I wanted to use this for a while before I did this review. It's September 11th 2017 getting close to the end of mowing season here. I've used this for the last 2 years pulled by a old 1994 Moto4 350 atv. I'm mowing 3 acres and half is up and down a big hill. I have went through a few mowers dealing with this hill and ate of many belts on My 54 inch Cub. The Swisher is a big money saver for me now. I haven't had any belt problem at all and the blades last a whole year. I sharpen the blades a few times etc. I got a few humps in my yard I'm out in the country. It's not important to me if it cuts perfect I just want get it done. This mower cuts better high than low. The highest setting on my Cub riding mower is the same height I have the Swisher set at. It's a little difficult to find that right setting but once you do it cuts great. I mean if you want a perfect looking yard this may not be the mower for you. The yard looks more like a hay field when it's done for the first day are two. I like the fact the grass go's out the back and I can go in any direction etc. This mower has never clogged in wet grass. I've cut high grass 10 inches high and it did Ok. But its hard own the mower the higher the grass and hard on the belts. Hope this helps out. My grammars weak lol!

Exactly what I needed for a remote property's driveway.

I bought this through another retailer to cut 4 acres. It was delivered via freight directly from the manufacturer in Missouri, crated on a pallet. After uncrating in the barn with no Internet access or computer I was miffed to find no manual but instead a CD-ROM. Seriously, this is a piece of equipment that lives in barns or sheds where a computer is unlikely to be. At this price a paper copy of the manual, even stapled, should be included. You can get a printed copy free from the manufacturer but you have to ask. Fortunately, the design is pretty simple and easy to figure out.

By the time I mounted a hitch to my Kawasaki Mule, the grass had gotten pretty tall (over 18") to where I should have used a brush cutter or gotten the rough cut version. I tried this on the highest setting and actually made good progress but got carried away and smoked the belt. By the third use the belt was slipping badly the blades were bogging down through very reasonable grass, so I replaced the belt and sharpened the blades. Replacing the belt isn't difficult but is more of a project than it should be. You have to loosen what appears to be an intentionally bent 1/4-20 bolt that otherwise prevents you from getting the belt around one of the pulleys. Then you lift the engine enough to slip the belt under the drive pulley, because there's just barely not enough clearance between the pulley and the deck plate. I removed the engine completely (a 5-minute task) so that I could flip the deck over and remove the blades for sharpening. The belt compartment gets packed solid with grass clippings and needs to be regularly cleaned out by hand or with compressed air.

The engine starts immediately on the first pull. Even with 10hp you can cover a lot of ground quickly if the grass is a reasonable height, say 8" or less. Anything over and you'll need a rough-cut model or should use something beefier to knock it back first. It is not fun to use right around trees or tight landscaping because the turning radius of the mower plus the tow vehicle is very wide, and reversing it takes a bit of skill because it's much like backing up a trailer. It takes lot more skill to maneuver around obstacles than a lawn tractor or a zero-turn because the mower tracks a narrower radius in turns. This is easy to master but still requires a lot of attention around rocks and buildings. I have not tried to tow it offset yet, but it appears that it will be perfect for mowing under the trees at the edge of the property. For the straightaways I appreciate having the mower several feet back.

The hitch is coupled to the tow vehicle by a vertical pin. Mine is getting bent up from shock loading when changing speed or going over uneven terrain. The height adjustment crank handle just fell off somewhere in the grass. Otherwise I am pleased with this unit's performance. Just watch the belt, regularly clean out the housing, and consider carefully whether this or the "rough cut" version is most appropriate for your application.

For the $$$ hard to beat. I would like to have ability to raise the cutting height a couple of more inches but so far other than that no complaints.. engin starts right up every time. Fuel tank a little small..

I bought this mower in July 2014 and have just hit 3 years of use. It came by truck and was lowered down to the ground. I had the crate cracked open and the mower put together in less than 2 hours all by myself. I am a woman 50+ and it was not difficult for me at all.
I have absolutely abused this mower and it is still running like a champ! It always starts right up. I saw one guy complaining about the the safety covers over the deck and the disengage safety feature. Sure you can remove the built in safety features but why?? With any mower, you need to perform regular maintenance to lengthen the life. I have changed the oil regularly, greased and oiled moving parts. You also need to store it out of the weather. At the 3 year point I am just changing out the belt. I have gone through a few new blades but like I already said I have abused the mower. I have gotten my moneys worth from this mower. I fully recommend this mower.