I changed my mind

jcmseven · May 22, 2007

Fellow Posters,

About two months ago, I posted some pictures of my new Gator XUV. I also espoused the benefits of the gasoline engine v. the diesel and that I thought the gas engine would offer equal performance for less money. After using the Gator, which had been modified to achieve more speed, for several weeks, I turned it in on a new diesel XUV. My friend modified it the same as the other Gator, except we went with the soft top this time and went with the synthetic cord winch (nice). The diesel top speed is about 5-6 mph slower than the gas (about 35 mph, due entirely to the larger wheels) but the difference in torque is impressive. I would like to correct any advice I gave to the group based on my testing of both machines earlier. Since I have brought the diesel to my hilly environs, it really seems much stronger. With the larger tires to tap into the extra torque, this thing will really pull. Just wanted to pass this on to anyone who was on the fence between the two that my original opinion might have been incorrect.

John M

cef2lion · May 22, 2007

I got my XUV850D a month or so ago and I can say I'm more then pleased with it. Big difference from my 05 HPX Diesel. So much smoother riding with the IRS (independant rear suspension) and much faster. I have hauled some heavy loads of dirt up a grade and the diesel just grins. Power dump bed was a good addition once you get the load to were you are going.

I know I'm using it more than the HPX. The HPX was two years old with 70 hours on it when I traded it. I have already gone over the 10 hour mark in just a month. I lower the tailgate in the garage and use the bed as a work bench while working in the driveway. Everytime I put the tailgate down the one Golden Retriever jumps in the bed and the other is sitting up front thinking we are going to the pond for a swim. Break time.

I think competition is really making for some good improvements in these utility vehicles.

Craig

Kendall69 · May 22, 2007

I've been a diesel fan for years, and when Iread posts about gas VS diesel, I know in my heart what disel do and how thwy do it, that's why I swear by them.
In head to head comparsions you have to figure what the needs are, if it's speed go gas, if it's power, torque, longevity, and most important, that great diesel smell...then you gotta go diesel.

TOMMYHPX4X4 · May 22, 2007

i test drove a xuv the other day and i didn't see where it was all that great of a machine . i like the j.d line and i will probably stick with a hpx unless the diesels have a clutch enclosure. besides that the talk on the xuv's have been bery quiet. it seems like they had a rush to get them and then they had some roblems with the brakes and the front ends rattleing and then all of a sudden things got hush! hush!. what happened to all them xuv owners. have the brake problems been fixed ?have the rattles gone away?

darkday · May 22, 2007

I know I'm using it more than the HPX. The HPX was two years old with 70 hours on it when I traded it. I have already gone over the 10 hour mark in just a month. I lower the tailgate in the garage and use the bed as a work bench while working in the driveway. Everytime I put the tailgate down the one Golden Retriever jumps in the bed and the other is sitting up front thinking we are going to the pond for a swim. Break time.

10 hours in a month ? Shesh, I think I put that on my HPX in a week!

I've got 453 hours on mine in a little under 13 months. That's with it not being driven much in the winter too.

JDGREEN4ME · May 22, 2007

darkday said:
10 hours in a month ? Shesh, I think I put that on my HPX in a week!

I've got 453 hours on mine in a little under 13 months. That's with it not being driven much in the winter too.

I am almost embarassed to say we bought our HPX December '04 and we just turned 40hrs on it this month!

jcmseven · May 22, 2007

Tommy,

I found my original Gator to be a little "rattley" but this seems to not be the case with the new one. Tight as a drum on this machine, so I suspect they made a running improvement. The diesel is interesting, it is louder at idle but I think quieter when at throttle. It definitely has more mid range power. I do think JD made a great improvement with the XUV over the HPX but we are reaching a point of diminishing returns. The HPX is a good machine, the XUV is better, but not a bunch better. Just like if Polaris came out with a Ranger 800 XPP. It might go 55 mph and have 45 hp, not 40, but would the performance difference be that great at that point. Same in my mind with the JD.

John M

TOMMYHPX4X4 · May 22, 2007

did they put a enclosure on the deisel unit? it would be nice if they did . i would give a deisel xuv a try .

jcmseven · May 23, 2007

Tommy,

No, unfortunately they have not. My understanding is the diesel engine is too large to accomodate a clutch enclosure around with the frame structure. This is a problem to me, but not one that affects me. I do operate in some mud, but not much, so the lack of one is not harmful in my case.

John M

Kahuna · May 23, 2007

I had both a 05 HPX and a 06 HPX. There was a vast improvement between the two. I now have traded for the gas XUV. I like the machine. The brakes were a little spongy when new but so were the others. After about 10 hours they will feel like power brakes.

The only thing I do like better about the 06 HPX over the XUV is the sound. The HPX was a lot quieter from the engine noise to the power train. However, the ride on the XUV more than makes up for it. The XUV is better starting, has more acceleration, easier steering, easier to get in at out of (a little taller), and has a power reserve at top end (you can hear it accelerate when going up a hill even at full throttle which makes me feel there is some uptapped speed there).

Again, the only complaint is the noise. It is not unbearable and still quieter that the Polaris Ranger or Yamaha Rhino but noisier than the HPX. It does have a bit of a rattle but I do not see where it effects performance. As a matter of fact, I cannot even tell where the noise is coming from. Some say the front end makes noise but to me it seems to be coming from the center rear near the engine mounts. I can also tell a bit of a vibration at top end, especially on a paved road.