? Question for Diesel Gator Owners

[Zebrafive]

For the diesel Gator owners that live in a cold climate; any starting problems when it's cold out? Does it have a starting aid (glow plugs, air heater grid, etc) ? Again when its cold out, after starting does it have to warm up, will it keep running OK?

Reason I ask I am thinking of up grading my Kawasaki Mule. It's very cold blooded when cold out and you have to keep it running until warmed up or it will die. I also want more suspension travel. The only other complaint is one rear brake goes out of adjustment and locks up.

 

[catdozer]

I had vey good luck when I had my XUV diesel. It was a great machine I picked it up at an auction and paid 8200 with 130 hours. It never once gave me a bit of trouble. I did add a turbo kit to it and did have better power and ran smooth. I had a block heater in it, always started up and kept running. It was stolen though when on a camping trip. They never could find it so I collected the insurance and bought a HPX gas for 6000 with 155 hours. I actually think the XUV ran better than my HPX in cold weather. I do want to go back to a diesel but my HPX treats me well. I mostly buy my small stuff used and get such a better price, both gators came from the same auction.

 

[jack43]

I have a 2011 855d and have no problem.We are in Va not nere as cold as Mi .Never a problemeven in low teens,Yes it has a glow plug and is not cold natured.The yanmer engine is proven.Love mine almost 400hr in 18 mo. gool luck, Jack

 

[Martian]

I don't give mine more than 15 seconds before I head off to plow snow and never sputters. It's in the garage in the picture, which doesn't get as cold as the barn, but I've never had trouble cold starting in the winter as long as you give the glow plugs a couple seconds. Fires right up!

View attachment 273805

 

[kuboman]

Mine starts great. Never done it below zero but it sure starts good above that. And yes I always let it warm up some. They are a great machine that I think has the best ride in the industry.

 

[ironwood]

I have had one HPX gasser, and now a 2005 HPX diesel, 900 hours currently (my buddy traded it in and I got it back from the dealer, same with the gasser). The gasser would put fuel into the gearbox, and about every 40 hours PUFF, big cloud of smoke, so crank case full, change oil. Dealer said common on "short runs" as engine never heated enough to burn off excess fuel, I say bad fuel dellivery. Anyhow, LOVE the diesel. Mine does NOT have independent rear suspension (IRS), nor would I want it. I haul heavy =1000 or so pounds of wood up high on a custom raemovable rack and want SOLID feel for the off angle stuff. I retroed a Meyer 6' power angle plow and it performs flawlessly, stays under a carport in all season and has NEVER let me down. My acreage is 3/4 off the road and 50-150 up in elevation. I did find custom 12" rims (before only 10" available) to be able to run skidloader tires. Been one H$$% of a machine here on my 15-20 acreas and for my business in the bush. Pictures show Goodyear Runflats on 12" rims, I now use skidloader tires. I will look for some more pics.

 

[ironwood]

Second pic shows tire chains on original rims on my gasser, not needed with either the runflats or the skidloader tires. I was hauling HEAVY arched logs out of a slimey woodlot skidder trail that day. Plowing they are not needed. We had 52" of snow one Febuary and that little sucker plowed like a champ. I am tired of being out in the weather some graduated to a F-550 V10 with a 9' blade, Git'er Dun!! Gator is my "backup" plow vehicle now. I did put the heavy duty spring up front once they became available, they are recommended for cab installs and such.
More pics