Gator vs. Mule vs. Ranger

[Bird]

San Diego Kid, I sorta stayed out of this thread initially because I've never used one of machines except the biggest Mule. My brother bought one in '96 and after I took a rancher neighbor through woods, brush, ravines, etc. on a fence checking and mending job, he bought one just like it. I think my brother and I (especially him) were pretty rough on his (he once drove us through about a hundred yards of water that came right up to the bottom edge of the seat), and he never had any repairs to make; just the normal maintenance. Now my rancher neighbor has a lot more hours on his (used nearly every day) and he has two teenage grandsons who could destroy a cannon ball with a ball peen hammer, so he had to have to clutch assembly replaced awhile back.

I know one neighbor who has a Gator (and of course this is a guy who wouldn't buy anything but John Deere and has enough money to just trade for a big new tractor every couple of years).

Now I honestly don't know whether the Polaris or Gator is about the same, better, or worse than the Mule, but I know American Airlines uses a whole fleet of Mules at the D/FW International Airport, and after seeing what my brother's Mule would do, I know that if I were in the market for a machine of that type, I'd go with the Mule (especially that new diesel model/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif).

 

[Steve_in_Ont]

Gerard - You're right - Polaris also makes the Sportsman 6X6... It seems to be a bit more ATV and a bit less work vehicle than the Ranger. However - spec for spec, they really are not all that different - same 500cc engine, both have 800lbs box capacity, similar towing capacties (1225 vs. 1500). Additionally, the Sportsman is only 46" wide, vs. the Ranger at 58" (This could be good - fits into more places, or bad - less stable). Interestingly, the Sportsman is alot lighter (895lbs vs. 1,510lbs), and alot cheaper ($6,900 vs. $9,600)!

 

[Lane]

Where I work, we have (had) four of the Gator 4x2s and six of the Gator 6x4s. All gasoline powered. All have seen extensive, round the clock use (and abuse) and developed the same problems; difficult to keep motor running smoothly, requires constant carb tweaking, carb replacement and plug changes; rear chain drive requires frequent chain and sprocket replacement; front tires wear quickly; engines do not last as long as chassis, we have replaced engines in all at least once. Two of the 4x2s were scraped at two years old. We will go back to small stripped-down pickup trucks next time as we get at least 4 years good service from them.

 

[gerard]

thanx, that was the one I was talking about. My wife really wants a gator but with our current operation I can't justify it. The Sportsman however I could take out on trails and THEN justify it for work AND play! Easier sell for me!! Seemed like a pretty nice compromise and a reasonable price when some of the straight ATV's cost $7K!

 

[cowboydoc]

"If it ain't green it ain't good"

Nope not true at all San Diego Kid. It just happens that I don't think there is much difference at all in the the tractors UNTIL you get to the bigger models. With the compact I went for the most bang for the buck, which was JD. If you will read earlier posts I would have bought a Kubota if it had been cheaper than the JD but the JD was cheaper. I think Kubota and New Holland are good choices as well. Personally I would never buy anything other than those as I want to have something that anyone can work on and I can get parts and service for without driving a long ways or waiting for parts.

As far as the Gator vs. the Mule I said that both were good machines. However, you are limited in options when comparing Gator to the Mule. I needed a 6x4 for stablility. For a LESSER price than a 4x2 Mule I got a 6x4 Gator. The Gator is heavier, more payload, more stability, AND the EXACT same powertrain. If Polaris would have been a little more reasonable in price I would have bought the Polaris. Best deal I could find on one of those was $9100. As far as plastic goes I'm absolutely positive that they both have the same amt. If I have time tonight I'll post pics of both my Mule and my Gator side by side.

Now with regards to haying equipment hands down in my opinion there is no comparison JD at all.

As far as other implements, I have alot of diff. stuff. My rotarty cutters are Woods, my boxblade is Woods, my backblade for the 4020 is KK, my disc and planter are JD, my combine is Massey, my chisel plow and regular plow I have no idea, etc.

No I'm not a JD salesman but I do believe JD makes some of the best farming equipment in the world. If I can get JD equipment for a lesser price I'm sure going to do it.

 

[cowboydoc]

Oh forgot about my chainsaw, it's a Stihl. Now there I wouldn't even think about buying anything else.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

1. Kubota is a fine machine but deere has outdone everybody at this point with these new tractors in my opinion.
2.Wow those prices aren't that bad at all. I thought that the prices would be alot more than they are. For all the extras these tractors are putting together in the package it's definitely ahead of the field.
3.I've got a JD 4600 and that would be perfect for your application. It does everything you've asked and more. I can even run my 338 square baler with it. I can haul 2000 pound round bales on the front and back and anything in between. Tractor is easy to operate and maintain and the JD specific implements like loader, backhoe, forks etc. are very easy to get on and off. I'd highly recommend it. You will be set for today and if you decide to do a little farming in the future. I have yet to have even one regret over mine.
4. Around here kubota's don't sell for near what a jd will bring.
5.Have you guys also seen the new electric gator by deere? The dealer has one and they are pretty impressive.
6.Yep I've got the LX279 Bob and I agree it's a great machine.
7.Re: John Deere V Kubota [re: Ed Farhood] Reply




Ed,
This has been debated many times so I won't go into it too much here. Look in the Off Topic forum and you will see a list of problems with tractors. Kubota owners reported just as many problems as others. I don't think anyone works their tractor as hard as I do mine and I have had zero real problems with mine. I know other people in the same boat. JD has two basic problems with their that others didn't. One wasn't really a design problem but a user problem. The front end scuffed the grass when you mowed with it. JD brought out a new front end for those who wanted it. I didn't because the old front end is better for everything but mowing. The other problem is that some of them had problems with the hydros. Even that though was only on a few models and not widely spread. Yes there were a few problems when jd first came out but no more than any other new design that comes out. JD got a bad rap for this that I don't feel was deserved. The 4000 series is a very good tractor to have. The only reason that JD is coming out with the 10 series now is because there was so much bad press from the 00 series they felt they needed to come out with a new design. JD claims that they have the lowest work claims on subcompact of any mfg. I know that doesn't mean anything to anyone because it came from JD. I have yet to see any documentation though that the 4000 series had anymore warranty work done than any other brand.
8.I have the 4600 and I love it.

9. As far as the reliability issue and service record there is a magazine that put out a recent issue that compared 10 different subcompacts and john deere was #1 in least number of service complaints.
10.Geez you guys you make it sound like the john deere 4000 series was the worst tractor ever made! I wouldn't trade mine for a new one. Not that they wouldn't be a little better but the one I have is a total workhorse and has not let me down one time. I work the heck out of this thing and it just keeps going full bore. Yes they had a few things to work out in the beginning but they are not a bad machine at all. I started a thread awhile back on repairs and there were just as many repairs to other tractors as the 4000 series. They are a solid little tractor and the only reason that they are being given this bad name is because this kind of talk.

To name a few...........

DOC................

SERIOUSLY, YOU SURE YOU DON'T WORK FOR JOHN DEERE?
xoxoxoxox

The Kid

 

[Anonymous Poster]

What color of underwear do you wear?....Let me guess green and yellow or yellow and green...........

 

[Knight9]

Hi Kid,

I'm sure I speak for many here when I say get constructive or get lost.

Cowboydoc has contributed a lot to MANY discussions on this website. Most of us prefer the brand that we own...or we wouldn't own it! I've found doc's assistance to be beneficial and well founded. I've found you to be antagonist and rude. I'd say you need to find another forum eh?

Kevin

 

[cowboydoc]

Thanks Kevin.

Yes I do have my opinion on the things I buy or I wouldn't buy them. Sometimes though you just have to consider the source I guess.