Trail Gator 4X2 vs. Cub Cadet Big Country 4X2

RC71 · Jun 23, 2003

I am currently looking to purchase a new utility vehicle and would like some opinions on both these machines. The cub has more power and a bit bigger. Price is about the same.

I know the success of the gator but have not heard much about this "Big Country".

RC

LGinIA · Jun 23, 2003

I would encourage you to drive both before you make up your mind. I just purchased the JD 4x2 Gator-I'm glad I got the electric bed lift, it's worth it. The Gator engine is quite noisy and the shifting is not as smooth as it should be in my opinion. I'd like to hear from others it there Gator is the same. You can't beat the Gator for soft tracks on your turf but I would like more power. Good luck on your choice. I tried to look at a Big Country, but there was none in stock in North Iowa. If I recall, the Big Country had a Honda engine-worth looking at in my opinion.

cowboydoc · Jun 24, 2003

I would go drive another one if I was you. There is no shifting on the Gator as it's a variable speed transmission. There are infinite shift points so to speak. If you are feeling a true shifting going on something is wrong. Also they are not noisy in my opinion, esp. the 10 hp one.

Do you have a new one? If not the older ones are definitely alot noisier and some of the transmission does get noisy as well. I'm talking about ones that are 10 years and older.

Anonymous Poster · Jun 24, 2003

Check out the Polaris Ranger 2X4. It has an ATV engine, 25hp, low,high reverse, diff lock, top speed 35mph, tilt bed, and suspension. Go to www.polarisindustries.com

LGinIA · Jun 25, 2003

cowboydoc-Richard
The shifting I am referring to is from neutral to either forward or reverse. It is not smooth and the gears will grind at times with the Gator fully stopped and engine at idle. I did have the dealer delivery person adjust the idle lower, it helped but still not as smooth as a small engine should be in my opinion. I guess I'm used to the JD 445 with a different transmission. The engine noise is too loud in my opinion again, perhaps I need to change the muffler? I'll try your suggestion to drive another and compare. Thanks your input is helpful.

Spoon · Jun 25, 2003

I purchased a Gator 6X4 Diesel after looking at the Cub and Gator. I liked the features and options offered by John Deere.ie; windshield, horn, bed liner for dump bed, electric lift, brake lights, etc. The Diesel engine was a $2,000.00 upgrade. I have had problems with the engine since delivery. Fact is the Dealer has had the unit for the last week and half. The problem I am having is on cold start the first time every day. The engine will start fine, run smoothly for approximatley 20-30 seconds then speed up several hundred rpms. The engine will run like this for approximatley two minutes and then start surging or loping. It will do this for approximately five (5) to (6) minutes then smooth out and run fine. The engine can be stopped and re-started the rest of the day no problem.

AndyMA · Jun 26, 2003

I've had my BiG Country for over a year now. Everything works fine. The Electric bed lift is essential with over 1000 # bed loads. The 20 hp Honda always starts and is very quiet. The transmission is fully variable and also very smooth. I've had no problems goinging where ever I want includind some very muddy areas. The mechanics at my dealer use to work on Gaters and told me that the quality of the Cub is far superior in there opinion.

I love mine.

Andy

RoMo · Jun 27, 2003

My wife and children bought me a 4X2 gator with a 10 horsepower kawasaki engine. the gentleman brought it out a explained that there would be noise when shifting geasr. I really don't have a problem with the noise, but i was wanting the 4X6 diesel gator for the power as opposed to the need. will john deere give me thirty days to decide on another or is this just for compact tractors? I love the diesel.
thanks for any advice.

RoMo /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

john_bud · Jun 27, 2003

RC,

I did the same checking out of utility vehicles last fall. I drove both gators (4x2 and 6x4), the Polaris and the Kawasaki Mule.

My JD dealer disqualified the Gators as I need to go into water that is 2" to 6" deep. He stated that the open drive belt design of the gator would lead to it slipping after a water crossing. I have bought over $20,000 of eqiupment from him in the past 5 years, so I do trust him.

The Polaris 4x4 and 6x6 are the fastest utilities made today, if you like that. It doesn't mean much to me as the trails are so rough, I can't go fast any way. I didn't like the fit and finish on the demo units I drove, nor the lack of storage. They are also the loudest machines I tested, I didn't like that. While it's real hard to tell from demo rides, I think that the polaris's are the best traction machines and have the best suspension.

I finally bought the Kawasaki Mule 3010 4x4. For my uses, it was the best of the bunch. It is very quiet, easy to have a conversation while toodling along a forest trail. It has good traction with selectable 4x4 and locking rear diff with front limited slip. Tires get mudded up pretty quick, so I will eventually upgrade. The standard front bumper is tough and heavy. ( I had to take it off to install the wench in the provided integral space.) I use it to haul a 5x10 trailer 2 miles into the woods. Max trailer loads have been as high as 3000 pounds with no problems noticed. I didn't know it was that much until I ran it across the scale....

I did demo the Koyker Raptor 4000H. It was and is my first choice. It has 2x the ground clearance, 4 wheel independent hydraulic drive (no differential to hang up) and has more payload and tow capacity than the above units (if memory serves). BUT, it turned out to be a noisy noisy loud machine! It uses an air cooled 25 horse twin that is set to a constant RPM and you vary speed with the peddle. It would be in my garage now, if they used a quiet liquid cooled engine. If that is not a concern of your's then you may want to investigate them.

Raptor and Mule vendor This site has lots of information on Raptor as weel as the kawasaki mule and a few others.

The Cub was not available until after I bought the Mule. It looks good on paper and the Honda engine is undoubtedly excellent, but I have no direct exposure to it.

Have fun!

John Bud