dixie ?and exmark.

[rdh]

the choppers and exmark are lawn sites most liked mowers. i would like to know if the decks have front baffles that throw grass to each chamber ?this should help people when choosing a mower if they are the same since they both discharge great.

[Kent Lawns]

The sales numbers of both indicate they're not only lawnsite's favorite, but also the most popular Z's world-wide.

Anyway, the Exmark deck does baffle the front (beginning in 1995) but the Dixie do not. Dixie's discharge so well due to high blade tip speed and a large dischage chute opening.

[rdh]

wow i was trying to find out if they where the same to see if thats the reasone they are the faverite .

[John DiMartino]

I canr believe Dixies sales #'s are even close to Exmarks.Even Toro sells more Z's here.When I bought my Dixie,no one ever heard of them,and I had 1 of maybe 5 in my county.Exmark,Toro,Bobcats,and grasshoppers are on every trailer.

[HOMER]

Dixie's are abundant in Dixie. So are Exmark. I would say it's a close one as to how many. There are a few of the other variaties around.............even saw a guy with a Walker the other day. His yard didn't look near as good as I thouhgt it would though.

[Shawn Burns]

i thought that there was an industry standard on the max blade tip speed. if so, how can the chopper, or any mower for that matter, have a tip speed that much faster than the rest?? a question i've had for a long time.

[HOMER]

There is a Govt. std...........and Choppers are right at the maximum. Every one else is pushing the numbers as well.

[Richard Martin]

Originally posted by Shawn Burns
i thought that there was an industry standard on the max blade tip speed. if so, how can the chopper, or any mower for that matter, have a tip speed that much faster than the rest?? a question i've had for a long time.

Dixie Chopper walks a fine line on BTS. When a 60" Chopper is turning 3,600 RPMs the blades are spinning right at 3,600 also. This results in a BTS just over 19,000 FPS but still close enough to be in compliance. Most of the rest of the manufactures choose to keep the BTS at a comfortable level below 19,000 FPS by about 500 to 1,000 FPS at an engine RPM of 3,600.

[John DiMartino]

Richard,if thats true,then Im a law breaker-my dealer sets my governor to 4000Rpm's every time it brought it in, after the head gaskets,it came back at 4200.I keep turning it back down to 3800-3850.I mow at 36-3750 a lot,no wonder it bogs with double blades.

[Richard Martin]

John,
You're not a law breaker but if an accident were to happen there would no doubt be lawyers involved and that could cause problems. Also OSHA could take the machine out of service if it found to be not in compliance with the government's guidlines concerning BTS.

[TLS]

Anyone know where this "LAW" is written about blade tip speed not exceeding 19,000 fpm? I have heard it stated many times, but as my name suggests, I'm a doubting THOMAS and I have to see to believe! I would like a link or a source for which I can refrence this. OSHA will never and can never touch my machine. I'm all for safety, but this is a fine line and is talked about a lot and I'd like to clear things up.

As for discharge chute, the DC's isn't any bigger than a Lazers, just a different design, thats all. They both cut well. The Lazer has a better finish cut, while the DC decks can handle 15mph mowing and get the grass out faster at high speeds. The Lazer deck only has 3 bolts underneath to scrape around while the DC's have something like 23 !!! Thats a lot of bolt heads to catch grass and scrapers!!

[rdh]

23 thats alot. do you dixie owners have to scrape your decks alot?

[Eric ELM]

Not when you use Mo Deck. :D

[John DiMartino]

Yes,Dixie owner have to scrape a lot,But like Eric said,the Mo-deck does help a lot.Tom is right, there are way to many bolt heads under the Dixie deck,and scraping you always hit one evry other stroke.

[Richard Martin]

Dixie1 wrote:
........................
As for discharge chute, the DC's isn't any bigger than a Lazers,
........................

My Dixie's discharge opening is a tick over 18". It is considerably larger than a Lazer. The Lazer is somewhere around 10 to 12".

[Eng Mwr Guy]

Dixie1:

Most of what Richard M. wrote was accurate. The standard is by ANSI not OSHA. OSHA does mention the standard.

19,000fpm is a never to be exceeded number. They are currently rewriting the standard to be more specific relating to manufacturing tolerances. Mfg tolerances are the reason most manufaturer's choose to play it safe and stay closer to 18,000 to 18,500 fpm.

It is not a law though. It is a standard. It is used by manufacturers as a guideline for manufacturing. It is used to cover our as*es against lawsuits. By removing the discharge chute you have eliminated the possibility of the manufacturer being 100% rsponisible for injury/death.

OSHA may touch your machine in the future. I have heard OSHA is starting to take a keen interest in this area. This may mean audits on anyone who mows yards for a living and fines to boot.

If you are all for safety then you may want to consider leaving the safety devices on your machines, like, say......your discharge chute. There is a taboo subject. HaHa.

Isn't it funny how everyone blames corporate entities about cutting corners for safety but yet when it comes to their own decisions they do the same but don't see it that way.

Barry
Ariens/Gravely Engineer

PS
If you really want I will mail you a copy of the standard. If you can figure a different interpretation I am wide open to suggestions.