Swisher WB11524 Predator 24-Inch 11.5 HP Gas Self-Propelled Brush Cutter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Like others, I couldn't believe a DR Field and Brush mower could be worth the $1000 more (although the DR does accept additional overpriced attachments).
So, I ordered the Swisher through Amazon. At first I was given a delivery date in 2 months, but it ended up arriving after 1 month -- still rather long.
The mower was easy to assemble and initially worked great, chomping through the 4 feet grass and various blackberry brushes in my eratically sloped fields. Still a fair amount of work (on flat ground though it is very low effort), but after about 2 hours of use, the motor cut off every time I engaged the mower!
So, I opened up the top cover over the pully system, and noticed a wire going from the motor to the safety switch (detects when the mower is engaged and shuts it off when needed, such as when putting it into reverse). The wire on the left side of the mower (as viewed from the rear handlebars) had come out of a little plastic clip assembly, had been flipping around underneath, and the insulation was stripped off and it was shorting to the chasis as it flopped around, causing the mower to cut out when it would short. I repaired it temporarily with friction tape and re-seating the wiring. Yesterday, I put some standard high temperature flex tubing around the entire wire assembly and then re-hooked it into the plastic clip. Its been OK ever since. Just having a very thin wire hanging down beneath the mower seems like very poor design, and flex tubing costs so little. The wire on the right side of the mower to the safety switch does have flex tubing, is routed to the side, and looks fine. The wire on the left side is just a very poor design.
The rubber grips on the handlebar slip off easily -- one already fell off and subsequently got chewed up by the mower. But I'd never use the thing without gloves -- the handlebar levers pinch your hands constantly without gloves. In general, the handlebar assembly seems a bit cheap.
The B&S motor is great. Mine still runs a bit rough when idling, but does fine when its going.
Pros:
Free shipping, good price, great motor, does mow down the brush as advertised.
Cons:
Poor wiring to the safety switch, handlebar assembly is lightweight and rubber grips on handlebar slide off easily.


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Tired of handheld trimmers that just cant cut the tough stuff The Swisher Roughcut Mower is ideal for cutting trails through the woods and clearing fields and ditches year-round. The Predator self-propelled walk-behind can clear the densest undergrowth and saplings up to 1 1/2in. diameter with ease. It can clear 2/3 of an acre per hour. U.S.A. Engine: Briggs & Stratton, HP: 11.5, Cutting Speeds: 4 Plus Reverse, Cutting Width (in.): 24, Rear Tire Size (in.): 8 x 4

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