When you have a large property to reclaim and maintain, a field and brush mower is a great way to get the job done without the expense of a tractor and rotary cutter system. We’re teaming up with DR Power Equipment to show you what sets their commercial XD Series Field and Brush Mowers apart from the competition and help you make a purchase you can be confident in.
Advantage #1: Efficiency
When you look at different field and brush mower options, you’ll find that a 26-inch model is common. DR Power’s XD26 is an excellent all-around unit in that class and can handle heavy brush and field mowing. For many properties and smaller trails, it’s the perfect solution.
However, it can leave commercial Pros wanting more. That’s why DR Power’s XD Field and Brush Mower line also includes 30-inch and 36-inch mowing widths. By cutting more with each pass, the time savings quickly add up, and the lineup can better serve a wider range of customer needs. After all, time is money, and you’re paid by the job, not the hour. The more efficiently you can get the work done, the more profitable you’ll be.
If DR’s Professional Series mowers are a better fit for your needs, they offer models with deck sizes up to 34 inches – another advantage over competing brands.
Advantage #2: Power
All commercial XD Series Field and Brush Mowers use Kawasaki commercial-grade engines for power you can count on. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach, though. As you step up in size, you also step up in power.
The XD26 kicks things off with a 14.5HP Kawasaki engine, a significant upgrade over the 10HP engines some competitors use. The XD30 steps up another 4HP to an 18.5HP Kawasaki, and the XD36 features a muscular 22HP Kawasaki engine.
Of course, this ties back into efficiency as well. These mowers have more power and can cut faster than their competitors. You won’t spend as much time easing your way through tough overgrowth when you don’t have to worry about bogging down the blade.
There’s one more thing you should notice—DR Power uses two-gallon fuel tanks. The competition is closer to just one gallon. You’ll spend less time going back and forth to the trailer for refueling, which is a big deal on large properties.
No matter which model you choose, you can trust that the design team carefully selected an engine pairing that gives you the power and reliability you demand with higher runtime to keep your crew productive.
Advantage #3: Maneuverability
By nature, field and brush mowers are self-propelled with both forward and reverse functions, but when it’s time to turn, that’s on you. Traditional gear transmissions are effective for adjusting speed, but you have to muscle your way through each turn of the machine.
With a commercial XD Series machine, your arms and lower back get a serious break. Every model is built with a hydrostatic transmission that offers independent wheel control. Using the left and right wheel levers, you have all the maneuverability of a zero-turn mower to cut perfect rows and feather around obstacles while cutting as tight to them as possible.
Now, there are some competitors that also have a hydrostatic transmission. Look closely, though. The hydrostatic transaxle design they often use delivers power to the wheels but not independent control. While the system has some advantages, it doesn’t give you the turning benefits DR Power’s XD mowers offer.
Don’t miss the efficiency gain here, either. With a traditional gear transmission, you have to stop and change gears to change speeds. With DR Power’s hydrostatic transmissions, you control the speed with levers, so you can easily adjust on the fly as the terrain changes.
When you think about the hills and obstacles you come across while you’re cutting, it’s easy to see how much effort and time the upgraded transmission can save you.
Advantage #4: Commercial Build with Easy Ownership
Durable Build
DR Power built the XD Series around the high-hour needs of commercial Pros and rental houses. It’s partly the power plant—the Kawasaki commercial-grade engines we discussed earlier.
The rest of the build is dialed in for heavy-duty use as well. Take the blade spindle as just one example. Custom built for these machines, the 1 3/8-inch thick cast iron spindle features oversized double-sealed bearings, a Zerk fitting that allows it to be greased from above the deck and is integrated into the deck housing and reinforced to provide vibration-free performance and years of service. Aside from a couple of components, like the fuel tank, the mowers have a full metal construction. By taking this approach, they can take more of a beating and handle longer hours, day after day.
Central Controls
Unlike some models on the market, DR Power kept all the controls centralized and easy to access on the fly. You don’t have to reach around the handles or down toward the engine to make adjustments while you’re cutting. Plus, metal hand guards offer extra protection as you’re plowing through rough brush and brambles.
Integrated Tie-Down Points
Commercial XD Field and Brush Mowers feature four integrated tie-down points, which are key to securing these mowers when you’re trailering them. While you can certainly find four points to strap to on other models, DR Power’s exposed design makes the process easier while ensuring you tie down at optimal points.
Engine Clean-Out Ports
All mower engines have to deal with a lot of debris around the intakes, but field and brush mowers take it to another level with everything they kick up. Clearing it out at the end of the day is simple with the XD series—just take the tool-free cover off, blow out the ports, and pop the cover back on. It’s such an easy task that your crew will be much less likely to skip it.
Tool-free Oil Drain Hose
When it comes to regular maintenance, oil changes are a pain point. DR Power found a way to make that far easier by designing an oil drain hose that stays on the engine. When it’s time to change the oil, unclip the hose, stick the end in a collection container, and open the valve to drain the tank. It’s tool-free and so much easier and cleaner than other designs.
Removable Deck
While it’s possible to tip a field and brush mower up to access the blade for sharpening and changes, it’s a serious chore. Commercial XD series mowers simplify the process with a removable deck. Loosen a few bolts to remove the belt cover, and the rest of the operation is tool-free.
Meet the Commercial XD Series
XD26
As the smallest, lightest model in the commercial line, the XD26 is great for smaller properties and trail cutting with maximum maneuverability. There’s no compromise in sapling-cutting, grass-shredding performance, and that hydrostatic transmission sets it apart from the other 26-inch models on the market.
- Engine: Kawasaki FS481V 14.5HP/603cc
- Starting: Manual
- Transmission: Hydrostatic
- Wheels: 16 x 5.5 inches
- Deck: 12-gauge steel
- Cutting Width: 26 inches
- Cutting Height: 4 inches
- Capacity: 2-inch thick saplings, 4-foot tall grass, 8-foot tall weeds and brush
- Dry Weight: 354 pounds
- List Price: $4799.99
XD30
When you want a balance of larger field-cutting capacity with the power to reclaim dense brush and sapling growth, the XD30 is a solid choice. While it’s heavier than the XD26, the larger deck covers mowing duties faster, and its stronger engine is even better at preventing the mower from bogging down in heavy overgrowth.
- Engine: Kawasaki FS600V 14.5HP/603cc
- Starting: Electric
- Transmission: Hydrostatic
- Wheels: 16 x 5.5 inches
- Deck: 12-gauge steel
- Cutting Width: 30 inches
- Cutting Height: 4 inches
- Capacity: 3-inch thick saplings, 6-foot tall grass, 8-foot tall weeds and brush
- Dry Weight: 379 pounds
- List Price: $5599.99
XD36
The XD36 offers the widest cutting and strongest engine, making it the go-to choice for clearing tall grass and maintaining larger areas. This model features deployable front caster wheels that bear the weight of the 36-inch-wide deck during long mowing sessions and a side discharge to send clippings clear. It’s dialed in for field mowing.
When you need to take down thicker brush or the occasional sapling, the front casters flip up and out of the way. However, this model is the heaviest in the line at over 500 lbs, so it takes more muscle to lift the deck onto them. If that’s a concern for you, the XD30 might be a better option.
- Engine: Kawasaki FS651V 22HP/726cc
- Starting: Electric
- Transmission: Hydrostatic
- Front Casters: 11 inches
- Wheels: 18 x 8.5 inches
- Deck: 12-gauge steel
- Cutting Width: 36 inches
- Cutting Height: 4 inches
- Capacity: 3-inch thick saplings, 6-foot tall grass, 8-foot tall weeds and brush
- Dry Weight: 505 pounds
- List Price: $6199.99
