Is this Brush Mower really built farm/trail tough? Let's beat it up!!
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- čas přidán 20. 06. 2022
- Is this Brush Mower really built farm/trail tough? Let's beat it up!! Come along today as we trail test this DR Field and brush mower from #northerntool We'll put it to the test and I'll tell ya what I think! Link: www.northerntool.com/shop/too...
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At 2:20, that blade looks upside-down? Is it mounted right?
I saw that too
It mulches therefore it pushes the cutting down and cuts it again.
After reading your question my mower is back I have to check mine. I got it a couple of months and have not had a to use it. The blade is mounted opposite of the way it is on Josh's. What I do not know is how they shipped Josh's mower to him because I purchased a recondition unit and it came in two pieces both assembled.
It's upside down. Also notice that when he shows the blade starting & stopping under the deck, it spins with the non-sharpened flat edge moving forward instead of the sharp edge.
Saw that also. Had to rewind to double check lol. Awesome machine though
DR makes very good equipment.
I have an older one with the 17hp Kawasaki. It is a beast. Cleared 2.5 acres with it. Cutting down 4 inch saplings.
My 17HP Kawasaki was the same. When I last used it it seemed to by much weaker but I’m fairly sure I was only firing one cylinder. I replaced the ignition cores but now I can’t get her started to save my life…. I might give it another try tomorrow 🤞
@@gwolf7716 They are tough to kill. We just did a whole series on my channel reviving a DR that had caught on fire. Best of luck getting the beast running again.
I use to test them for DR 8 years ago .and they are pretty tough .I was told to try to break it .
@@gwolf7716Some Kawasaki engines are known for unseating valve seats and causing the valve not to close all the way and dislodging the push rod leaving you with a one cylinder engine. Ask me how I know.
I love my DR. It's great to be able to mow around the saplings you want to keep!
I have a swisher that is very similar to this and also bought a BCS 853 two wheel tractor as well with a legit brush hog blade setup. Love both of them for this very task. Great video.
The best brush mower I ever used, was a Bobcat 72inch cut. It weighed about a ton, but was extremely maneuverable. This was about 30 years ago!
This is very helpful. Thank you!
Pretty impressive machine. Would make great addition to the farm! 👍
Good evening Josh..
I have one and I love.. I did buy the heavy duty blade and put that on..
It is a work horse..
Just be careful not to tip the front to high.. let it push the brush over and it will chew it up no problem..
Great video on how it works..
Stay safe and always be kind.
Cheers
I have a BCS 749 tractor with the flail mower implement. I use it weekly. Love it.
BCS makes tough equipment. We have a BCS tiller bought it used about 4 years ago. It doesn’t say commercial on it but we aren’t nice to it one bit. It just takes what we dish out and is always ready for more.
Flails are our #1 used implement this time of year. They make quick work of the gnarliest knock downs. Highly recommend a flail mower if you have a lot of thick brush. We have the larger bobcat flail on the e50 w/ long boom. Gets all those nasty hillsides that you can’t navigate on foot. I swear by them or a forestry mulcher.
We have one that’s probably 15 years old now with electric start and 5 speed transmission. Also has a diff lock to make using it easier. Its rated for 3” trees and it will do it. Best piece if equipment we have. Runs like new still.
Great testimony. Thumbs up from me.
Differential lock unnecessary if you have the individual wheel brakes.
I've always wanted to try one of those, they look like they would be very handy! Thanks Josh!
Have had one for 2 years. Incredible machine! If you can run over it, it can cut it!
We have the PRO 26 (14.5 HP) and love it. Definitely recommended.
I bought the Pro34XL 20hp electric start Kawasaki twin cylinder engine. Power steering/dual disc brakes. In 2017..... still going strong in 2023 original 7ah starting battery. Only items that broke under warranty was the drive lever cable and the big pulley on the mower shaft. Company replaces both no questions asked. By the way the weld on that pulley is engineered to snap if you hit something like a log. One would think a belt would slip first. I bought a few extra pulleys but have not had to use them. Awesome machine! 5 stars! If it will pass my tests it will pass yours!😅
I just bought a 24 inch absolutely love it. Although I didn’t have the break steering and I was unable to handle it :-(. I bought the parts saved $1000.00 dollars :-) and put them on. I totally love my machine :-) It now does all the work. I also ran over a big thorne and pulled it out sizzled for about 15 seconds “or less” sealed right up :-). Great sealant in tires. Everything you had mentioned is quite accurate thanks for your video :-). 😊
DR Products have always been tough and do their job. Well built workhorse products.
Ive wanted one of these for years for my Christmas tree farm to get in tight spots…niice reviews dude!
I got the DR Premier 26. Bought it 4 years ago and it,s a work horse. I go thru some stuff you can't even walk thru. Cutting trails, clearing for food plots or just maintaining the grounds at camp. Great piece of equipment.
I know this comment is old, but I need some advice. I had a southland walk behind trimmer that was amazing, it was so powerful and cut through literally everything. Unfortunately, about 4 years in it gave out. When I went to buy a new one they were discontinued. I looked online and the only thing I could find was an Earthquake brand walk behind trimmer, It was more expensive than the southland and has been absolute junk. It barely cuts through anything and then finally, a year in the motor gave out. So my question is, will a mower like the one in this video do as good of a job or an even better job than a heavy duty walk behind string trimmer? Sorry if thats a dumb question, I have never used a brush mower so I have no idea, didn't even know they existed lol.
@@TheBakingSlave the string cutter will not cut the stuff the DR will. String cutters are ok for tall grass. I've cut brush 5 foot high and 3/4 inch in diameter.
DR makes some really great products. I have a 17 hp model my dad bought probably 20 years ago and it really gets the job done and have NEVER had a problem with it. Great video, Josh as always!
I got the same, at the same time. Other than oil changes, I've only had to replace the key switch last month (20 years later) because it corroded internally. It was a $18 part off Amazon and took (not joking) about 30 seconds to replace. Love that machine.
Excellent video. Looking for something like this. You did a very thorough job explaining all the details!
Been thinking about getting this for my landscaping company this was really helpful thank you
Nice review and footage. Thanks!
My 70’s Gravely has been doing that for close to 50 years. Plus I have a sulky so I don’t have to walk every where by the beastie.
Haven't watched in a couple years. Good job on the weight loss. Quite the transformation.
Might want to install the cover knob to hold down that pulley cover before you get deep into cutting. Amazed your cover stayed in place while you mowed.
Great machine - got 2 of them!
I got the premiere 26 ...really like what it can do...if it can push it over it can cut it ...if you're cutting thick stuff for the 1st time just take your time.
I bought one of the 20 HP models and it's a beast. It will do exactly (actually more than) what the manufacture states. Get the heavy-duty blade option. I ran the heck out of it for three years and never had a moment of trouble with it. Nice to have an American made product that performs as advertised.
High fives!
Great machine. I have the 14.5 HP version . Went with this for two reasons. It uses a Full Pressure Pump w/Oil Filter rather than splash lubrication. The pressured pump comes in very handy on inclines and when it's on a side slope. Also, and this was less important, but the fuel tank is 2 gallons vs 3 quarts. This is helpful when mowing trails. Another think I like is the belt takes a lot of abuse without slipping or coming off entirely. Enjoy the machine.
thats what im getting for sidewalks and mowing a 14.5hp plus worklights and hour meter on it wich the machine and all attachments gonna costme $8,057.00
I've had the DR Horton w B&S engine for 5 years and I've beat the daylights out of it. It hasn't failed me once.
Just purchased the 14.5HP model with the Brake Drive based on your review. Heading out tomorrow to try it along the fence rows to cut under the tree line and along the fences.
I had a Pro 30XL for a couple months. The machine was awesome - unstoppable in the brush. But i had a problem where the PTO would never disengage, making it pretty sketchy to do things like load it on a trailer or in the back of a truck. Eventually DR took it as a return.
I have 2 of them one is 25 years old and have never done anything but change the oil and the spark plug once. I use it for areas that I can’t get to with a Ventrac over rocks and stuff if you Push it over it will cut it just have to walk and hang on. Also have the 60 inch finish walk behind mower from DR.
I bought one of these off market place, and it is built like a tank! I have ran over some things that would destroy most mowers and it still keeps going. If all you need is a brush mower and you have 10 acres or less, this will probably work just fine for you as opposed to getting a small tractor. It might take you a 2-3 days part time and a good workout. I would pay the money to get one new, and it's kinda of fun to operate.
I have a 44" brush hog/mower that can be pulled with the 4 wheeler or larger mower. Adjustable offset hitch. I use it for cutting hay in smaller areas sometimes
Impressive machine, I have looked at them for a number of years but have never pulled the trigger on buying one. Might be time to do it
I used to have a Gravely two-wheel tractor that was much like this one only much heavier duty. It had all kinds of equipment that you could buy for it. It also had a pull-behind sulky you could ride on;
I have a Pro XL 30 with the 22hp engine. Complete beast!
Growing up we had a Yazoo brush mower. Tough as nails. Looks like this is a serious upgrade of that.
I rented one and it was a beast that got the job done
It’s just trial and error buddy the place looks awesome🤘🏼‼️ People need to remember you are a first generation farmer not a fifth generation farmer
Great machine will mulch anything it will put over. I had the older model 30” cut had trouble with chain on transmission. Over all great.
You are correct Josh, limited slip differential on the DR.
Hello SIr! Glad I found you, yes I subbed and hit the bell. Bless you for moving the baby Oaks. They need all the help they can get. They are beautiful trees and you will love them. I have several adults in two groves here at the property in the North Suburbs of Chicago. It's beautiful here but I can't wait to leave HELLinois for reasons, lol. Many free-er places to live. That mower is awesome, I definitely need one. One I figure out where I will be, your channel will have me ready for doing pretty much what you are doing already. I can't wait. It's work but it's a beautiful life out there. Stay safe, stay healthy and God be with you and yours.
I have the pro 34 that is a 36 inch cut, Its amazing! 22 horse brings engine.
Nice Josh. I have thought about getting one but haven't done so yet. Just putting it off :D Shop looks great, You do too. Keep it up man. Wishing you all the best and God Bless.
I think you made a good point, if you are deep into brush then you will probably be in very difficult terrain. So not having an easy way to steer it may be a problem. Nice solid machine though
I own the 30 inch DR model with individual wheel brakes. Get a model with the brakes. It will make a BIG difference with ease of turning and working on side hills.
That thing is the perfect trail making machine.
I own the 20hp version. It’s a beast. It’s indispensable on our property in Texas.
Hey Josh thank you for the video woo
I have one with the 20 hp motor, it is a beast and is a work out
Hello from Minnesota!
I have a larger model of this machine and I found that it did not discharge tall grass very well. I ended up cutting a side discharge opening and it made a huge difference. I a.lso made a couple of other modifications that are helpful
Just look at it at my local farm store got them!!! Same name brand and E1050 too!!! Only differences is the speed shifter shifts east to west instead of North to South like yours.
The left hand levers are down like bicycle brake while right hand levers is on top like yours. Everything else is same though. I didn’t get chance to look at blade.
I just realized I’ve been using my gas lawn mower as a “brush hug”. I use it to cut through vines, large weeds, and small shrubs. I keep asking myself when it’ll give out and yea my lawn mower blades are always dull. But it honestly does about 80% of what that much much more expensive machine does.
I do the same, and have all the tools to remove and reinstall the mower blade in one place so the job can be done easily and rapidly. I use a file to sharpen the blade unless there are significant chips ---- then I clean those up with a bench grinder.
I'm sure the machine described would do FAR more than a lawnmower, but a lawnmower can do a lot more than mow lawns in my experience.
I just bought my first lawnmower, a Nice yellow Stiga.
I live in steep terrain, tough, and since the lawn hadnt been mown since early summer, a jungle.
Which IT chewed like a champ.
Then AS I started to expand these premises... Man, IT chomps up brushes, turfs, oldt stubbs like nothing AS long AS the blade is looked after.. so amazed and happy it works beyond what I thought a lawnmower could do... And this is a front wheel drive too, so I cant cut an open i g in the front, but, its just exciting getting some equipment like that and get started clearing out the shrubbery and turning into arable land. 🏎️🙏🤸
Glad to hear you are having a good time with your new mower!
Sounds like you should become acquainted with removing, sharpening and reinstalling the blade. Personally, I sharpen my mower blade in a vice with a file. If they have significant dings, I'll clean that up on a grinder, although a rougher file would do the job too.
Personally, I dote on my mower and enjoy doing maintenance and repairs, and doing the mowing as well.
Have a good time mowing!
I bought one off Craig's List when I first got my homestead, it was amazing! It worked so well that when it died and I would have had to replace the whole engine, I just got a new one.
That said the older one was defiantly tougher than the new one is, but the new one still works great and I would recommend these to anyone will a lot of woody brush.
BTW I have the snow blower attachment and eventually want to get the wood chipper attachment too.
I have the same unit. I could not steer it so I added the break steering saved $1000 for not ordering it with. Love it now 😊. The only problem I have is starting it 😢. Nothing a little carb cleaner on filter, one pull 😊.
Could you tell me more please about where you ordered parts to add brakes to the DR bruah mower?
4th time out that tough tire went flat messed with Multiflower Rose thorn .No sealant. Got the Pro26 with the 15.5 Briggs. Called company they said not all models came with sealant. Had to go get some Tire Slime. Slime to the rescue.
Love your video.
I like the looks of that machine. It would be perfect for getting in and around my old pond. I don't like maneuvering my tractor in there...what little topsoil that is there slips down under the tires of a heavy tractor and takes forever to heal. That mower would tread lightly and do the job safely.
We got one from Craigslist for $300. It is an original with steel spoked wheels and nothing plastic. I still cuts like mad!
I have a BCS 749 two wheel tractor from Italy. It has a PTO connection so you can have multiple attachments. I have a field mower for cutting brush, it IS a beast! Check them out, it is very heavy duty! Also have a sickle bar mower and snow thrower.
Thanks for the review. I could use a bigger model out on my small farmette. only 17 acres but lots of brush that needs pushing back.
I have one that's 30 plus years old with the 17 hp Kawasaki. It has a 30 inch cut & I cleared 4 acres in 6 hours. I was cutting 2 to 4 inch saplings.
I have always wanted a DR. I had another brand and loaned it out a couple times and it was never right after it came home. Learned my lesson. I'm 73, I think this may be too much machine for me here on the farm.
I rented a hydro one that was a billy goat brand. The quick reverse was great
I have the premier. It cuts everything I need. But on mine the reverse cable breaks a lot if you shift gears frequently. But they back their warranties.
Very interesting... not bad for a light machine!! Not bad at all.
I rented a “Billy Goat” once- very similar. It threw me around like a rag doll. I told the man when I returned it, not to rent it out to anyone who weighs less than 200lbs ( I weigh 145).
I also rented a “Billy Goat” from Home Depot and had the same horrible experience, I weigh 250 and got thrown around really bad! Eventually had to turn the throttle down to be able to control the unit. It was off or wide open! I have rented Gravely walk behind bush mowers for days at a time and had a much better experience. Just my 2 cents.
That's funny; maybe they ought to rename it Buckin' Bronco 😅
I had no issues with it rented several times. Now I'm a 6 foot linebacker sized man but my wife's 170 lb kid used it as did an 18 year old weakling. Just need to learn how to use it.
Great video Josh 🇺🇲 WOOOOOO 🇺🇲
I just mounted a Jungle Wheels sulky on my DR premiere. So far so good 😊
I have the next model up you mentioned. Nice to have the steering for sure. They are heavy units. Wish I had known the hydrostatic model was coming out shortly after buying mine. Full forward reverse hand controls on each side. Like you said it's a lot of shifting. A real workhorse though! Enjoyed it Josh! Wooooo!
I was just thinking that it needs a hydrostatic option. Glad they already have it, sorry you got yours beforehand
Hydrostatic sounds the go.
My premier has two drive cables. The reverse one is the one I've broke twice in 2 seasons. The forward cable is twice as thick. But it still a great tool. But my warranty is up in September. So I will modify to hard linkage . Not cable.
Looks like its a great machine
If you plan to mow a lot of tall Grass I would get a different blade. Swisher calls them Gator blades. So on the upper part of the blade that provides the lift it has teeth instead of just a smooth slanted blade and it helps out a lot with tall grass. Otherwise tallgrass might wrap around the blade and kill the motor. Especially with really thin bladed grass. The heavy thick grass cuts easier than thin bladed stuff.
Great video. I've used the Swisher bush hog for 16 years mowing for the natural gas pipeline. It sounded like it labored pretty well when I was hitting those large saplings. This mower definitely looks a lot lighter then the Swisher. The Swisher was just shy of 300 lbs. I retired / done with more for the pipeline now and I have four Swisher mowers. I just might sell them to get the Dr. Only because of the attachment options I'll have to check out the price. Cuz the chipper in the snow blower option sounds great I live in Iowa.
The weight on this mower is 268 lbs. so it is not that light'
snow blower attachment is only single stage.
Happy retirement sir! I teach 2nd grade in WV and a few years ago as the pipeline came through, I had several students in and out based on pipeline families coming in. I know you worked hard!
Still looking to sell a swisher?
What general area Iowa are you in?
I'm in north east ks.
I worked for a company that built some grain dryers in Iowa around about a life time ago it seems.
I rememberthe one in Spencer Iowa!!
Wind chill of negative 40° Fahrenheit every day for 2 weeks straight!!
My last job for them. I have low body fat . Cold is my kryptonight.
Arctic lining coveralls, 2 pair long underwear, + a lot more & the wind cut through me.
I found my limit in Spencer, iowa!!!
Boss was an extra A hole one day & I was just like popeye-
I had all I could stands, couldn't stands no more.
Put in my 2 weeks.
Hahaha!
Cold thinking about it
My little brother does custom mowing lawns and fields pastures and stuff and he has a couple of those things he even has a grader blade for one of his I don't know whether they still sail them or not his a pretty old. He told me one time that he didn't think any mower was better than he Yazoo until he got the DR and he just like you, says it's heavy.
DR dealer here.
Not sure of the age of this post;
Top of the line engine package is now 22hp, not 20.
We sell alot of them, especially the 14.5 version.
good deal buddy
I Got a DR26 Premier 2 Days Ago And It Came With The Wrong Drive Belt, So I Get To Put One On IT. GREAT
At least there isn't a bunch of dust when it's raining!! It was so dry this year later in the summer!! Standard differential
Asheville NC Lexington BBQ 🔥😋 one day i will get there.
Back to the brush hog thing is it a shredder ?
I have a lot off the lawn mowing and it is like a jungle.
Hello from Dexter Lombardo 🤠🧔 from Southwest Missouri
"You shouldn't really mow in the rain, but that's what we had to do today."
You can't fool me dude, I saw the pallet, box, and that you got it delivered today. You know as well as I know that you wanted to play with your new toy!
well....sometimes we gotta work in the rain to get the jobs done my friend ...we get about 10 trucks in here per month delivering all sorts of stuff...it's a busy place for sure!
Wow. You've seriously lost some weight since the last video I watched of yours. Hope me saying that isn't a bad thing. Keep the videos coming!
I rent a similar model to do my steep bank once or twice a year. After battling one of these things for 2 hours or more, you get a work out.
Great machines. I have used for years. Goes where you could never put a tractor.
I have 5 of them 20hp with the Kawasaki motor with electric start that I use in my lawn care business with the Bush hog and mower decks the bush hog whatever it can push over it will cut it up and if your on hilly ground lock the differential making it two wheel drive you can cut on hilly ground that you can hardly stand up on plus if you have one they hold their value not like other mowing equipment
their great machines that is an open differential
right near the oil drain is where it would have a starter amazing they didnt just go with a starter on this one also
This machine is truly a beast, i made a mistake by selling the one i had, i can tell you in watching your show and tell, in your garage you were letting the guide bars scrape cement, its a good way to sand a hole through that pipe in a hurry, push down and let those wheels carry your machine off paved surfaces, other than that i am about to order a new one today, i kick myself for letting my first one go
It might be good to get some kind of replaceable nylon runners on them if the hollow pipe can wear through and corrode. The Swisher brush model I have has just a steel plate as the guide rather than a pipe.
Pretty impressive for a small machine! That blade must be heavier made than it looks in video.
I’m thinking if you use that DR to clear that whole woods and everything else around it you could liking it to bailing straw all day it’ll definitely cause you sleep on your own side of the bed.
That wood area looks like all of mine :'D
Hi.... Josh nice to see you, thank you for showing your video homestead chickens duck farmer garden 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 👕🐔🐓🐣🐥🐕🐕🐈🐐🐄🐖🐝🌱🏡🎥👍👍👍
Man josh that critter eats brush limenits ice-cream man. Now I'm gonna have toninvest in one fornthe farm.
I just rented a bill goat walk behind and that is a beast for cutting
that rear end is an "open" differential, a "limited slip" differential will allow one wheel to turn then engage both wheels when the slip is excessive.
Weakness on these is the cables that shift the transmission. I've had two break so far in two years. The metal hook on the end of the cable that goes into the shift lever breaks and then you can't shift. Had to walk up from my field to get a wrench, remove cover, and then shift it by hand to get it back to the barn. Cables were replaced under warranty, but you have to wait for them to arrive and can't use the machine. Other than that it is impressive what it will take down. One thing to watch is if you're on uneven ground and the front dips, it will throw branches and debris into your legs and nubbly bits - not a pleasant experience. Thought about hanging a piece of carpet from the handlebars to catch what's thrown. Lastly the engine is not well guarded, brush can snag the oil dipstick and loosen it, the throttle cable, etc. They have a new pro model that has metal guards around the engine. Check the dipstick is tight every so often if you're in ramming it through heavy brush, i.e. blackberries.
More likely s twigs and stratton engine.. looks great
I love mine. The only weak point I've noticed is the handle bars seem weak and bend after years of use. I wish they reinforeced the handle bars.