Gas or Diesel

Dashe · May 20, 2013

I will agree that a large diesel in a truck will most likely out last a gas engine in a truck but we are not comparing apples to apples. It is not my point to convince you one way or the other, you are convinced that your diesel is a longer lasting engine then the gas equivalent that is all right. But the data doesn't support it nor does my experience working with both types of engines. I think if theses machines are well cared for maintenance wise, the hours don't matter that much either. The great thing about this forum is the passion that we have for our great machines and I enjoy sharing different points of view. I would hope that neither one of us are able to put enough hours on our machines to prove which one last the longest. Our purpose on this forum is to share our experience, advice and opinions and so the OP can make his mind up.

Jimh4662 · May 20, 2013

Well said jdtank. Most additives are added at the pump. I add some more when I put in in my 20 gal, portable. I have a 4110 and only issue was electrical. Not sure I didn't cause it my self with jumping it. 13 years Zero diesel problems. Only add a couple ounces of diesel kleen. At 50 hrs changed all fluids to synthetic. That was in 2002. Annual change the engine oil. As for same performance as gas. No don't think so. Had a 445 took my hill at a speed to continue cutting and travel. Mower deck slowed so I slowed movement. My new x758 took the hill, and the torque on that diesel never missed and RPM. As for not needed 4wd, that is for the owner not for spectators. Think of what you may need and figure what if situations. Will you need something to push snow, dirt? I pull a cyclone rake in the fall. If you are not sure what it is look it up. When it is full heading for the dump location it will drag you around. I tried 2wd.....so. Now I believe in only God knows what tomorrow will bring. I like doing Less with More. Life is short.

rboss75 · May 20, 2013

I truly believe that none of us on this tractor forum will live longer then a well maintained gas or diesel engine in this size machine. Like JD tank said the point is moot.

Every spring I go out to the barn and start my uncle's original well maintained 1968 JD 112 gas garden tractor and she purrs like a kitten. And yes i do use it for some chores and even cut grass with it sometimes just or fun. My uncle is long gone but his gas garden tractor keeps on going and hopefully my little guy will be starting and using my well maintained x728 and his great uncle's 112 years after I am gone

My Ford 2000 gas job had over 4000 hrs when i sold it for good money and my Ford 4000 gas job has over 3000 hrs and keeps on going.

BUT I LOVE MY JOHN DEERE DIESEL TRACTORS!!

Code54 · May 20, 2013

rubadub said:
Before you buy the diesel I would make sure I know what I'm getting into. Glow plugs, lots of additives, Auto Zone sells diesel additives by the pallet load. Fuel gelling, longer warms up with the engine shaking, cold weather is a problem for a lot of diesels.

Water separators, that's a whole different ballgame all by itself.

How about warming up a diesel in your attached garage, get ready for a smoke out. One guy wrote in he always has soot on the front of his x7 after blowing snow or mowing grass.

Diesel is always higher priced then gas, and don't forget the storage of diesel fuel, and how far do you have to go to get it.

Rob

SORRY BUT I CAN NOT AGREE WITH THIS AT ALL! What additives - I run 2 Kubota's and a truck without any additives and no problems in the least. They start great all winter (heck it is what we plow with when the snow flies) and water separators never have been any more of a pain than a gas filter on a gasser. This is VERY old thinking and not the case anymore. Our little diesel tractor with 48" finish mower uses less than my 20 inch Honda push mower! I personally would buy the diesel knowing that down the road I can get my money back in resale and have the torque advantages the entire time I own it.

rubadub · May 20, 2013

You guys keep telling yourselfs how good and cheap to run these diesels are, but I have the time to read about things like this (been retired for 10 years) and these diesels have issues, especially the smaller ones in the garden tractors.

Diesels need to run a while when you start them up, and when they start telling Johnny come lately he needs one, that's the problem, how much grass are they cutting or how many hours. These diesels need good fresh fuel.

By the time you start one up [they shake so bad] there like an old wet bird dog shaking themselves off, the gas job would have a lot of the yard all ready cut.

Diesels have their place, but when you're spending only an hour or two cutting your grass it probably won't run good after a while.

If you don't take care of that fuel you will be using some additives, then along with the higher price of diesel fuel to start with. Its a no brainer, get a gasoline motor.

There are lots of Auto zones around, go down and ask the guy at the counter if they sell much diesel fuel additive.

Rob

rubadub · May 20, 2013

I almost forgot, if you have a diesel you might have to travel a bit out your way to get it = $$$

Then the big one, what kind of diesel fuel are you getting and how fresh is it, gelled diesel fuel is not good.

Rob

eagle107 · May 21, 2013

rubadub said:
I almost forgot, if you have a diesel you might have to travel a bit out your way to get it = $$$

Then the big one, what kind of diesel fuel are you getting and how fresh is it, gelled diesel fuel is not good.

Rob

I respect your opinion about gas engines and if you look at the JD sales numbers for the garden tractors, most people in general (not on this forum) will purchase a gas engine because it is what they know; that is why you will find more gas X700 series out there than diesel versions. However, your facts about diesels shaking and finding fuel are not correct. First, diesel engine "shake" or vibration is very minimal especially with the rubber isolators JD uses for the engine mounts. Today's diesel engine technology makes a lot of the issues you are stating moot. My X748 does not shake as you state nor does my 4520, which is a much bigger engine. Second, as for not finding diesel fuel, that is hard to believe. Where I live, diesel is found at almost every gas station. If you are referring to off-road diesel, then yes, that can be harder to find. Lastly, as for diesel fuel gelling, I have not see that happen since I was a little kid back in the 80s when my dad left his diesel car outside in the winter time. If you keep your tractors indoors, like most of us do, the gelling issue should not happen; if you are concerned about it, use an additive. Not here to convince you that a diesel is better than gas, but the facts you are stating are outdated.

rboss75 · May 21, 2013

eagle107 said:
I respect your opinion about gas engines and if you look at the JD sales numbers for the garden tractors, most people (not on this forum) will purchase a gas engine because it is what they know; that is why you will find more gas X700 series out there than diesel versions. However, your facts about diesels shaking and finding fuel are not correct. First, diesel engine shake or vibration is very minimal especially with the rubber isolators JD for the engine mounts. Today's diesel technology make a lot of the issues you are stating moot. My X748 does not shake as you state nor does my 4520 which is a much bigger engine. Second, as for not finding diesel fuel, that is hard to believe. Where I live, diesel is found at almost every gas station. If you are referring to off-road diesel, then yes, that can be harder to find. Lastly, as for diesel fuel gelling, I have not see that happen since I was a little kid back in the 80s when my dad left his car outside in the winter time. If you keep your tractors indoors, like most of us do, the gelling issue should not happen; if you are concerned about it, use an additive. Not here to convince you that a diesel is better than gas, but the facts you are stating are outdated.

Eagle107 you are right on the money. But just to add to your post, John Deere states to use low sulfur diesel fuel only in my newer machines. Now I have ran both off road & on road in all my tractors and there is deference on how they run. Now when I have fuel delivered at the farm all I have delivered now is on road. It does cost more but I right it off at the end of the year but the tractors run so much cleaner and I like that!

Dashe · May 21, 2013

We all can agree that all of us, John Deere fans, are passionate about our tractors! Based upon all these opinions, I wonder what the OP final decision will be?