Tractors4u
Elite Member
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2002
- Messages
- 2,542
- Location
- Athens Alabama
- Tractor
- Deere 4310, Kubota L355, John Deere SST18 Spin Steer, 2006 Polaris Ranger
I have had a John Deere Gator 6X4 since since September 03. I decided last year that I wanted to upgrade to something with more power, bells, whistles, etc, etc. My Gator really did everything work related that I asked of it. The bed hauled more loads of dirt than I can count and it never struggled to dump it. That was work related. When it came time to play that is where it struggled. The low ground clearance hampered it on rough terrain and the exposed belt would get wet when I tried to cross our creek. Anything more than 6 to 8 inches would do it in. I really got the bug when I drove the Yamaha Rhino, but the bed was too small for any useful hauling. It did have the most comfortable seats of any of the UV's. I drove the new Gator HPX but it seemed to ride rough to me, plus its top speed was only 25. I drove the RTV twice. I looked at it again and again. The dealer said it would actually run close to 30 MPH and the power steering was sweet. I ended going with the Polaris. The Polaris is rated to tow more and weighs 600lbs less and will run 44mph. The weight was a concern to me for trail riding and getting stuck. The Ranger seems a little roomier and has seatbelts for three. The Ranger also has more storage area. There is a compartment under the hood and there is a large dry storage compartment on the side under the drivers seat. One thing about the Ranger and the RTV, neither have seats as comfortable as the Rhino. I ended up with the Ranger XP that has a 700cc twin fuel injected engine.