Dixie Chopper ?? (I got the feeling I'm in the right place!)

[AltaLawnCare]

I debating on loosing the JD and getting a DC with a FD, ASAP!!!

Alright, DC fans,..;)
Who has compared the 23 Kaw to the 25 Koh Dealer is pushing me towards Kaw (his favorite). It $1,000.00 cheaper, but I know thats due to the lack of filters. I could add the Donalson later.
He quoted me a price of $7800 for the Kaw 60" over the phone.

I'm leaning toward getting a 50" with a Flex Deck, rather than a 60" - I think it will scalp less, I have some rough yards. :o

[Crabgrassman]

The Flexdeck will drive the price up $1500 so you're looking at $9300 plus sales tax. You should be able to get the XW2500 60" with all of the goodies for less than that easily. Before I bought my 60" Dixie I thought that scaping could be a problem with such a wide deck but has not. It is all of the goodies that are included with the high end Dixies that make the engines last so long. Without the extra filters there is no difference from any other mower as far as the engine goes.

[AltaLawnCare]

Thanks, Richard (if thats you, if not disregard) ;)

I just saw where DC hasprices on their used stock again so now I can get an idea from their site.

BTW if you still want to give that LB away.....

[Eric ELM]

Originally posted by AltaLawnCare
I'm leaning toward getting a 50" with a Flex Deck, rather than a 60" - I think it will scalp less, I have some rough yards. :o

You can't get a Flex Deck on the 50" yet. The left front wheel would hit the Flex Deck. It is only available on the 60" for now. If you look at this picture, you can see what I mean. The 50" the left front wheel is closer to the left part of the deck.

http://www.elmlawnsite.com/2002.jpg

[AltaLawnCare]

Ahh..

Glad I came back to check this thread, I was getting ready to post in "Flex Deck" about using it on a 50".

Narrows it down to a 60". I'm still not sold on the extra filters - I believe the machines will esily turn over 2,000 hrs without. After 2,000 hrs - unless you're mowing for 5.00 per hour, the machine should have been done paid for itself a few times. I think the hydros would go before any of the engines would. But this is just my opinion. ;)

[Bc Lawncare]

Alta dont worry about that 60 inch chopper deck scalping
the 54 inch deck on my 455 JD will scalp before my chopper
deck will. Also i think the extra filters are well worth it, with the
Amsoil bypass filter, the oil in my 25 Kohler stays so clear its
hard to see on the dipstick.

[Eric ELM]

I would say on an average it will take a diesel engine to out last the hydro's on a Chopper. The main failure of the hydro's on a Chopper and probably other MFG's too, is getting air or dirt in the sytem. Air can be a big ouchy for them. From what I've heard, you can wipe out a hydro system in 10 minutes if you don't do the filter change right. I guess I've done good over the years, since I've never replaced any hydro related items in my Choppers except the dipstick upgrade they came out with.

I know some are going to say "Eric, you are a bad boy", but I have never changed the oil in the hydro's in my old Chopper yet and it has over 3,800 hours on it. I do plan to do it in the spring though. ;)

[Crabgrassman]

Altalawncare wrote:
.........................
Thanks, Richard (if thats you, if not disregard)

BTW if you still want to give that LB away.....
.........................

Yup, that would be me!

Lawnboy gone.

He also wrote:
.........................
I'm still not sold on the extra filters - I believe the machines will esily turn over 2,000 hrs without. After 2,000 hrs - unless you're mowing for 5.00 per hour, the machine should have been done paid for itself a few times.
........................

Some of the numbers I've seen on the Kohler 25 put it's lifespan as low as 1500 with stock filters and coolers. I will have only just gotten out of the lease period by that time. I not only expect my machine to pay for itself but I expect it to last me the rest of my mowing career. By the time this machine wears out I expect to be soaking up sunshine in North Carolina at my paid for retirement house on 2+ acres.

[HOMER]

I own a 50" and can say with certainty that it will scalp before my 72" does. I would imagine that it would scalp before the 60" also. The 50" has no deck wheels...............reason being............the frt wheels are so close to the deck they are supposed to act like a anti-scalp wheel. Sometimes they do........sometimes they don't. I can mow now without scalping but when I first got it I had a few problems adjusting!

[AltaLawnCare]

Now we're getting somewhere. Everything you all are saying makes sense.

I was quoted $8800.00 also on a xw2500 60" 25 Koh. Does this sound about right?

[HOMER]

I think your in the ballpark with that price. My 50" Flatlander listed for $8900. 2 years ago.

[Crabgrassman]

That number sounds good Billy. I gave $8700 for mine.

[Nick]

since the 2002 are available make sure your dealer is not pushing the left overs. From what i have heard dc has gotten out of the 25 kohlers for 2002. I would look at the 24 honda or 26 efi. Don't turn your head on the 26 yanmar like I did, I paid for my xw2300 easily and would of been able to get what I wanted in the first place the 26 yanmar.

[AltaLawnCare]

Nick I think you're right.. The models he quoted me on were the same ones I looked at 3 months ago!

If the 26efi is going to be available, That would probably be the best power plant (next to a diesel) to get.

[Flex-Deck]

I am a Steering Wheel Fan - But if I had to run a ZTR it would be the Dixie Chopper - Flex-Deck ready in case I needed one