Should I trade up to a XUV 850D

[jcmseven]

Skip,

I meant to say your brother, not friend, in my previous post. I am sorry about misstating that. Also, I should mention I demo'd the gas XUV a week before my dealer did the modifications. I think the larger wheels made some difference but I could not perceive that the engine mods did with regard to low end torque. I am, though, always happy to hear your experience with regard to your XUV. I am also happy to hear that it seems the XUV is the equal of your Rhino, which I feel is probably the purest trailrunning UTV out there.

John M

 

[Skipholiday]

Rhino is best out of the hole. It also eats up the lawn.

I trade about every year.
If JD encloses the clutch on the diesel I will trade. Until then it would be a bad decision for my type riding.

Besides the diesel being stronger the fuel smells better..
Diesel engine will outlast the gas as well..

 

[ddivinia]

Skip,

Yok. I perceive that he likely will be doing some really heavy hauling and pulling at times and these tasks seem to favor the diesel to me (not that the gasoline one can't do them). I think, judging from my perception of his situation--which again might be wrong--that he would be happier with the diesel. It is though an expensive option, one without a clutch enclosure, so much thought must be considered first.
John M

I work my gator mostly. I haul mostly tools around and an occasional trailer. My HPX gas has been fine hauling a 16' trailer, etc.

I am leaning towards the diesel for 2 reasons: i would be happier with my current HPX if it started better when cold. The diesels I am told do not have that problem. Also, since I have diesel on site - fuel is easier. The gas ones seem to drink fuel in comparison. I will have this next gator for a long time - I learned a lot about what I need.

I do not do much trail stuff. Actually - the gator has never done any trail stuff. I want more lighting and I want it to start and go in any weather. I am thinking the deluxe cab to make the electrical stuff easier and keep some weather off me.

My wife has a Honda foreman she has not ridden in forever. I think I will sell it. Keep my present gator (she drives it) and I will get me a new one. She does want me to add a pink pinstripe to it to personalize it for her. She does not mind the cold starting. Usually that is because I am out working when it is cold - not her.

D.

 

[ddivinia]

D-

I would trade for the diesel. It is a large improvement over your current machine. It is also quite a bit more powerful than the gasoline XUV and I have owned both. My diesel sips fuel and pulls like a mule. It is a tremendous improvement over my older HPX. A couple things: first the diesel starts well. I have had this winter some issue with the engine not wanting to start if it has been sitting for several days and the weather is cold. I keep mine inside an enclosed garage, but where I live we have already had several nights in the teens, with our garage temp being in the 30's. My pattern of usage is that when I am working long hours I do not use mine for sometimes over a week, then may use it 20 hours in two days. My suggestion when it gets cold is to take a few minutes every couple days and let the engine idle. No matter how cold mine starts fine unless it has been sitting for several days without being started. It has never failed to start but has caused some anxiety on occasion in this circumstance. As for the toolbox, I might suggest the soft zip up organizer if you do not have a lot of tools to carry at once. This is what I use and it will carry sockets, power tape, hammers, and most other tools I would regularly use on the property. It is washable, less expensive and can be slipped out easily and stored when not in use. In also has a tonneau cover included for as needed use. As for the cab, I do not run one, so I can offer no advice there. For me the half windshield and soft top offer plenty of protection. I know that Skip and others have gotten good service from their gasoline models and they are great--and maybe would do OK if you do not have many hills-- but having owned both if you are going to trade I would definitely go diesel unless you really need the clutch enclosure. It is much more powerful than the diesel in my older HPX. It also sounds as though you are considering this option more-strongly anyway.

John M

Do they have a block heater I could plug it in? I keep my gator in doors also. If buy a new one to have it start better in cold weather and it doesn't - I will be really pissed off. Maybe i need to consider the injected gas unit...

D.

 

[ddivinia]

D-
I might suggest the soft zip up organizer if you do not have a lot of tools to carry at once. This is what I use and it will carry sockets, power tape, hammers, and most other tools I would regularly use on the property. It is washable, less expensive and can be slipped out easily and stored when not in use. In also has a tonneau cover included for as needed use.

John M

I will look closer at it. I have misc tool bags, boxes, etc. The upside of having a set of tools in the gator all the time is nice. The downside - loose bed space. Many times I leave tools in the bed of the gator and they get rust on them. Light rain or dew and then it is WD40 time. A tool box to keep them out of weather would be nice. I need to see more pics of it.

Thanks,
D

 

[FatTire]

If starting in all conditions (temp and elevation) is your prime consideration, I'd go with the 620i. I drove the 850D before deciding, but since I am in the Rockies with use at elevations from 7200 to 11,000 ft I went with the fuel injection. It starts every time. If not for my temp and elevation issues, I would have gone with the 850D.

 

[darkday]

Do you have any experience with the diesel starting? It's been 10-20 bellow zero and my diesel HPX has always started...

 

[JESSE1]

I've got nearly 400 hrs on my '04 HPX Diesel. No problems starting in cold weather although the coldest I've started it was about 15 degrees. I did try the synthetic John Deere Plus 50 oil last winter (0w-40) and it helped the engine to crank faster and cold idle smoother. I run 15W40 in summer. I bought an SUV toolbox from Walmart that I set in the bed. Holds lots of tools and only cost about $30. I have the deluxe rops and have only one rear worklight.

 

[jcmseven]

I did not mean to imply that the diesel does not start well. But, in the interest of full disclosure I felt it important to mention if the diesel sits for a while without being used and it is less than 30 degrees it might start sluggishly. I have never, though, had mine fail to start. I do not use an aftermarket block heater but in really cold conditions it might be worthwhile. It is currently 22 degrees at my house and my Gator has been sitting out since about 11:00 am. I just went out to put it in and it started without any issue, but I used it this morning. To me, the fix is simple, just plan to start the Gator every two or three days and let it warm up a few minutes and it will do fine. With regard to our Colorado poster, I am interested in his performance at altitude. I live nowhere that high as the top of my mountain is just over 6,000 feet, but I would suppose the diesel would have a lot of power even at altitude. The gasoline would run well also, but since they are both fuel injected it seems that would be a wash.

John M

 

[FatTire]

I should mention that we had an additional situation to consider. We have an off-grid place with a modest solar system, and we would use a block heater (or any other type of electric heating device) only as a last resort. So where most people might think, "Well, if I have trouble cold-starting I'll just plug it in over night", that is something that we really want to avoid.

BTW, I test drove the 850D at over 8,000 ft (2 people, no bed load) and it certainly seemed fine at that altitude. I would say it felt like it obviously has more torque than the gas version, but tooling around in parking lot is much different that owning one.