I didn't mean to offend you. The forum did used to be only Kubota and there are still a lot more Kubota owners then any other make on here, but I think it's evened out over the years a little more.
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I didn't mean to offend you. The forum did used to be only Kubota and there are still a lot more Kubota owners then any other make on here, but I think it's evened out over the years a little more.
jcmseven
Veteran Member
The John Deere Gators, all of them, are made at Horicon Works in Horicon, Wisconsin. The quality control there and attention to detail is great. The Chery engine, though made in China, is an automotive level engine. This means it is built and meant for a longer, harder service life than a gasoline power equipment engine. Though Kawasaki for example makes a fine equipment engine, the Chery is a step above in both performance a durability (by design intent). The John Deere bench seat is narrow. It is much more narrow that a Polaris bench seat. The John Deere is really meant for two people riding in comfort and perhaps a cooler or gear stuck in the middle. I have six year old twins, and with me driving and a center seat belt, added by me, my children and I can sit three abreast. We could not do that with three adults unless they were very small. As for the HPX consideration, I view that as purchasing two generation-old technology and manufacture for a price not too distant from the price of a new XUV. They have less power, less features and do not run as well. They also resale poorly in my area, much like a blue Mitsubishi (so I am told). The XUV 620i is anemic to say the least and would, in my opinion, is only good for working in low range, and doing usual tasks on flatter terrain. My experience is they are good machines just like the others, just have such low power relative to their weight they get left behind by the other XUV choices and do not cost that much less when dealing. The diesel Gator (I have had one, so I feel I can generate an opinion) is a torque monster and really good for work or slower speed play. The engine is durable and last a long time but it does not have the power to pull steep hills, maintain speed when climbing steep long runs or with a load. It will move almost anything, just not very fast. The Gator 825i will (literally) run circles around either the 620i or the 855d. One thing to bear in mind is that top speed, while fun to talk about, is not the real finding here. The 825 has more power EVERYWHERE. It accelerates better, loaded or unloaded, it pulls better, such as with a trailer or rear attachment, handles hills better, it plows snow better (and also better than a Ranger or RTV), and plain will outwork the diesel or lower powered gas. I could put a governor on my 825 to 30 mph max, and it would STILL be worth buying over the other XUV's and certainly over a dated HPX (to those with them already--I am speaking as a new purchase). Hope this helps with some of the question about point of manufacture, etc. I also would say if purchasing a John Deere Gator, one really needs to think twice before going away from an 825i, unless the budget just does not allow it. I love mine, more everyday I use it, but I still miss the ergonomics of the Ranger. Adding the Power Steering to the Gator helped make it a lot like the EPS Polaris though in a meaningful way.
John M
John M
TripleR
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Lots of really good information and I must say I haven't seen a "Kubota slant". We own a couple of old Kawasaki Mules and a 2006 660 Yamaha Rhino. We tend to keep stuff a long, long time, but at some point will have to buy something new. With all of the new makes and models out there, deciding which way to go is really going to be hard. All of the information provided is appreciated.
houstonscott
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Just me, but I wouldn't buy anything with a engine made in China. So a diesel gator with the Yanmar is only one I would consider.
HS
HS
OP
NYBOB
Silver Member
How is the fuel economy of the 825I compared to a diesel?
amirm
Member
From their specifications:
825i: Consumption (half load at avg. speed), U.S. gal./hr.: 0.7
855D: Consumption (half load at avg. speed), U.S. gal./hr.: 0.5
Taking those at face value, looks like Diesel is ~30% more efficient. This is the same ratio I saw for my boat engine choices so it is probably right.
Where we live, Diesel is 20% more expensive than gasoline. So that takes down the savings to just 10%. Unless your ratios are different, there is little reason to purchase diesel version for fuel economy. When I had my diesel boat, diesel fuel was 20% cheaper so it really made sense then.
The other thing with diesel engine is that it likes to run warm. In a situation where the the unit is used in start/stop mode frequently, I don't think there is any durability argument to be made either.
So it is down to performance.
OP
NYBOB
Silver Member
Great information thanks....
Would the same information be typical for say the Ranger 800 gas versus the diesel model?
Thanks
amirm
Member
My pleasure. Here is the bit I have read on that: 2011 Polaris Ranger Diesel Review
"Another little something to get used to if you are making the switch from Gas to Diesel is the fuel economy. Polaris claims that the Ranger Diesel gets up to 40% more range than its comparable gas powered Ranger cousin."
So it also fits the ballpark of JD.
China is really starting to make some quality products, making the transition that Japan did just a couple years later. Don't get me wrong China is known for some really crappy products, but most are low end stuff priced cheap, this engine is automobile quality and will last, and since it's backed by JD, I really wouldn't worry about it. Although, I would still recommend the Yanmar diesel as it's quality will be even better, more power and consumes less fuel:thumbsup:
jcmseven
Veteran Member
Houston Scott, have you driven one of the 825I machines?? I am with you, I would prefer the engine not be Chinese in origin, but the performance difference is SO great over the diesel it makes the decision for me quite easy once driven. The diesel engine in the Gator does not have more power than the gas engine. It has much less power. It does use quite a bit less fuel, and the quoted difference has not been my experience in my usage (my gas Gator uses nearly twice the fuel as my diesel did). The diesel Gators are nice, but there simply is no comparison performance/power between the two. That said, one may be able to get a better deal on the diesel, as at least locally, they simply do not sell when placed side by side with the 825I. My dealer, a large one, has five new ones he cannot move because no one wants them any longer. I would note I also use my current 825I for work (snow plowing, pulling a 6x14 trailer, hauling loads, etc.) and it does much better than my diesel did at those tasks also. I can personally deal with the increased fuel consumption for the vast performance difference between these two machines. With Polaris, I have never operated one of their diesel Rangers, but the engine has the same power as the Gator (I think it is the same engine). My 800 Ranger EPS was a fuel-sipper, relative to the Gator. I cannot personally see a reason to go diesel in a Ranger as the fuel consumption on the gas model is not bad and the performance is high. The Ranger's ability to work and pull is not limited by power, but by its relatively light weight and frame design, so going with the low-end torque of a diesel power plant would not offer much, if any, real-world advantage there. I suspect the Ranger diesel would get better fuel economy than the Gator diesel, just due to its substantially lighter weight. Please do not misinterpret me, I love diesels. I have two diesel tractors, and drive a diesel truck. I would have a diesel toothbrush if they made one. Just in the JD Gator, the gas version is superior in performance to the diesel. Having been down this road before, and having a similar decision to make, I can tell you with confidence that had I bought the 855d, I would have traded it in on an 825I had I driven it afterwards--on the spot. Everyone has different needs and priorities, but for my money go gas and don't look back.
John M
John M
