This year at the Louisville, Ky., National Farm Machinery Show, visitors had a chance to meet the unassuming founder of Dixie Chopper. Art Evans’ company was set up at the show and he took a few minutes to tell how he got started in the business and revolutionized the lawn mowing industry.

“Early in the 1970s, I was selling Dixie and Grasshoppers, and a guy brought back a mower. He wanted a belly mower that didn’t break when you used it,” Art said. “I thought we could build a zero-turn radius mower in the U.S.”

The plan he shared was “To build something like a Farmall, with value. I forced them to raise the bar. Now, there are lots of choices today.”

Art started out with what he said was a cross machine that he built for a loaner. “I sold lawn mowers in a farming community. Everyone wanted the loaner, it was better; I would have to go get it because no one would bring it back.”

It was in that 1980 that Art made his first Dixie Chopper: “It all started behind my house. I have a Coatesville address, but I am just a mile outside of Filmore, Indiana.” Part of the production operation is still at his farm and the airport located outside his home.

“I have around 175,000 square feet,” Art said. “We were building about 10,000 models a year before the economy crashed. We still make around 8,000 or so.”

When he created his first model, he said, “Back then, everyone tried to convince us that the push mower was it, but they all have went to the zero-turn.”

The Dixie Chopper website lists Evans’ seven business principles that has made him and his company so successful. This is a family business and Art has children, but he still also has his finger on the pulse of the business: “I am the chairman of the board.”

The company has been innovative in its production.

“In 1990 we built a twin engine lawn mower. That is the cheapest way to get power,” Art said. “Now people want to bring it back. It did well on the hillsides. We will see how the diesels sell this year.”

One of the diesel mowers he was referring to is the Xcaliber Diesel, equipped with a four-cylinder 36 hp Caterpillar engine. The mower is engineered for speed, power and reliability. “This operates well on a hill. It sticks like a fly on flypaper and works ditches and hillsides,” Art said.

Wanting to be on the edge of the green industry, he led Dixie Chopper into some new areas. “I just got back from Thailand and the trucks all run on CNG (compressed natural gas) – they can’t afford diesel,” he explained.

At the Louisville show Art explained how this new industry and fuel prices are changing the way he builds mowers. “We just started our propane and octane high-compression mowers.”

According to the company, Dixie Chopper “pioneered the mowing industry’s first true propane-powered machine.

This engine was designed to run on propane without a conversion kit. Although gasoline-powered mowers may be prohibited on ‘green’ days or ‘no-zone’ (pollution) days, it’s business as usual for the Xcaliber Propane mower.”

For the high-octane mower the website states, “The Eco-Eagle is powered by a 990cc Dixie Chopper EPA and Carb Certified engine. Built on an Xcaliber frame, the revolutionary Eco-Eagle features a 66-inch deck that delivers the unrivalled Xcaliber quality of cut. The unit is fueled by two automotive-grade CNG tanks. The Eco-Eagle delivers speed, power and reliability in a truly green package.”

Dixie Chopper claims to build the world’s fastest lawn mowers. Speed and racing is something Art and Dixie Chopper are all about. The company started out with a 1960 Chevy Truck with a 338 engine, and then they switched to a Dodge Ram charger that competes in four-wheel drive truck events.

Dixie Chopper has been involved in stock car and bike circles, as well; it has even been featured on “American Chopper.”

The company is also supportive of youth. Twenty-year-old Bailey Shea Williams rides the Dixie Chopper-sponsored ATV quad racer.

Bailey was at the National Farm Machinery Show with her Quad Cycle, signing autographs (see article on page 7B). For more information, log onto www.dixiechopper.com

Readers with questions or comments for Cindy Ladage may write to her in care of this publication.