@@soha8618 i m getting a 14.5hp one with attachments and work lights and hour meter wich will cost me $8,057.00 for whole thing its a bit of money but its worth it better having a blower sitting 3 months and lawn mower sitting for a year wich its great 4 season in 1 every day use machine plus perfect size to use for sidewalks in winter to plow and blow snow thats why im selling my new honda mower
I bought a PRO XL 30 this month and have run it in very tough terrain and 6-foot-high weeds/sapplings about 10 hours over 3 days. I have some comments for those interested in operation and getting started with this nice machine.This is about the PRO XL 30, but it might be helpful for others. (I am going to post these comments on a few other videos as well, FYI.): 1. At about 16 minutes, this video shows trees and big weeds about 1/2 the size the PRO XL 30 can handle! 2. My dipstick came off at some point, so make sure it is secured and keep an eye on it. 3. If you cut along an edge vs diving into the middle of a big pile, you can see possible obstacles better, avoid stall outs, use the Reverse a lot less, run at a faster speed. A different video shows a guy backing in and out of a heavy brush pile -- very slow going relativelly if you can avoid it. 4. Reverse and the steering brakes are absolutely the best features! Don't buy anything like this without these features. I rented a different machine a few months ago, and the turns and backing out of trouble wore me out. 5. Electric start is great and helps you quickly recover from stall outs -- although the 20 hp engine of the PRO XL 30 is very capable of taking out big brush. 6. Tackling larger trees and getting over obstacles is best accomplished by pushing down on the handles to raise the deck. The driver in this video does this without comment, but it is a very good skill. Also, I have very irregular land compared to this guy, and raising the deck is huge when traversing ravines and dips. 7. Pay attention to the "burnishing" comments in the manual for the clutch and brakes. It only takes a few minutes. I don't know why DR doesn't do this in the factory, but... When burnishing the clutch (PTO up/down on console) the unit almost stalls each time you engage the PTO -- so be ready to disengage it quickly before you do it again (they say 50 times). 8. When assembling the drive to the deck, a nice flat and smooth surface is far preferable. I was able to get this together by myself, but having a helper would have been great. The deck is a little heavy -- but I was on rougher gravel, too. 9. When setting up initially, make sure you bring your oil (2 quarts) and, of course, gasoline. Goes without saying that it needs oil and gas. 10. When getting the unit out of the crate, you will need (a) wire snips or tough scissors to clip lots of zip ties , (b) tools to pry various stapled boards apart (hammer and very flat pry/nail removal bar), (c) crescent wrench for the big bolt holding the deck to the side. 11. I didn't do this, but I would slide the deck out of the crate first. Set it somewhere on a nice flat and smooth surface. 12. When getting the main unit out of the crate, be sure to (a) remove the wheel blocks in front, (b) clip the zip ties squeezing the brakes, (c) put the unit in Neutral. 13. The electric start battery is disconnected, so just plug the positive and negative connectors into the battery. 14. There is another connector down on the bottom right side under the handlebars. It also needs to be connector or your unit won't start. 15. There is a gas shut-off also -- below the handle bars. It is probably in the shut off position when you get it. 16. When putting the drive belt on the pulleys, the most visible internal pulley is NOT what the belt goes around. The belt goes around the smaller pulley deeper inside the engine unit. 17. If you are running in 2nd gear and do a fast 180, be ready to move fast! Likewise, don't underestimate the speed of the Reverse. 18. Wear gloves!!! There is a safety proximity cut-off on the left and gear enagement on the right. So, when going through brambles, you can't just take you hands off of the handles. 19. Wear long pants, boots, protective eyewear, and, possibly, a forestry helmet with mask. The unit actually kicks up almost no debris, but the sapplings and weeds not cut will snap and snag you. 20. If you get stuck, don't underestimate the great leverage you have on the unit by pulling/lifting the front push-down bar on the front of the deck.
Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Mower czcams.com/users/postUgkxTPN04aT-Qdjr_KS3ql7ng8wnU3wwsCqk also recommend This is what all push mowers should strive for. It was easy to push. It cut the lawn. The blades are sharp, very sharp. The one minus that everyone should be aware of is you need to be very careful taking the cutting unit out of the box. There’s a plastic guard so you don’t cut fingers as you take the main unit out of the box but it’s not taped down. As I took the unit out, I ended cutting a piece of my shirt. The plastic guard moved and my shirt touched one of the blades.
i just purchased a new DR Pro-26 brush cutter with electric start, a 26" deck, and disc brake "power steering." i used the machine today for the first time and will say it is a beast to "wrestle" around. this machine is NOT for the "faint of heart" or someone who is very old or physically weak. i used this machine to cut high weeds on a very steep slope behind some property that i have and the power steering worked very well on this terrain. but i want to mention a few things a new owner SHOULD DO FIRST. 1. the machine ships without oil and requires about a quart of 5W-30 synthetic oil. 2. make sure you tighten the blade retainer nut before you install the mower deck. 3. the gear shift lever is not well designed and takes a while to master. 4. CUT IN LOW GEAR until you get to know this machine! 5. the electric clutch MUST be "broken in" with a FIFTY cycle "on and off" procedure before you use the machine! 6. for some odd reason, the reverse gear is faster than the forward low gear. be careful when you first shift into reverse! 7. charge the battery FIRST if you get electric start. 8. the handlebars can be lowered by removing one of the two 9/16th bolts on each side. i did this and it made the machine a little easier to handle. 9. i had to adjust the "dead man switch/handle" on the left handlebar moving it inward about two inches. this made it easier to hold onto the left handle while depressing this switch. you must hold down this red handle AND press the electric clutch switch down to make the mower run. 10. DO NOT expect to handle/run this machine like a "lawnmower" - it is MUCH more demanding than a lawnmower.
I can’t wait for my XL30 Pro series! This is the best video I’ve seen on this amazing mower! I have a smaller DR trimmer, but this is exactly what I need!
I have got a few of them for my farm. They do a good job on bushes like you show at 16-19 minutes. Good on old cor stalks and tall weeds too. They don't cover as much ground as a 6 or 15 foot wide tractor pulled Bush hog, but for tighter spaces they are the cat's meow.
I have the 17.5 hp field and brush mower with the lawn deck and grader blade. Greasing the shaft helps to connect and disconnect the deck and other attachments. Secondly, if you remove the belt from the large brush mower pulley and put it on the pulley beneath the machine first, you can then put it on the large front pulley without using additional tools.
I'm glad we could see this in real time. Most videos speed things up, not giving a good indication of how the thing actually operates. By the way, how long did it take for them to deliver. Thanks for great video.
Thank you for making a video of you using this tool instead of just talking about it and pointing at it for 30 minutes. It is a much better video than most.
Great video. I had a gravely 2 wheel walk behind tractor with a 30” rotary cutter on the front of it that worked well but not nearly as impressive that DR mower. They are amazing machines
@@Something2LookAt yeah im getting a 16.5hp with brush hog and the other 4 attachments with my new dr wich there way 10 times cheaper then BCS unit 10.5hp bcs with coupple attachments here are around $20,000 wich pricey
I pay a guy $1000/day to brush hog my land a couple of times a year. This will pay for itself real quickly and i can do the neighbors as well for a little extra income.
-- I remember seeing those DR infomercials when I was young at 2-3am when I couldn't sleep. Called them jungle mowers. I was transfixed. I have no earthly reason to own one, but I want one :) Thanks for taking me back. Do have a pretty tricked out snow thrower. Literally everything you could possibly do in the way of enhancements, and I need it. ...and it's fun :)
I was exactly the same with those old late night DR mower commercials. I wanted one badly, but of course didn't really have a use for it. So when this campaign from DR came along, I actually requested this mower. It did not disappointment in any way!
Totally agree. This was my first time using one. I am amazed! It is nice to mow through stuff like this knowing that you're not going to break the mower!
DR has done a good job with those. Dick Raymond the designer of their first version would be pleased. Oh, the power company called and they want you to finish that whole transmission line right of way.
It has been years since the power company mowed their power trails out here. I am hoping to see them doing it and film it, because it will take more than a brush hog at this point.
Their commercials are great! But nothing beats a good, up close look at them and real time performance. They are great machines. This brush mower is quite capable. Surprised me!
Wow I need one of these things badly. Sure beats the hell out of the handheld brush cutters. This look like it would turn a few days of work into a couple hours!
yeah plus it saves ya then buying a snowblower ,lawnmower and powered wood chipper it makes job easy all 4 season multi purpose machine instead bunch of engines sitting wich drs doesit all in one powerful engine
A little ballast in the tires for added weight and a set of chains or R1 tires and you'd be set pretty well for traction. Good review Mike. Hope to see more with the 30" finish mower this summer.
Indeed, it does have the power at the wheels to turn even more aggressive tires. Yes, I'm getting a lot of requests for more mowing with the SP30. I'll try to take it out and mow this week with it. Hope to mow some tall & thick grass this time.
The transmission is very strong, it will not stop turning the tires no matter the incline. Straight up would be easy, sideways on a hill would be a handfull.
@@Something2LookAt Well, on day one I learned it doesn't like soft dirt, squirrel holes, or anything too steep (scary.) I have to take it very slowly and carefully. Thanks.
Mowing wearing shorts is dangerous. I had a chunk of wood fly rearward, from beneath my machine and hit me in the shin leaving a goose egg knot and large bruise on my shin. You should always wear shin high boots, long pants, gloves, safety glasses and keep pets and onlookers far away. It can throw chunks of wood 100ft forward.
Actually, not hard to at all to break it... Brand new unit with 10 minutes on it, broke the reverse transmission cable.. Called support and they started by saying it would be 10 business days before they would send me the part to fix it. They finally agreed to send me the part using express shipping. Pretty unhappy that I bought the DR brush mower.
IMO you made a better video then DR made a mower, I dont know what worked harder, you or the mower...... First the good then the bad bad bad bad bad........ DR did good on 3 speed mower, BUT 1st gear needs to be a bit slower for some terrain for some people. The next thing needed is wheel lockers and or a track set-up. Then seems to me it wouldn't take to much imagination to make a tiller attachment, be a good selling point especially on a 3K+ machine, then a furrow add-on for making rows in garden, then they should have a wheel barrel attachment for getting in firewood, then for winter a snowblower attachment....... Then and only then will I consider a DR mower..........
Nah. Gotta go with the affordable one. This crisis of capitalism means going low-budget all around is the order of the day from now on. May be more work, but would it do the same job without the swivel deck?
Follow the link to get yours! - bit.ly/3wv93iN
I wonder if i could get it in malaysia and what would be the cost for the machine and shipment
@@soha8618 i m getting a 14.5hp one with attachments and work lights and hour meter wich will cost me $8,057.00 for whole thing its a bit of money but its worth it better having a blower sitting 3 months and lawn mower sitting for a year wich its great 4 season in 1 every day use machine plus perfect size to use for sidewalks in winter to plow and blow snow thats why im selling my new honda mower
there great 4 season in 1 machine from brush hogging to lawn mowing,snowblowing and snowplowing and bulldozing and grading jobs and wood chipping
I bought a PRO XL 30 this month and have run it in very tough terrain and 6-foot-high weeds/sapplings about 10 hours over 3 days. I have some comments for those interested in operation and getting started with this nice machine.This is about the PRO XL 30, but it might be helpful for others. (I am going to post these comments on a few other videos as well, FYI.):
1. At about 16 minutes, this video shows trees and big weeds about 1/2 the size the PRO XL 30 can handle!
2. My dipstick came off at some point, so make sure it is secured and keep an eye on it.
3. If you cut along an edge vs diving into the middle of a big pile, you can see possible obstacles better, avoid stall outs, use the Reverse a lot less, run at a faster speed. A different video shows a guy backing in and out of a heavy brush pile -- very slow going relativelly if you can avoid it.
4. Reverse and the steering brakes are absolutely the best features! Don't buy anything like this without these features. I rented a different machine a few months ago, and the turns and backing out of trouble wore me out.
5. Electric start is great and helps you quickly recover from stall outs -- although the 20 hp engine of the PRO XL 30 is very capable of taking out big brush.
6. Tackling larger trees and getting over obstacles is best accomplished by pushing down on the handles to raise the deck. The driver in this video does this without comment, but it is a very good skill. Also, I have very irregular land compared to this guy, and raising the deck is huge when traversing ravines and dips.
7. Pay attention to the "burnishing" comments in the manual for the clutch and brakes. It only takes a few minutes. I don't know why DR doesn't do this in the factory, but... When burnishing the clutch (PTO up/down on console) the unit almost stalls each time you engage the PTO -- so be ready to disengage it quickly before you do it again (they say 50 times).
8. When assembling the drive to the deck, a nice flat and smooth surface is far preferable. I was able to get this together by myself, but having a helper would have been great. The deck is a little heavy -- but I was on rougher gravel, too.
9. When setting up initially, make sure you bring your oil (2 quarts) and, of course, gasoline. Goes without saying that it needs oil and gas.
10. When getting the unit out of the crate, you will need (a) wire snips or tough scissors to clip lots of zip ties , (b) tools to pry various stapled boards apart (hammer and very flat pry/nail removal bar), (c) crescent wrench for the big bolt holding the deck to the side.
11. I didn't do this, but I would slide the deck out of the crate first. Set it somewhere on a nice flat and smooth surface.
12. When getting the main unit out of the crate, be sure to (a) remove the wheel blocks in front, (b) clip the zip ties squeezing the brakes, (c) put the unit in Neutral.
13. The electric start battery is disconnected, so just plug the positive and negative connectors into the battery.
14. There is another connector down on the bottom right side under the handlebars. It also needs to be connector or your unit won't start.
15. There is a gas shut-off also -- below the handle bars. It is probably in the shut off position when you get it.
16. When putting the drive belt on the pulleys, the most visible internal pulley is NOT what the belt goes around. The belt goes around the smaller pulley deeper inside the engine unit.
17. If you are running in 2nd gear and do a fast 180, be ready to move fast! Likewise, don't underestimate the speed of the Reverse.
18. Wear gloves!!! There is a safety proximity cut-off on the left and gear enagement on the right. So, when going through brambles, you can't just take you hands off of the handles.
19. Wear long pants, boots, protective eyewear, and, possibly, a forestry helmet with mask. The unit actually kicks up almost no debris, but the sapplings and weeds not cut will snap and snag you.
20. If you get stuck, don't underestimate the great leverage you have on the unit by pulling/lifting the front push-down bar on the front of the deck.
Idk if that's a good idea or not (to be perfectly honest)
You're the man!! Great comment. Thank you for taking the time to do that.
Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Mower czcams.com/users/postUgkxTPN04aT-Qdjr_KS3ql7ng8wnU3wwsCqk also recommend This is what all push mowers should strive for. It was easy to push. It cut the lawn. The blades are sharp, very sharp. The one minus that everyone should be aware of is you need to be very careful taking the cutting unit out of the box. There’s a plastic guard so you don’t cut fingers as you take the main unit out of the box but it’s not taped down. As I took the unit out, I ended cutting a piece of my shirt. The plastic guard moved and my shirt touched one of the blades.
i just purchased a new DR Pro-26 brush cutter with electric start, a 26" deck, and disc brake "power steering." i used the machine today for the first time and will say it is a beast to "wrestle" around. this machine is NOT for the "faint of heart" or someone who is very old or physically weak. i used this machine to cut high weeds on a very steep slope behind some property that i have and the power steering worked very well on this terrain. but i want to mention a few things a new owner SHOULD DO FIRST. 1. the machine ships without oil and requires about a quart of 5W-30 synthetic oil. 2. make sure you tighten the blade retainer nut before you install the mower deck. 3. the gear shift lever is not well designed and takes a while to master. 4. CUT IN LOW GEAR until you get to know this machine! 5. the electric clutch MUST be "broken in" with a FIFTY cycle "on and off" procedure before you use the machine! 6. for some odd reason, the reverse gear is faster than the forward low gear. be careful when you first shift into reverse! 7. charge the battery FIRST if you get electric start. 8. the handlebars can be lowered by removing one of the two 9/16th bolts on each side. i did this and it made the machine a little easier to handle. 9. i had to adjust the "dead man switch/handle" on the left handlebar moving it inward about two inches. this made it easier to hold onto the left handle while depressing this switch. you must hold down this red handle AND press the electric clutch switch down to make the mower run. 10. DO NOT expect to handle/run this machine like a "lawnmower" - it is MUCH more demanding than a lawnmower.
Very good comment. Thank you.
Thanks for showing what it could do and not just talking the whole time. That’s the type of terrain that I need to clean up. Good video!
I can’t wait for my XL30 Pro series! This is the best video I’ve seen on this amazing mower! I have a smaller DR trimmer, but this is exactly what I need!
I have got a few of them for my farm. They do a good job on bushes like you show at 16-19 minutes. Good on old cor stalks and tall weeds too. They don't cover as much ground as a 6 or 15 foot wide tractor pulled Bush hog, but for tighter spaces they are the cat's meow.
I have the 17.5 hp field and brush mower with the lawn deck and grader blade. Greasing the shaft helps to connect and disconnect the deck and other attachments. Secondly, if you remove the belt from the large brush mower pulley and put it on the pulley beneath the machine first, you can then put it on the large front pulley without using additional tools.
Thanks for sharing the video . Very interesting and informative Mike.
I have a older side discharge model 30 inch heavy duty blade. It's a work horse!! Awesome machine
I just ordered one yesterday. Can't wait. Thanks for the awesome video
You'll love it. It's nice to mow stuff like this without worrying about hurting the mower!
That mower is a beast thanks for the information and the video
You bet
I'm glad we could see this in real time. Most videos speed things up, not giving a good indication of how the thing actually operates. By the way, how long did it take for them to deliver. Thanks for great video.
Thank you for making a video of you using this tool instead of just talking about it and pointing at it for 30 minutes. It is a much better video than most.
Thank you. Many people would rather I mow only, even on a review. But gosh, I have to say I few things. I did my best.
This video just sold me on getting one of these
I like that the deck separates. I could fit that in the garage easier once separated.
They make attachments for it
Great video.
I had a gravely 2 wheel walk behind tractor with a 30” rotary cutter on the front of it that worked well but not nearly as impressive that DR mower.
They are amazing machines
It really did amaze me.
I still have a 1967 gravely I inherited
@@Something2LookAt yeah im getting a 16.5hp with brush hog and the other 4 attachments with my new dr wich there way 10 times cheaper then BCS unit 10.5hp bcs with coupple attachments here are around $20,000 wich pricey
I NEEDED THAT
CLO 💚
If I was you I would get some snake boots cuting that tall grass
Thanks. Reminiscent of our old '57 Gravely. If you were adventurous you could take the rear guard off the rotary, and let it fly!
We needed that as kids to make go cart trails! 🤘
Exactly! It's a trail maker. Btw, I forgot to mention, it mows at a fixed 3.5 inches. How you doin'? Getting any rain out there?
@@Something2LookAt no complaints bud, rain is in the forecast! 🤞⛈
Good examples..... of it in action. 👍🏾
I pay a guy $1000/day to brush hog my land a couple of times a year. This will pay for itself real quickly and i can do the neighbors as well for a little extra income.
-- I remember seeing those DR infomercials when I was young at 2-3am when I couldn't sleep. Called them jungle mowers. I was transfixed. I have no earthly reason to own one, but I want one :) Thanks for taking me back. Do have a pretty tricked out snow thrower. Literally everything you could possibly do in the way of enhancements, and I need it. ...and it's fun :)
I was exactly the same with those old late night DR mower commercials. I wanted one badly, but of course didn't really have a use for it. So when this campaign from DR came along, I actually requested this mower. It did not disappointment in any way!
Those DR field and brush mower do what they say they do they cut anything and everything that gets in their way outstanding equipment
Totally agree. This was my first time using one. I am amazed! It is nice to mow through stuff like this knowing that you're not going to break the mower!
this machine do his job and the blade look great
Just awesome! Not even a hiccup.
Yea I know right? Maybe I was being too easy on it... :)
best demonstration for the DR Pro series that I've seen. Imagine what the Pro Max34 could do :)
I was so hoping they would send me the Pro Max 34. It is likely a very smooth and capable machine!
I just ordered the pro max. I can't wait.
Now that's an amazing machine
It did a fantastic job
I agree. Really amazing!
I've been waiting for this.
It's solid! Very solid! Exceeded my expectations. Seems to be almost unstoppable.
It would be great if you could review the 42 inch finish mower attachment and the 3.5 chipper attachment for the field and brush mower.
Would be interesting to see how well they attach. I'm guessing really well.
@@Something2LookAt It would be interesting to see how well the 42 inch finish mower does.
They also offer returns at a lesser price.i want the push blade.
Bom dia qual seria o custo duma maquina dessa para mandar para o brasil
I'm looking at buying one myself...I was sceptical of the 10 horsepower but your video shows the real power of the 10 horsepower
It's crazy strong. And the scary thing is that it's their weakest version!
Hey mike what type of engine do your prefer on small grass cutting machines
If there is a Kawasaki option I always take it. Otherwise I like most of them.
DR has done a good job with those. Dick Raymond the designer of their first version would be pleased. Oh, the power company called and they want you to finish that whole transmission line right of way.
It has been years since the power company mowed their power trails out here. I am hoping to see them doing it and film it, because it will take more than a brush hog at this point.
I've always thought DR Was sleeping on the whole lawn care 'community', glad that they chose you to start working with!
Their commercials are great! But nothing beats a good, up close look at them and real time performance. They are great machines. This brush mower is quite capable. Surprised me!
Wow I need one of these things badly. Sure beats the hell out of the handheld brush cutters. This look like it would turn a few days of work into a couple hours!
Indeed. This really is the right tool for the job.
yeah plus it saves ya then buying a snowblower ,lawnmower and powered wood chipper it makes job easy all 4 season multi purpose machine instead bunch of engines sitting wich drs doesit all in one powerful engine
Nice vid! I have an 84" brusch cutter for my tracked skidsteer..but want something small like this for making trails in the woods for hunting. Thanks!
Sure. Yea, it's pretty tough.
How much this one
i love dr
What has been your experience with rocks? Have you encountered any damage to the machine due to large rocks?
Actually no, I haven't hit one. I hope not to.
Mike are they giving these machines to you or are they just for testing and demonstration
They are for me to review, but I do get to keep them when the review video is done.
Can you do a review of how good the 30 inch mower is doing on commercial mowing?
Yea, it's about time that I film that one again.
@@Something2LookAt thx I’m looking at getting on for commercial use so I wanted to see how good it is holding up
Great video and if you have
IT just rolled over that fern like a tank!
A little ballast in the tires for added weight and a set of chains or R1 tires and you'd be set pretty well for traction. Good review Mike. Hope to see more with the 30" finish mower this summer.
Indeed, it does have the power at the wheels to turn even more aggressive tires. Yes, I'm getting a lot of requests for more mowing with the SP30. I'll try to take it out and mow this week with it. Hope to mow some tall & thick grass this time.
Great
beast mode!!!!
Exactly!
How hard is it to control on hills?
The transmission is very strong, it will not stop turning the tires no matter the incline. Straight up would be easy, sideways on a hill would be a handfull.
@@Something2LookAt Well, on day one I learned it doesn't like soft dirt, squirrel holes, or anything too steep (scary.) I have to take it very slowly and carefully. Thanks.
Sweet machine could we see a tour of all your mowers?
Oh like a setup video. Over the years many people have asked for that. I'll see what I can do. I've got mowers all over the place!
@@Something2LookAt the cheetahs my favourite 😂
Seems to me it just keeps building up wat u cut under deck
Wow ! This machine is a real greedy for weeds and brushes ! Thanks .
This is my favorite mower. It's like a medieval weapon!
Sadly got mine Wednesday and the electric clutch is somehow seized. Brand new and broken
Same here. Just got mine today and it’s DOA.
WOW!!
Wow is the right word for sure. :)
d r mower is number 1 brush mower
👍🏾
Wow
If you want to see it working go to 13:30 !!!
It says review in the title.
Needs Kavli blades.
We're already lining that up. But the stock blade did really really well!
I’m surprised I’m the first to make a joke about that shaft.
Those things are animals
Eye/face protection...they can throw chips.
If u have an atv. Would get a pull one instead.
Mowing wearing shorts is dangerous. I had a chunk of wood fly rearward, from beneath my machine and hit me in the shin leaving a goose egg knot and large bruise on my shin. You should always wear shin high boots, long pants, gloves, safety glasses and keep pets and onlookers far away.
It can throw chunks of wood 100ft forward.
that right dr mower
Actually, not hard to at all to break it... Brand new unit with 10 minutes on it, broke the reverse transmission cable.. Called support and they started by saying it would be 10 business days before they would send me the part to fix it. They finally agreed to send me the part using express shipping. Pretty unhappy that I bought the DR brush mower.
Sucks if you're a tree with this tool! Hahaha
IMO you made a better video then DR made a mower, I dont know what worked harder, you or the mower......
First the good then the bad bad bad bad bad........ DR did good on 3 speed mower, BUT 1st gear needs to be a bit slower for some terrain for some people. The next thing needed is wheel lockers and or a track set-up. Then seems to me it wouldn't take to much imagination to make a tiller attachment, be a good selling point especially on a 3K+ machine, then a furrow add-on for making rows in garden, then they should have a wheel barrel attachment for getting in firewood, then for winter a snowblower attachment....... Then and only then will I consider a DR mower..........
Oh yes, a locking wheel diff would really help.
Nah. Gotta go with the affordable one. This crisis of capitalism means going low-budget all around is the order of the day from now on. May be more work, but would it do the same job without the swivel deck?
Well, it wouldn't follow the contours, but gosh, it's not a finish mower. It's just bush hogging.