John Deere XUV vs. Polaris Ranger Full Size

[fleminj2pa]

I'm comparing the JD XUV against the Polaris Ranger UTV. Specifically, I'm looking at the Gator XUV 825i and the Ranger XP 900. I have spent a day driving the Gator over 500 acres of reclaimed strip mine and was very impressed with the snap it showed and even more impressed with the smooth ride over rough ground. I haven't driven the Polaris but I plan to drive a 2013 Browning Edition in the next few days so I'll have a chance to compare them afterward.

I've also started to take a second look at the respective diesel models offered by both manufacturers and considering that option since I do plan to work the vehicle in my food plot business. Since I always have diesel fuel with me for the tractors there would be no need to lug gas cans around.

This will be my first UTV and it will be used for hunting as well as surveying food plot sites, fertilizing, spraying and a host of other tasks. I'd sure be interested to hear the thoughts from others who would have more experience with these machines.

Anyone have 2 cents to throw in?

 

[RoyJackson]

I have the 855D Gator (diesel version of the 825).
It's been great so far...not complaints at all. It's not as quick as the 825i, so it's probably more of a work UTV then a "fun" UTV (depending on how fast you want to go).
I also tried out a Polaris before I bought the 855D. Nice machines! My neighbor has one and it's pretty fancy (fancier then I'd want, actually).

I do suggest you look at a few model/manufacturer specific online forums for owners' issues and comments. The worse thing I've read about Polaris is the parts pricing.

 

[schiker]

Who all will be driving it? I drove a Polaris and it was the fastest by far of the few I test drove. Too fast for my young boys to drive (especially as they get older and can do more unsupervised work) so I couldn't get it. But if its just you and have long distances to cover then you might want to think about speed. I have a Kawasaki Transmule 4010 specifically for the ability to make it a long bed or 2 rows of seating.

Neighbor has a Deere and so far so good (about 8 months I think). He previously had a Kubota RTV (for several years) and he is not sure the Deere will stand up like the Kubota for the long haul. The Kubota was a workhorse rugged, rigid, and slower. He says the Deere is definitely a more comfortable ride.

 

[semntrails]

If you are looking at new I'd take how your test of the 2013 Ranger with a grain of salt. The 2015 model year Rangers have more power and they moved the engine back under the bed rather than under the seat so it is quieter. Both (JD or Polaris) should be good machines.

 

[fleminj2pa]

I have the 855D Gator (diesel version of the 825).
It's been great so far...not complaints at all. It's not as quick as the 825i, so it's probably more of a work UTV then a "fun" UTV (depending on how fast you want to go).
I also tried out a Polaris before I bought the 855D. Nice machines! My neighbor has one and it's pretty fancy (fancier then I'd want, actually).

I do suggest you look at a few model/manufacturer specific online forums for owners' issues and comments. The worse thing I've read about Polaris is the parts pricing.

Well, after a week or so of shopping and test riding, I've decided to go diesel. Have it narrowed down to the JD 855D or the Polaris Diesel (not the Brutus). Polaris dealer is awaiting the arrival of a new unit to let me try it out. However, I'm really leaning toward the Gator. Since I plan to do more working than playing and since I always have off road diesel in the transfer tanks for the tractors the diesel just makes more sense. I rarely go faster than 30 mph anyway with how I use the machine. Any additional comparisons between the diesel Gator and Ranger????

 

[lutt]

I can't help ya with the diesel models. I like my older ranger 700 crew it's a 2008 model. I use it like a tractor and for duck guiding/ deer hunting in the winter. Don't think you could go wrong with either. My big thing is ground clearance, I would check that. Then load capability. I also need speed, all our hunting is over a mile from the farm shop which is where we leave out from in the mornings. We don't like fooling around when we go hunting. Rangers are fairly quick for there size. Here is a pic of mine. LUTT

 

[RollingsFarms]

Be aware that the Ranger now comes with a Kohler diesel and this is the first year for it. If I was buying a diesel UTV it would be a Yanmar powered Gator 855D all day long. I own a Polaris Ranger 570 and it's awesome, but I also wanted a mid size utv. Had I needed a full size it would have been a Gator most likely.

 

[fleminj2pa]

I can't help ya with the diesel models. I like my older ranger 700 crew it's a 2008 model. I use it like a tractor and for duck guiding/ deer hunting in the winter. Don't think you could go wrong with either. My big thing is ground clearance, I would check that. Then load capability. I also need speed, all our hunting is over a mile from the farm shop which is where we leave out from in the mornings. We don't like fooling around when we go hunting. Rangers are fairly quick for there size. Here is a pic of mine. LUTT

The Ranger is a quality machine. I like the crew models a lot. For my purposes though, they just don't make sense. Most of what I'm going to do with this machine is work on food plot installation and I just have a feeling that the Gator is built for work. But, for hunting, crews are the ticket!

 

[fleminj2pa]

Be aware that the Ranger now comes with a Kohler diesel and this is the first year for it. If I was buying a diesel UTV it would be a Yanmar powered Gator 855D all day long. I own a Polaris Ranger 570 and it's awesome, but I also wanted a mid size utv. Had I needed a full size it would have been a Gator most likely.

That is exactly what I thought when they told me that Polaris had switched to the Kohler engine this year. First year models are a crapshoot at best.

 

[lutt]

I work mine pretty hard, 6 full grown men, all of out duck hunting gear, plowing thru mud that is rubbing the bottom will work any machine. I also use a 12 foot tandem axle trailer to haul 2 rick of wood out of my woods regular. I wouldn't put the ranger off as not work oriented. Because they are. There tough. But I know Deere has come ahead on theirs also. LUTT

 

[lutt]

Be aware that the Ranger now comes with a Kohler diesel and this is the first year for it. If I was buying a diesel UTV it would be a Yanmar powered Gator 855D all day long. I own a Polaris Ranger 570 and it's awesome, but I also wanted a mid size utv. Had I needed a full size it would have been a Gator most likely.

I didn't know this Rolling Farms, thanks for that information. LUTT

 

[RollingsFarms]

That is exactly what I thought when they told me that Polaris had switched to the Kohler engine this year. First year models are a crapshoot at best.

I'm sure it's a fine diesel but I'll be honest, I never heard of a Kohler diesel in my life until Polaris started using one this year. You can find Yanmar diesels in all sorts of equipment and you know their reputation. Now if you were looking at gas engines that might be a different story, Kohler makes a good one for zero turns and it's tough to beat a Polaris Prostar engine. I'll also say that in my opinion and what I gathered when I was shopping, the Gator is built a little more heavy duty then the Ranger. Again, I own a Ranger 570 because to me it was the best mid size utv out there for what I needed. I just think for strictly work applications it's hard to beat a Gator but I do know some farmers that have full size Rangers and seem to like them.

 

[rutwad]

My friend has the Ranger and JD. From talking to his employees that use them, they like the JD. Said it seems to be built more for work than the Polaris. I did notice the JD is louder. I have ridden many Rangers, but never worked one hard. The ride is smooth, acceleration great, and it's fast. But why do you need to go 50 MPH anyway? Polaris used to have a lot of electrical issues from TPS to TBAP sensor, and I have seen a lot of issues coming from an electrical plug where a wire has broken free of the plug. I would think that over the years Polaris would finally have eliminated this issue. However my friend has a Ranger 800 that is a year old and has already been to the shop for electrical issues. And I haven't heard of this being common, but something happened to the rear end in his as well.

 

[coobie1]

My 2 cents Kubota RTV 900.

 

[Boss 302]

I personally own a 2010 Ranger 800 HD and have a JD 825i at work, the Ranger is a far better machine all around. The JD is loud due to alot of drive line noise, the ergonomics of the ranger are far superior also.

 

[PoorPlowboy]

The Kohler diesel is simply a Landini with a Kohler nameplate. It is a good engine but I wonder why Polaris stopped using the excellent Yanmar Minimax?

I have a 2013 Ranger diesel 900 (belt drive) and think highly of it after I fixed a fatal flaw.

Background: Previously owned 2011 Teryx 750, 2012 Ranger 800. Sold for being obscene fuel hogs. 1+ gph no matter how easy they were driven. Daily refills with a fuel not easily handled in bulk sucks no matter how you look at it.

Enter the Ranger diesel. I have a diesel transfer tank on the truck for all other equipment I use frequently so fueling issues were gone, but I quickly learned that daily fillups became weekly fillups with the same average machine useage as before. A big thing I didn't want to give up was a 30-40mph top speed so I could still ride trails with mixed groups. The HST unit wouldn't allow that.

The problem: The diesel "powerband" is 1-3.6k rpm compared to the gas burners 1.2-7.5k rpm band. The drive/driven clutch system Polaris hybridized from the gas line to the diesel just isn't up to the job longevity wise and will quickly begin being diffficult to shift gears. The fix is a $1200 DuraClutch package that fixes every issue observed with the OEM with an added benefit of engine braking and extremely long belt life.

Thats the cost I had to pay for happiness, comfort, durability, and TORQUE.

I'm on a tablet so editing this post is impossible. If any errors, they're free of charge.

 

[DT86]

The Kohler diesel is simply a Landini with a Kohler nameplate.

LOMBARDINI

 

[PoorPlowboy]

Polaris, Intimidator/Bad Boy, and Mahindra all three chose the Kohler/Landini diesel so there must be some reason for it. I'm thinking price point because I have heard of no engine issues with the Yanmar powered machines.

I forgot to mention above that I have added SuperATV power steering kit, 2" forward a-arms (no lift), and 28x10x14 dot radials to the 900 Diesel. It is the most comfortable, efficient, and quietest SxS I've owned thus far.

 

[PoorPlowboy]

LOMBARDINI

Doh! I apologize. Thanks for catching my error. That will help any interested buyers if they're looking to do their homework on the newly available engine.

 

[PoorPlowboy]

Also comparing my 2013 Yanmar powered to the new Lombardini powered unit...

Yanmar - 55 amp alternator
Kohler - 110 amp

Kohler unit has integrated a park position into the transmission. I'm indifferent on this as I've not had any parking brake issues.

It appears that there has been an $800 increase in the MSRP from 2013 to 2015 but I may be in error on that. Some of that cost may be the engine but the chassis has been redesigned for the Polaris Pro-Fit (profit... Hah) cab systems.

I thought a true 55 amp alternator was awesome moving up from gas units with 1-2kw stators. I run a 40" LED bar, 25gal spot sprayer, and stereo without battery drain issues just fine. The 110 amp will open the door for huge power jobs.

I've been told by reliable sources that Polaris is going to redesign the chassis/ROPS every couple of years to try to stay ahead of the aftermarket in windshield/roof/cab type accessories. They want more of that pie and they hope the aftermarket won't be able to react quickly enough to take a big bite of it.