XUV Diesel Gator in Water

[454shooter]

Do you guys that have the deisel XUV have any problems with going through high water?
I am considering a XUV but am concerned about the open clutch. For those of you that might understand and could possibly explain it: The diesel gator (854cc) lists a 36.9 ft lb. torque rating which is just slightly over the gas engine (617cc) but Arctic cat's 950 cc UTV is claiming 188 ft. lbs. How is that possible or is not comparing apples to apples?

While I'm asking, when do the new year gators come out? I would hate to buy now and in a couple months a bigger engine, enclosed clutch, diesel would come out.

I have my choices narrowed to a Gator or an Arctic Cat 700 or 1000.

Thanks in advance.

Shooter

 

[joe cooter]

Its hard to believe but I like the open belt. You can examine the belt at any time. The heat can't stay in there as well which can be a big factor in the long run. But I can say water will get in there some times you will feel it slip a second but will run right out. I can count on one hand the times this happen in 5 years of hpx and xuv running. Some people have different opinions, This is mine. My gator never had mud slopped in the belt compartment when I look so it must be hard for it to get in. I am sure that would be no good for it. As for the cat all I know is they go fast and haul light loads.

 

[jcmseven]

I just discussed this in the JD tractor forum. I am not an engineer and thus do not have a strong understanding of this, but I do know when one compares the gas and diesel Gator torque curves, one should remember that the gasoline engine is very subject to RPM variances. The diesel will and does produces at or near peak torque at virtually all RPM, especially low ones. Thus the gas engine might match the diesel at a very small RPM number, but it will fall very short everywhere else. This would (and does) make the diesel Gator feel substantially stronger at virtually all RPM ranges. With regard to the Arctic Cat, I looked on the website and could not locate a torque number for it. I would say it would really surprise me if it made anywhere near that amount of torque. If I recall the Polaris machine (XP700) makes around 45 lb. ft at peak torque and I cannot imagine the AC would make substantially more than that, although I bet it makes more. It is a gasoline engine, though, and thus would be subject to the same issues I noted above.

John M

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

i have a hpx and it didn't come with an enclosed clutch i go through alot of water or i used to go through alot with it and it slipped alot til i installed an enclosure . the water was atleast up to and sometimes over the floorboards now if i took it real slow and didn't make a wake i could go through ok but if i made a wake forget it the belt would slip. to this day i do not know why john deere don't have a enclosure on their deisel unit it could be made real easy john deere slacks when it comes to keeping up with the competition. if someone close by had a deisel xuv i could make one and use it as a copy .

 

[nmu98]

I am with cooter on this. I like to work on and have the ability to clean the check the clutch at any time. I have read where people state you cannot drive through a field of tall wet grass without it slipping... I call BS on that, as I do that very often. I have never had mine slip, even after rinsing the engine off and getting the belt a bit wet... But I do not go mud bogging with mine.

I would have a hard timebouncing it through a mud hole. I know its built tough, but I would feel better doing it with a more sport orientated one. A muddy field is not issue, but playfull mud bogging is another thing. If thats what you do 90 percent of the time, I would go with a faster more sprty model, and i think the gator might get old to you.

I still play with our gator, especially in the snow, but I think its meant for work more than play...

Just my take....

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

something i find that would help alot is a rubber splash guard in between the tire and the engine. something that would conpletely block the tire from being direct contact with the belt. alot of belt slipage is due to splashing.

 

[454shooter]

Thanks for the info guys. Anyone know when the new models come out and any changes rumored?

 

[454shooter]

Bump

I have been researching the diesel gator and got a quote on a 2008 limited diesel but there is so much said about the open clutch (i.e. slips in water, snow, wet grass, etc.) that I am concerned as I do want to go in water with it. I am more prone to believe the posts on this site over others that I have read. I would hate to make a mistake in buying something that would be worthless in any water or snow. I was considering the Artic Cat but now have the choices reduced to the XUV gator in diesel or gas or the 4 seat diesel mule. I prefer diesel but am concerned about that open clutch on the XUV.

 

[nmu98]

I have run our diesel in feet opf snow. From fluffy to wet and never had a clutch problem. I have had it stuck real bad where I needed a tractor and loader to dig it out, and no issues. I have been in water over a foot deep, no issues. I have been in tall wet grass, no issue..... But, I have never taken it out mudding....... I don't think you will have an issue with it. If I mudded with it, I would make my own cover to seal it up better if it became an issue.

 

[Donegal TDI]

Having completed hauling 20 1 ton loads of wood from a new property I bought with the diesel XUV, I can safely say belt slippage is not an issue. Most of the above was done in pouring rain and very muddy conditions.
In low range going down steep inclines, the engine even holds back nicely through the belt system.
Unless you are in a situation where you are going to splash mud and water all around the engine area,
the belt situation is not an issue for normal work use.