7 Dixon Zero Turn Mower Problems (and Solutions)

In the world of personal landscaping, if you happen to have a lot of grass-cutting or landscaping work to do, then you might want to consider investing in a commercial zero-turn lawnmower.

Not only will it make your life easier; but also save you some time and effort.

Dixon zero-turn Ride-on Mowers are designed for performance and comfort, no matter your budget.

The zero-turn maneuverability makes cutting around shrubs, trees, and grasses a bliss.

However, this lawn mower brand, just like every other popular brand out there are not without their fair share of problems.

Want a simple lawn mower? Check out the Earthwise LSW70021 21-Inch Leaf & Grass Push Lawn Sweeper (on Amazon)

Zero-turn mowers are far better than their smaller counterparts because they offer the operator complete control over the cutting deck and direction of travel at all times. 

This is opposed to riding mowers and lawn tractors which require constant changing between forward and reverse gear as well as turning the steering wheel from left to right, which can be quite cumbersome for those with large plots of land or many acres. 

Also, another added benefit is that these types of machines come with numerous safety features which include brakes in both the front and back wheels.

In addition to a dead man bar for motor shut-off in the unlikely event of the operator falling off.

No matter what brand or model you go for it’s important that you read customer reviews before making your final decision.

This is by far the best way to gauge whether or not an individual machine will be right for your needs. 

Here are seven Dixon zero turn mower problems and their respective solutions so you know what to look out for when buying one:

1). Power Loss/Stalling

If your machine experiences power loss there could be one of two things wrong with it; either the engine isn’t getting enough gas because of clogged lines or filters, or the engine isn’t getting any gas at all because of a faulty fuel pump or an electrical issue.

First check to see if there are clogs in filters and lines, clean them out if necessary. Then shut off your machine remove the air filter case, you’ll probably find that it’s extremely dirty due to loose debris being sucked into it from underneath.

It would be impairing its ability to produce enough air pressure for proper combustion. Replace with a brand new one and that should do the trick.

If this doesn’t work then check whether or not you’re getting any voltage to the fuel pump itself. If not then chances are you’ve got yourself an electrical problem on your hands and will need to either take it into a service center or have it fixed by a professional. 

Otherwise, you could try replacing the fuel pump yourself, just be sure to buy one that matches your specific Dixon zero turn mower model.

2). Brakes are locking on their own

If your brakes are locking up on their own without any warning signs then chances are there’s something wrong with the braking system itself. 

A problem like this can be caused by something as simple as an electrical issue or corroded brake cables and linkage, where moisture has entered and compromised the integrity of the system. 

Check for corrosion if this is indeed what it may be, clean out accordingly, and replace any torn or frayed cable assemblies if need be.

3). Grass clippings jamming discharge chute

This is a common complaint among many Dixon zero turn mower owners and can be easily fixed. ‘

All you need to do is run the engine at full throttle and operate the mower in reverse while simultaneously unclogging any buildup with either your hands or a stick of some sort if it’s not too bad.

4). Vibration while operating

If this is happening there’s nothing wrong with the machine itself, all you need to do is add more weight to it so that the added resistance helps absorb some of the vibrations by placing sandbags on top of or underneath its frame for example. 

You could also try putting some heavy-duty shock absorbers on its wheels(s) as well just to be on the safe side.

5). Can’t get the engine to start

More often than not this is caused by either a buildup of gas in the fuel tank or a clog in one of its lines, both of which are easy enough to deal with and fix if this happens. 

Be sure to check all filters and filters/lines for any obstructions and remove them accordingly. Afterward, you should be good to go.

6). Machine constantly dies/doesn’t run unless the choke is on

This problem is caused by either your TP sensor being faulty, preventing the machine from adjusting its idle based on atmospheric pressure or an electrical issue such as a faulty ignition switch that won’t allow it to stay running once started without choking first. 

Try replacing your TP sensor first and see if that does anything, if not then have a professional check the ignition switch.

7). Machine goes forward/backward on its own

This can be caused by either a faulty seat switch or linkage, which only requires manual adjustment to fix it. To do this simply remove the seat from your Dixon zero turn mower by taking out all necessary screws that are holding it in place. 

Then disassemble it by removing its exterior panels so you can access and inspect any of its mechanical linkages for any fraying or wear and replace as needed. Once done reassemble and remount your seat and you’re good to go.

The Dixon Zero-Turn Mower has the following features:

What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Zero-Turn Mower?

There are many factors that determine the life expectancy of a mower, but it can be said that on average they should last about 10 years. 

Of course, this will vary depending on the quality of the machine and how often you use it, but some owners claim to get more than 20 years out of their mowers so durability does not seem to be an issue with some brands.

If you need any spare parts for your mower, whether they’re worn out or broken, there are usually aftermarket suppliers who offer them at lower prices than the manufacturer itself. 

This means that if you want service or repairs done to your mower there’s no reason why you shouldn’t go ahead and buy another one when yours starts showing signs of wear and tear. 

Obviously, this will depend on how much you use it, but if you’re using it for 10 hours a week then after around two years the rotating blades may need to be replaced or sharpened.

Be aware that some manufacturers offer different warranty conditions depending on where in the world your mower was bought and used. 

So even if your machine is still under warranty, this might not apply if you take it out of the country without permission. You should always check with your supplier before doing this so you don’t run up unnecessary repair costs.

Of course, one downside to buying cheaper alternatives instead of replacing them altogether is that they may not do what you want them to do. 

If the blades are blunt then maybe purchasing new ones could be an easy solution, but if there are other issues with your mower then unless you’re a DIY expert it might be better to get in touch with the manufacturers directly. 

It’s always worth checking the reviews of any spare parts or service suppliers you decide to use so that if anything goes wrong you have someone to point the finger at when asking for your money back.

There are plenty of options available when it comes to buying new gearboxes and engines for older models, but it may well be that you can just buy an entirely new mower instead of investing time repairing an old one that probably won’t last much longer anyway. 

This will especially depend on how often you use your machine and what purpose it serves, but by simply changing the engine in your old mower you might be able to get another five years out of it.

How Many Hours On A Dixon Zero Turn Mower Is A Lot?      

 We often get asked, how many hours on a Dixon zero turn mower is a lot? The answer can be quite subjective since hours will vary from operation to operation.

In the case of our own fleet of Dixon zero turn mowers, we have one that has been running regularly for 7 years averaging 30 hours per week. 

That particular machine still runs smoothly and reliably with no major repairs other than routine maintenance items. 

Our neighbor’s Dixion zero turn mower has over 1350 hours and still going strong! Keep in mind these machines are driven daily and used under heavier conditions than your average homeowner would put them through.

 The best advice we can give you is to follow your operator manual recommended maintenance schedule and always have a reputable dealer do all your maintenance. 

The cost of the Dixon mower is only half the equation, you also need to factor in operational costs. If you purchase a low-quality machine that breaks down often, you are throwing money away.

As with most things in life, you get what you pay for so when considering a zero-turn mower make sure it’s well built and comes backed by a company with factory support. 

Too many consumers don’t understand how much it will cost them if they skimp on their initial purchase price thinking they can save money by buying something less expensive. 

The problem is these cheaper machines don’t last very long before they break down or require major repairs that end up costing more than buying an equivalent well-built machine, to begin with.

If you are serious about increasing your productivity and reducing mowing time, then Dixon zero turn mowers are for you! We invite you to take a closer look at the entire Dixon line of zero-turn machines by visiting us online or calling one of our lawn care experts today. 

You can count on Decker Truck & Equipment Co. Inc. to give you straightforward advice so you can make an educated purchase decision based on real information rather than sales hype.

 When purchasing any piece of equipment it is always best if the manufacturer offers some sort of factory support that goes beyond simply fixing your unit when there’s an issue no matter how small it may seem to be. 

All too often customers end up replacing their zero turn mower after investing so much money because they’ve already made their decision on what zero turns to buy.

Conclusion

If none of these problems describe what’s going on with your mower then chances are there’s nothing wrong with it and it’s just a matter of proper mower maintenance. 

Bearing this in mind be sure to regularly check and service your Dixon zero turn mower’s engine, air filter, fuel lines, and tank as well as all cables and connectors for any frays or cuts that might compromise its overall integrity and performance.