Impressed with the Chopper!

[sheppard]

Tried out the Dixie Chopper (2500) today on my largest account. Used the 60 inch. Planned on it taking 2 hours and extra minutes- did it in exactly 90 minutes! Had only 20 minutes of trimming to do afterward. I was amazed that I was able to get so close to the edge of the grass line. Ran next to a 15 foot drop off to the ocean and was able to hold the system steady for a long stretch. The seat was very comfortable and the motor was very smooth- did not have a numbing effect on me. The only thing I didn't like on it was the engine dieing whenever I got off the seat. Ran Gators over bermuda grass cut at 2 inches- cut very well.

Cordially,
sheppard

[TLS]

Originally posted by sheppard
The only thing I didn't like on it was the engine dieing whenever I got off the seat.

It is 2001, almost 2002 and DC still has the most outdated operator presence safety control. Most of the "other" mowers use multiple switches that actually allow the engine to run without your butt in the seat!

Come on DIXIE....Wake up! I want to go back to ya's, but you are still holding on to the "old days" too much!

[Lawnworks]

I know I am not politically correct nor do I meet safety standards, but I like the Chopper safety system because all I have to do is just unhook some wires and I do not have to worry about anything. Of course, I am a one man show and cannot be sued by anyone.

[John DiMartino]

i bet no one here that has Chppers uses the factory saftey,although some wont admit it,or avoid this topic.This is sad,and a shame since we have no safety at all now. My dealer showed me how to unhook it when i bought the mower,and said,everyone unhooks them to me.They were right,Im in the process of wiring a micro switch into the blade engaement lever,so you can stop the blades,and get off without killing it,but if the blades are on the motor dies.Sheppard,glad you likd the mower,i find it almost impossible to mow at 2",unless the ground is literally perfectly flat.Any curvatures,or uneven spots,and it scalps.

[Flex-Deck]

If any of you chopper fans get a chance to demo their new offset trimming deck (don't know when dealers are getting them) do it. I saw it at Louisville, and not only does it flex to contour mow, it trims everywhere. Driving it was unbelievable.

[Richard Martin]

I think the new Flexdeck is a neat idea but at $1500.00 they're asking for a LOT of money. But then I said that about the first commercial trimmer, backpack blower and mower before I bought them.

[Evan528]

I watched several people demo the flex deck at the expo. Looked very awkward to me. Every one was hitting the obstackes and fencing set up! Im sure it just takes some getting use to but i just dont understand the point of it? upgrading to a 72inch cut from a 60 isnt 1500 bucks so it cant be to save money.

[captdevo]

had a flex deck on an older JD,
didn't like it,
it over-weighted one side, and after very little use it started to twist and flex.

i saw one on a Dixie, not sure why, it seems like it would tend to pull to one side more and bounce when running at high speeds.

by the time you manuever it around with a tractor your ztr would be back on the trailer finished.

Sorry, they will never replace a ZTR, their is no comparison.

[Bunton Guy]

My dealer told me that DC are cheap and cheaply made...he told me you can get a DC new for 6 grand is that true ? I asked him "arent they the most expensive mowers on the market" and he was like " no you can get those suckers for cheap like 5 or 6 grand "

[Eric ELM]

That is sort of like saying John Deere's are cheap. Sure you can get one for $2000 for the cheap one, but you can spend $100,000 for a farm tractor too.

DC makes one for about 5 or 6 K, called the Estate. It is usually bought by homeowners, but has the same hydro system as the commercial line. It has the same frame, but in red. It just doesn't have the good filters or coolers and the cheapest model only has a 3 gallon tank on it.

This has to be what he is talking about.

[vipermanz]

did you think it was ugly though???:confused:

[Richard Martin]

That's like saying you can get Exmarks or Buntons cheap for like around 2 grand because they also sell walkbehinds that are in that price range. Like Eric said above Dixie does sell the Estate mower for $4995.00. It comes with 17 Kaw and a fixed mower deck (you have to adjust the cutting height with tools). Other than that it is basically just like it's big brother the XW2502. I wish I could've gotten my Dixie for 5 or 6 grand. $8700.00 out the door.

[CODYHEATHER]

I also had a chance to demo a DC yesterday. My dealer has a XXW2500 that he uses to mow his own property, so I went and helped him mow. He claimed he had 4 acres of yard that he need to mow, I think he was mistaken, I think it was 4 acres of cow pasture. this was the roughest piece of grass that I had seen in a long time. It hadn't been mowed for weeks, it was at least 6" tall, and it was wet. I could not believe how easy it was to mow. This Chopper went through it like it had just been mowed. The ride was very smooth, even though the lawn had many holes, bumps, and dips. I wouldn't have any problem mowing all day on one. I know what it wil do on a rough piece of grass, can't imagine what a nice level yard would be like. The best advice I can give anyone is to drive it for yourself, you won't be dissapointed.

[Lawn DOG]

That is good advice CODYHEATHER.

If I had only tried it first I would not have bought one.

One man's junk is another man's treasure.

[Flex-Deck]

Codyheather - I am with you, dixies mow good and are reasonable in price when compared to others. There are a lot of good machines out there, and all have their advantages and disadvantages. What I need and the next person needs probably can not be addressed by one brand. I don't know what and where I read it but someone made the comment that a lot of people on these chat lines must own stock in companies because they are just too proud of their mowers. Prejudice prior to investigation is a problem for most.

[CODYHEATHER]

Just wanted let everyone nkow that I don't own a ZTR. I have a Exmark 48" WB. I plan to purchase a ZTR this coming spring. I have demoed a Grasshopper, a Exmark, and a Chopper. In my opion, the Chopper was the better mower for the money. And the fact that the dealer is 1/2 mile from the property I will be mowing , sure don't hurt. He also tells me if you have any problems, just call, and I'll be right down to help, and if I can't fix it there, I'll be right back with a demo. My Grasshopper dealer is only 1 mile away, when I asked about service, he said "just bring it in, as soon as we get a chance, we'll take a look at it". The Exmark dealer is 25 miles from my home, but 40 miles from my mowing job. Great dealer, nice machines, just a little too far away. I'm not a dummy when it comes to mowers, but to have a dealer that close to answer questions, just makes me feel a lot more comfortable. Also seeing the hours that people like Eric put on them, sure don't hurt. I won't say with I'm a 100% sure I'll buy a chopper, but the odds are in their favor.

[Eric ELM]

Originally posted by CODYHEATHER
Also seeing the hours that people like Eric put on them, sure don't hurt.

The problem with them lasting so long is you have to do so darn many oil changes. I will be changing oil on the old one this week end, the 74th oil change at 3,700 hours. :)

When I first got it, I asked my dealer how many hours he thought I could get out of that engine. He told me if I take care of it, it could last as long as 3,000 hours. I thought to myself, SURE, Dream on. He proved me wrong. ;)