If you’re considering a DR Trimmer Mower, you probably have already noticed weeds, tall grasses, and tangled brush growing up around your property.  Maybe you’ve been handling it with a hand-held string trimmer, and are tired of the back and arm strain they cause.  Or maybe you’re wondering if a string trimmer can even handle the weeds you have.  As you consider your trimming options, here three essential questions to ask yourself:

What kind of weeds do you have?

For lighter weed and grass coverage, a hand-held string trimmer might work for you.  Depending on the strength of the engine and the thickness of the cord, they vary in what they can cut, but are best for thinner, shorter weeds and grasses.  With taller weeds, there is always the risk of them wrapping around the trimmer head, which is a huge nuisance to the operator.  If you do have taller weeds and grasses, DR Trimmer Mowers come equipped with wide-body trimmer heads which prevent vegetation from wrapping and tangling.  And because DRs are about 5 times more powerful than hand-held trimmers, they can mow through much heavier weeds.  DR’s trimmer cord also gives it an edge over hand-held units, because it has been tested and reformulated over the past 15 years, making it by far the best trimmer cord we have ever encountered.  Available in up to 175 mil thickness, it takes on much thicker weeds and grasses than “bargain” brands and lasts 3 to 4 times longer.

The DR Trimmer Mower is especially useful if your property has a wide range of weed and brush types.  For just about anything green (tough weeds, tall grasses, stalky growth, etc.), the trimmer cord has you covered.  For bigger, tougher growth, you can add DuraBlades or the Beaver Blade to slice through even more.  The DuraBlades screw on easily and convert your trimmer to a light brush cutter, slicing through hardwood brush up to 3/8” thick and green weeds even thicker.  The Beaver Blade goes even further, adding a chainsaw-like blade to the trimmer head to cut through hardwood trees up to 3” thick.

If you have woody brush that’s several inches thick and weeds that are over your head (7 or 8 feet tall), you would be better served by a brush mower than a string trimmer.  Check out the line of DR Field and Brush Mowers that can take on saplings that are 2” to 3” thick.  Many customers find that the DR Trimmer/Mower is great for filling the gap between a traditional lawn mower and a heavier-duty field and brush mower.  Because it can trim right up close to trees, walls, and other obstacles, it’s a great companion to both machines.

How much trimming do you have to do?

Consider also how extensive your trimming tasks are.  If you have a small suburban lot, it is probably not too exhausting to use a hand-held string trimmer to clean up fence lines, around flower beds, et cetera.  If you have a larger space to maintain, such as a property of an acre or more, a walk-behind unit such as the DR Trimmer/Mower will be much easier on your back and arms.  Even though some hand-held string trimmers come equipped with shoulder straps to help support the machine, they still take their toll on your body when used for long periods of time.

For really extensive trimming, such as long fence lines, along roadsides, or around big ponds, tractor owners should also consider the DR 3-Point Hitch Trimmer/Mower.  This model attaches to your tractor’s 3-point hitch mechanism and is powered by the PTO shaft, allowing you to do extensive trimming right from the comfort of your tractor.

What can your body handle?

It is also important to consider how much strain your body can endure.  Some people are more comfortable carrying a hand-held unit around with them to do the necessary trimming tasks, while others tire more easily.  Keep in mind that trying a hand-held unit in a store for just a couple minutes may not cause any pain or strain, but using it for hours all over your property will be an entirely different story.  DR Trimmer/Mowers roll on big, sturdy wheels and are easily maneuverable by just about anyone.  There are even self-propelled models available that allow the operator to simply steer while the DR does all the work.

Keeping the above in mind, you should be able to make a decision about what type of trimmer is best for your needs.  If you’ve decided that a DR Trimmer/Mower is best for you, remember that there are a variety of models available, and extras such as the DuraBlades and Beaver Blade make it one of the most useful and versatile machines you’ll ever buy.