What do you think??

[nmu98]

I agree Tommy. Mine, though, has the diesel Yanmar engine. It is--I believe--854 cc in displacement. I have noted that the higher HP Yanmar's used in the front cut mowers, etc., are only 1,000-1,300 cc's, so it seems logical that someone could bore out this Yanmar to make about 10 extra HP. Of course, this might be cost-prohibitive. I would be willing to consider a gasoline one again if it was an easier proposition with the gas engine than with diesel, but I like my current machine and would really be interested in what could be done to it and for how much $$$$. As I have noted, it is not weak by any stretch, but with a 1500 pound trailer in tow up some paved and or graveled roads which approach 20-25% gradient I need more ponies to keep the speed up. And I do this almost daily. Currently, it is a smoke billowing 5 mph effort, even in low range.

John M

My XUV smokes a little also, even without a load. Its normal. being that you are already smoking bad, I don't know if turning up the pump would help. It would be nice to know how much smoke. Is it black, a light haze?

A turbo might be the answer.

 

[jcmseven]

The smoke is sooty black in nature. The Gator burns no oil based on following this closely. I have had it serviced and checked out by my dealer because my perception is the power is not as great as it once was. Nothing was found in either the engine or drivetrain to suggest a problem. My dealer compared it climbing a hill behind his dealership and actually felt it climbed better than his stock new ones, so no revelation there. My suspicion is that the large tires hurt this machine due to its unfavorable power/weight ratio. I had a gasoline XUV with the same sized tires prior to my diesel one and it could barely climb some of the hills I have in low range at WALKING speed, so my current machine is an improvement there. I am currently in the market for a stock sized wheelset and tires for my machine. I would say that I am not that enthused about the larger wheel/tire combination anyway, but my dealer was pushing it a bit and I thought it looked neat. They do offer better traction, but I personally would rather have a bit more engine performance and use chains when needed. Ideally, though I would like to have a machine with enough power to pull up these steep paved or gravel inclines at 12-15 mph without bogging to 5-8 mph as it currently does and keep my current tire size, but this might not be possible. I guess we cannot have everything we want.

John M

 

[nmu98]

Good, the black smoke if from the engine not burning all the fuel its been given. You could check the spark arestor to see if its plugged...

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

after reading a thread on another forum it reminded me of a power robing little thing that will cause smoke on both a deisel and gas engine and it's called a spark arrestor. . when was the last time you took it out and cleaned it? and if possible can you run without it meaning do you go to any areas that requir you to have it in? if not i would take it out and keep it out because it will clog up really quick and will starve the engine of alot of power. stupid me i didn't read that someone posted about the arestor right before my post . so never mind my post.lol