Gator HPX

rtv900 · Sep 25, 2005

Well I have had this new machine for about a week. I am really supprised that there are not more posts about the Gator.

This is a really nice machine. It is not an RTV but it is really nice. I wish it had power steering but other than that this is a very capable machine. It has a really nice four wheel drive. It has pleanty of power. It is not as fast as my Ause but it feels more stable than my Ausa in off road conditions. I think that might me because of the tires on my Ausa though. I had some time to take it off road and run a tank of gas through it and I am really impressed with its ability. I had to use the winch once because I got stuck on a log. Much easier to get this off of a log than my RTV. The gator weighs a lot less. If I was driving my Ausa I guess I would have had the clearance. Well I guess what I am saying is I really had a lot of fun with it.

Overall I am really supprised at how much I like this gator. The gator is my wifes favorite machine. She want nothing to do with anything else. She just loves this thing. I am happy I purchase one.

bczoom · Sep 25, 2005

rtv900,

We're all waiting for you to get a decent amount of time on the Ausa and HPX so you can give us a side-by-side comparison with all 3.

Brian

rtv900 · Sep 25, 2005

I have a bunch of time on the Ausa but not enough on the HPX. Maybe in a couple of weeks. I will deffinately do that though. That will be fun.

bczoom · Sep 25, 2005

( I have a bunch of time on the Ausa but not enough on the HPX. Maybe in a couple of weeks. I will deffinately do that though. That will be fun. )

Please do. Many of us would appreciate it.
I've seen a lot of your changes but if you've made any mods that may change performance, please qualify it in the comparison as well.

rtv900 · Sep 25, 2005

I have not made any mods to change the performance. I am always tempted to but I have found that keeping that part stock always seems make the machine last longer. It is also easier to have it fixed when it is stock. Also I am not very good with engines and clutches so that is not something I like to do. I will be spending a lot of time on HPX over the next few weeks so hopefully I will see whats good and bad. FYI, that Ausa is a hidden treasure. I hope they do a better job in developing a good dealer base. If so, that machine will take off. Its a great ride.

bczoom · Sep 25, 2005

( FYI, that Ausa is a hidden treasure.)

That's what I've been hearing but there's none around me. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

TOMMYHPX4X4 · Sep 25, 2005

i'm glad you like your hpx. i sure don't have any complaints about mine. i don't have a clutch enclosure (comin soon)i find that is all the hpx is missin besides some more agressive tires. i have ran out of traction before i ran out of power with my hpx. i plan on putting a clutch enclosure and some 26'' gators on it then she will be unstopable. she already trucks through the mudd with ease but high water will make the belt slip a little.have fun and let us know how your doin .

JESSE1 · Sep 28, 2005

The RTV is an excellent machine. The HPX is an excellent machine. Both have their particular niche. The RTV would serve someone well if they have the need for external hydraulics. I think John Deere figures that most HPX users already have a Green tractor and don't need a utility vehicle that has some tractor functions. The HPX has excellent hauling and towing capabilities in a fairly simple design. No complicated hydraulics. The RTV would have been my second choice if I didn't already have tractors to handle the heavy work.

bczoom · Sep 28, 2005

( The RTV would serve someone well if they have the need for external hydraulics. I think John Deere figures that most HPX users already have a Green tractor and don't need a utility vehicle that has some tractor functions.)

Take a quick look at the left side of the tailgate in the attached pic.
The RTV works well, but so does my green tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

rtv900 · Sep 29, 2005

What is on the left side of the tailgate of the picture? I did not notice anything.

bczoom · Sep 29, 2005

Pic didn't attach...
Let's try this again.

ddivinia · Oct 4, 2005

We have 20 hours on our Gator HPS 4*4 Gas and love it. I agree power steering would be nice, but I have to remind my wife- just get it moving some and it will turn fine. With all the problems with the Kubotas, I am glad I went with the Gator. I still wonder if I should have bought the ranger, but oh well - I really like my gator.

The engine is a tad cold natured, but it is fine once it warms up. The diesel would have been nice but i believe it would have been a waste of money.

I need a bed liner for mine. Does anybody have good pics? I am not sure I want to spend the money to have it sprayed.

D.

jinman · Oct 4, 2005

(
I need a bed liner for mine. Does anybody have good pics? I am not sure I want to spend the money to have it sprayed.

D.
)

Go to Tractor Supply and buy one of their thick rubber pickup bed liners. Measure and cut it using a razor knife and a large pair of scissors or tin snips. I used a sharp razor knife and it worked great. Put it in the bed and fasten it down with self-tapping sheetmetal screws at the two corners in the front of the bed. That way you can lift it up and rinse under it. If you don't want to drill your bed, you could always use a tube of subflooring glue to hold it in place. You'll love how that rubber liner keeps things from sliding and cuts down on the noise.

With what you have left over, you can cut you a dandy floor mat. If you aren't too good at measurment, make a template out of cardboard or brown paper and then use it as a pattern to cut.

I did both on my wife's Kawasaki Mule and had enough left over to make floormats for my neighbor's Mule as well. For my $55 and a little time, I saved myself at least $200. I like mine better than anything else I've seen.

JESSE1 · Oct 4, 2005

The diesel costs more but I don't think it's a waste of money. I drove the gas Gator and didn't like the sound of the engine. Seems like most of the problems reported with the Gator center around the gas engine, especially being cold-natured. The diesel really sips fuel. I can go about a month between fillups-- of course it depends on how much it's driven.

I bought the factory bedliner and also put a rubber mat over it to keep things from sliding around. I also bought an SUV storage box from WalMart that fits in the bed real well. That's as good a picture of the bedliner as I have right now.

odleefs · Oct 6, 2005

Pay the money for the spray bedliner! Anything else is just a compromise that you will eventually regret. I would be shocked if you couldn't find a Rhino lining place (or equivalent) that would do it for less than $200. I know some people who take the estimate for the plastic factory bed liner and ask the "sprayplace" if they would match the price - most are more than happy to oblige! Custom thicknesses and colors are even available...
Good Luck,
Steve