DR® Power Equipment - DR Power Equipment - Technical Support - Trimmer / Mower

DR® TRIMMER / MOWERS

Operating Tips & Tricks

The following information is provided to demonstrate proper techniques when operating your DR® Trimmer/Mower.

Note: This information pertains to the most recent DR® Trimmer / Mower models. Please refer to your Safety & Owner's Manual for instructions specific to your machine. Please refer to the Engine Owner's Manual for engine specific instructions.

The Trimmer engine's power can easily throw stones, sticks and other debris at great velocity, which could cause personal injury or property damage. Do not run the machine over gravel driveways or over loose stones or mulch with the trimmer head spinning.

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Always try to cut tall grass or weeds on the left

Always check your work area before trimming and remove any debris that might tangle or damage the machine.

If you do run into debris and the trimmer becomes tangled, turn off the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire before attempting to untangle the machine.

For the neatest appearance, do your trimming first, discharging clippings away from borders and shrubs, then do your mowing.

Many owners like to mow easy, open areas with their regular riding or walk-behind mower after trimming all the odd and hard-to-reach spots with the DR® Trimmer/Mower.

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How to Take Care of Dry or Woody, Heavy Growth

Be sure to keep uncut material to your left, maintaining a clear discharge area to your right.

If the machine cannot do it all in one pass, use the "two pass" method: overlapping half of the cutting swath, whenever possible.

If the grass is very thick and heavy, try raising the Trimmer Head off the ground a few inches by pushing down on the Handlebar. Cut the material at this height, and then make a second pass with the Mow-Ball™ Support close to the ground.

Ease the DR® Trimmer/Mower into denser growth. If the material is too tough or woody to cut, the Cutting Cords will wrap around it, wear down, or even break off. The design of your Trimmer is to cut green material up to about the thickness of a pencil. For very heavy, dry or woody material, you may need the optional Beaver Blade® attachment.

Sometimes the growth is so heavy, you cannot mow it in rows. Use a forward and back "vacuum cleaner" motion in these cases.

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For Self-Propelled Models Only

If you must go back and forth in the "vacuum cleaner" motion, be sure to release the Wheel Clutch Lever when pulling the Trimmer back.

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Trimmer Cord Installation and Tips

Because conditions and vegetation vary so much, you should experiment with Cord weights to discover what works best for your situation. See Cord Tips for Installation and Recommendations.

When replacing cords, do it one at a time and use the old Cord to mark the position for the new Cord that you are replacing.

If the Cord breaks off flush at the line plate, use the new Cord to push out the old Cord.

Storing the Cord in a plastic bag with a damp sponge or cloth will help keep it pliable. You can also soak it in a bucket of room temperature water for a few days before use to make it more pliable.