One mower, twice the power

Diesel Progress North American Edition, Oct, 2004

While Dixie Chopper is known for producing what it calls "the world's fastest lawn mowers," its zero-turning radius S'Burb'N Turb'N mower is recognized for something entirely different--having two engines. The new mower is equipped with twin 23 hp Kohler gasoline engines, which results in an impressive 46 hp with a 72 in. cutting deck.

According to Dixie Chopper, the benefit of a twin engine installation is--no pun intended--two-fold. Not only does the operator receive more horsepower at a lower price, but if a problem occurs with one engine, the operator is still able to finish out the cutting job, explained Art Evans, president at Dixie Chopper. "It's the most hp per pound on the market," Evans said. "It has been a big hit among commercial operators and homeowners alike."

The S'Burb'N Turb'N mower's twin 674 cc single-cylinder, four-cycle, OHV, air-cooled Kohler Command engines can be operated in unison or as independent 23 hp power units. Combined torque is 76.4 lb.ft. The engines ale synchronized using the pressure from the manifold and are protected by an engine crash guard mounted to the rear of the mower. An Amsoil high performance I micron oil filter is also fitted to the engine, along with a Turbo precleaner and Donaldson air filter and baffle.

According to Dixie Chopper, the combination of the two engines gives the mower its 13 mph rowel speed and its 7.56 acre/hr cut speed. "Dixie Chopper riding lawn mowers can run at about twice the speed of other mowers without sacrificing quality of cut," said Warren Evans, national sales manager for the company. "Faster cutting translates into more leisure time for homeowners and big savings in time and costs for commercial contractors, turf growers, golf course superintendents, park and other public works administrators."

The mower's hydrostatic drive is driven off the engine using the Dixie Chopper Quad-Loop hydraulic drive system. The Quad-Loop system uses two Hydro-Gear 21 series piston pumps which are driven through a Dixie Chopper T-Gear box, mounted under the seat. Each pump supplies a White Hydraulics wheel motor bolted to the rear of the mower's welded steel flame. The system is cooled by externally mounted dual Long Manufacturing oil coders in addition to a lager 1 gal. reservoir. The mower also includes Turf Boss tires, twin parking brakes and a hinged operator platform which opens for access to the drive components.

Through a belt-drive system, the mower's three single X blades cut at 19,000 fpm. "You need to maintain blade tip speed to obtain the best cut possible in extreme conditions that many commercial operators and land owners deal with on a regular basis," said Art Evans. The blades are manually engaged by dual centrifugal clutches located beneath the 72 in. cutting deck while a separate operator lever controls the position and opening width of the Operator Controlled Discharge Chute (O.C.D.C.). The pitch of the deck is adjusted by a constant pitch deck lift system which allows the mower deck to move straight up and down.

The S'Burb'N Turb'N mower's resistance-free steering is controlled by Dixie Chopper's Velvet Touch Controls which are designed to reduce operator fatigue. The mower also features a tachometer, hourmeter, dual 7 gal. fuel tanks and drawbar hitch with one ton pulling capacity: Optional accessories include a mulcher, snow plow kit, Original Tractor Cab Co. sunshade canopy, flex deck, roll cage and catching system. Overall dimensions of the mower are 77.25 in. long and 75.5 in. wide.

Dixie Chopper manufactures its line of mowers in Coatesville, Ind., where it uses a series of interchangeable components throughout all its mower models. The parts' commonality maintains a low parts inventory for its independent dealers who sell its Silver Eagle, Coatesville, Flatlander, Supreme and Xtreme mower lines, as well as its 50 hp Yanmar diesel-power mower, which along with the S'Burb'N Turb'N mower is part of its Alternative Fuel series.

www.dixiechopper.com