[coryt]

Well this is what I have found out with Z Turns in the snow they are Great for driveways and stuff like that and do a fine job ...and Brand wise I would not buy anything but Dixie Chopper they have never and I mean never let me down once...Now for the attachments dixie dose not have that many but you can get blowers and plows that are out of this world .....so much power they push snow like a beast ...the company that makes the plows for dixie is www.mibarproducts.com they have a video on there site of a dixie pushing snow....and then there is a youtube video of a dixie with a blower on it just type in (dixie chopper snowblower) and watch it ....there is a email adderss to that company called sudburytaylor.com I think that is it .....but Dixie Chopper all the way Oh did i tell you they cut grass faster than any other zero turn out there.....and it looks like a sheet of glass after you are done and they have the best bumper to bumper out there...life time....

 

[lawnlandscape]

Well this is what I have found out with Z Turns in the snow they are Great for driveways and stuff like that and do a fine job ...and Brand wise I would not buy anything but Dixie Chopper they have never and I mean never let me down once...Now for the attachments dixie dose not have that many but you can get blowers and plows that are out of this world .....so much power they push snow like a beast ...the company that makes the plows for dixie is www.mibarproducts.com they have a video on there site of a dixie pushing snow....and then there is a youtube video of a dixie with a blower on it just type in (dixie chopper snowblower) and watch it ....there is a email adderss to that company called sudburytaylor.com I think that is it .....but Dixie Chopper all the way Oh did i tell you they cut grass faster than any other zero turn out there.....and it looks like a sheet of glass after you are done and they have the best bumper to bumper out there...life time....

coryt, I am by no means undermining your opinion, because I myself have no experience with Dixie Coppers. But, about a month ago, I was took my Grasshopper (I ended up getting a grasshopper) to the shop to have them put some chains on it, and I saw a Dixie Copper sitting in there shop. I said to the mechanics, "That thing looks more like a go-cart then a lawn mower".

All the mechanics at this place (and they also sell Dixie Choppers at this place) were telling me how they are better for a go-cart then a lawn mower, and how people who have them bring them in multiple times a year. They seemed to think they have a lot of problems.

Sounds like you have good luck with them tho.. Thats just what I heard. But again, I have no experience with them.

 

[purpleranger519]

coryt, I am by no means undermining your opinion, because I myself have no experience with Dixie Coppers. But, about a month ago, I was took my Grasshopper (I ended up getting a grasshopper) to the shop to have them put some chains on it, and I saw a Dixie Copper sitting in there shop. I said to the mechanics, "That thing looks more like a go-cart then a lawn mower".

All the mechanics at this place (and they also sell Dixie Choppers at this place) were telling me how they are better for a go-cart then a lawn mower, and how people who have them bring them in multiple times a year. They seemed to think they have a lot of problems.

Sounds like you have good luck with them tho.. Thats just what I heard. But again, I have no experience with them.

Just about anybody will tell you that about a Dixie if they have owned one or serviced them. They are on the low end as far as quality craftsmenship. I've driven one and they ride about like a go-kart would too, and they don't stripe worth a darn.

 

[lawnlandscape]

purpleranger519 - if you do get around to it, I would really like to see a video of your walker w/ snowblower attachment working. I have grasshopper with snowblower attachment. After added on the chains, it worked pretty good, definitely a huge time saver. Because of the walkers reputation, I would think they would be even better. What size blower u got on it? :redbounce

 

[flatlander42]

here is My Walker.....I have changed the tires, and added chains since the video.

 

[coryt]

coryt, I am by no means undermining your opinion, because I myself have no experience with Dixie Coppers. But, about a month ago, I was took my Grasshopper (I ended up getting a grasshopper) to the shop to have them put some chains on it, and I saw a Dixie Copper sitting in there shop. I said to the mechanics, "That thing looks more like a go-cart then a lawn mower".

All the mechanics at this place (and they also sell Dixie Choppers at this place) were telling me how they are better for a go-cart then a lawn mower, and how people who have them bring them in multiple times a year. They seemed to think they have a lot of problems.

Sounds like you have good luck with them tho.. Thats just what I heard. But again, I have no experience with them.

Well that is the 1st that i heard that but there is good ones and bad ones thats with anything. But they are fast and they are fast for a reason thats to save time to get to the next job....I can cut 8 acres in one hour and it looks very top noch you know ....but still check out that plow that i told you about it will work on any zero turn and its made in the USA....

 

[lawnlandscape]

here is My Walker.....I have changed the tires, and added chains since the video.

Nice video. Looks like it really clears snow fast. Mine 48" on a grasshopper probably does not plow through it that fast, but just because its bigger, it probably has about the same clearing time.

The best part of the video, "Yes, daddy's wearing a hat!"

& as your going down the sidewalk out of view, "bye bye daddy"

Kids are so much fun! xysport

 

[coryt]

Just about anybody will tell you that about a Dixie if they have owned one or serviced them. They are on the low end as far as quality craftsmenship. I've driven one and they ride about like a go-kart would too, and they don't stripe worth a darn.

Frankly I dont think you know what you are talking about there Purpleranger but what ever...I think they are top end quality wise and craftsmenship and built to last and I to have had other zero turns in my company Toro Grasshopper Dixen and they where not built to take the beating from sun up to sun down....Oh by the way I would put my stripe job against yours any day of the week and I dont evern have a striping kit for my dixies they do it with out....thats top end if you ask me ....

 

[OrganicsL&L]

My $.02:

I used to do a townhome complex and the contract required the driveways to be snowblown. So I bought a 60" snow blower for my 725k grasshopper. I was able to get through all 20 of the double driveways in about 90 minutes in up to 10" of snow. One storm took 3.5 hrs but that was about 24" with 6' drifts near a few of the garage doors.

The machine is a bit under powered, so I would recommend a diesel or the 31hp kubota. I also have the bagger on it w/a 52" deck. This replaced a 48"Walker GHS. I have to say that the GH mowed almost as well as the Walker, handled the leaves and wet grass better, and overall is more durable. The 60" snow blower is great, rarely clogs, and then only in the heaviest snows.

My recommendation would be the GH hands down. JMO

FYI, the drives were about 20' wide and 50' long with a 2.5' wide bed in between each one, so all snow had to go to one side, no room in the middle for any.

 

[flatlander42]

I will add my reason for why I have the walker. I wanted to be able to use it on all/most of the sidewalks too, not just the drive. It is a 36" blower and around 38-39" wide. If I was any wider I would have to use a walk behind snowblower more......and I don't like those!

oh and LawnLandscape.....My daughter is Definately a Handfull!

 

[purpleranger519]

Frankly I dont think you know what you are talking about there Purpleranger but what ever...I think they are top end quality wise and craftsmenship and built to last and I to have had other zero turns in my company Toro Grasshopper Dixen and they where not built to take the beating from sun up to sun down....Oh by the way I would put my stripe job against yours any day of the week and I dont evern have a striping kit for my dixies they do it with out....thats top end if you ask me ....

Cory...over 12+ years in the business now and I have tested, ran demo's & purchased more mowers than I could ever remember not to mention every other piece of equipment that goes into a Lawn & Landscape/Snow Removal business. I'd say I'm more than knowledgable on this subject. But I'll throw you a few facts starting with a review on Mid mount mowers........

Top 10 Commercial Mid-mount Mowers

1. Exmark - Best zero-turn riders available.

2. Wright - Best Small Stander

3. Toro - Basically the same as Exmark but more expensive. Toro owns Exmark.

4. Scag - Very tough mowers but not user friendly. Stiff controls.

5. Dixie Chopper - Too primitive. Deck needs work.

6. Kubota - I like the diesels but deck does not allow mowing up to trees.

7. John Deere - These mowers need to be beefed up.

8. Ferris - Not a bad mower but outdated.

9. Hustler - Average Hydro clone.

10. Grasshopper - Good mowers if you like that style.

Now how bout some user feedback on their mowers.......

Review By : Anonymous
Price Paid : $10,000.00
Years of Use : 2+ Years
Implements :
Purchased From : dixie chopper

Strengths Good torque for cutting heavy thick grass

Weaknesses Machine is built to weak the machine does not meet up to comercial standards.

Overall The Deck is very weak!!! it needs to have a improved desige which would hold up to everyday mowing. Safty sheilds break off and all hoses and wirering needs to be harnessed to the mower. The machine is to weak for the standards of other equipment. This machine is always in for warenty work. NOT RELIABLE!!!

Parts : 1 Performance : 8 Ease of Use : 2 Financing : Reliability : 1 Overall : 1

I bought a new xt3200-72 at the beginning of the year and had problems since day one with the streaking problem. All the times it was at the dealer to "be fixed" They gave me loaners that were 60" and did the exact same thing. They finaly put one of theese new decks on, that was new for 05 and supposed to have fixed the problem. They told me it now was actually a 71" cut because they brought the front blade up a little and the outside blades in a little. Sounds like that ought to fix it right. WRONG!!!! It was worse than the old deck. AFter 130 hours of dealing with this problem they (dixie chopper) just gave me my money back. All the loaners I used did the same thing(5 different ones), not as bad, but I still would not have been happy with them either.
What I can't belive is that all these dixie owners just put up with the problem. It drove me crazy and looked like crap.
So I ended up buying a ferris is 4500 and love it. Cut is ten times better than the 6 different dixies I used!

Here is a link to a review of the mower on....

Lawnsite......http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=165850&highlight=Reviews+on+Dixie+Chopper

Oh.....I added a few of my half way decent stripe jobs. Give me a call when your ready to put your stripes up....hopefully spring will get here soon so I can practice......

 

[purpleranger519]

Frankly I dont think you know what you are talking about there Purpleranger but what ever...I think they are top end quality wise and craftsmenship and built to last and I to have had other zero turns in my company Toro Grasshopper Dixen and they where not built to take the beating from sun up to sun down....Oh by the way I would put my stripe job against yours any day of the week and I dont evern have a striping kit for my dixies they do it with out....thats top end if you ask me ....

I almost forgot to mention....now that Lucas Oils has terminated its partnership with DC, they are in financial trouble big time. Looking ahead it appears that DC could go under by years end.

 

[Metro Lawn]

We have an Exmark with a rotating broom, a Grasshopper with a blower, and just put this plow on a Super Z. Works pretty good even without chains.

The system isn't letting me upload pix this morning. I posted pix of it on 1-7 or 1-8 in the netwoeking forum SE Michigan pages

 

[wmik55]

we have two new gravely 26hp liquid cooled zero turns. we bought them so we could get snowblowers and cabs for winter. we have found them quite useful as long as you add some weight to the back end. we have one with a small buyers salter on the back ,it has good traction. the other we made a weight bar for the back, just the same as the front weights for bagger assembly. i was quite impressed by how well they work. the reason we bought the gravelys was they have cab and blower made for this specific brand. also they are made by ariens a local company. also we have 12 scag turf tigers, we started buying them in 2002. we still think overall scag makes the best zero turns. taking into consideration quality of cut, center of gravity and durability we have never found a brand that was better. that does not mean all the other top brands are of poor quality ,i have just never found i my opinion a brand that made me want to change at least not for strictly mowing use. also coryt do know 8 acres is about 345,000 sq.ft.? are those dixies that fast?

 

[unit28]

Gravely rocks, well built and lots of local service for them here too.
fast too...so I hear.

 

[Sidewalk King]

plows are faster than using blowers

I think it is way faster to use a snow plow on a Z rather than a snow blower especially in larger areas. I can see where blowers have their place, mostly if you're waiting till the end of a storm to move 12" of snow off a side walk.

 

[jay albers]

just stubled on thread. I have a freedom z with a coutry ztr plow on it. works like a champ!

my problem is transporting it. I put it on my trailer but on the way to where im goin it gets salt and dirt all over it from the roads. Also I have a big landscape trailer 8x16, its alot in the snow.
plowins not beatin up my mower ,traveling with it is!

How you guys movin your stuff around?

 

[OrganicsL&L]

6.5x10' open trailer....make good money year round with the machine, put enough away each year, and you will then have a new mower in 3-5 yrs.

 

[wmik55]

we have two new for the 2009 lawn season gravley 60 in. mowers. we purchased 55 in. blowers and heated cabs. it took a little bit of work to get it all together. our local dealer found the blower and cab built to fit. it all worked out better than i would have expected. we had weights that came with the blower for traction. we used one for municipal sidewalks and put a small salter on back which also helped traction. the other we used at large condo complex. one thing for sure though, you need to have alot of extra shear pins for blowers. it takes a while to get the feel for speed and what the blowers can handle.

 

[elite1msmith]

1. Exmark - Best zero-turn riders available.

2. Wright - Best Small Stander

3. Toro - Basically the same as Exmark but more expensive. Toro owns Exmark.

4. Scag - Very tough mowers but not user friendly. Stiff controls.

5. Dixie Chopper - Too primitive. Deck needs work.

6. Kubota - I like the diesels but deck does not allow mowing up to trees.

7. John Deere - These mowers need to be beefed up.

8. Ferris - Not a bad mower but outdated.

9. Hustler - Average Hydro clone.

10. Grasshopper - Good mowers if you like that style.[/I]

id only argue a few points- dont know if you have used a ferris with the cat deisel , and the suspention system, but its a really nice ride. id hardly rate them 8th

write as the best stande?r - you need to try the toro grandstander. i was more than impressed with my 5 min demo

the toro owning exmark is corrrect, the main difference being the turbo force deck. i havnt had the opertunity to use onen yet but i can say this much the idea and consept is a good one. I own a deere stander, and it has a stamped deck...great for tall, long , wet conditions...not so great with thin bladed grass, not so great when you need high vacum force. the bobcat or exmark for example have a welded fabricated deck. deck itself seems a little stronger, and does well with vacum and thin bladed grass. but it will bog down on tall wet grass. it leaves more clumps. so it all depends on what you are going to mow. i have really come to feel that each type of deck desing has a good point and bad, and that one will out shine the other in different conditions. the fact that the toro has set up a deck to be adjustable, sounds very interesting.

i didnt see bobcat on that list, and they make really good mowers as well. i would rate them up there with scag and exmark

for snow. Toro has a zero turn mower that has the abblity to have the tires removed and a track system and cab put on it. i have seen it set up with a broom so i assume you could get a blower...it was pretty mean looking and i have no idea the cost, but love the concept