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COATESVILLE, Ind. – In mid August, Dixie Chopper Marketing Manager, Eli Kean set the Guinness World Record for “Largest Area of Grass Mowed by a Single-Deck Ride-On Lawn Mower in 24 Hours.”
Kean set the Guinness World Record at the 2,000 acre Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio, home of the Ohio Farm Science Review trade show. From noon, August 19, to noon, August 20, Kean continuously mowed approximately 106.14 acres, using a Kawasaki powered Dixie Chopper XCaliber 3574.
“The majority of the terrain I mowed was pretty bumpy because it was basically a grassy parking lot,” Kean said. “In some areas, the grass was over 12 inches high and Guinness required that I cut at least 4 centimeters off the grass.”
To ensure speed and productivity, Kean had access to a second XCaliber 3574 when one mower needed to be serviced or refuelled. In order to see throughout the night, Kean had special LED lights added to the XCalibers. Kean also had to continue through the record attempt in extreme heat and rain.
“During the night, it began to lightning all around us but luckily it was way off into the distance,” Kean said. “I was happy that it only rained early in the morning for about an hour, it would have been difficult to mow for most of the 24 hours in the rain.”
Per Guinness World Record requirements, Dixie Chopper hired two adjudicators, which had no affiliation to the company, to stay the entire 24 hour period to make sure Kean mowed using the appropriate equipment. Dixie Chopper was also required to hire a local land surveyor to measure the exact amount of acreage mowed.
Following the record competition, the Dixie Chopper team and local media celebrated with a small reception and interview session. There, Kean explained the trials of mowing continuously for 24 hours and answered questions from the local media.
“While my back was a little sore, this was a great experience and it’s a pretty good feeling to know that I set a Guinness World Record,” Kean said.