DWilk
Active Member
I have a DR pull behind and it's a brush eating beast. It's a rough cut mower but also use it to clip clover plots (works great).
My experiences and research showed me that cheap trail mowers are just that, cheap. If you want one that will last and eat through the tough stuff, you gotta spend a little more.
I'm a year into my DR, and its chewed up canary grass over my head, trees up to 2-3" diameter, as well as anything in between... awesome for carving paths to treestands through shrub thickets, etc. I also use it to mow tree plantings as you can stay low if pulling behind a 4 wheeler, etc. I'd recommend one if you have the need for any of the applications stated above.
My experiences and research showed me that cheap trail mowers are just that, cheap. If you want one that will last and eat through the tough stuff, you gotta spend a little more.
I'm a year into my DR, and its chewed up canary grass over my head, trees up to 2-3" diameter, as well as anything in between... awesome for carving paths to treestands through shrub thickets, etc. I also use it to mow tree plantings as you can stay low if pulling behind a 4 wheeler, etc. I'd recommend one if you have the need for any of the applications stated above.
HorseDoctor
PMA Member
I too have a DR. I have beat the crap out of it asking it to do stuff a sane person would think twice about doing with a bush hog & big tractor. A couple summers ago I used it & my Gator to mow 60 acres of CRP that needed reseeding after my big tractor died & I wasn't in the mood to shop for a replacement right then. It's well out of warranty so I can admit I REALLY abused the little thing. If I could drive it over a cedar, it chewed it up, some up to 4 inches or more in diameter. I also leveled off a bizzilion ant hills & gopher mounds. I broke something on it just about every day and got pretty good at fixing it. DR is pretty proud of their replacement parts but if a person used it in a sane fashion, I suspect you wouldn't need them that much. It's probably 6 years old now and I still use it for clipping food plots etc, just not quite at the same level. Some things just take a big tractor & a bush-hog. And forget that "off to the side" ability unless you are mowing on a golf course. Pulled straight behind, it's a tough little SOB!
DWilk
Active Member
Those could possibly fall into that category, although they aren't really cheaply priced brand new
On mowers that take a beating (such as trail and rough cut mowers), it's always things that break that you'd never think of.... or just that you can't believe would break when you got the mower. Short examples... DR tires are beefier and roll over things much better (don't hang up, have some 'give' to them, which reduces stress on the mower itself) ... Frame is way more solid I think... guard bar on the front protects the mower very very well.... tire protector is stout and you WILL bump it off logs, rocks, etc. at some point.
The Kohler starts every single time no problem... and I've heard plenty of stories about the engines on the B&S on the Swishers giving fits after a winter, etc.,... belts slipping regularly... etc. I've honestly never had a single issue with the DR.
DR can cut up to 7-8" which is handy if you plan on clipping clover, etc. The Swishers cut at 4" max if I remember right...
I won't drag on and on. I have no vested interest in DR... I'm just sold on them haha.
Daver
PMA Member
I just bought a used Swisher pull behind from a neighbor this spring and I don't know how I got by without it. It has handled everything we have tried with it...except year old, 5' tall rye. It did bog down in that, but we have been very happy with it overall.
It mows through normal CRP pretty well and much faster than I thought we could.
It mows through normal CRP pretty well and much faster than I thought we could.
Can't beat a tractor with a rotary mower, I have a 8' rhino and cx15 deere that will blaze thru 4-5" trees like nothing. But- the pull behinds are a nice second option for sure. Basically, the bottom line on the swisher (sounds like DR may be better quality) is if you have the time and small amount of ingenuity, you can beef it up with a few welded on parts, a few new bearings for the tires and be in good shape. I had one and reinforced the pulling arm on it and the connection, where it connected to 4 wheeler. Then, i put good bearings in tires. worked great then. you can clog it up but works fine. If you're semi-decent with making things a little better & fixing minor junk, it does a really nice job. I actually have an extra Swisher that came with a farm I bought that I'm going to sell if anyone's interested. with my rotary mowers I don't need it & above I really am trying to be honest about the Swishers, if anyone's interested, I'd cut em a deal (and not trying to pimp in out on thread cause later I'll just put in classifieds).
So, I'd say rotary mower best, then it sounds like maybe DR next best? and then Swisher can be made good with a little time - that's my 2 cents and opinion/experience. (ok, then maybe above, gunrunr's mower may be worth looking at, that sounds great to me for sure with that feedback from him!).
So, I'd say rotary mower best, then it sounds like maybe DR next best? and then Swisher can be made good with a little time - that's my 2 cents and opinion/experience. (ok, then maybe above, gunrunr's mower may be worth looking at, that sounds great to me for sure with that feedback from him!).
