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Dixie Chopper honored for mower
Chalk up another honor for Dixie Chopper and its revolutionary LP3000 propane-powered lawn mower.
The Central Indiana Clean Cities Alliance (CICCA) has presented Dixie Chopper with the 2008 CICCA Achievement Award for outstanding accomplishment in the development of the first original engine manufactured (OEM) propane-powered lawn mower.
Dixie Chopper Sales and Marketing Director Matt Land accepted the award from CICCA President Ed Friel during the group's annual meeting Jan. 31 at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Land was accompanied by Dixie Chopper Public Relations Director Eric Bernsee.
In 2006, Dixie Chopper partnered with Wisconsin-based engine manufacturer Generac to develop the LP3000 as a new line of "world's fastest lawn mowers." Over the past two years, that concept has gone from drawing board to reality as a cleaner, less-expensive lawnmowing alternative.
In fact, Dixie Chopper propane mowers have been purchased by a number of municipalities and educational institutions in their desire to "go green" as well as save the green in their wallets. It is interesting to note that Dixie Chopper propane mowers are now even mowing the grounds of prestigious Harvard University.
"We are honored to be recognized by CICCA for the development of the first, original engine manufactured propane mower," Land said of the Putnam County company that has been making commercial-grade zero-turning radius lawn mowers since 1980.
"The Dixie Chopper vision has always been to provide our customers with a product that lasts long after it has been paid for," Land added. "But now the LP3000 gives them an alternative fuel mower choice, allowing them to comply with Kno-Zone Air Quality Action Day requests."
In addition, Land pointed out that the LP3000 "further reduces our nation's dependence on foreign oil by running on propane, not petroleum-based fuels."
During mowing season, the demand -- and thus the cost -- of propane is down because homeowners are not using it for a heat source. Consequently, the cleaner-burning propane is typically half the cost of gasoline during those mowing months.
To drive home points like that, Dixie Chopper and Land took matters into their own hands last April and May.
"This mower has literally seen the world," CICCA spokesman Kellie Walsh said in announcing the award. "This past spring, Matt Land drove the mower 1,800 miles cross country (mostly via historic Route 66), from Indiana to Sacramento, Calif. And in Las Vegas this May, Matt will speak on the AFVi's Conference on Propane panel, to tell attendees all about the Clean Cut Across America trip."
The Clean Cut Across America adventure landed Dixie Chopper on the cover of Route 66 magazine as well as on numerous television and radio stations and newspaper pages along the route.
The Dixie Chopper propane mower was previously named a finalist in the mower category of the annual PRO magazine Innovation Awards competition.
Cleaner burning fuels like propane produce fewer air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, American Lung Association of Indiana President and CEO Nancy Turner pointed out in praising the Dixie Chopper propane mower advancement.
Clean Cities, part of the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office, builds partnerships with industry, stakeholders, fleets, fuel suppliers, and business partners with the goal of decreasing petroleum use.