist when the strings are new and long. But it sure will cut down some weeds.. Lots of torque and cut power..

James K0UA

Bird · Aug 2, 2012

There was a time that carpal tunnel syndrome stopped me from using the string trimmer I had, so I sold it to my brother, and I bought the biggest DR string trimmer/mower with electric start and the beaver blade. And of course that was when we lived on 10 acres. It was a great machine for me, mowing borrow ditches, under fences, around the barn, etc. And besides that my wife used it and liked it. She's still never used any other string trimmer.:laughing:

Soundguy · Aug 2, 2012

my buddy stopped by and saw it and asked me to bring it to his house to 'demonstrate' it one weekend. At least he had drinks and BBQ

QRTRHRS · Aug 2, 2012

I had a Troy Bilt but sold it for the same reason already mentioned. To much to move on hilly ground. Other than that, with the Oregon "X" plastic line it was a beast.

flusher · Aug 3, 2012

I have a Swisher wheel trimmer. Bought it 7 years ago. Used it a few times. It's heavy and awkward to use. Decided to get a good commercial grade string trimmer (Tanaka 245PF, $299) that lasted until a few weeks ago when it lost power. Replaced it with a comparable RedMax (by Husqvarna, $349). I mow 1/2 mile of fenceline and ditch three or 4 times a year plus mowing around almond trees in my orchard plus the normal landscape work. I use the snot of of my string trimmer.

kf4uda · Aug 3, 2012

I have a Poulan Pro Poulan Pro PPWT60022 - Trimmers. I have been very satisfied with it so far. After having back surgery, I was struggling using a hand-held trimmer for very long at a time. The walk behind really helped that problem, especially trimming fence rows. The best trimmer line that I have found to use with it is Arnold Corporation 490-030-0034 Professional Twisted- Edge Trimmer Line - .155. It is some tough line. I still use my hand-held trimmer some but mostly use a combination of the walk behind and liquid.

Soundguy · Aug 3, 2012

flusher said:
I have a Swisher wheel trimmer. Bought it 7 years ago. Used it a few times. It's heavy and awkward to use. Decided to get a good commercial grade string trimmer (Tanaka 245PF, $299) that lasted until a few weeks ago when it lost power. Replaced it with a comparable RedMax (by Husqvarna, $349). I mow 1/2 mile of fenceline and ditch three or 4 times a year plus mowing around almond trees in my orchard plus the normal landscape work. I use the snot of of my string trimmer.

hmm.. I found the swisher to be easier to use than a similar DR.. lighter too.

CBW1999 · Aug 3, 2012

I just picked up a swisher model with the 190cc engine. Have used it once so far and it seems to work well. The handle bars are adjustable so I was able to make it comfortable for my stature. It seems to push ok but I am still getting the hang of it.

What I really want to try is mounting it to the FEL to trim area on the hill I otherwise wouldn't even attempt as well as mow/trip around the property line.

Bob77064 · Aug 3, 2012

We have a Swisher 6.5 hp string trimmer. It is one tough machine, but yes it is heavy about 100 pounds, wheeling it up and down the hills is hard work.

California · Aug 3, 2012

MrPete said:
I have a craftsman wheeled trimmer. I have had it more than 10 years and I still love it. It's like a hand powered bush hog. It will also cut like a push mower. I will give them a high recomendation!

I'll echo this.

Before I had a brushhog for the tractor this was all I used. 6.5(?) hp and that's plenty, I wouldn't want the extra weight of a larger engine. Rasseling one on rough or sloping ground is hard work but I think better than any alternative. Here's a link to Sears present model. It says 75 lbs, I don't think mine (from 2001) is over 50 lbs.

I should try the HD 'string' mentioned in this thread. My experience is as little as a few minutes to destroy a string if there are surprise obstacles - random discarded pier blocks etc - in tall grass. These do a great job of plowing a path through blackberries.

It's a specialty tool for use where a standard lawn mower would bog down, or would be destroyed by rocks. And you can push its nose into difficult spots where a mower won't fit. I think the hp is much greater than a handheld string trimmer but I've never compared it in similar work.

DKCDKC · Aug 3, 2012

I've got a Swisher and it is hard to push around on rough or hilly ground. From what I hear from others, it's common to all these trimmers because of their two wheel design. However, it has it's uses. For those considering it, I suggest you try a Swisher first by watching sales at Tractor Supply. I got mine for about $200 on sale, a far cry from the more expensive DR and Troybilt models. You can then try it out and decide if you need the more expensive model, and what to look for if you get it.

Since I have a very long drive with edges not friendly to a rotary cutter, I am seriously considering making some rig to hold the Swisher at the side of my FEL so I could cut the edges without breaking my back pushing the thing. Has anyone ever tried that?

Bob77064 · Aug 3, 2012

DKCDKC said:
I've got a Swisher and it is hard to push around on rough or hilly ground. From what I hear from others, it's common to all these trimmers because of their two wheel design. However, it has it's uses. For those considering it, I suggest you try a Swisher first by watching sales at Tractor Supply. I got mine for about $200 on sale, a far cry from the more expensive DR and Troybilt models. You can then try it out and decide if you need the more expensive model, and what to look for if you get it.

Since I have a very long drive with edges not friendly to a rotary cutter, I am seriously considering making some rig to hold the Swisher at the side of my FEL so I could cut the edges without breaking my back pushing the thing. Has anyone ever tried that?

That sounds like a great idea. Let the tractor do the heavy work. Please post pics when you do this.