Yep. Diesels tend to run lower RPMs and are more fuel efficient. For our purposes on the Power Tracs, we need an engine to turn our pumps at a certain RPM to make maximum hydraulic flow. You could gear a diesel or gas engine to get that pump to turn at the proper RPM. So, again, HP is HP no matter what produces it. However, once you put a load on it, the diesel will be able to keep it in the max HP range easier than the gas because of the longer crank arms on a diesel, more torque over a wider range of RPMs, etc.... all that stuff that I am still learning regarding diesel VS gas.
However, I purposely looked for and bought a tractor with a gas engine. Why? Because I have never failed to get a gas engine to start in the winter, when I need it most, to plow snow, so I can get to work. I have on many occassions failed to get a diesel to start in the winter due to fuel problems, no pre heating, etc... plus, once diesel fuel gets on you or your clothes, you smell like a garage mechanic. Lord help you if you sit on the wife's couch with diesel on your pants.
For large machinery, large pickup trucks, professionally used equipment etc... diesel wins for power and longevity. For a 1500 pound yard tractor like my PT425 that only gets 50-60 hours of use a year at most, I could not justifiy the added cost of a diesel engine. I understand gas engines and I can repair gas engines. The Kohler engines had good reputations, are easy to work on, parts are plentiful and repair shops are abundant if I get stumped.
