What would you do; DC Problems

[Duncan IN]

I bought an xt3000 72" DC this summer and have had a lot of problems with it. I am getting frustated with this mower becuase I have it paid off and it has been in the shop more than it has out on the field. Here are my problems.

1) Bought it and the deck was way out of wack, would lower any lower than 4in. I fixed that myself (Found out later that at the factory some of the models went through the factory line and the decks were set wrong).

2) Within 20 hours the engine would not rev right, run at 3800 and sometimes 4000; turn on blades and it would rev down to 3200, big drop.

-- Took it to the factory to have it fixed, while I was there the throttle cable broke on them and they replaced it. Good thing it happend while it was there. They worked on the rev and made it better but still not running like it should.

3) I replaced the tires because the had no grip. I understand that these new tires were put on it for the guys who wanted them.

4) Engine started to miss out and backfire. Sounded terrible called a dixie rep and left message and got a call 2 hours later saying they wanted my mower up at the place I bought it from to have it worked on. Found out they were calling me because of a recall on some parts on the engine, not becuase I called them.

-- they (Generac) replaced a part inside the engine, Carburator and new fuel pump. They could have done more but this is what I know of. I had to go to the factory to pic the mower up. Good thing I live close 1hr 45 min

5) Brought it home had it for five min and it still wasn't running right took it to my dealer, found out it was the Coil going out. Got it back a few days later.

6) Brought it back home and within 10-15 min a hydro was not working right. Took it back to the dealer and they said that the part was on back order. Got it back two weeks later. They put new hydro on and added another cooler.

7) Brought it home again mowed with it for some time and then the thing would only run for a few min and then die. Found out it was the new fuel pump going out that they put on when they did the recall.

I have 107 hours on the machine now and it has been to the factory twice and to the dealer three times. My dealer has been nice and given me a loaner two of the times and I havce put around 130 hrs on the loaner, thats more than my mower has on it!!! I am happy with my dealer but frustrated at Dc and this mower.

What do you think DC should do about my mower? New one? Money Back? What? I need some advice, what would you do? I have to admit when this mower is running right it is an awesome machine. I also bought a new 2002 xxwd5000 this year and I have invested alot of money in DC mowers this year and I feel I got a real Lemon with the xt3000.

My DC rep said that if I had more problems then they will see what they can do...

[Floridalandcare]

Very easy solution buy a Hustler Super Z ,I know Dixie Chopper is a awsome machine it might be a lemon ,just like a car .I have 2 DCs and never had a problem other than 1 hydro pump. I would tell the dealer give me a naw machine ,given the detailes he might .......Good Luck

[mowerconsultant]

Get your attorney heavily involved.
Sounds like you have everything documented, you should not have a problem getting your money back.
Then if you would like to, demo a Super Z, and see what we can do for you.

Later
Pj

[awm]

one of the saddest stories ive heard. everybody has troubles . but thats like buying a cadilac ,and having the thing
break dn ,like an old clunker every wk or so.your intentions were to buy the best and from what u said . dixie ought to give u a bran new machine. while im partial to lazers ,everybody knows the dixie ,got to be a good machine . as many pros as use them and think there the ultimate.
personally i hope they do the rite thing and just give u what u paid for. i hope dixies reading. riight is right.
good luck

[LAWNGODFATHER]

I played guninni pig with Bobcat ZTR200's

No fun.!!!!

If you got a new exact replacemnt you might have the same problems all over again.

[Duncan IN]

Well I have no intentions on changing Brands. I had two scags before getting the dixies and they didn't last very long. I have faith in DC I just hope they will treat me right. If I got my money back I would consider a new 2003 xxwd5000 next spring when I had the extra $ to make up the difference. I love my 2002 xxwd5000, awesome machine.

I have lost more money by buying this machine and it breaking down all the time. Alot of my contracts had to be carried over into another week because I was unable to get there in time do to breakdowns and having to do extra traveling 1 hour to get to my dealer and two hours to get to the factory. I have some hours logged going back and forth to the factory and Dealer just for this one mower

I also forgot to mention that DC did not have the filters for the generac. My dealer had to track down some. Why would you sell a motor and have it out for a little while and not have filters for it. I couldn't change my oil for awhile

[m&m]

i would either get my money back or see if they could credit that amount to an ugrade( different model) and u pay the difference........seems like u really like DC and if that is the case, then i would do one of the two............seeing as to how them models were set out of whack with the decks, who knows you may have the same problems outta a new one just like this one

get a different model or the money

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by Duncan IN
I also forgot to mention that DC did not have the filters for the generac. My dealer had to track down some. Why would you sell a motor and have it out for a little while and not have filters for it. I couldn't change my oil for awhile

What you want some one to stock thousands of dollars worth of parts for only a few machines that have been sold.

Like I said before, I was a guinni pig too, that's what you are, and you have to put up with it, cause you aint getting no money back. That is the biggest reason I will "NEVER EVER" buy a first years model ever again.

Also looks like Dixiechopper and your dealer have done what they can possably do to correct the problems that arise. From a legal stnd point there is no case.

[Duncan IN]

"What you want some one to stock thousands of dollars worth of parts for only a few machines that have been sold."


I don't think that dixie should stock thousands of dollars worth of parts. I think they should at least have a way to get oil filters for their mowers and they do, They just didn't for the generac at the time, the may now though, my dealer couldn't get the filter from DC and they didn't tell him where to gettem. He had to contact generac and they told him where he could order some from. If DC didn't carry the oil filters or inform the dealers where to get them then there would be alot of other problems. I had 100hours on my engine before I could change the oil. It recommended first oil change at 20 hrs. I didn't want to run the machine but I had no other choice. I had work to get done. When I ordered some filters I ordered alot cause I don't like to wait on preventive maintanence parts.

I understand that there are going to be guinni pigs for alot of new machines out there. But it shouldn't be at the cost of the purchaser, the factory should stand behind it's product if they want to continue to sell it.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by Duncan IN
[BI understand that there are going to be guinni pigs for alot of new machines out there. But it shouldn't be at the cost of the purchaser, the factory should stand behind it's product if they want to continue to sell it. [/B]

I concurr on both.

Stick it out man, once the bugs get ironed out, it should work pretty good. I think DC is a good company and stands behind their product pretty well. If not Mr. Art Evans will fix it I am sure.

From a nother stand point. DC mounts an engine sold to them from another distributor. They only sell the engine to the dealer mounted on a mower. they do not supply the maintenance parts nor most of the imformation needed to aquire those items.

I see that problem as your dealer messed up, not Dixie. you dealer should have found all the necsisary info out brfore he ever sold one.

Don't worry man I had the same problem with the clutches on my ZT200's. Ransomes first electric clutch on a mower. The rest were all wet disc clutches on the other electric engaugemnets.

I wish I knew then it is the same one that is on the Exmark WB's and ZTR's. I think it is the same on the Ferris also. 2 damn weeks "each time" the clutch went out. I aksed why did you not order more than one!!!!!!!

Funny thing was then I got 2 mowers from the dealer and put more hours on them than the 3 that kept going into the shop. They were Dixiechopper. So I convinced the dealer to make me a good deal on those 2 and got rid of 2 of the Bobcats. I wish I could have with all 3, but I had to buy a nother DC, and they wouldn't give me squat for the last lemon left.

[Scag48]

Sounds like my 118, only worse. I replaced so many things last year when I bought it that it's not even funny. The mower was old and used, but I thought that I wouldn't have to replace that much stuff. All I can tell you is to hang in there. If you don't replace it, try to work with it, but I know you're frustrated if you spent that kind of $$$ on that machine and have that many MAJOR problems within 100 hours of new. I made it 2 weeks without having anything go wrong with my 118, that's a first. My dad and I were joking about it the other day. Maybe some of my good luck will rub off on you. Good luck and fight for the best solution!

[Hoosier Mower]

Hey there! Where from in south central Indiana?? Anywhere close to the Terre Haute area??

[BladeRunner Rep]

I am currious as to why dixie did not have your filters, they are a central distribator for generac! They should have had them, also the dealer should have been notified about dixie as the part source for that engine.

We have actually backed off in pushing the generac engine for parts availabilty and no dealers who are generac certified.

As far as you having trouble with the engine we have not had any troubles like you are describing. The only issue that we have had has been flywheel magnets comming loose!

Good luck! Dixie Chopper is a very respected manufacture and I am sure they will take care of you, if not contact captndevo and give us a try!:D

[Mowingman]

Sounds like DC rushed this mower onto the market a little too soon. Now some design flaws are showing up. I would talk to DC about getting a loaner for the rest of this season while they get yours debugged at the factory. When they think yours is fixed, have them bring it back, but keep the loaner anyway until you get some run time on yours after the repairs. If yours runs troublefree for the rest of the season, then you could return the loaner.:)

[awm]

mowing man and i concurr[u in trouble now bud:D ]
they ought to give u a highend machine thats working rite ,to use until yours is perfect. and i mean perfect to . u have put up with enough .
this aint about dixie. this is about any manufacturer that put out top line stuff and charges for it. they have an obligation to give u what u bought ,or tried to . the best.
whats the old saying that screeching ,unbearable, wheel is the one gonna get the grease.its a shame it has to be that way sometime. but it does.

[HarryD]

what motor is on this machine if all probs are mostly with it i would have them replace it with somthing else

[FrankenScagMachines]

Sorry to hear about your predicament (sp?), Levi :(
I'd return it and get another model that has been out a couple of years. If your dealer is any good at all, he will go along with this, IMO. Any good dealer will keep the customer happy. Especially a multi-unit owner who uses them constantly for commercial mowing. He will only be hurting himself if he doesn't do anything about it. This is ridiculous that Dixie didn't do more testing on this one before selling it :angry: :alien:. It's a shame that a company with such an awesome reputation would put it in jepardy...
BTW, does Chris McKinney still run the Scags? What was wrong with yours? Have you seen my Scag? :D Here's a pic LOL. Needs alittle bit of work and money before it can cut :D :cool:
Eric

[FrankenScagMachines]

Another shot. No that's not my house and garage, it's my grandparent's, by Midland. Levi, do you know where M&M Mowers (owner Don May) is? It's out in the country not too far from Midland. That's where I got this thing from. He said a guy caught it on fire (obviously LOL) and Don got it from the guys insurance company. It's apart in my garage right now, awaiting a rebuild... I think I'm crazy!:dizzy:
:blob4:

[dlandscaping]

Duncan,
I see your pain. After you shell out $10,000 im guessing for tha generac powered DC and $15,000? for the diesel, you should have been treated as a king. Thats a chunk of change for those two mowers. I saw a post not too long ago on the generac problems. Seems they are having trouble all over with that engine. I'd go for a loaner of the diesel for the rest of the season. You buy a mower and use it for 100 hrs thats ridicolous at this point in the season. I'd be more than pissed. Id probably destroy the mower out of anger but thats not smart. Keep us informed on how DC reacts to your troubles.

[Duncan IN]

Well I think I am running into another problem. Ran the machine for an hour and I started hearing a whine. I think the bearings in my left sprindle or pulley are going out from the sound of it. I don't understand all the problems I am having with this mower. They are never ending. I properly Grease and maintence my mowers. except getting the oil changed on this mower until it had around 70 hours on it. That was only because i couldn't get any filters for the thing until my dealer tracked some down for me. I am not having problems with my other mowers!?! Well tommorrow I am going to call my dealers mechanic and see what is exactley wrong this time

[Albemarle Lawn]

I have three of them, one is four years old.

Thousands and thousands of hours among the three with virtually no problems.


Also, Kubota ZD21 and ZD28 are nice machines, diesel. Legendary Kubota reliability from guys I have talked to that are experienced wtih them.

KB

[Richard Martin]

The worst running Dixie is better than the best Gravely 260z anyday. I've been down the Gravely road and no thanks, I'd avoid it. BTW, the Gravely in my sig line was bought for $150 and is only used for bush-hog work. It's hard to use when the grass discharges from both sides of the deck. Who thought that great idea up?

[HOMER]

Oil filters shouldn't be that big of a problem. Generac probably doesn't manufacture their own, they buy them from somewhere and have their name put on them. I know I can get filters from Wix, Fram etc. to fit my 25-22-18 Kohlers.

The engine your dealing with is new. Maybe all the bugs aren't worked out yet but when they are it should be a hoss of an engine. I'm sure that sooner or later this same engine will be fitted on other brands as well as Dixie.

Having been to the factory, I can assure you that Art Evans is as concerned about your mower as you are. He eats sleeps and breaths these things and wouldn't want to put out an inferior product, and for the most part he does not.

What kind of tires were on it that you didn't like?

Keep plugging away at it. I'm sure they'll get it right or make it right one way or another.

[awm]

man i hope u are putting a little in the plate on sunday. almost sounds like something other than just a bad machine.
read the story of Job[sp] in the bible.
i always thiink of how much greater he was after it was over.not in wealth but as a person. little dramatic ,i know.:)
good luck ,hope it goes your way.

[Gravely_Man]

I agree that you should not have had a problem getting a replacement oil filter. Your local auto parts store should have been able to cross match a fit for you until the dealer could get the one you wanted. I wish you the best of luck getting all of your problems resolved.

[Farmboy]

There is another thread on here about xt3000 problems.

[Duncan IN]

Well I got a call from Dixie Chopper, they said they are working on getting me taken care of and will give me a call next week to let me know something. I have the mower still so I am not sure what they are working on. :confused: Well I sure hope they can take care of my mower and I am think they will eventually.

[Flex-Deck]

I know the people at Dixie Chopper, and there is no doubt in my mind that they will take care of you. I do not know of any brand that does not have a unit or so once in a while that just plain has problems. I run John Deere tractors, and they have been building machines for 150 yrs+ and they can even have a problem here and there. It would be nice if steel and belts and oil and all the stuff in this mowing equip. would cooperate and be consistant, but it is not and probably won't be tomorrow either.

I have no doubt that your problem will be corrected, and Heck "5 yrs from now you may not even remember what happened";)
Thanks, Brad

[Farmboy]

This must be becomming a widespread issue with this mower! I talked to a mowing crew today that had bought one of these 2 weeks ago and it has been in the shop twice for pump and engine not running right.

[WREBELMACHINE]

Did dixie get you fixed?

[Duncan IN]

No they haven't done anything yet.... I recieved a call from DC and they said that they wou;d talk about it and then give me a call back the following week well it's almost been two weeks and I never did here from them.. Thanks DC :-( I am mad at myself because I forgot the guys name, I should have wrote it down so I could call him back and ask him what happened. I still haven't took my mower up to the dealer yet about the spindle. It still cuts and I don't have time to get it up there right now. I can't be without the mower for very long.

[Farmboy]

Hey Duncan

One of the cutters that I talked to here said dixie put on a kit to cure his hydro problems, I do not know if it works or not since it is so dry there is no grass to cut and the hot temps are gone as well! I quess he will find out next year if it fixed his trouble or not.

Anyhow you might ask your dealer or dixie what the kit is on the hydro's!

Good luck!

[brentsawyer]

Doing research on DC's, any update on the various problems you had?

[johnhenry]

Sad to hear this I remeber when you had purchased it and were so proud. Keep hounding on Dixie if not contact the ole man he will take care of it.Like Godafther has said first years in any brand can be trouble.Gererac has had there problems this year.Too many guys here jumped on the bandwagon without taking it all in.Now they all hate the choppers.There is no perfect mower.I know you are upset and you right .Just keep believing

[MacLawnCo]

Im pretty sure Levi said DC gave him a brand new XT3000-72.

[e-RoK]

I fried a SCAG 3 Wheerler once before Brushhog. Was it from pushing leaves? The exaust is too close to the deck. I used to have to keep a close eye when mowing with a 61" WB Scag in leave season for that reason. Had a few spark ups. But that 3-Wheeler just went right up.

[Turfclippings]

i had 26diesel that was a demo, that came back to the factory after a year from th e dealer with 60 hours on it

[Turfclippings]

i had 26diesel that was a demo, that came back to the factory after a year from th e dealer with 60 hours on it. I bought it becasue i wanted a diesle and it was last minute rush, and only thing available for a few weeks. Had full warranty even though it was a a year or 2 oldI had problems with it off and on dealer could never get the bugs all ironed out. So this past summer at expo talk to reps and Art himself learned quite a bit about this machine and put some pieces together. Monday morning took it to dealer, and he was not happy to see it again, but told him what we discovered when talking with reps and deler and that got him really hot going over his head. But we were tired of DC the problem (overheating after 15 minutes of running it) so every yard i cut couldnt get done in a reasonable time because of overheatong, but main problem was when temps outside reached over 80 degrees. Any way had 2 pulleys oversized and 2 belts need changed and that solved the problem. But this machine had 3 radiaotrs and a water pump and some wheel motor brackest added all at the dealer over 2 year gap, So Duncan i know your feeleings good luck and u will be taken care of one day.

[rta5]

I own a xxw2500-72 dixie chopper with less than 450 hours and have had nothing but problems!

I Had to replace: wheel motor, both pump gaskets, a hydro pump, 3 hydro pump belts, 2 deck belts, and a T gear box, which is still leaking oil. I have had considerable down time, costly repairs, and a lack of support from Dixie Chopper. I spent over $10,000 for this machine and would have expected a dependable piece of equipment for that price. I take very good care of my equipment and don't know what to do next with my dixie chopper!

I have made several pleas to dixie chopper and they do not even return my phone calls.

I strongly advise against purchasing a Dixie Chopper!