Polaris v. Gator

[jcmseven]

Fellow Posters:

I just bought a Polaris 2010 Ranger XP SE 800 EFI for the property. I still have my beloved XUV Gator diesel. Would it be helpful to have any comparo between the two machines for the posters?? I know there are several within the forum who have UTV's from more than one manufacturer--so I do not wish to be redundant--but these 800 Polaris machines are now up to 46.5 HP and 50+ MPH top speed and have new features like power steering, so I thought it might be helpful to post how it operates for those who might be in the market for one--and to compare it v. a machine which I have used quite a lot and for which I have good feelings.

John M

 

[farmboy12]

Yes, please. I know all of us would love to hear an unbiased opinion such as this comparing in two equal scenarios.


Kyle

 

[sargex595]

Yes, I would also love to hear your thoughts and opinions on both machines.

Curt.

 

[shot_gun]

Ya but the redneck in me wants to see you hook em back to back and see which one goes up in smoke first

 

[two_bit_score]

Ya but the redneck in me wants to see you hook em back to back and see which one goes up in smoke first

I'll hold the beer!

 

[jcmseven]

Let me get some use on the Polaris first. I can say this; my diesel Gator has ITP mudlite tires, and some accessories which put the weight to a bit over 1700# with fuel. I have a 20' tandem utility trailer which weighes exactly 2550# with toolbox. I frequently have to use my Gator to position the trailer from its parking spot to where I can fit the truck to hook up. My drive is gravel and 20% ++ grade in the middle (i.e., it is steep). The Gator can pull this trailer up the entirety of my driveway without losing traction, which is impressive (my dad's F150 cannot). Today, I hooked the Polaris to it and it made it about 3/4 of the way up and stopped, flinging gravel everywhere. Plenty of power but 450 pounds less weight makes a difference (plus the stock tires v. an aggressive aftermarket tire). I had to park the trailer and use the Gator to complete the job. That said, the Ranger will run circles around the Gator--everywhere. It is much faster and will pull a small service trailer up and down my steep grades without a hiccup. Thus, so far, my impression is expected--fast pulling or towing or plowing, the Ranger is the better running machine. But---it you're pulling a big load or really working the machine at the edge of sanity for one of these machines, the diesel Gator (at least the modded one I have) has more drawbar pull. In a pull off, I suspect the Gator would pull the Polaris around town. Now with the stock tires on it, I cannot say this would necessarily be true. I have ordered a BOSS plow for my Ranger and am anxious to see how it does with that. I have also ordered fitted chains for the front and back tires so I suspect with all its horsepower it will really move the snow. My Gator does, without chains.

John M

 

[two_bit_score]

This is interesting. I'm looking at getting a gator sometime in 2010 so it's timely for me. The increased speed doesn't interest me that much as I just can't really see the need for speed in something like that. I won't be going that fast down in the woods along fence rows or pulling a trailer on the farm. It's great to have your perspective of the two side by side. Thanks!

 

[turbo36]

Let me get some use on the Polaris first. I can say this; my diesel Gator has ITP mudlite tires, and some accessories which put the weight to a bit over 1700# with fuel. I have a 20' tandem utility trailer which weighes exactly 2550# with toolbox. I frequently have to use my Gator to position the trailer from its parking spot to where I can fit the truck to hook up. My drive is gravel and 20% ++ grade in the middle (i.e., it is steep). The Gator can pull this trailer up the entirety of my driveway without losing traction, which is impressive (my dad's F150 cannot). Today, I hooked the Polaris to it and it made it about 3/4 of the way up and stopped, flinging gravel everywhere. Plenty of power but 450 pounds less weight makes a difference (plus the stock tires v. an aggressive aftermarket tire). I had to park the trailer and use the Gator to complete the job. That said, the Ranger will run circles around the Gator--everywhere. It is much faster and will pull a small service trailer up and down my steep grades without a hiccup. Thus, so far, my impression is expected--fast pulling or towing or plowing, the Ranger is the better running machine. But---it you're pulling a big load or really working the machine at the edge of sanity for one of these machines, the diesel Gator (at least the modded one I have) has more drawbar pull. In a pull off, I suspect the Gator would pull the Polaris around town. Now with the stock tires on it, I cannot say this would necessarily be true. I have ordered a BOSS plow for my Ranger and am anxious to see how it does with that. I have also ordered fitted chains for the front and back tires so I suspect with all its horsepower it will really move the snow. My Gator does, without chains.

John M

Was the Ranger in 4WD and the differential locked? I have a 700xp with slightly more aggressive tires then stock and haven't had any traction issues.

 

[jcmseven]

Oh, yes, fully locked. I feel in this case it was simply a matter of weight, the load and grade at hand and the tires, which are good but not as aggressive as the tires on my Gator.

John M

 

[whistlepig]

I have a '06 800 EFI Sportsman ATV with Polaris PXT tires on it. No chains. I push snow with a 54" blade. The spring loaded blade will fold in heavy snow before the tires lose traction. It will push snow deeper than the height of the blade. Your Ranger weighs about 500 lbs. more and I would think it would work great with a snow blade.

 

[jcmseven]

Thanks Whistlepig, I think it will too. My Gator plowed great. For NC we live in a concentrated of decent snowfall which is made more difficult to negotiate due to the very steep gradients we have and the icing which also occurs. I am letting my dad use the Gator some later this winter for snowfall at his place (haven't gotten it to him yet) but if this Polaris plows as well as my Gator did, it will be great. Having plowed with many different types of equipment over the years, the UTV and particularly the ones with the true MFWD plow better and faster than anything I have used. I could even argue that in my neighborhood they plow better than even a truck mounted plow. Our main road is private and plowed by a man hired out with a 3500 Dodge Dually and a 7' Meyers blade. He also plows some of the long private drives and side outlets like mine for some of my neighbors. Inevitably, he called me two or three times each snowfall to plow an area he could not safely access. In tighter roads/drives my Gator would plow circles around his truck. I suspect with a higher top speed, running chains (which I did not on my Gator) and using a BOSS plow, which is better than the one on my Gator the Polaris will probably and hopefully be even a bit faster--we can hope.

John M

 

[1bush2hog]

Congrats on the new Machine John - What color is the LE you bought?

Better yet - We need pics

 

[jcmseven]

I will try to post PIX soon. I got the sunset red XP with the electronic power steering. I looked at the HD for 2010 but they are not in stock yet and actually have a bit less horsepower and lower top speed for 2010 (at least right now). I also did not need the load leveling suspension because I really use my Gator for the load hauling. The Polaris will mainly be for pulling my 6x12 trailer around, making runs over the property, hauling the family and plowing snow, so it might never have anything in the back.

John M