Why you need to buy a Dixie Chopper instead of an Exmark

[Lawnworks]

I have used both a 60" Exmark and a 60" Dixie Chopper. I now own a Dixie Chopper. I always hear about eXmark owners bragging about their mowers being the best so I am about to tell you why Dixie Choppers really are the best.

#1 Dixie Choppers look unique. It seems as if almost every commercial mower out there looks like an exmark. DC have a stainless steal look, while eXmarks have a painted candy apple look. Also, a chopper looks like a mower that is ready to cut some grass.

#2 Home Improvement endorses the mower. Arrrggg! Arrrggg!

#3 DC have ATV tires that get traction in wet yards. The back two tires do not get stuck in mud. This mower won't leave spin out marks. Only mower capable of mud bogging! :)

#4 DC have the fastest blade tip speed in the industry. Something you can tell your customers.

#5 DC makes the fastest mower in the world. The speed of a Chopper is a real eye catcher. I have seen many people looking at me mowing when they need to be looking at the road.

#5 DC looks like money. They look very expensive. They look like the best money can buy and of course that is because they are. Bottom line, customers will give you more respect and pay more $.

#6 If you have any questions about DC you can always e-mail Eric ELM who knows just about everything about the machine.

#7 DC has the Donaldson air filter system which significantly prolongs the life of your engine. The Donaldson air filter system is composed of 3 air filters. Also, DC have two oil filters. One of which removes dirt the size of 1 micron or something like that.

#8 OCDC

#9 50 hp Yanmar turbo diesel

#10 These mowers hold their value very well.

#11 They are the second most stolen thing in FL

#12 They have a Cadillac ride. The ride is much smoother than an exmark's ride. Better seat than an exmark.

#13 DC do not scalp w/ single baldes and don't scalp w/ double blades if you take off the 1/2" spacer.

#14 The Dixie hydros are much smoother than an Exmark. It is easier to drive a Dixie, and you have a little more control over the wheels.

#15 DC has a wider wheel base which helps it hold hills better.

#16 If you live in the south the name Dixie Chopper means that much more to you. :)

#17 Customers like watching a Chopper cut.

#18 Choppers are a truly one of a kind. There is no mower like them.

Choppers are the best!



[Edited by Lawnworks on 11-12-2000 at 03:01 AM]

[steveair]

LOL.

Now all you need is a squad of cheerleaders, each with a letter on there chest spelling out 'D I X I E C H O P P E R' to stand behind you while you resight that on a episode of "the top ten list" on David letterman.

steveair

[jaybee]

Does this mean that Sears Craftsman should not be considered? (just kidding)

[Keith]

Originally posted by Lawnworks
road.

#5 DC looks like money. They look very expensive. They look like the best money can buy and of course that is because they are. Bottom line, customers will give you more respect and pay more $.

Yeah, nothing says quality like indoor/outdoor carpet :D

[John DiMartino]

With all that being said,let me answer you from my position of owning a DC,but never an Exmark.1st,the stainless steel look is nasty when it isnt spotless,makes it look cheap,mud slings all over the deck,in and around the spindle bearings,every time you hit a muddy spot.Paint quality is terrible,all the stickers,especially the stupid one of the residential lawnmower crossed out are on crocked.The ATV tires tear up turf if you dont go real gentle,If If I revved an exmark to 3800 it would have the same blade tip speed as a DC,but with better spindle bearings the spindles will actually hold up.With tip speed that high,the design of the deck is more important,the Dixie deck has airflow problems,shooting grass out front and all over you.Top speed is not all that there is only 1/2 mph difference between mine and a laser,most flatlanders are burning up hydro motors-so start saving your money if you own one.DC's do not look expensive to me,the seat looks good,other than that,forget it,especially the wiring harness,it is unacceptable for a 10K lawn mower,it looks like something a backyard shop made up when they were pressed for time,all cheap scotchlocks and crimp connectors,not nearly enough ties,spagetti under the seat,for only a few wires,T-taps and other cheap things that belong on the shelf at wal-mart in the do it yourself radio installation section.Eric@ELM does know a lot about them,but that and a quarter will not get it fixed when DC will not return your calls or properly answer your questions and concerns.EXmark is a huge company,Im still waiting since july for a rep to look at my machine-DC just doesnt have the resources to compete with Toro/Exmark,and that is why they are more expensive.Donaldson ,extra cooling and OCDC are awesome,and that is why I bought the DC,I should have looked more closely at the rest of my machine before laying down the green.50Hp diesel is awesome-but way to expensive for average LCO,I dont like the ride,it bucks and bounces like an unsuspended ATV,which it basically is,although an EXmark may be worse since Ive never driven one,I know it wont leave steps in the cut like this does though.My hydro's are a little jerky,I dont how Exmarks are.They do hold there value well.I hate carrying 5 gallon jugs around because DC is to cheap to put a good size set of tanks on it.I do like mine,but do not think it is the best,if it is,i think I need to go into the Commercial mower business,since there is so much room for improvement.Just another view of the Dixie Chopper,I am glad your so thrilled with yours,I hope it serves you well.

[lawrence stone]

Lawnworks wrote:

>#11 They are the second most stolen thing in FL

That's why I have old Toro gear drives. I leave them oustide on a open trailer. Haven't lost even one in
ten years.

[LJ lawn]

blade tip speed is federally regulated ,the blades don't go any faster than the other mowers.plus they don't really "CUT" at their fastest speed.kind of lays down the grass.most comfortable seat is on a grasshopper.go try a DYNA- MOW if you can afford it.($18-$20g's) ALL hydraulic(including blade spindles) 40 hp yanmar,joystick control.mows through anything.truly unstoppable.you'll junk that dixie in a second.

[Getmow]

Stone wrote:
"That's why I have old Toro gear drives. I leave them oustide on a open trailer. Haven't lost even one in
ten years."

And I bet I know where someone could "steal" a slightly used 44" Toro.

[Mowman]

LAWNWORKS,

JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, WALKER ALSO USES THE DONALDSON AIR FILTER SYSTEM ON THEIR MOWERS ALSO. WIERD LOOKING SYSTEM, BUT IF IT FILTERS MORE DUST & DIRT THE LONGER YOUR ENGINE WILL LAST.

Mowman

[dhicks]

John… I think it’s interesting that you noted D.C. would not return your calls. As you may recall, I started my lawn business earlier this year. Prior to buying a Z type mower, I e-mailed Eric and others and received noting less than expert opinions and suggestions about D.Cs. and other Z type mowers. Thanks guys!

At that time, I had narrowed my choices down to either a Toro or a D.C. I called both Toro and the folks at D.C. at their home offices; only Toro called me back. I thought this odd that D.C. would not call me back. I believe that I sent an e-mail to D.C. and I never received a reply. The folks at Toro really went the extra mile to help me to decide which mower to buy.

At that time, I rationalized that if D.C. would not return my calls to sell me a $9,000.00 mower, they certainly will not call me back if something goes wrong with their product. I bought the Toro. Perhaps I’m wrong in my rationalization.

I still want a D.C.: my curiosity will never be satisfied until I own one.

[MJB]

DC also make great fertilizer spreaders after 3 or 4 seasons of mowing, mount a spreader, and remove the deck. My competitor has one for fertilizing lawns while he uses Exmarks for mowing. I have a Grasshopper, Walker still mowing, aerating, and fertilizing lawns after 9 yrs.

But at least he found a use for all that speed now. lol

[OBRYANMAINT]

what are the weight differences in these two mowers? seems like the dixie may be lighter

[Lawnworks]

Keith:
Yeah I agree w/ you. I almost forgot about the carpet. I thought it looked cheesy too, so I took my foot platform and got Rhino liner put on.

[bob]

You forgot to mention, VTC- Velvet Touch Controls

[John DiMartino]

Dhicks,you bought the right machine,DC doesnt return calls-I have had it with them,I really wish I had bought anything else-Ive never been so ignored after a big purchase.They wouldnt call back my lease company or my dealer either,so I dont feel bad.The dealer I bought from has told me they are pushing Walker and Great dane now,because of this,DC is cutting there own throats.MJB,I think the DC is about useless as a finish mower too,I was thinking of pulling the deck off,putting roll bars on it and letting my Kids take it 4 wheeling-since it cuts so uneven and has so many steps in the cut.Its a very expensive ATV,though.I hope everyone considering a DC calls them first,not Eric@elm or anyone else-call DC,because when you have a problem,Eric cant help you,no matter how much me wants to,and I bet you DC wont even call you back,that isnt a company i would do business with again.If I never returned calls,Id fold in a month.

[jaybee]

I have 3 Exmark mowers, and have ordered a new Lazer for next spring. In the meantime I had e mailed Exmark this past summer about the new models for 2001 and they replied almost immediately. They gave me all the information I wanted . In my eyes they are a top notch company.

[Runner]

Just for the info, it was spoke as a selling point that DCs came with the Donaldson canister air filter. That's funny, because my Lazer came with one too! As far as "looks" go, the Exmark looks just fine and DEFINITELY alot more durable looking than the square cut crudely engineered look of the DC. As far as cutting speed, I have people watching ME do 10 mph all the time too on my EPS. While it is true there is no other mower like the Choper, there is no other mower like the Lazer, either. And there SURELY is no other SERVICE like Exmarks! As far as being smoother than the Lazers to drive, I'm not so sure about that! The Lazers have their damdeners to help with that and give smooth control and response. While some Choppers may have a wider wheel BASE, the Lazers have a lower center of gravity and wider tires so more actual surface gives tractionfor holding hillsides and climbing. Better seat than Exmark? Come on! Whole threads have been made talking about the superiority of our suspension seat! Oh yeah, my Lazer is YET to scalp any grass with OR without double blades. And as far as being endorsed by Home Improvement, that's WAY cool! The only thing is, the Sears Craftsman tractor that Bob Vila was riding in that episode was endorsed by them as well. What's bad, though, was that the Craftsman won the actual race because the DC was uncontrollable. (Tim should've won!):)

[Likestomow]

I've heard that said over and over on this forum.

Dixies cost more, period.

People still buy lots of them.

Those that don't have one would like to have one.

If you've used and Exmark and a Dixie for more than a day each, it would be real hard to not pick the Dixie.

[Lawnworks]

Dixie Chopper has a better feel than an eXmark. You really cannot say anything because you have never tried a Dixie. The levers are easier to push. Some of you guys just cannot stand a Dixie being better in some aspects than your Lazer. As far as the seat goes, I would not pay freakin' $500 for a bloody seat!! You ain't gotta pay $ to get a good seat on a Chopper. Your Lazer came with a Donaldson? I have never ever seen an Exmark w/ this filter. Dixie Chopper tires do not lose traction!! Look at the tread. DC(the XW models) are better at holding hills than Lazers. I am sick of people bashing Choppers when they have not tried them.

[Keith]

*I'm not bashing them! I just prefer the Exmark :) And yes, I have used both.

*I saw a Dixie at a dealer for service with and Exmark Premium seat on it :eek: Must be something to those seats.

*The Exmark FI 26 uses a Nelson type filter, Much like this http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1218861&a=9072612&p=29296976

[Premo Services]

Originally posted by Lawnworks
I am sick of people bashing Choppers when they have not tried them.

I think this could go on & on everyone telling why the mower they like is better.The bottom line is which one you think will work best in your situation,price,etc. I have a Lazer,and I think it is a great machine, after the bugs were finally fixed.The dealer was not fixing to my satisfaction so I emailed Exmark and was emailed in less than a day with ideas and phone #s for dealer to call to figure out the problems).When I bought a ztr I didn`t try a chopper, because the chopper dealer is no good, went there for other parts and they had a serious attitude problem,and high priced, so I tried others and picked lazer. If you read John`s post you might get other ideas about choppers.Unfortunitaly Everything has problems but if you can`t get help to fix the problems then what good are they ( I REALLY LIKE HOW MY LAZER LOOKS AND OTHER PEOPLE DO TOO CAUSE I SEE EM LOOKIN ALL THE TIME!:) #5 on Lawnworks post)

[TLS]

I've been on both sides of the Dixie / Lazer fence. I used to preach like Eric about the Dixies. Why, because I liked them a lot. I think that when you want to own or own a Dixie you get this feeling that you are helping out and useing an UNDERDOG mower. Having that odd looking cool mower on your trailer gives you a good feeling. You will get looked at on a Dixie. Family company, simplistic design, etc.

I bought my '97 60" 25hp Flatlander over an Exmark for one reason......SPEED. There is no comparison to the Flatlanders speed. At that time, the Lazers were very slow. 7.5 or 8mph was top speed on these. I was coming off of a 10.5mph JD F-935, so I wanted to carry on the speed thing. It was like night and day from JD to Dixie. Cut, maneuverability, speed, comfort (although a JD susp. seat is #2 to Exmarks susp seat) all better than the old JD's. But as hours rolled on with the Dixie, All the nongreasable D-ring bushings started to get real loose, the Kohler problem surfaced twice and as a result, I only had 22hp or so now. I had a hydro motor go twice, why? Because Flatlanders dont do hills! It literally kills the hydro system.

I'm not saying that my '01 LC Lazer will be problem free, no machine is perfect. But, the overall build quality of a Lazer is absolutely THE BEST. The design and engineering is THE BEST. I could go on and on like I have before, but if you are just comparing DIXIE and LAZER, both of which I have owned for a good period of time, LAZER is the way to go. If you must have a DIXIE, demo both extensively. Find a friend in the biz and ask if you can come over to one of his lawns and mow with their machines. Then, look them over real good one day. You will be amazed when you pop the hoods on both machines. You will want to check your calender for what DECADE it is when you look under the hood of a Dixie.

Final word, buy what makes you happy.

[dhicks]

Jaybee: Unresponsiveness to my call and e-mail is why today I drive a Toro Z. Will I buy a Dixie? Yep, I have to get one just to see what all the fuss is about. One good thing in all of this (for my situation) the folks that sold me a Toro also sell Dixie. My dealer is very good about service and support. I'll let him communicate with Dixie.

[Scraper]

All these responses and not one from "Mr. Dixie Chopper"? Eric...ya out there? :)

[Greenkeepers]

I have used both and prefer the Lazer.....

One minor detail that you didn't mention that was so "great" :( .....

The cut... I think that exmark has a better finish cut..

Just my 2 cents. And yes I have seen eric's and everyone elses pictures. They give a nice stripe (notice I didn't say finish cut) indeed.

Go ahead and beat me up.

Mike
Greenkeepers

[jaybee]

This thread reminds me of the old Ford,Chevy,Dodge comparisons. If you put the best features of each truck into one vehicle you would have the perfect truck. I would say the same can be said of Lawn mowers. Hey, if there was one mower that was perfect than there would only be one mower to buy.Everybody else would be out of business.

[HOMER]

Exmark/Chopper
Gore/Bush
Chevy/Ford

Everybody in the country has an opinion, and everybody has had positive or negative experiences. The bottom line is the money you pay for anything is money that most of us have to work for. Each of these mchines have good feature and bad features. I am spending money on Choppers at the moment and for what they are used for they work just fine. i haven't had a single customer come out and say that the mower is making a bad cut!!!!! They want the grass cut, I can cut it. I solve their problem and get paid. A friend of mine has an Exmark, of course he is biased toward his machine. Neither one of these machines are going to be down that often. Kohler engines are made by kohler probably. If a Kohler engine is on an Exmark I would imagine it could have problems as easy as being on a Chopper or Scag or anything else. The engine should not give the brand of mower a bad name if there are problems.

We could rant and rave from now til kingdom come about which one is better but if you ain't got the sense to make an informed decision on a purchase of that size, maybe somebody else needs to be running your show. It doesn't matter what machine you buy anyway, if you ain't got it in you to do the job right, the machine isn't going to do it for you. I made a lot of money with an Airens riding mower, do I want to use it now? NO! It didn't sell me, the total package sells. Right down to YOUR appearance!

There have been numerous posts on what machine is the best and it all comes down to those who have a preference or experience, neither of which should be justification for YOU to buy one or the other. Demo all of them and then make an informed decision based on YOUR experience, you have to make the payments!

Homers .02

[luckylawnboy]

Here is my opinion. I like Exmarks, but it seem that they are basically the same as a toro, John Deere, Kees, and BCat, but the only real difference is there deck. Same height adjustment, tires for the most part. So besides that they may have different molds for there gas tanks. Now my Dixie Chopper just seems to be the only thing out there like it. It is not perfect though. I would like to see Dixie refine all there mowers. Bigger gas tanks, and not just more. and a redesign it and make it a little more arrow dynamic (sp). Well just shows they are all not perfect, But the choppers are as close as you can get.

[Eric ELM]

I have been on vacation, this is why I didn't respond yet. I did get on LawnSite at a Radio Shack store in Chattanooga, so that is why I had a post in the middle of the week.

I have heard some say that Dixie Choppers never change the way they look. This has a lot of advantages also. They might look the same, but sure don't operate or cut the same as the older machines. What is nice about the looks not changing is, all the new updates will fit on the older DC's. You can get a kit to change your pumps to be the same as a Velvet Touch Control. This change will about double the life of the pumps and costs around $180 for the kit, which includes 3 gallon of VTC oil and the new parts that just screw in. You can put any updated feature on an older DC, but I can't put any updated things on my older JD. The only way I can get the updated things on my JD is to go buy a new JD, which is nice for the dealers, but not a good thing for us users. I'm not sure about the updated things on other brands, but to me, this is an important feature of owning a DC.

Another thing I've heard guys complain about DC's is the amount of fuel they will hold. Mine held 9 gallons this morning, now it holds 12 gallons which will allow me to mow for around 16 hours. After that many hours, I'll be ready to head to the house. If you have a gas engine on a DC, you can add 2 more tanks and should be able to mow for 8 hours. They are also coming out with an auxiliary tank that will bolt on in the near future. Who knows, they might have cup holders soon. :)

The older Choppers may have lacked a bit in mowing quality if this is what you DC slammers are talking about, but the new decks that still look the same as the old ones, have as good or better cut as any Exmark I cut next to. I also cut next to Toro's and I feel the DC's cut quality is equal or better than them also. The cut quality has a lot to do with the sharpness of blades, so I feel this is an endless argument too. As I have said before, what ever mower you have, it's the best. It's the only way you can justify buying the one you have. I sure wouldn't want to go out and buy the worst one on the market or I wouldn't have anything to brag about. :)

[Lawnworks]

I have a 2000 XF2500. It does not have a VTC sticker. Do the 2000 models not come with VTC? I cut a some yards that have hills. If I got the VTC would it help my hydro motors? Or really do I need VTC if I mow hills?

Thanks

[TLS]

LawnWorks,

This is another thing, you SHOULD know exactly what your machine contains. It SHOULD be in the manual. Hydro oil is an important element in these mowers. Dixie has a problem with changing things mid year and not updating manuals for many years. My 97 had info on the Kohler Magnum series engines!!! And no info on the 25 Kohler!!??? Manuals have to be the cheapest part of a mower, yet they cant even get those right. Wake up DIXIE, before its too late!!!

[Eric ELM]

Some days when I read a post by you I think you really like your DC. Then the next day, you hate it. Now that things are slowing down in the Green industry, try calling DC again. I don't understand why they won't call you back. Do you think it had anything to do with the post you did on the DC Forum about sueing them about the filters?

Lawnworks: From what I have been told, some of the 2000 DC's have the VTC, but didn't have the stickers on them. Your dealer should be able to tell you if you have it by the serial number on your machine.

[Greenkeepers]

"As I have said before, what ever mower you have, it's the best. It's the only way you can justify buying the one you have. I sure wouldn't want to go out and buy the worst one on the market or I wouldn't have anything to brag about."

Thanks again Eric, you took the words out of my mouth !!!!!!!!!

Mike
Greenkeepers

[John DiMartino]

Eric,I am not the only one they will not call back-like I said my dealer has trouble getting responses from them,the day I had it in for the deck cutting uneven,the poor dealer spent over an hour trying to get tech assitance,while I was sitting there watching him getting frustrated,my lease company couldnt get a response.If I get a hold of them-they do not have the answers-they ask for my#-I never get a return call.I just got a return call on wednesday from a call I placed in August about my deck missing grass-this is unacceptable.The post on the DC forum has nothing to do with this,I just hate it when someone(DC here) twists the truth in order to sell someone grossly overpriced filters-threatening to them by telling them it will void warranty and smoke the hydro motors.Giving them a BS story about oil filters when he was talking about hydro filters.That is not the way to sell filters,and the law is in effect,to protect consumers from companys that insist on you using there parts to maintain warranty compliance,even though aftermarket ones are available that meet or exceed all requirements.They must be provided free of charge,that is the law.Eric,I am sorry if the truth hurts here-I tell it like it is,and DC's customer service is almost non-existant,to many people here have seen it first hand-especially myself-for you to even try to make me look like a liar. You are right,one day I love my DC,it cuts great,doesnt plug up for hrs,engine is quite,the next day the lifters are clattering,the cut is terrrible,deck plugging,no power at all,all grass/leaves are blowing out the front and all over.I have a love/hate relationship with this mower.

[MIDSOUTH]

why don't you all load them dixie choppers and exmarks up and take them to the dump and bury them.then go buy a SCAG and be done with it----heehee

everybody has preferences-one person is gonna find something wrong with the most perfect mower,just so he will have something to gripe about.i prefer scag-i have a scag and exmark-but the next mower i buy will probably be something different-there are no chopper dealers around-so i may try a ferris or great dane-but definately not a toro or walker.

[landscaper3]

We have ZTR's and Walkers and found our maintenance division, Walker fits our needs the best but other companys in other states can mow at high speeds and in our location you cant. So it all depends on your needs for servicing your company. I feel every mower has there strong points and weaknesses for that it all depends on your location and options offered. From all owners of most brands from Exmark to Walker are happy with there mowers and should be they are all irreplaceable in our line of work. Plain and simple buy the mower that fits your lawn maintenace service.

[Lawnworks]

Oh yeah I forgot one
#19 The eXmark dealers in my area are real pricks. For one dealer I had to pay $100 to demo an exmark for 24hrs. and the other dealer would only let me demo a mower for less than an hour on one property. My Dixie dealer let me demo his mower for 24hrs. for no charge and even offered to let me keep it over the weekend if I was serious. I talked to a dealer today who will hopefully become an eXmark dealer. He sells Snapper mowers and is looking for another commercial brand to sell. I told him about Lawnsite so hopefully he will check it out.

[TJLC]

I personally own exmark hydro w/b's. I'm just not a big fan of riders. My dealer carries dixie and exmark. I'm sure they are both just as good as the other. I'm sure I don't own the best, but I just happen to have chosen exmark. That's not to say I wouldn't consider dixie someday if I'm in the market for a rider. I agree it's a lot of money to put out but you have to buy what you feel will serve you best.Can't we all just get along.

[cclllc]

I have owned Choppers since they built them for wheel horse.
They are the best that money can buy for heavyduty mowing.They are built to last.If I lost an engine today I would go buy another tommorrow.Someone made the comment about the stainless steel looking dirty.So what.My 96 model looks brand new when I wash it.You can take some 00 steelwool and make it shine like new money.No need to get a can of red paint and hope you can make it look like it came from the factory.Alot of cutters out there degrade the dc's because they are afraid of change.I have cut with all the big name mowers and for the money Dc's are the best.I had a customer tell me to never bring that john Deere back on his property.And that is my final answer.John

[T. Cagle]

Bottom Line they are fast and very dependable NUFF SAID!

[Keith]

They are fast and dependable.....and no indoor/outdoor carpet :D

[Lawnworks]

They are fast, but not the FASTEST! :)

[jasonp]

Most lawns in Alabama if you went over 6 to 8mph you would get thrown off or your back would feel like you just got off a bull.

[T. Cagle]

Correct, no carpet. Also no Quad loop cooling and flushing.
Also my seat is the deluxe model it is very comfy.

[Eric ELM]

I'm not sure what the hang up with the carpet thing is. I have always wondered why other companies didn't put that on their machines. I like the idea it isn't slick so you don't slip when it's wet. If someone doesn't like the carpet, all they have to do is take to wing nuts off and remove it. :)

[T. Cagle]

Carpet is not a big deal if you don't like it take it off.
I am not trashing the exmark I just prefer Dixie Choppers.
But on the other hand you could not give me another John Deere.

[Lawnworks]

I put rhino liner on my mower instead of indoor/outdoor carpet. It looks sharp and gives good traction.