Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Pond Boss RIP DR Trimmer

So my electric start self propelled DR Trimmer finally died after close to 25 years. The valves were just shot.

I wanted something light and simple to work on, so I replaced it with an WT190 Echo Bear Cat. First job was clearing the dam for fall. Close to 40,000 square feet on a constant slope. It took 2 days, but the Echo did fine.

Nice work Al! The dam looks great!

Looks pretty dam nice, Al and a lot different than 90 days ago!

Such a beautiful place!

It was probably your beard and haircut that did that thing in. Poor DR Trimmer. RIP.

Looks nice, Al.... I would make fun of you, and tell you that you could’ve done that in 30 minutes and avoided all of that beneficial exercise if you had a tractor and shredder, but I just ran over a big rock with my shredder the other day, and now the tractor makes a strange noise when the pto is engaged................ Guess I’ll soon have the pleasure of splitting the tractor's case open and spending a wad....... Oh Joy!.......the very reason I dreaded getting a tractor.

Very nice! Now that you are an expert come on over!!!

I have become a huge fan of Echo tools. My landscape buddy was hung up on another brand and laughed when he saw my Echo stuff last spring. I let him try my weed wacker and chainsaw. I had to laugh when he came over a couple weeks back. His truck was loaded with Echo stuff!

GW, I'm a tad OCD about turf. The shredder just won't cut it the way I want. But I do have this tingling feeling that the older I get, the better the shredder cut will look. Besides, Blue Bell will be back here in North TX soon, and I worked off one root beer/homemade vanilla float.

We used to pay a guy $300 to mow the whole pond, including the front and back of the dam. He did it twice, and he said never again.

Sorry for your loss, Al. I'm going to check out your new toy and see what's going on. I need something eventually...

Fire, I've just got to ask: If that DR gave you 25 years of service, why not get another DR to take you another 25 years? The only response I can predict is something like "They don't make them like they used to".

roadwarriorsvt, there were several reasons I went with the Echo this time. The Echo is a much cleaner design, and has less moving parts to worry about. Best I can tell, there's the Engine, a belt with one tension pulley, and the trimming line spindle, all housed is a nice steel frame. Because of that, it's much lighter, and maintenance should be simpler.

I also have a great outdoor power shop, and I really try to do all the business with them I can. It's nice having a relationship with honest guys who will order parts over the phone, and will bump a repair up in the que if they know I'm in a jamb.

It took me a few days to research what I wanted, and I'm happy with the Echo. If it had one of those old FJ60 air cleaner snorkels on it, it would be perfect. Yes, I've already flipped it over in the pond once. Now, I'm trying to find the best choice for a log splitter. This one may take a smidge longer to decide on.

Log splitters are a whole other animal. About like buying a vehicle, in that there are bells and whistles available galore. Somewhere in the mix there's a defining line between logsplitters, and wood processors. A processor is a serious piece of equipment, and requires a correspondingly serious prying open of the wallet.

If you're looking for a basic, vertical/horizontal splitter, check out the Oregon brand at the dealer where you bought the Bearcat. If they don't have one on the floor they should be able to show you some specs on them.

One of my uncles spent over 10 grand and took a trip up north to purchase a processor. It's a firewood factory on a trailer frame.


I still stifle a laugh when someone calls in with a "Doctor Trimmer" here in the shop.

Tony, thanks. I'll sure check the Oregon out.

My wife is actually the one pushing me to get a log splitter. I still use mauls, wedges, etc. to split wood for my smoker. I know it's probably stupid, but a stack of hand split oak sure takes on more meaning when it's covered in sweat.

You know what they say: firewood warms you twice. Once when you cut it, and again when you burn it. Not sure how that works when the wood is intended for a smoker rather than a woodstove, but I'm sure the initial sweat factor is still very much in play!

Tony, sweat is the marinade of love. Your syrup proves that. The easiest way to do something, may not always be the best way to do something.

Look at Dirty Hand Tool Splitters. Made here.
http://dirtyhandtools.com/Log%20Splitters%20Page.html

Or go get a Timberwolf TW6 w/log lift and pick it up at the factory. On your way home, stop by here and try it out for a week.
http://www.timberwolfcorp.com/tw-6-log-splitter/

If you go with a unit equipped with a log lifter, try and determine whether or not a restricting valve is incorporated into its design. A 16+ gpm pump and 3600 rpm works great on a 5 or 6" cylinder, but when it's channeled into a 1.5" cylinder like what's typically used on a lift, things happen quickly.

If you're just grabbing and pulling levers, that log lifter may do a favorable rendition of a medieval siege engine. And while I'm on the subject, log cradles and tables are great so long as you remember to avoid walking into them.

Of course, if the wood cutting environment is similar to what I endured as a child, there will always be someone there to offer assistance. Usually in the form of "Quit rolling around on the ground and get back to work. And pick up your kneecap and stick it in your pocket so's you don't lose it"

Woodcutting was not for the faint of heart in my family.

Scott, really? A $22,000 log splitter? I'm still doing dishes just to pay off the fuel caddy you brought me.

Tony great feedback here...I have a 12T Earthquake I have abused and overused for years - I can't believe it's still operational - I put far larger round through it than it's designed for. I want a 22T or larger, since I'll only use it 6 times a year, have been hesitant to spend more than one would have to on one of those Tractor Supply specials for $1600 or so. Looks like the Oregon is similarly priced?

I know one gets what they pay for, but only using it 6 times annually makes me wonder if going beyond the Oregon type price is worth it?

In my opinion, occasional use doesn't justify a top notch splitter. My best advice is to make sure you recognize the brand of engine powering it. Lots of knock offs on the market, and some are hard to get parts for.

Spark, any not too expensive but decent 3PT PTO splitters out there?

I don't worry about splitting logs. I just cut stuff that doesn't have to be split.

Honestly, all I've seen in this category have been very similar to each other. I think in this case it boils down to dia. of cylinder, and the skills of the welder who put it together. The downside as I see it, is the tractor is tied up with the splitter. Lots of folks throw the splits into a FEL, but we prefer to use a trailer to haul bigger loads. Having the splitter on means that can't happen until we unhook and re-couple. If that's not a problem, I think a three point splitter is a good idea. Lot cheaper, too.

C'mon now Dave, why deny yourself the pleasure of wrestling a 3' diameter stick into position, splitting it umpteen times, and making it conform to your will? Something very satisfying there.

Dave, I'll buy the log spitter if you'll buy the portable sawmill like Lusk's. We could turn your place into a desert. And a very nice cedar smelling desert at that.