Is the Dixie Chopper all that??????

[turfguy33]

My business owns and runs scag and Great Dane zero turns and walk behinds. The equipment is great, and they are very productive. The only thing i dislike is that when you are mowing large open field areas, they tend to rattle, shake and bounce the crap out of the operator especially at mowing at wide open speed of 10 mph. I have heard that the Dixie chopper is the premier "commercial" mower because of the speed of the wheels, as well as the blade tip speed. I have also heard that the overall comfort surpasses the compition.
The only thing that I can honestly say that I dislike about the machine is the manual lever used to engage the blades.. It seems a little outdated, and in the way. Of course, I'm sure its alot cheaper to replace than a electric clutch. Please e-mail me or respond to this, season is creeping up, and I gotta buy something........Don't know what it is about this time of year, but I always have to buy a piece of equipment. Depending on the response, will greatly influence my decision......Thanks alot.

Tim
Ohio Valley Lawn Services

[Mid Rivers]

Don't know but they sure are ugly.:( Sorry Eric
I use a Lazer 60in and really like it.

[65hoss]

Demo chopper and exmark lazer.

I use the exmark because of the mulching ability. The cut is awesome, and unless I tell the customer, he thinks his yard was bagged. :D You can side discharge and it has the high blade tip speed very similar to the choppers.

I did like the chopper when I looked at them, but I don't like the side discharge look. The chopper doesn't have a mulch kit. The choppers seem to be very well built and they do cut great. You'll need to check both out and see which would work better for you.

[Shack]

My first ZTR was a Lazer, Then I bought a Toro, And then a Scag. They all a good mowers but my crew and I all agree that the Lazer cuts the best and handles a hill better. I have alway wanted to try a Chopper but the price always runs me away. I cried when I bought the Scag.

[Eric ELM]

He is buying this for big open areas. I don't think he will be mulching this. If you put double blades on a Chopper, it will chop the clippings up as good as any mower and do it in a hurry too. It seems that other Mfgs. are trying to copy the DC's, I wonder why? I see them trying to make an OCDC, Striping kits, putting Donaldson Air Cleaners on them. Won't that make those mowers UGLY?

Mid Rivers, as I said before, I don't buy a mower for looks, I buy them for the way they make a lawn look and longevity. I feel my 2001 diesel Chopper is as good of a looking mower as any Mfg makes. That's all that matters and that my customers feel they have a good looking lawn when I get done mowing them. I have had no complaints on the way the lawns look or the way my mower looks.
Here is each. Now, let's see yours.
http://elms.bizland.com/dieseldc.jpg
http://elms.bizland.com/pierce.jpg

[Ricky]

I have a '99 like Eric's. I like mine very much so far. I cut some rough fields and the atv type tires along with the soft seat eliminates most of the "bumps".

[nlminc]

Last season I bought 2 2000 72" Diesel Choppers. I love the performance, comfort, and low maintenance. Eric's pictures say it all! I'm can not judge Exmark because I have never had one. Just my .02 on Dixie Chopper. My dealer is 1.5 hours away and has been fantastic for service and parts. They took care of a couple of minor recalls and both times drove here to take care of them!

Chris

[Mid Rivers]

Seems I hit a nerve with the UGLY statement. Excuse me for making a observation. Some feel Harleys are UGLY I don't, but if that is the way they feel so be it. I don't take it personaly. As for longevity, I think a Lazer, Chopper, Scag and many others will last as long as needed, if you maintain them correctly.:) In the future I will refrain from making personal observations about the looks of a Chopper.;)

[Edited by Mid Rivers on 02-22-2001 at 04:12 PM]

[John DiMartino]

Mid-rivers-I own a 2000 60"dixie chopper-and yes its ugly,unless its spotless-then the stainless shines and it looks ok,but hit one dip and its filthy.The wide rear tires kick crap all over the deck,and around the spindles.if you want to go fast in open fields,the Dixie is probably the best bet,you will get bounced to death if its rough,mine kills my back,with the bucking and bouncing,it wont take long for you to slow down or end up at the chiropractors.The seat on mine is comfy,but the backrest hits my back in an uncomfortable way-so as it bucks,it hurts.I dont think any other mower(except the Ferris is any better bouncing wise),its just something you have to live with on a machine with a 44"wheelbase,no longer than a shopping cart.If your concerned with details,dont buy the Chopper,its very rough around the edges,but works well for open areas.The biggest downfall to the dixie seems to be the dealers and the price-yes i feel they are as good as any mower overall, but not at retail price.

[Eric ELM]

Mid Rivers:

You didn't hit any nerves here. If you did, you would have known it by now. :D

[Ssouth]

Anyone with a Dixie, What are all of the levers for. I see two levers on the right( assuming one is for the OCDC), two levers on the left and two foot pedals. What do all of these do? Just wondering.

[Eric ELM]

Throttle and OCDC on the right, brake and clutch on the left of the diesels, that is the deck lift done with the foot. The gas models have a hand clutch down by your right foot. Hand clutches are still the cheapest most reliable clutch made and much easier on belts than an electric clutch.

[John DiMartino]

The - side of the hand clutch is getting the adjustment right,so it doesnt slip,yet the blades fully stop,and the mower shuts off when you get up to pick up papers or junk on a lawn,that is a huge ---.I hate that,if you forget and hop off,man it'll shut off pop then run backwards for a few seconds.You end up bypassing the safety,which is a no no,but if you dont,picking up something off a lawn takes a minute,you have to let the kohler run at least 30 seconds-or it will pop and diesel when you shut it off.I know 2 guys that bought other mowers for this reason alone,since they wont dypass switches,he offered to pay to have it changed so you can disengage the blades and get off with it running,they said they couldnt do it.If i had more time,I knowi could make a switch that goes on the arm that pulls the idlers tight,only problem is it wouldnt last long under the operators plate,where all the grass collects.

[cclllc]

One key advantage of the stainless steel is that you do have to worry about knocking paint off your mower all the time.Sure they look bad when their dirty as well as the red ones too but with a dixie all you have to do wash it and if you really want a shine hit it with some 00 steelwool.Shines like new money.

[cclllc]

I own 2 dc's and have been extremely happy with them.Both are 96 models.If I lose one tommorrow then I 'll go and buy another one.Sure they are a little higher but they are wotth it.I don't know what john meant by rough around the edges but looks isn't what doing the cutting.If he is that unhappy with it then he needs to trade it off.How much do you want for it?Oh by they way I've tried those pretty red ,green ,and yellow mowers too.I have alot of rough areas and the dixies hold up to the test.

[Edited by cclllc on 02-22-2001 at 07:34 PM]

[cclllc]

I'm not saying they are the best.There are others out there that are good also.If I had to buy anything else it probably would be a Woods .

[EROSS17]

I've used just about every rider out there and the best one I've used and am still using is the Toro Z Master. It's basically the same as the Exmark Lazer. The cut is excellent and the ride is very comfortable.

[TLS]

As a past owner of (1) Cub Cadet 125, (2) JD 318's, (1) JD F935, (2) SCAG WB's, (1) DIXIE CHOPPER, and now (1) new LC Lazer, I feel as though I am eligible to reply with my views on this subject. First off Dixie builds a good mower that doesn't break when you use it. They do handle rough terrain better than any mower out there (soft ATV type tires=smooth ride). The quality of cut issue between Dixie and Lazer is like splitting hairs. They both cut excellent, however I now prefer the cut of the Lazer. This is where the similarities end. The fit, finish and engineering of a Dixie makes you think a kid in tech school put it together on his lunch break. (No offense to tech school kids) This isn't just my opinion, its an opinion shared by many, and Dixie does need to address this in order for me to be another Dixie owner in the future. Their design is simple and this makes them popular to work on, however it is this same simplicity that has allowed other manufacturers to improve on and enter the market with a better engineered machine. Sure Dixie has made changes throughout the years, most for the better, however the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" attitude is what is holding them back. Things that I think they need to change.... *Bigger fuel tanks (not more of them!), *more precise height adjustment increments, *slick style front caster tires, *narrower rear track width (like they used to have) to allow for better trim side clearance, *smoother edges on stainless steel, *maintenance free spindles.
Thats all that I can think of right off the top of my head.

Like I said, this is not to down Dixie owners, I used to be a proud one! But, Magic Circle Corporation needs to wake up and look at the calendar and see that it isn't 1985 any more.

They are all great machines that will cut grass better than I ever thought it could be cut (Cub Cadet years). Dealer support is paramount with ZTR's, choose a reputable, close one that has a good service and parts department.

Sorry to rant and run on so long.

Peace!

[Russ]

I've run a couple of mowers too. Everything from Toro 455 Groundsmasters and 5111 Jakes, LF 100's, Turfcats 60's & 72's gas and diesel, Buntons, Tigers, and more WB's than I care to admit. When the money was coming out of my billfold I bought DC! They cut very, very well and they dont break. A Kohler rep. at a Lazer maint. seminar told me I might be able to get 2,000 hr from a Kohler. When I told him I had 3,500 on mine he said "you must have a DC". They do cost more-and they are worth it! There is no Perfect mower(or woman), but I'm pleased with my decisions.