So how come nobody mentions the JD gators?
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Dargo
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( Which vehicle will be best for going up and down some steep hills and blasting through high grass along side overgrown pastures? )
For going up and down steep hills, neither the HPX nor the RTV nor the Mule will work. I've driven them and have owned several Gators in the past as well as an RTV now. None of them will go up really steep hills. You also mention blasting through high grass etc. You won't do any blasting around in either the HPX or the Mule or the RTV. They are all decidedly slow.
If that is what your intended use is, you really ought to drive a Yamaha Rhino. It will climb ten times the hill an RTV or HPX or the Mule will. And it certainly will blast around! It also has the ability to haul small to medium sized loads. Since you didn't mention hauling heavy loads with the ability to dump them, the Rhino seems much more of a logical choice for your needs. The Rhino will also tow as much, if not more in actual experience, as either the RTV or the HPX or the Mule. The only "shortcoming" of the Rhino is in the size of it's bed and it's weight capacity in the bed as compared to the RTV or the HPX.
Since I needed a real work horse and also wanted something to blast around in, no one unit suited me. That is why I ended up buying two different units. For me, the HPX looks better, has a great local dealer, and has JD's great reputation. However, the HPX is priced higher than the RTV when priced out with similar features. The Kubota RTV also has a great local dealer, a great reputation, true hydro dump that cycles much faster, a heavier true hydro transmission, power steering, and a better ride. So, for my particular work needs, the RTV just was personally a better fit. As bczoom mentioned, the difference between the RTV and the HPX would be more of a personal decision based upon particular needs rather than a decision of which is a "better" unit. For me, both the HPX and the RTV are better at heavy work, but neither can hold a candle to the Yamaha Rhino at climbing steep hills or blasting around.
For going up and down steep hills, neither the HPX nor the RTV nor the Mule will work. I've driven them and have owned several Gators in the past as well as an RTV now. None of them will go up really steep hills. You also mention blasting through high grass etc. You won't do any blasting around in either the HPX or the Mule or the RTV. They are all decidedly slow.
If that is what your intended use is, you really ought to drive a Yamaha Rhino. It will climb ten times the hill an RTV or HPX or the Mule will. And it certainly will blast around! It also has the ability to haul small to medium sized loads. Since you didn't mention hauling heavy loads with the ability to dump them, the Rhino seems much more of a logical choice for your needs. The Rhino will also tow as much, if not more in actual experience, as either the RTV or the HPX or the Mule. The only "shortcoming" of the Rhino is in the size of it's bed and it's weight capacity in the bed as compared to the RTV or the HPX.
Since I needed a real work horse and also wanted something to blast around in, no one unit suited me. That is why I ended up buying two different units. For me, the HPX looks better, has a great local dealer, and has JD's great reputation. However, the HPX is priced higher than the RTV when priced out with similar features. The Kubota RTV also has a great local dealer, a great reputation, true hydro dump that cycles much faster, a heavier true hydro transmission, power steering, and a better ride. So, for my particular work needs, the RTV just was personally a better fit. As bczoom mentioned, the difference between the RTV and the HPX would be more of a personal decision based upon particular needs rather than a decision of which is a "better" unit. For me, both the HPX and the RTV are better at heavy work, but neither can hold a candle to the Yamaha Rhino at climbing steep hills or blasting around.
riptides
Super Member
Dargo,
Good post, but the Latin is too deep for me. Maybe to early.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Aut viam inveniam aut faciam. )</font>
<font color="green"> cogito ergo sum</font>
-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Good post, but the Latin is too deep for me. Maybe to early.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Aut viam inveniam aut faciam. )</font>
<font color="green"> cogito ergo sum</font>
-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Dargo
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Thanks Mike, but my Latin phrase is just a little something from Caeser. It's not as philosophical as yours. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I was mostly purchasing this to naviagte the trails around my house. I have about 70acres, pretty hilly, with a pond. I wnated something that could carry 2 adults down a semi-rough trail with some equipment. Naturally, it would be nice if it coudl work, too.
So is the Rhino really alot higher performance for sport use?
So is the Rhino really alot higher performance for sport use?
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I was mostly purchasing this to naviagte the trails around my house. I have about 70acres, pretty hilly, with a pond. I wnated something that could carry 2 adults down a semi-rough trail with some equipment. Naturally, it would be nice if it coudl work, too.
So is the Rhino really alot higher performance for sport use? )</font>
What kind of work are you considering? The Rhino is on the "heavy fun/light work" end of the spectrum. The RTV is the exact opposite. Most everything else is somewhere inbetween. If you have light chores, the Rhino would do it.
When you say "navigate my trails", are you thinking of running around (playing at higher speeds) or puttering along and site-seeing? If the latter or it's for nature watching or whatever, also consider the amount of noise each makes. I can't speak specifically for the Rhino but my Dad's Ranger is quite a bit louder than the RTV. At higher RPM's on the Ranger you may need to yell to talk to the passenger.
I always recommend getting the dealer to bring a machine to your place for a test drive so you can "feel" each on your particular terrain. On the hills, you'll want to be watching for braking capabilities (some free wheel, others have a decent engine brake).
Brian
So is the Rhino really alot higher performance for sport use? )</font>
What kind of work are you considering? The Rhino is on the "heavy fun/light work" end of the spectrum. The RTV is the exact opposite. Most everything else is somewhere inbetween. If you have light chores, the Rhino would do it.
When you say "navigate my trails", are you thinking of running around (playing at higher speeds) or puttering along and site-seeing? If the latter or it's for nature watching or whatever, also consider the amount of noise each makes. I can't speak specifically for the Rhino but my Dad's Ranger is quite a bit louder than the RTV. At higher RPM's on the Ranger you may need to yell to talk to the passenger.
I always recommend getting the dealer to bring a machine to your place for a test drive so you can "feel" each on your particular terrain. On the hills, you'll want to be watching for braking capabilities (some free wheel, others have a decent engine brake).
Brian
Mostly just puttering around, preferrably as stealthly as possible. It should be good in the snow, if possible. As far as work, i don't know what I'll do with it. Carry firewood, sporting equipment, tools, etc...
Easy starting, reliability and durability would be key criteria.
Easy starting, reliability and durability would be key criteria.
/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gifI just went to the JD website and for the HPX 4X4 diesel with bed lift it was almost $12000.00 list price. The Kubota RTV900W (Worksite model) 2005 list price is $11299.00, 2004 list price was $10899.00. I think that the Kubota is definately the better buy. my .02
David
David
yooperdave
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I went to a John Deere / Polaris Dealer yesterday.
They will not stock Gators - only Rangers.
The Ranger is supposed to be better on most points over the Gator according to the Salesman.
For what it is worth...
Yooper Dave
They will not stock Gators - only Rangers.
The Ranger is supposed to be better on most points over the Gator according to the Salesman.
For what it is worth...
Yooper Dave