HPX Owners, what do you think?

[Tractors4u]

Yesterday my daughter was out of school so we had Father Daughter day. We went by the Deere dealer and drove a new HPX. Before I give my take on the machine let me give you some back ground. I currently own a 2002 6X4 gas Gator that we bought in September of 2003. We have really enjoyed it. It has been a serious work machine as well as a pleasure machine. I have enjoyed having it so much that I have been thinking about upgrading. My upgrade is not going to be immediate, probably at least a year out. The HPX is on my list. So when I drove it yesterday I was expecting a super smooth ride and quick acceleration. I was actually disappointed. The ride was actually awful. Does it have adjustable shocks in the rear? I was wondering if it was set up for carrying a heavy load or something. The 6X4 has front suspension but relies on low pressure balloon tires in the rear for the suspension. I keep my tires at 5-6 lbs and it really isn't that bad of a ride. On the HPX I felt as though we were going to be bounced out of the thing and we never really got up past half speed. The take off speed of the HPX we drove yesterday wasn't very fast either. I could understand that as maybe an engine that was broken in yet. It was warmed up though because we jumped on as soon as someone else finished their test drive. Please don't take this as a "Bash the HPX" post because it isn't. I really like the looks and specs, but I would keep what I have before I would trade for the one I drove yesterday. I want to here your take on your HPX, especially those of you that went from 6 wheels to 4.

 

[cowboydoc]

I have both Brent. I don't care what people say on here but that 6x4 is by far the best utility vehicle that I have had. For the ranch I'd take it over anything else out there. I've driven all of them and owned quite a few but the 6x4 is my favorite. If you aren't out 4 wheeling in the mountains it's my personal best choice out there.

I bought the HPX because of the winters. I figured it would be better than the Mule in the snow pulling the manure spreader. It isn't. My friend has a 6x6 polaris and the 6x4 gator did just as good as it pulling the spreader in the snow.

If your 6x4 does all you need now I sure wouldn't trade it for the HPX or anything else out there.

 

[bczoom]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I keep my tires at 5-6 lbs and it really isn't that bad of a ride. On the HPX I felt as though we were going to be bounced out of the thing and we never really got up past half speed.)</font>

On my ATV's, I run about 5-6 as well. I can't speak for the HPX but the RTV runs the tires at 20psi. The RTV is pretty heavy so the ride isn't bad at all but on a HPX, it may make a difference.

I believe it was a post by Y2KF250PSD that gave the most info on the HPX. I've heard great things about the diesel version and mixed opinions on the gas version.

 

[Tractors4u]

Thanks for your comments Richard. For what I am doing now, the 6X4 works great. I have been hauling heaping loads of dirt and road with it and occasionally dragging small trees out of the woods with it. It hasn't failed me yet. It the future I can see using it to joy ride more. My only complaints so far is the lack of ground clearance. Every so often I bang the bottom of the Gator with a rock. We also have a shallow creek on our property and I have one fording site that is shallow enough for me to cross and by the time I make it to the other side the belt is wet and I have to give it a minute to dry the belt.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I just ordered an HPX 4x4 (gas) /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Checked out the RTV and the Mule also. Got the best price on the Gator. I didn't feel it rode much different from the other models we tried. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Guess I will have to wait and see...

 

[Dargo]

I've had three JD 4X6 Gators. Two gas and the last one diesel. If you like the gas model, you'd fall in love with the diesel model. The diesel model had just as much acceleration but had 3 times the pulling power and used half the fuel.
I drove the Kubota RTV and discovered that it had even more HP and torque than the 4X6 diesel Gator, ran faster, and was much smoother riding. I sold my beloved 4X6 JD diesel Gator and bought the Kubota RTV.
Now, for your "pleasure" side. Since I bought the Kubota RTV, JD came out with their diesel Gator. I went and drove it as well. The lack of power steering gave it a much less refined feeling than the RTV and the transmission was not nearly as smooth as the hydro on the RTV. However, neither model is much on acceleration. Their "fun factor" is somewhat limited.
Based on that, I went and drove the Yamaha Rhino. Holy cow! Talk about turning up the "fun factor" about twenty turns!! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif It is a blast! However, it's rear bed is even smaller than the HPX, and the HPX bed is smaller than the Kubota RTV. The Rhino will haul 400 lbs in the bed and tow something like 1200 to 1500 pounds. Anyway, I bought a Rhino too! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Every person has their own needs and likes, but for me, the RTV won hands down for brute strength, power, smoothness (with the power steering, transmission and overall ride), and had the best dump system of any of the UV's. I was completely satisfied with my 4X6 diesel Worksite Gator until I drove the Kubota RTV Worksite model. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I highly recommend driving both on a "non pressured" test drive to see which you like best.
For fun, go try the Rhino. Nothing will touch it for speed, fun, durability and light work. Good luck!!

 

[Y2KF250PSD]

Hey Brent,

I'd recommend finding a diesel HPX to take on a test ride before making a decision.

You're familiar with the trouble I had with the gas HPX. But, I can't say enough good about the diesel HPX I have now though. 80 hours so far without missing a beat. It has performed flawlessly and does everything I ask of it with ease.

I have driven both the 6x4 diesel and the RTV but haven't had the opportunity to work them. They're both good machines. Honestly, I don't think there is that much difference in the performance of them. Buy what you like and works for your application.

 

[chowl]

I have HPX diesel Gator and the 6x4 diesel Gator as well. I'm trying to sell the 6x4 right now ,and I'm not have much luck. The 6x4 is a 1999 model ,and it is a good hard working machine for the time we have had it. It did the work when we call on it to do so. The HPX diesel has a better ride, is stronger ,and faster then the 6x4 hands down.

Thank
Les /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[JESSE1]

I've got 45 hours on my HPX Diesel 4x4 now. I traded a 6x4 Diesel Gator for it. The 6x4 was a good machine but IMO the HPX is an all-around better performer. Just the fact it has 4 wheel disc brakes and disc parking brake compared to the 6x4 Gator transmission brake makes a big difference. If you lower the tire air pressure to 10 psi front and 12psi rear helps the ride.

I've driven gas versions of both machines and don't care for the sound or power. The diesel sips fuel.