Old School DR Field and Brush Mower Worth the HYPE? How steep can it mow?

[@tommoore8123]

I have one of these also. Just used it to clear deer trails, shooting lanes, and access to tree stands through prickly ash, honey locust, and honeysuckle. It's a beast! It will easily mow down one inch saplings. One advantage of the old school, non-pneumatic tires is not needing to worry about thorns. It will climb hills, just as you showed. If you can hang on, it will take you anywhere you want to go! I see you are taller, like me. I had a buddy weld in some 6" handle bar extensions. That really saves my back. If you do that, pay attention to the handle orientation (straight down) and don't let the right handle extend outside of the wheel. That way you can mow along a wall or fence without scraping your knuckles.

[@carriesmith9943]

This was so creative and entertaining! Love this guy! Not your average boring video about brush clearing... and I have watched many!

[@charlesdjones1]

Just needed those fancy drone fly-by's with some folksy background music, and maybe a 10 minute intro segment showing off the brand new garage with all the latest toys for good measure 😂. I swear anyone that buys over an acre these days immediately gets a $25k Kubota and starts a "At home on so-and-so ranch" channel with the same boring content.

[@mapex311]

What I did with my old snapper mower is drill a bunch of hex screws into the tire so that the head is protruding. Did a bunch of this all around the tire creating little 'spikes' sticking out. Added just the traction I needed for a steep hill.

[@rickpeterson6138]

I used these mowers many years mowing steep hills in between Christmas tress in North Carolina. Bachtold Brothers Whipper Mowers I believe they were made by. Only thing I ever replaced on mine was the belt and the clicker spin on the chain sprocket. They will climb as high as you walk it.. Great video. Brought back memories of long hours of walking behind one..

[@Judathehero]

Now they are owned by generac

[@Salty007]

Use zip tires like tire chains put them around the tire and threw rims

[@Mr.SuperDuper-idk]

Bush Fix …literally

[@seanmcgillicuddy956]

I love mine ! The blade spins opposite of most brush cutters and you can still get the blade ..My broke and the new one fit great !

[@phillipholmes4466]

Have one. It's a pretty basic machine - It needs a transmission but it if you need a workout It's worth what you said.

[@SMee67]

Heavy duty growth calls for heavy duty muscle, and man, that beast has plenty! Grouse intro shot from Ramone😉 Good score, mate, well done. 👍🏽

[@hillbilly4christ638]

You wouldn't think an eight horse motor could stand up to the task, but this thing will surprise you. Becareful on the steep inclines. I have found that I have to back down and use the forward lever like a brake. Mine has some heavy wire wound around the tires. I am thinking about putting tire chains around the wheel and tire making it into a crawler. With the weight balanced over the wheel this thing has great traction. They quit making parts for this, which tells me they don't want these lasting forever. Given the construction of it, it would last forever with replacement parts.

[@daleburns8763]

Just purchased a brand new Pro30 (30" cut and 16.5 HP engine)! Absolutely LOVE this beast!!!! I'm amazed at the size of trees I can cut! You did good with that thing!

[@TheRealDannTheMan]

Will it cut bigger saplings then it's rate for if you're going slow? I'm looking at one rated for 3" saplings but I'm pretty sure some of mine are 3.5 to 4" thick.

[@stagmies]

@@TheRealDannTheMan I'm not going to push it. I mostly have sweetgums and pines. It'll blow through this like butter. Harder stuff I avoid. It'll cut it for sure, but don't want to tear things up.

[@ptlentz]

I'm wondering how steep the new ones will go.

[@johnpullman3227]

Yes the old DR mower was a simple bullet proof design but it was expensive. I believe the DR company got crosswise with the original manufacturer and they parted ways. The old design is still made under a different name and DR sells a much more expensive newer design as their product now. With a little ingenuity and some junk mowers you can build one as good or better. By finding a used rear wheel drive self propelled mower shell and modifying the front to push stuff over a person can make a decent brush mower. Even better is to use a mower deck spindle and drive the blade with a belt off a pulley on your engine. The belt acts like a shock absorber protecting the engine when you hit a solid object. The beauty of the brush mower is it creates mulch out of the underbrush which feeds the soil. I would be very interested to know where your idyllic spot overlooking a lake is located so I could fly there on Google earth and visit.

[@altheliterate]

Just watching you made my legs ache, I'm heading out back with a beer to recover.

[@michaelblacktree]

I remember seeing TV infomercials for those things, back in the day. Seeing it live up to the marketing hype is a pleasant surprise.

[@stephendaniel168]

I got one of those. Put a new tire on it from Northern Tool last week. Biggest thing in mine is just loosening that square head bolt and adjusting the tension on the belt. And keeping the belt on the pulley. Ground the crap out for the blade and it still seems heavy enough. But I essentially take it hiking with me through my 25 acres. It likes poplar saplings but I stopped doing that just to be safe and not wear out the spindle. Because the new ones don’t look as bullet proof. This old one only takes a few minutes of tinkering and it’s always back in business.

[@mikethuyns1851]

what tires did you get? i need a pair

[@stephendaniel168]

@@mikethuyns1851 I went to Northern Tool. They were just the regular non air filled on the rim the same diameter. So I left them in the sun in the bed of my work truck that has a black cover on it to heat them up. Then took them off and put them on before they cooled.

[@un2xs]

Stephen, could you let us know what tire you put on? The part number will help... last I knew Northern had stopped carrying a proper sized tire for these. They may have stocked a replacement since I last looked.

[@stephendaniel168]

@@un2xs I’ll run by and get a part but should probably buy another one. I just changed one tire that was fallen apart.

[@stephendaniel168]

Alright sorry for the delay. Just bought a second tire and guy checked and said it’s not discontinued. It’s a 20” solid spoked wheel. Part 102652. 32.99. That’s the tire you take off. Thx

[@easydoesit8857]

I have one of these brush cutters earlier model. Northern tools sells a wheel that has a tire that's interchangeable with the brush cutter. Cut the tires off of the brush cutter, pry the rubber off the northern tool wheel off and roll it onto the brush cutter. Special note not exact fit but I bolted my tire to the wheel with six,3/8" bolts around the tire sticking out, nut on the outside for traction,1" spikes you might say. Note, left back wheel only tire that pulls, right wheel along for the ride. I promise you this machine will wear you out on a hill. Note, it don't have reverse either. NOTE, DON'T FORGET THE BLACK ELECTRICAL TAPE TO TAPE UP THAT DEAD MAN'S SWITCH WHEN YOU'RE HUNG UP IN THE BRUSH TRYING TO PULL START AND HOLD THAT DEAD MAN SWITCH AT THE SAME TIME UP IN THE BRUSH, ON THE SIDE OF THE HILL 😤

[@leenicholson6919]

Thank you for going after some denser brush and showing it work without going back and forth every few feet. After looking at several other videos, I was almost ready to give up on these and just use my sawblade weed wacker. I was also favoring the Billy Goat with its left handle reverse -- but you have shown me that all of that shifting isn't going to be a major issue. I will go ahead a rent one tomorrow after seeing you do some work that looks more like my land and thick tall brush. I guess I will try cutting the tough thick downhill and taking an easier path up hill, however -- but I know you were just making a point on capabilities.

[@ryanfox7529]

I just purchased one for 65 bucks with a 8 horse power Honda!? Runs great!!

[@skewedmaker]

Great video, wish we had one of these when I cleared brush at the summer camp I worked at as a teenager.

[@kurtisdavis2004]

Just saw your video about the "DR"---I bought one new when they first premiered, and have been using it ever since. As a matter of fact, I've spent the whole day working on the thing (again). Of course they no longer sell this model, and accordingly, I've had to make my own parts. I shattered the gear box, wore out three sets of wheels, and I'm now on the 3rd engine (Briggs no longer makes the 8 HP unit on your machine. I upraded to a Briggs 14.5 HP, and it's working out pretty good . However, the 14.5 is now 10 years old and beginning to have problems. I also had to make my own blade spindle, and I'm still using the original heavy duty brush blade after about 30 years! Over all, it's the meanest, mowing-est damn thing I've ever seen---that's why I keep fixing it. I've researched pretty good, thinking to buy a replacement, but so far I haven't run across anything with the same quality. Your machine is actually old fashioned American craftsmanship at its finest. Beware going sideways on steep inclines, because it throws the weight to one side and ruins the spoke wheels---mine kept breaking the spoke welds, and since they quit selling replacements, I crafted my own steel wheels (they work fine). It's also unwise to disengage the blade drive belt with engine running, as it has nasty tendency to ruin the belt. One other problem you'll notice is that stobbs will batter the rear portion of the deck, so that eventually repair is required. When cutting small sapplings, the stob formed by cutting will crash into the rear portion of the deck. Not only will it batter the deck, but may damned well grind you to a halt. I hope the thing works well for you---I agree the thing is well worth the money you paid (I think I gave $1200.00 for mine, back when they first started marketing them). Thanks for your excellent video---yours is the only original model I've ever seen besides my own.

[@timothykeith1367]

Is the gearbox fragile? How did you repair the gearbox?

[@mrrodneyalong]

After watching this i rented a " BILLY GOAT". it had rubber tractor tread like tires and hand control for reverse and forward that was variable speed! This thing would pull me up the hill when I needed alittle help walking. The job was so easy with this thing I felt guilty!

[@richardromano4086]

I just found one here in Oregon it also came with the lawn mower head , I guess I need to say I paid $50.00 for all of it , I did have to clean the Carb and fuel tank and give it a good cleaning .

[@dkeith45]

Those old Bachtold's are great machines. I have an older version without that large blade guard. It just has a flat round guard covering most of the blade. It'll cut through just about anything. Briar patch? no problem. Large growth of wild rose? No problem.

[@robertanthony312]

I’ve used a Bachtold mower for 37 years on the Oregon coast. It only needs a carb rebuild.

[@mephustowest1876]

So glad to see you making more videos again. Also, that looks like a good tough machine.

[@ZackOfAllTrades]

Thanks Mephusto! I’ve been looking forward to this for so long. There are years worth of projects and things to get done here so as long as I can keep a good balance of doing and filming, there’ll be plenty to come :)

[@nicholasarrigo3733]

where did you get the kill switch at all.thanks - nick

[@chadliggett7988]

Brother, Good Call on safety switch! Crazy didn't know they were made in Gibson City Illinois! Best Regards and Keep Safe!

[@joefunk2137]

That thing is a true Beast! Great video!

[@ZackOfAllTrades]

Yes, yes it is! Thanks Joe!

[@marco-h7x3o]

Love your mower, I also have about 6 of those mowers with the ribbed gear that drives the 24 inch plastic wheels and tires. Just be careful of starting fires and have a water fire extinguisher with you and I store buckets of water nearby just in case. The fire dept arrested someone on a hot day cutting grass and brush with 1 felony and 3 misdemeanors for starting fires. They dont sell those machines much anymore and any sit-down mowers the fire dept thinks its for cutting grass at a golf course. What I learned is cut on a cool day and finish before 10 am . The safest way is with weed wacker and plastic line for not starting fires. And a machine like that i would do it when its dry enough after some rains. DO A VIDEO ON THAT because the fire deptment write pamphlets on everything but they give no direction on cutting grass and brush and if it has a metal blade look out.

[@titodalessandro1909]

Wow, What an awesome old machine.

[@marcrobitaille4159]

Just imagine... painted John Deere green, It’s Value would be multiplied by a factor of Three. It also serves as a Vibrating Baby Buggy,,, not bad. (Earplugs not included).

[@Overlord341]

Nice! I just picked up one of those for $50 last week... Looks like it will work well. Where did you find that deadman switch? I'll need to add one, and that looks great!

[@daddyosink4413]

My yard has been pretty neglected and I have a wild privet problem... thankfully my Dad has one of these that he hasnt used since he got his big tractor, said I can have it. That is for the heads up on the dead man switch, I usually remove them but it looks like I should put it on.

[@VTGoPro]

I spent a summer mowing with these things once. We used a little bit newer models though. They were built just 10 minutes from me in Vermont, before they moved out to a cheaper state. I think the DR offices are still in Vermont though

[@danielz4111]

My neighbor just asked how much she wanted for me to mow her lawn. I said,” Give me that DR and I’ll cut till the end of the season for free.”

[@willferg239]

Nice bro

[@anitahendrix7573]

Hey Zack great video we have lots of multiflora rose some about thumb thick. But we need someone to do this as hubby and I would not be able to do this.

[@Maleekus]

beautiful property, looks like where I live here in Idaho

[@dangordon564]

Hi Zach-great video. I have owned my whipper mower since new in 1997. Your video prompted me to install the operator presence switch that I have had for 20 years. However, my unit does not have the insulator block with the tab to push the connector onto. I can get them, but wondering where that other wire that is connected behind the nut on the insulator block goes to on the mower? I I am looking at it at 1:51 on your video.

[@cerpander]

put cable ties on the tyres, you get a traction

[@paulinemercer538]

That thin is a beast I would buy one new👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@pwrplnt1975]

Very good idea to put a DM switch on your mower!! There's a difference between "safety Sally" and just plain commonsense.

[@troybrake5686]

Could you go side to side instead of up and down?

[@georgepoore3840]

I've got one and it's great for steep land.

[@MaverickandStuff]

You could add some hex head sheet metal screws to the tires if you wanted more traction.

[@un2xs]

I would be worried putting screws into the tires would cause problems. Replacement tires seem to be unobtanium.

[@idahotech5175]

I recently picked up one of these. How did you obtain the dead man/safety switch? Thanks.

[@fuddrucker74]

I forgot what absolute animals those things were

[@teages078]

I've got an 89/90 model. She's a beast

[@connorwaits6575]

Your commentary was funny lol you earned a subscriber

[@organicvids]

i just pulled mine out from under tarp after 4yrs. it was given to me, same one u got. im missing gas tank n battery. hopefully i can find a tank. will these run without battery? if my tires slip, ill cover them with a bike tire and stitch the bike tire over the rim between the spokes with spiderline.

[@joevuzekaz2030]

I own just the same model and need to remove the right wheel to change the recoil springs and cord .Ineed help.

[@Kenny-mg9lm]

Any chance you have a part number for the safety switch? Having a hard time finding one.

[@Kenny-mg9lm]

Update: contacted DR power equipment and they sent me 2 operator presence switches for free.

[@topfuelrc9706]

Did you find that part number

[@KristiMoritz]

Where did you get the deadman’s switch?

[@douglasbaker5949]

How is the oiling system going to work with you using this on such steep inclines. I’m buying a Premier 26. I will be using it on some pretty steep hill sides. Yeah about what you are using it for.

[@ZackOfAllTrades]

Word to the wise, from experience, limit side hill use. I’ve had to replace engine since this vid due to prolonged side hill use. Installed Predator engine which has built in low oil pressure kill switch.

[@ifitsrusteditsmine]

5:09 Zack goes around the world with his mower BECAUSE HE CAN

[@ZackOfAllTrades]

😂🤣that’s funny! One of my boys pointed out the amazing nature of my apparent teleportation too.

[@billyray6913]

Wrap some chains around the tires. Or you can buy new ones.... I have a 1979 whipper and it's a beast! The chain just started slipping off of it. If you aren't ready for it, I could see it getting away from someone.

[@markb7067]

Good information, thanks!

[@billzielke6798]

Wish I had one when I had my ten acre horse farm. I used a scythe to cut cockleburs and it darn near killed me...

[@ZackOfAllTrades]

Yeah this would’ve made relatively quick work of that. I hate cockleburs!

[@chickenriverhomestead]

Just found one for $80. Can’t wait to get it going.

[@ZackOfAllTrades]

That is a bargain you’ll be very happy with. Even if you have to put a few hundred bucks into it to get it going you’re still in good shape!

[@nothankswhatnothing8570]

Great video!

[@mikeanders73]

I agree. Lets remove warning labels and let Darwinism run its corse.

[@titodalessandro1909]

I can’t wait to use my new DR 26 series, 14.5 hp Field and brush mower. Does your model have a oil pump in it?

[@ptlentz]

Same here. How did you like it? Can you go up a hill like his?

[@troybrake5686]

Anything past 2000 is all freaking plastic, pisses me off! That thing looks well built

[@mra4107]

We've had one of these for decades - amazing machine that's still going strong! There's a bigger/heavier blade available for it (if you can still find one) and it really chews up saplings. The tires are no longer available, but there's a guy on YT who found an alternative by purchasing spoke wheels with tires; he removed the tires from the spoke wheels and they fit very well on the original heavy duty rims. Here's the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3qqmZ2Aaceqjc0

[@mihalysuba9432]

This was great

[@Grassy20]

Clear a spot for me and I'll bring my trailer up and visit.

[@ZackOfAllTrades]

Bring it on!

[@oxford821]

Just picked up the same mower, what size belt does it use?

[@un2xs]

These use two belts. Download the manual from the DR website.

[@invisiblerevolution]

That's a 1996 model...... GOOD LORD looks like somethin from the 1970's!!!!

[@Moonlightshadow-lq4fr]

Stay away from the Brazilian rain forest! That is one awesome creature!

[@terryluther9235]

I’ve got a finish deck and blade for that model DR mower if anyone needs one.

[@The1saturn]

you got your money back

[@CB_ChaosLove]

I actually have wanted one of these things, I’m a little worried that all the small alders and other small trees growing in this road I want to maintain will be deadly little spears waiting to puncture someone even on a little hillside too.

[@scruffy6151]

👍👍

[@ZackOfAllTrades]

Thank you Sir!

[@buddyboy3231]

Bachtold brothers RIP

[@aramiko9140]

Berapa harganya

[@6913thejoker1369]

You need to hire some goats.

[@hendrilasjaya]

Y

[@brandonfrazier1026]

456th likes