GRAND HAVEN, Mich. -
Dixie Chopper and the U.S. Coast Guard may seem like complete opposites, but put them together and a unique bond is created.
The Coast Guard was originally known as the “cutter service” when established in 1790 and today all Coast Guard vessels with permanently assigned crews are known as “cutters.”
Of course, Dixie Chopper mowers are often called “choppers” as well, and many who operate them are known as commercial cutters.
Considering all that, it seemed only logical that Dixie Chopper salute the USCG by creating the Coast Guard-themed lawn mower. The Coast Guard will use it in parades, promotional activities and recruiting endeavors across the country.
The unit debuted Aug. 7 in the Coast Guard Festival Parade at Grand Haven, Mich. Current plans are for Michigan territory manager Mike Rygiel to take it on a whirlwind tour of the state this summer and fall.
Robert Woonacott of the local Dixie Chopper dealership drove the mower in the 160-unit parade, periodically spraying the crowd with the water cannon attachment at the rear of the mower. After the parade, the mower was formally presented to the Coast Guard in a ceremony preceding that evening’s lakefront fireworks display that climaxed the festival.
The Dixie Chopper Coast Guard mower is a modified Silver Eagle model zero-turn unit decorated in Coast Guard colors and adorned with its logos. A special orange embroidered seat cover carries the Coast Guard colors and insignia, while a flashing blue light tops the rollbar. The mower is also equipped with a bullhorn/PA system and sirens.
“We are excited and proud to be a part of this great annual Coast Guard celebration and honor this branch of service and its personnel for their contributions to keeping our communities, our country and our world free and safe,” said Dixie Chopper president and CEO Gary A. Morgan.