1.Why is the DRŽ so much better than a hand-held trimmer?  
Because even the smallest DRŽ model has three times the power of most hand-helds, it will mow tall weeds and grass that would hopelessly bog down hand-held trimmers. With its front-mounted Mow-Ball Support, the DRŽ is also able to mow at a consistent height above the ground, for a smoother, cleaner cut than hand-helds. Plus, the big wheels on the DRŽ enable you to mow in a straight swath as you comfortably walk behind. In contrast, you have to swing a hand-held trimmer back and forth like a scythe, which is hard work!

2. How heavy is your cord?
All DRŽ models are supplied with Heavy-Duty 130 mil and Extra Heavy-Duty 155 mil cord. The Heavy-Duty 130 mil cord is 1/8" thick; the Extra Heavy-Duty 155 mil cord is nearly THREE TIMES THE SIZE of the largest cord used on most hand-held string trimmers. Those machines do not have enough power to spin cord this heavy.

3. Why is heavier cord better?  
Because it's thicker, the DRŽ cord is much longer wearing. You can trim along stone walls and foundations without it quickly wearing out and breaking, the way ordinary and thinner cord does. This means you change it much less frequently. The thicker DRŽ cords also enable you to mow thicker, fibrous vegetation that would easily cause the cord on ordinary trimmers to wrap and break.

4. I am so fed up with changing cords on my hand-held trimmer. How hard is it to change cords on the DRŽ?
With our new trimmer head, it takes less than 30 seconds to change both cords on a DRŽ! No tools are needed and there are no knots to tie, so anyone can do it. All you need to do is select one of up to six different cutting height levels on the trimmer head (starting at 1-1/2"), slide the cord into the "entrance" holes at that height, and they'll slide out the "exit" holes. That's all there is to it! The patented anti-slip cord holder prevents the cords from being pulled loose until you're ready to replace them. The headaches of the so-called "automatic feeding" hand-held trimmers are a thing of the past with the DRŽ and its completely different and better system. The DRŽ cutting cords are replaced quickly and easily with no tools and no hassle!

5. Do I have to stop the machine to change the cords?  
Yes, and the engine. We strongly urge EVERYONE to stop ANY piece of power equipment, including the engine, before making any adjustments (this applies when changing cords as well).

6. Do the cords keep spinning when I want to pause?  
The trimmer head (the cutting head) stops when you release the clutch/brake bar, but the engine stays running. This is UNLIKE most lawn mowers. With them, you MUST stop the engine in order to stop the rotary blades...and then restart it to begin operation of the machine again. Also, note that the DRŽ cutting head is belt-driven. This protects the engine and crankshaft from damage and is a tremendous difference from, and advantage over, most walk-behind mowers, which have the blade bolted directly to the engine shaft.

8. How long do the cords last?  
It depends on your conditions. Constant use against sharp rocks and wire fence will wear the cords down faster. But because of the power of the DRŽ, you can extend cord life considerably by idling way down, and cutting grass at slower speeds. And, because the cords are heavier and have a solid, not a hollow core, they last MUCH longer than any cord used in hand-held trimmers.

9. What is the overall width of the machine?  
All DRs are 23 inches wide at their widest point.

10. How wide does the DRŽ cut?  
All DRŽ TRIMMER/MOWERS have a cutting width of 21 inches. If the cords are arranged off-center for two instead of four cutting tips, three extra inches of swath can result--a total cutting path of 24 inches. Any wider than this, and the cord tips would hit the wheels. When the cords wear down with use they can easily be replaced, without tools, to maintain a cutting width of 21 inches.

11. What is the cutting height?  
The cutting height on the DRŽ TRIMMER/MOWER can easily be adjusted in half-inch increments from 1-1/2" to 4". Adjusting the cutting height is as simple as inserting the cord on the trimmer head at the desired height that best suits your trimming and mowing needs. The DRŽ arrives with its cutting height set at 1-1/2"...the most common height for lawn mowing.

12. Does the DRŽ trim beyond the wheelbase?
All DRŽ TRIMMER/MOWER Models feature an offset frame, which allows the cords to reach beyond the left wheel for precise trimming. In addition, when the PTA (Parallel Trimming Action) lever is engaged, the DRŽ swings AND tilts even further to the left side for trimming under fences, along stone walls, near gardens, buildings and other obstacles, and edging along walks and driveways. No other trimmer on wheels has this patented feature.

13. Do I have to lubricate any parts?  
No, there are no manually greased or oiled parts on the DRŽ. All the bearings are sealed, even in the wheels. You do not have to grease the head, either. With most hand-held trimmers, however, you DO have to grease the head, or you will burn out the bearings.

14. What kind of gas should I use?  
Regular unleaded. Gasohol containing methanol is not recommended.

15. Do I have to mix oil in with the gas?  
No. All DRŽ models have 4-cycle engines that have separate oil reservoires, so no mixing is necessary.

16. How easy is the DRŽ to start?  
The Electric-Starting DRs, with automotive-style turn-key ignition, are very easy to start. Just turn the key and you're ready to go! The Manual-Starting models, with their special recoil design, electronic ignition and heavy flywheels, normally start with just one or two easy pulls.

17. On the electric-starting DRs, if the battery should go dead, can I still start the machine?  
Yes. There's a manual recoil-starter as a backup on all the Electric-Starting engines.

19. Just what will (and won't) the DRŽ cut?  
The DRŽ will do a lot more than any hand-held trimmer, and it does it more easily and comfortably. But there are limits to what it can handle. Even with our special Extra Heavy-Duty cutting cords, it's NOT meant to be a brushcutter, or to take down heavy, woody growth. There really isn't any limit to the machine's capacity in terms of the size of the area to be cut, or the height of the vegetation. If the material is green and tender, the DRŽ can cut it. For example, it will cut first year sumac (but not second year), and raspberry canes that are reasonably tender, but not the older brambles. Note: Please see the BEAVER BLADEŽ pages for full details on our optional BEAVER BLADEŽ attachment which converts the DRŽ into a brushcutter on wheels, capable of cutting stumps, saplings and even small trees up to 5 inches in diameter on the PRO and COMMERCIAL Models, 3 inches on the SPRINTŽ Models.

20. Will the DRŽ do as good a job of lawn mowing as my steel bladed mower?
No. The DRŽ will leave a slightly rougher cut. This results from the DRŽ cutting grass just once, then throwing it off, as opposed to the re-cutting action of a blade. For some this is an advantage, since the DRŽ leaves no clumps and can mow in wet conditions. The DRŽ is also ideal for mowing at vacation sites, and if you are not concerned with an absolutely level lawn groomed with a sharpened steel blade.

21. Do I have to change attachments from trimming to mowing?  
Absolutely not. The spinning nylon cords provide the same action for each job. You can trim AND mow, in one pass, in any direction, with total maneuverability.

22. Is it safe to use with my expensive plantings?  
The DRŽ rests solidly on the ground in 3 places: the front-end Mow-Ball Support, and the two wheels. You merely GLIDE it up to the most delicate and valuable of plants...within a fraction of an inch! The DRŽ was designed and built to provide this degree of trimming accuracy. It is a very STEADY machine, and you can always see clearly what you are trimming. Being able to cut and trim at a very slow spinning speed can almost always prevent damage in tight situations.

23. Can I run this machine on slopes? 
The wheels on the DRŽ are so big that the machine rolls light as a feather. With one hand, you can roll the DRŽ down the lip of a pond, for example, and then pull it back up to where you are standing. This is not safe to do with a rotary mower, which could bring the blade way too close to your feet. Unfortunately, people do this all too often. All DRŽ TRIMMER/MOWER models can be used anywhere it is comfortable to walk...including continuous use on slopes up to 20 degrees. This makes the DRŽ ideal for mowing roadside ditches, drainage swales, and embankments that rotary mowers can't touch.

27. What's so different and special about the overhead valve engines on the COMMERCIAL models? 
Overhead Valve (OHV) technology is fairly common in automobile engines and is becoming the benchmark of comparison for outdoor power equipment. By burning fuel much more cleanly than standard side-valve engines, OHV engines readily meet the strict emissions regulations for small engines. In addition to running cleaner, an Overhead valve engine also offers the following advantages over side-valve engines: More Power -- by mixing air and fuel more completely, OHV engines burn the fuel more thoroughly, which results in more power and increased torque over side-valve engines.