Was Dixon ZTR the first?

d9gdon

Member
I just saw another post about a Dixon ZTR and it made me think; was Dixon ZTR the first mower to come out with zero turn? Seems like the first one that I heard of was around 1982 or so?
 
Excel/Hustler actually got started with zero turn mowers in the mid-60's. A guy was inspired by the Hesston SP windrower drive system then scaled the concept down to a lawnmower. Excel (which is just across town from the AGCO-Hesston factory) bought the design and got into the business. Moridge Manufacturing, just a few miles from Hesston, also was an early player with their Grasshopper mower.
 
story we were told as dealers was the group putting together Grasshopper could not agree on final product and split up, one built Dixon the other Grasshopper, this was from the original Dixon people not the "new" owners who in my opinion are running the Dixon name into the ground, used to be a highly regarded name in the mower circle at least out here that is no longer the case,, they call it progress I guess lol
 
1963 was the year that the Hustler mower was first made. It was the first true zero turn mower. Today, of all the zero turn mowers made, Hustler is the only one to use a slipper piston pump (the same ones used in skid steers) and the only one that I know of that uses steel hydraulic lines which disipate heat better. Although they are one of the best and maybe number two, Walker mowers have surpassed them with inovations that put them on top. The deck stands up at 90 degrees to help with blade changes, the deck is quick attach for other attachments besides mowers, the deck sits out front so you can mow under fences and trees and the go lever is seperate from the turn levers which gives you more control over what you are trying to do. The engine mix is the same with all of them. Although some of them use cheaper versions of the engines made by the major manufactures. For the money, the Bad Boy, that is made in Batesville Arkansas is probably the best bang for the buck. I researched this last year trying to decide what to buy. I'm saving my pennies for the Walker.
 
I didn't know that they had been around that long. Maybe I'll be able to get one some day. Dixon was the first that I heard about, maybe they were just popular around here back then.

I'd like to know just how many brands of them there are now. Seems like you can get one in any color of the rainbow.
 
Local L&G shop owner told me yesterday there are about 46 companies that market a ZTR mower. He sells Grasshopper, Snapper, and Simplicity.
 
Depending on your definition of Zero-turn,and going way back,there were a handful of em startibg in the 50s.Generally 3wheelers such as the Swisher Big Mow/Ride King,and one made by an aircraft mfg(Hiller?)Swisher sold a boatload of theres,under both their name,and contracts,like Gambles,WesternAuto,farm supply stores etc.The RideKing/BigMow was what started the original Swisher mower and Machine Corp and was around in various models from late 50s to late 70s.Virtualls all parts except frame were"off the shelf"hardware,so many were run for yrs&yrs. Had a couple over the years,Funnest/stangest,most adept units I've ever owned :) Retired the last,a mid 60s,due to metal fatique from totin my fat fundament around for many years.
Others were more on the order of a low height "bar stool racer" w/3 wheels and a deck beneath.
 
Just wondering about the version that we have now.

46 different brands...I'd guess that about 25 of them are copycats of (made by) others. That still leaves a lot of different manufacturers!
 
you want new dixon specials on season end inventory.
i put the current units up against anything else out
there.rick
 
I use two ZTR mowers - one is a 1980 and the other is an '83.
They are Deines. Outstanding machines. They were around
long before mine were built but I don't know how long. With the
deck completely independent and free floating out front they
do very well on uneven terrain. Also makes mowing around
bushes easy. One is a 60 inch and one is a 40 inch. I actually
prefer the smaller one as this place isn't spaced well enough to
make the most use of a five foot deck.
 

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