I have had several of these mowers and have some experienced comments. The newer DRs (with the exception of their largest model) have only rear discharge which is inadequate in tall grass as it plugs up. DR did away with the antiwrap shield and so my newer DR can get grass wrap around the spindle. The disc brakes on the newer DRs are great and I recommend them. I understand hydrostatic models are coming this spring (2022)
These things are beasts. I have one 17 years old and use it to cut blackberries and thick poison oak shrubbery sometimes eight or nine feet tall. It is not a power steering unit like DR makes now, so it takes a bit more effort to turn it. It is heavy and tiring, but it tackles brush only a large tractor with a pull behind PTO brush hog could formerly take on. It mows well on hills going straight up and down, and pretty well going laterally on slopes of maybe 25 to 30 degrees. Any steeper, and it is better to go straight up and down. It takes about two hours to mow two hilly, tough acres. But the reduction in fire danger out here in the dry west is well worth the physical effort. Once you get the tough stuff down, it really only has to be mowed once a year afterwards.
That's cool, I've got a cheaper Craftsman that's similar but works well. Even though they are self propelled you still have to man handle that thing and quite the workout.
I have a 17 hp DR Mower that I've been using for over 10 years clearing property lines and underbrush from around the homestead. DR recommends up to 2 1/2" saplings for my model but I've pushed it above its maximum just to see what it can really do. I don't advise it because it is extremely hard on the equipment and operator, but I have taken 3" red oaks down with it.
Even with the 5ft bush hog, I hate the banging sound that comes with taking down thick saplings. 14" chainsaw works quick. But this DR mower, I have got to get one. So many places that are too dangerous for the tractor.
@@BonafideToolJunkie They don't make the 17 hp anymore because they have come out with a larger model that is designed to take down 3" saplings, just a note. What I like about it is that it will go where tractors fear to tread. What I learned, the hard way, is don't manhandle the machine. Just put it in gear, hang on and let it do it's job.
If i wanted to cut small trees & roots flush to ground by extending the blade down further - do you think it would hold up? (Fully aware that is not the intended use/abuse)
Seems like something that would make more sense to rent instead of own. Once you get the brush cut down then all you would need is a regular mower as long as you kept up with it.
We have a lot of ant mounds, which are not a friendly walk through after cutting their home to pieces. This looks like a great solution but for that one issue.
I have exactly the same machine. What to geese and oil on this machine? You did mention it you had a transmission problem .Do you need to change the oil, or is sealed? I bought mine used , so I do not have any way to follow. Thanks for the help.
It all becomes composted over time. You could rake it up in a more manicured area, or burn it where it falls (I've done the latter in grassy areas), but in the woods I let it rot.
We just bought our 5 acre homestead in Sept. 2018 and we're trying to get it cleaned up (mostly wooded, and has a pasture that hasn't been used in years, and we need to clear garden space and keep the woods from seceding). I'm considering getting the 20 hp version of this that will do up to 3 inch saplings (our property is too tight for a tractor). But, I'm wondering, have you tried it on slopes or hills? We have a couple areas that have hills or slopes. And, have you ever tried to go through a thick carpet of blackberry vines? we have more blackberries and black raspberries to clear than anything (one has canes, the other vines). Thanks for any insight you can give.
The new models look even better. Mine will go through blackberry bushes taller than me and obliterate them. I don't get stuck by thorns because I'm behind the monster muncher. I can't recommend it highly enough. It will destroy brush.
I'm clearing a small forest with mine. You wouldn't dare take a tractor through the places I'm taking my DR through and I say that as a guy that loves tractors.
I love when all these videos from different people get to big bushes the video skips to the bushes being mowed. You don't get the sense that the work was easy or hard...just dissapears right as you get to big bushes. 4th video by different people that they skip all that.
Watching this video brought back memories. I used to have one just like this for about ten years. It was a great mower.
Thanks for the demo. I've seen this equipment advertised for years, but was somewhat sceptical. That thing is a beast.
Made in the USA with a US built engine.
I have had mine for 18 years.....the thing is bullet proof!
Thank you for the review and demo I am going to buy one for my shop yard. I have heavy brush I need to keep clear away from my pipe racks
I just bought a similar beast from DR, looking forward to putting it to work on the property! Thank you for sharing :)
I have had several of these mowers and have some experienced comments. The newer DRs (with the exception of their largest model) have only rear discharge which is inadequate in tall grass as it plugs up. DR did away with the antiwrap shield and so my newer DR can get grass wrap around the spindle. The disc brakes on the newer DRs are great and I recommend them. I understand hydrostatic models are coming this spring (2022)
These things are beasts. I have one 17 years old and use it to cut blackberries and thick poison oak shrubbery sometimes eight or nine feet tall. It is not a power steering unit like DR makes now, so it takes a bit more effort to turn it. It is heavy and tiring, but it tackles brush only a large tractor with a pull behind PTO brush hog could formerly take on. It mows well on hills going straight up and down, and pretty well going laterally on slopes of maybe 25 to 30 degrees. Any steeper, and it is better to go straight up and down. It takes about two hours to mow two hilly, tough acres. But the reduction in fire danger out here in the dry west is well worth the physical effort. Once you get the tough stuff down, it really only has to be mowed once a year afterwards.
John Vinga do you think the power steering they make now would be worth another 400 dollars?
@@kretz130 It absolutely is worth it. This machine is huge and heavy. The self propelled/ power steering makes it pretty much a breeze.
That's cool, I've got a cheaper Craftsman that's similar but works well. Even though they are self propelled you still have to man handle that thing and quite the workout.
I have a 17 hp DR Mower that I've been using for over 10 years clearing property lines and underbrush from around the homestead. DR recommends up to 2 1/2" saplings for my model but I've pushed it above its maximum just to see what it can really do. I don't advise it because it is extremely hard on the equipment and operator, but I have taken 3" red oaks down with it.
Even with the 5ft bush hog, I hate the banging sound that comes with taking down thick saplings. 14" chainsaw works quick. But this DR mower, I have got to get one. So many places that are too dangerous for the tractor.
@@BonafideToolJunkie They don't make the 17 hp anymore because they have come out with a larger model that is designed to take down 3" saplings, just a note. What I like about it is that it will go where tractors fear to tread. What I learned, the hard way, is don't manhandle the machine. Just put it in gear, hang on and let it do it's job.
@@beegee7941 ...thanks for those tips.
@@BonafideToolJunkie how would i order bi"y goat brushcutter. How much it cost
@@dinaablazo5868 ...I'm not familiar with the Billy goat...I bought DR pro 30, 22hp engine. $3300. Well made, powerful, easy to handle.
Looks like it works great!
If i wanted to cut small trees & roots flush to ground by extending the blade down further - do you think it would hold up? (Fully aware that is not the intended use/abuse)
Seems like something that would make more sense to rent instead of own. Once you get the brush cut down then all you would need is a regular mower as long as you kept up with it.
If you have over 1 acre of land with heavy growth this thing can change your life.
Very interesting... what are your thoughts on a wider unit, positive or negative? I suppose it depends greatly on the area being cut
just wondering is that front end able to attach a wood chipper?
That’s amazing
How well does it do on rocky land? I have a lot of rocks that I can't really dig up so it's been a headache.
We have a lot of ant mounds, which are not a friendly walk through after cutting their home to pieces. This looks like a great solution but for that one issue.
i run them over with the mower weed eater etc never cared lol
I have exactly the same machine. What to geese and oil on this machine? You did mention it you had a transmission problem .Do you need to change the oil, or is sealed? I bought mine used , so I do not have any way to follow. Thanks for the help.
muy buena esa desvaradora. Great
"aside from replacing the transmission", I haven't done anything .... LMAO .....
Bucking that kind of brush, I'd say a transmission was fair maintenance for a 10 year old unit that is so maneuverable.
@@abelincoln95
My John Deere d130 transmission went kaput after 7 years on steep hills. I put in a k66 transmission and it's a beast now.
Great machines o own 4
@@abelincoln95 Exactly; what else would you expect??
But should I buy it and will it work on bamboo?
mine is a BEAST
Do you rake up the cuttings or let It decompose?
It all becomes composted over time. You could rake it up in a more manicured area, or burn it where it falls (I've done the latter in grassy areas), but in the woods I let it rot.
much much does it cost, do you have outlets here in the Philippines? Thanks
How much is the price of that machine? Thank you!
What happens if you hit a rock
You are awesome brother.
Glad you didn’t lose a hand when you spun the blade.
Mantap...
We just bought our 5 acre homestead in Sept. 2018 and we're trying to get it cleaned up (mostly wooded, and has a pasture that hasn't been used in years, and we need to clear garden space and keep the woods from seceding). I'm considering getting the 20 hp version of this that will do up to 3 inch saplings (our property is too tight for a tractor). But, I'm wondering, have you tried it on slopes or hills? We have a couple areas that have hills or slopes. And, have you ever tried to go through a thick carpet of blackberry vines? we have more blackberries and black raspberries to clear than anything (one has canes, the other vines). Thanks for any insight you can give.
The new models look even better. Mine will go through blackberry bushes taller than me and obliterate them. I don't get stuck by thorns because I'm behind the monster muncher. I can't recommend it highly enough. It will destroy brush.
And the hills are no big deal. It's a heavy machine with incredible grip on the ground. It'll pull you uphill. No joke.
@@gregpryorhomestead Awesome, thank you so much! I can't wait to tackle this property!
can exports to Indonesia here farmers really need, especially on the island of Sumatra, Kalimantan, thank you
Where can i get one in india please tell me sir it's very important to me i need to cut long grass
Would this be good for commercial weed abatement?
Yes this equipment is industrial solid but with residential pricing.
What about rocks?
Im interested for the machine how can I buy this ? Pls.anyone can answer me pls
I want one for my buckthorn
Price?
For A fraction of the price, You can buy A large 5 or 6 foot tractor mower P.T.O. driven.
Understood. But this is far more maneuverable in tight spaces.
I'm clearing a small forest with mine. You wouldn't dare take a tractor through the places I'm taking my DR through and I say that as a guy that loves tractors.
I love when all these videos from different people get to big bushes the video skips to the bushes being mowed. You don't get the sense that the work was easy or hard...just dissapears right as you get to big bushes. 4th video by different people that they skip all that.
Lazy fat fucks use brush hogs
I do that same thing with a lawnmower