Dixie Choppers

[Scag48]

I've heard alot about Dixies on this site and was wondering if they were any good. I already know what Eric is going to tell me. Are they easy to maintain? Do components hold up (spindles etc.)? And are they a relitively inexpensive mower but a good mower to start out with? Any info appreciated<br>(especially from Eric)

[snow]

ok, let me save you from humility. use the search function, and type in &quot;dixie choppers&quot;. as a newbee you might not want to make a post about a mower until you see all the duscussions about a mower.<p><br>bryan<p>----------<br>&lt;a href=&quot;http://content.communities.msn.com/BryansEquipmentPicts&quot;&gt;Bryan's Equipment Pictures&lt;/a&gt;<br>&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.snowplow.web.com&quot;&gt;The Snowplow Homepage&lt;/a&gt;

[John DiMartino]

I have 2 dixies as of today,I think that speed,and rugged construction are there greatest qualitys,along with being easy to maintain and service.My 60&quot; doesnt leave a great cut unless grass is perfect,its a little ragged and sometimes misses between spindles in deep grass or going fast.If you are buying new-make sure you test one as well as the competition to see what feels best for you,they all are good now(commercial units) and you couldnt go wrong with any of them.Good luck<p>----------<br>John D<br>

[AB Lawn Care]

I really disagree with snow's answer.There might be 100 new people that have not heard much about choppers yet!We have had a huge amount of people joining lately.Just becouse we have heard this disscussion many times does not mean it will be the same old replys agian.Maby there a sevral new members that have use DC's for 15 years!!!!!You never know!Not many people want to spend hours searching about a subject when they can take 2 mins to make a post and read the replys every day.Plus maby a guy who loved DC's a year ago now hates them!!!!That's my 2 cents.....yes my cents are only worth 60% of your U.S cents:)<p>Scag48-to answer your question I have not heard any one complain about DC's so far!!!!So they can be bad!!!!<p>----------<br>from:Adam<br>AB Lawn Care

[Eric ELM]

Scag 48: You have opened a discussion I know about. I just got a 2001 XWD2600, which is a 60&quot; diesel Dixie Chopper with a 26 HP Yanmar engine and like it even more than my previous DC's. You asked about spindles, I've had a total of 4 Choppers now and put on about 8,000 total hours the 4 and replaced only 1 spindle on the one that has over 2,900 hours on it 40 hours ago. It was a little loose and I figured, why not replace it before it went out on me. The DC's have been the most productive and maintenance free machines I've owned. They are easy to work on if needed, but it taken care of, they don't take much maintenance on the ones I've had. The prices vary from about $5895 on up. If you have any more questions, email me. I don't want to bore the other guys here. :) <p>----------<br>&lt;a href=&quot;http://pages.prodigy.net/eric.erickson/&quot;&gt;Eric@ELM&lt;/a&gt;<br>

[Eric ELM]

John: I just re-read your post. You say you have 2 Choppers now? What did you get?<p>----------<br>&lt;a href=&quot;http://pages.prodigy.net/eric.erickson/&quot;&gt;Eric@ELM&lt;/a&gt;<br>

[Scag48]

Thanks for the info guys. I would look into a new one but no dealer that I know of around here. I'd probably look for a used one if any. The only dealer is at least 200 miles away if there is one at all. I'm in Washington and haven't seen any on the West coast by Seattle but that's where I shop 'cuz I live in a teeny town call Lake Chelan. Good news though, there is an Exmark dealer 30 miles away but I think I'd have to mow for about 6 years to get enough to buy a new Lazer. And snow, don't give me a hard time because I just recently found out that a Dixie Chopper mower actually exists. Like I said no dealers in my area.

[jeffyr]

Scag48,<br>Have you thought about where you are going to go if you need the mower worked on or parts in a hurry. If the nearest dealer is 200 miles away, it could be a hassle if the machine goes down. Maybe another brand would be a better option due to geography.<br>Sorry Eric ELM......but the kids gotta think of these things as well as the pride and joy of riding the DC through the money field.<p>jeff

[Eric ELM]

Jeff: I didn't realize his age or location when I posted. There is only one dealer in Washington, in Vancover.<p>----------<br>&lt;a href=&quot;http://pages.prodigy.net/eric.erickson/&quot;&gt;Eric@ELM&lt;/a&gt;<br>

[Jason]

Actually there is now another DC dealer in WA. Adams Tractor in Spokane started carrying Dixie's this spring.

[Scag48]

Jeffyr- I have thought about that and have heard of some guys buying factory direct parts. I though that might be an option. But if there is a dealer in Spokane, that's not too bad, only about 2 hrs. away! I have considered Exmark, nearest dealer is 30 minutes away, but they never have any new mowers in stock! I don't think there are going to be alot of purchases for Exmark (tractor dealer) so I think Exmark might not stock them untill they get a request for a machine. And yes I have thought about this alot. It's hard to buy a machine when my parents say &quot;you need to save for college&quot;. All of my mowing profits are going into the bank, couldn't be a bad place, but I never get them back to buy something that I worked so hard for. Lifes frustrating for me at 13. But if there's anyone in Washington wanting to sell a machine, LET ME KNOW!<br>

[Evan528]

yes you can get parts shipped directly to your house but that does you no good if you dont no how to install them. Your much better of going with a brand where theres a dealer close by. You shold also start with a used 48 walkbehind before you move up to a ztr.

[jeffyr]

Listen to your parents. You can get some good equipment for not so much money to make enough for college. You are still young and there is no telling how many times your interests may change in the nex 4 years before college. I would suggest buying what you need to work as a professional, if that is what you want to do, and use that equipment for a couple of seasons or until you go to college. Then upgrade if you want. I would hate to see you spend 8 grand on a mower and then go away to school ? I'm not trying to squash your plan, but there are alot of guys, myself included, that run a good small size biz without using an $8,000 mower. The answer could be to only take on smaller size customers. Do you Have a need for the 10mph super fast DC ? Would it actually speed up your productivity with the size properties you maintain ? and How long will it take before it is paid for and you make money with it. Be patient !!!<br>Sorry Eric ELM and all the other DC users. No disrespect intended. <p><br>&lt;font size=&quot;1&quot;&gt;Edited by: jeffyr<br><p><font size="1">Edited by: jeffyr

[Scag48]

Thanks for info. I have considered a used 48&quot; walk-behind for my front line machine but I still haven't found a used one yet. Finding used equipment is the hardest to do because most of the commercial mowers I find are either in a different state or they are ZTRs that are 3 years old and they still want at least 4K for one. Installing parts might not be too bad 'cuz my grandpa was a mechanic for 30 years. He knows alot about engines can fix just about anything. But there still could be somethings out of reach, then I'd have to go to the dealer.

[Jason]

Scag48,<p> I too had a hard time finding used machines here in Washington. I bought a Exmark Lazer demo this spring. But I did keep looking for a used mower. They are out there, but are scarce. I picked up a old 36&quot; Bobcat with a blown motor for $50. Bought it from another lawn care company. Just bought a used 18 hp Briggs for it for $260. Need a few other miscellaneous things, and I'll have a good backup/trim mower for about $500. Company I bought from has a spring sale every year, where they clear out old equip. Keep your eyes peeled. I would think you might have some luck since you are fairly close to Seattle.