jcmseven
Veteran Member
Fellow Posters,
As many of you know, I have a new XUV Gator John Deere. It is the diesel model. I have been very happy with it. My father, who is 76 years old (and my mother) have some property where they own a cabin in the northwest NC mountains, about two hours from where I live. He has been maintaining about eight acres or so using a 2002 Polaris ATV that I bought him for Christmas that year. Due to his advancing age and arthritic shoulders he can no longer effectively steer this large, heavy machine--so it frequently sits idle. I have thought about helping my dad sell his ATV and get a UTV with a steering wheel. I have thought--and he loves this thought--in giving him my Gator and my getting something else. He likes JD products and has operated my machine--feeling comfortable with it. If I do get something else I may consider branching out. I have been pleased with my XUV but am impressed by the offerings of Polaris and Kubota, particularly. I need something to work about 90% of the time and play 10% of the time. I do a lot of errands picking up heavy rocks, etc. at the top of our 6000' mountain. I pull heavy loads and would like something that has strong brakes or good engine braking. I need something that can hold its speed going up 15%+ gradients with a load trailered or in the bed. The Polaris has plenty of power and seems sporty, but I wonder if its non-power steering is a liability. My Gator with its aftermarket wheels and tires steers fine at speed and less fine when going slow. I also like the fact that the composite sides and bed of the Polaris seem more dent and scratch resistant. The high top speed is a plus, but it seems the engine braking and brake wear might be a concern. I have a good local dealer but due to liability issues as he puts it, he will not allow me to try a machine on my property for a day. That said the price seems competitive and the machine seems good. The Kubota seems like a real workhorse, but my concern is its lack of travel, lack of true four wheel drive and seemingly unfavorable top speed and power/weight ratio. I am concerned it will labor in my hills. My Gator, which has equivalent horsepower to the Kubota and weighes less, does not like some of my steeper hills. The gasoline XUV I had before would almost stop on some of them with any appreciable load. The Kubota has some nice features, but seems more expensive and I also wonder how well it removes snow. One major task I have in winter is snow removal for certain parts of my neighborhood. We are talking steep drives and roads with no shoulder. Sliding here will result in almost certain injury or death. Knowing these facts to start, which of these machines would the group recommend me pursue?? I will be happy to provide further information upon request.
John M
As many of you know, I have a new XUV Gator John Deere. It is the diesel model. I have been very happy with it. My father, who is 76 years old (and my mother) have some property where they own a cabin in the northwest NC mountains, about two hours from where I live. He has been maintaining about eight acres or so using a 2002 Polaris ATV that I bought him for Christmas that year. Due to his advancing age and arthritic shoulders he can no longer effectively steer this large, heavy machine--so it frequently sits idle. I have thought about helping my dad sell his ATV and get a UTV with a steering wheel. I have thought--and he loves this thought--in giving him my Gator and my getting something else. He likes JD products and has operated my machine--feeling comfortable with it. If I do get something else I may consider branching out. I have been pleased with my XUV but am impressed by the offerings of Polaris and Kubota, particularly. I need something to work about 90% of the time and play 10% of the time. I do a lot of errands picking up heavy rocks, etc. at the top of our 6000' mountain. I pull heavy loads and would like something that has strong brakes or good engine braking. I need something that can hold its speed going up 15%+ gradients with a load trailered or in the bed. The Polaris has plenty of power and seems sporty, but I wonder if its non-power steering is a liability. My Gator with its aftermarket wheels and tires steers fine at speed and less fine when going slow. I also like the fact that the composite sides and bed of the Polaris seem more dent and scratch resistant. The high top speed is a plus, but it seems the engine braking and brake wear might be a concern. I have a good local dealer but due to liability issues as he puts it, he will not allow me to try a machine on my property for a day. That said the price seems competitive and the machine seems good. The Kubota seems like a real workhorse, but my concern is its lack of travel, lack of true four wheel drive and seemingly unfavorable top speed and power/weight ratio. I am concerned it will labor in my hills. My Gator, which has equivalent horsepower to the Kubota and weighes less, does not like some of my steeper hills. The gasoline XUV I had before would almost stop on some of them with any appreciable load. The Kubota has some nice features, but seems more expensive and I also wonder how well it removes snow. One major task I have in winter is snow removal for certain parts of my neighborhood. We are talking steep drives and roads with no shoulder. Sliding here will result in almost certain injury or death. Knowing these facts to start, which of these machines would the group recommend me pursue?? I will be happy to provide further information upon request.
John M
