DC life

[LawnKeepers]

I debated a little recently on some other lawn forum :) about the life expectancy of DC diesel. I'm curious to hear any comments here about the life expectancy and maybe Eric could give an opionion on this.

I think the weakest link in the machines might be the hydros.

[Crabgrassman]

If you get a DC with the extra oil coolers and filters then even the gas Dixies should last in excess of 4,000 hours. Bear in mind that these machines do need regular maintenance.

The quad loop hydro system is the best in the business. Quad loop is usually only found on machines that have over 100 hp. Quad loop is constantly providing cool fluid to the wheel motors and hydro pumps enhancing their lifespan. Dixie Choppers also have a hydro oil cooler and 2 hydro oil filters. Most machines including Exmarks only use 1 filter and no hydro oil coolers.

Also the Dixie Chopper hydro system uses 5 quarts of fluid. A lot of other machines only use around 1 quart. Two of the advantages of using so much oil is:

1: The oil stays in the tank longer thereby reducing any foaming that might occur and it further reduces the oil temperatures.

2: If your machine suffers a hydro oil leak the chances are greater with a larger supply of hydro oil that you might catch the leak before you burn up something in the system.

[Eric ELM]

LawnKeepers

I can talk now. ;)
The hydro's on a DC are not the weakest link in my opinion. I mentioned in another post, I have around 10,000 total hours on the DC's I've had and never had a hydro problem. When I asked my dealer about the expected life of a hydro system he said they will last up to 6,000 hours if you do regular maintenance on the system. Changing the hdyro filters each 500 to 600 hours is important and not getting any air in the system while doing this is the most important thing.

I do know the procedure for this, but if you get air in the system while doing this, you can burn up a system in 10 minutes. I think a lot of hydro failure comes from getting air in the system during filter changes.

The new VTC systems are expected to last double of what the old systems did, but I'm not sure anyone has that many hours on the new VTC systems.

My old machine doesn't have VTC and it has over 3,800 hours on it and we are planning on still using it as a main mower next summer. My helper loves that old Chopper. ;)

You said "I think the weakest link in the machines might be the hydros." If you read in the DC forum, there is a post telling what a Chopper will pull. I have read that some ZTR's are rated at pulling 85 lbs. I was told 1,000 lbs should not be a problem for DC's. I pull my aerator with weights on it with a total of over 700 lbs in soft turf and it works out fine.

I hope I didn't over answer your question. ;)

[accuratelawn]

My neighbor has a Dixie. Engine went at 4000 hours and the hydro starting leaking a couple weeks ago at 4200 hours. No other major problems.

[Ricky]

All I can add to the above posts is that the diesels have 2 hydro coolers.

[LawnKeepers]

Thanks for the enlightenment so far guys. The system sounds ausome.

[Eric ELM]

Originally posted by Ricky
All I can add to the above posts is that the diesels have 2 hydro coolers.

And I can add to that, the two coolers are side by side and have a fan pulling air though them with driven by the engine. It also has a huge radiator to keep the water cooler with a 16" electric fan to pull the air though it.

The hydro pumps on the diesel are bigger than the other pumps on the gas engined units. You can run auxillary hydraulic devices off of the right pump on the diesels, like snow plows with hydraulic lift, and power angle.

One last thing I can say about the diesel over the the gas units is it has to be the widest wheel base of any 60" mower. It has a 62" wheel base. Yes I typed this right, the wheel base is wider than the cut. The reason is they had to get the engine and radiator between wheels. Some ask me, doesn't this screw up the stripes? The lawn pictured below was cut with the diesel

.http://www.elmlawnsite.com/images/pierce.jpg

[HOMER]

Erics like a bird out of a cage..................I hear his horn tootin' all the way down here in Bama!ROTFLMAO

[Lawngodfather]

I think the weakist link on a dixie is the engine. It suffers the most stress and gets to deal with all the dust. I know they have had Donaldson filters, but like the new Honda's do not have an after market filter. Also the Kohler Ageis Does not either. But on a diesel it's a whole different story. It has water coolers/oil coolers, but You don't have to change the oil as frequent as a gas engine.

I was not argueing with you the fact that it should out last a gas engine, just the fact that the life expectancy you were wanting was a little high.

With the diesel you should get the longest lasting mower out there, I know I have had 3 choppers, (one had a nice funeral) the other 2 are still going strong with engine replacements at over 4000 hours.

The only reason I don't have them anymore is the OPC are only on the seat, I need more than that for brain dead employees. I would have bought new ones but they have never put OPC on the blades, also on the older choppers once you start them with the seat switch still intact you can't get off the seat with the engine running so all the switches were disengadged.

Dixies are great mowers, and if I ever buy one just for me to use, witch in the future may happen, I would get the 26hp Kohler EFI one, and put a suspention seat on it. I've had trouble with water cooled engine before (diesel) but I do know they have come a long way since then I am partial to gas.

Any ways go get your self a chopper, here in St, Lewy you can get one for $10,500 26hp diesel 60"

[awm]

this is the big factor about the dc that impresses me.
if i find that in fact the motors do last a great deal longer.
that would be the clincher. right now i have an excellent machine.
i put it thru h--- this leaf season w leaves. but im pretty good at getting max out of a motor. i usually get double ,what others get.
not bragging ,its just absolute maintenance on that motor.
if i cant get as much out of my kohler as u fellas can w dixie,
then ill try to go that way. one factor id like to ask the experienced about,if u are willing to help me out.
im turning 3860 w doubles on and blades engaged ,no grass,sitting still.
do u fellas think thats to much. she sure takes it well.
of course i dont let it run that fast except to test rpm. just engaging drive pumps should slow it dn a bit. any thoughts appreciated.

[Lawngodfather]

3650 is the maximum recomended rpm's

Although I have set mine higher under a load, I wouldn't want to run much more than that, withot a load.

Gas engines can run at higher rpm's under a load, but once there isn't a load KABOOOOOOOM good by.

[awm]

appreciate the answer . later now.