John Deere 2014 new UTV's vs Kubota ???

RedHawkRidge · Oct 17, 2013

I am interested in getting a 855D Gator. Would trade in a 2010 850D, which is a fine machine which I have no problems with. But I like the improvements on the latest 855D.
My concern is that I don't want to buy a current model, then find out the next year's model (2014 or 2015?) has been upgraded with lots of improvements. My suspicions were aroused when I saw on the JD website that several UTV models including the 855D are specifically listed as 2013 models. I saw that JD's primary competitor Kubota has just (Oct 10, 2013) announced a revamped RTVx900 (hope I got that right) with many desirable features. Is JD's website purposely showing only a 2013 model on their website, while preparing an upgrade package for the 2014 year to compete with the new Kubota's????
JIM

DIXIEDOG · Oct 17, 2013

Generally speaking no matter what you get for a product in a year or two there are going not be updates and improvements....there's no way to get around it.

JOHNTHOMAS · Oct 18, 2013

I agree. If one waits till they quit making changes, one will never buy. It's even worse with Electronic Technology (Computers, Phones, Amps)., which is changing from the time one ships one day till another one ships next week.

cartod · Oct 18, 2013

Is there any particular reason to go with the diesel JD? They are slow and loud. Go drive one. I did and I bought the JD 825i. It's a very capable machine that is just as comfortable with playing as it is with work.

RoyJackson · Oct 18, 2013

cartod said:
Is there any particular reason to go with the diesel JD? They are slow and loud. Go drive one. I did and I bought the JD 825i. It's a very capable machine that is just as comfortable with playing as it is with work.

I have an 855D. My neighbor has an 825i...so I do have a comparison.
The 855D isn't as fast as the 825i, but it quite quick unless you want to pull some the stunts shown in commercials. As far as noise, the diesel in the 855D's do have the typical "diesel" sounds, but not annoying or even loud....however, noise is a subjective thing so what may be annoying to one person may be music to another. I will admit one thing, that 825i sounds sweet when the revs are up!
Where the 855D excels is in fuel economy (very frugal) and torque.
So, if you want more of a "fun" machine, get the 825i (just carry an extra 5 gallons of gas)...if you want a working machine, the 855D is the way to go.

cartod · Oct 18, 2013

I won't argue with you on the fuel issue Roy, the 825i is a gas pig. The rumor at my JD dealer was discontinuation of the diesel gator from lack of sales, but it is just rumor.

RoyJackson · Oct 18, 2013

cartod said:
I won't argue with you on the fuel issue Roy, the 825i is a gas pig. The rumor at my JD dealer was discontinuation of the diesel gator from lack of sales, but it is just rumor.

That's probably a regional thing...my dealer sells more diesels then gas models....I think the diesels are more popular with agricultural and commercial buyers. As far as gas UTV's, I've seen more Polaris around here...very few Kubotas though.

cartod · Oct 18, 2013

RoyJackson said:
That's probably a regional thing...my dealer sells more diesels then gas models....I think the diesels are more popular with agricultural and commercial buyers. As far as gas UTV's, I've seen more Polaris around here...very few Kubotas though.

I noticed on the snow thread that you have put the plow on the gator. Can you tell me how you like it. I believe we both started out plowing with the JD 670 and rear blade. :thumbsup:

RoyJackson · Oct 18, 2013

cartod said:
I noticed on the snow thread that you have put the plow on the gator. Can you tell me how you like it. I believe we both started out plowing with the JD 670 and rear blade. :thumbsup:

I responded in the other thread...

cartod · Oct 18, 2013

RoyJackson said:
I responded in the other thread...

thanks roy, sorry for the double post. I am going to look into the V plow.

buickanddeere · Oct 18, 2013

How does anybody "save" money with a diesel "go kart"? For the little bit of fuel they use and the extra cost. Sure the diesel sounds cool but the price isn't worth it.

RoyJackson · Oct 18, 2013

cartod said:
thanks roy, sorry for the double post. I am going to look into the V plow.

No problem...I thought I had lost my mind there for a minute...

RoyJackson · Oct 18, 2013

buickanddeere said:
How does anybody "save" money with a diesel "go kart"? For the little bit of fuel they use and the extra cost. Sure the diesel sounds cool but the price isn't worth it.

You're looking at it as a toy ("go cart"). Quite a few of us use our UTVs as tools and the fuel economy aspect is important.
Also, I just prefer a diesel over gas...I'd have a diesel pick up if I could afford it.

DIXIEDOG · Oct 18, 2013

cartod said:
I won't argue with you on the fuel issue Roy, the 825i is a gas pig. The rumor at my JD dealer was discontinuation of the diesel gator from lack of sales, but it is just rumor.

It's not a fuel sipper but I'm not sure I'd call it a gas pig either.....I've gone on several long trail rides with my 825i and it seems to get in the 17-20 mpg range which isn't terrible....it's certainly not diesel fuel economy or RTV 500 range mpg but it's still not bad when you're getting that in mud....over rocks....through trails and at high rpm. I've ranged from mud to the floor to 45 mph speed limiter bouncing where my Gator constantly goes from 44 to 45 and back to 44 mph for extended periods and I never worried about running out of fuel during a ride.

cartod · Oct 18, 2013

DIXIEDOG said:
It's not a fuel sipper but I'm not sure I'd call it a gas pig either.....I've gone on several long trail rides with my 825i and it seems to get in the 17-20 mpg range which isn't terrible....it's certainly not diesel fuel economy or RTV 500 range mpg but it's still not bad when you're getting that in mud....over rocks....through trails and at high rpm. I've ranged from mud to the floor to 45 mph speed limiter bouncing where my Gator constantly goes from 44 to 45 and back to 44 mph for extended periods and I never worried about running out of fuel during a ride.

Ive never done a mpg test but I would bet it gets no better than 10 mpg if its lucky.

RoyJackson · Oct 18, 2013

Originally Posted by DIXIEDOG
It's not a fuel sipper but I'm not sure I'd call it a gas pig either.....I've gone on several long trail rides with my 825i and it seems to get in the 17-20 mpg range which isn't terrible....it's certainly not diesel fuel economy or RTV 500 range mpg but it's still not bad when you're getting that in mud....over rocks....through trails and at high rpm. I've ranged from mud to the floor to 45 mph speed limiter bouncing where my Gator constantly goes from 44 to 45 and back to 44 mph for extended periods and I never worried about running out of fuel during a ride.

cartod said:
Ive never done a mpg test but I would bet it gets no better than 10 mpg if its lucky.

I'll wager you're both right...it'll depend on how you operate your 825i.

Haven't checked the MPG on my 855D...but with 30 hours, I've topped it off once (just about 1.5 gallons after fueling my tractor).

kuboman · Oct 18, 2013

I haven't got a clue what the mpg would be but both the gator diesel I had and the Kubota rtv I have now burn a liter/hr. Darned efficient in my books.:thumbsup:

DIXIEDOG · Oct 18, 2013

cartod said:
Ive never done a mpg test but I would bet it gets no better than 10 mpg if its lucky.

I'm sure it does better than that because I've put over 90 miles on mine in a single trip with no additional fuel.....my 825i is a 2012 so I have the smaller 5.3 gallon tank and I didn't run out of fuel or add any until I was through my trip and I didn't start with a topped off tank. When I'm using it to just plow snow I'm sure your under 10 mpg figure could be right but general use it gets quite a bit better than that.