John Deere gator or Polaris Ranger?

[Chippy]

I’m on my 2nd gator and so far it’s best UTV I’ve had but they only get dearer so looking at something cheaper. Kubota is a no no because it’s slow and just useless but I thought Polaris would be a good contender and it’s definitely cheaper. Has Anyone had both and can give a good review of them?

 

[llamedos]

Cant help with a review, but this may be of interest.

 

[milkloss]

That's some serious cash too, hate to think what a gator would be!

Why are these glorified quad bikes so much wonga? I presume it's because lots of big business think they need them too but you would have thought it economies of scale might have made them a bit cheaper.

 

[Sitting Pretty]

Diesel or petrol ? I have a petrol Polaris as a small arable farm I couldn't justify paying more than double for diesel. Been good so far and does everything we ask of it I.e slug pellets when to wet for tractor to travel, 200 litres sprayer for spot spraying and sterile strips around field edges and generally bombing around the place doing estate maintainance jobs. Cab is ok. It not as good as gator but not cost to much so far to run. I will look at the Canam next time as I feel it is of better build quality but they don't do diesel so might not be of By use to you.

 

[Chippy]

Yeh preferably diesel but I do wonder if the extra cost of petrol would even itself out with the bike being cheaper. Just had new Honda pioneer on demo but wasn’t my cup of tea. The petrols have so much more go about them though

 

[Dairyfarmerswife]

We have a Polaris. Price was a factor, though we do have add-ons including windscreen, doors, soundproofing, radio, heater which added up. It's roomy, two adults, two kids and the dog fit happily. The bench seat has three seatbelts and is road legal whereas the bench seat in the gator isn't, only the bucket seats (I think!) It's a bit utilitarian but we are pleased with it.

 

[slug]

I went for the petrol XP900 earlier this year. Although obviously not so handy filling up as diesel, I just go to the local garage to fill up and take a few cans with me. The major plus is they are much much quicker, than the diesel versions as well as quieter. This makes the downtime getting around the farm so much less. Neighbouring farm has gone from a Gator to XP900 as well.

 

[Speedstar]

I’m on my 2nd gator and so far it’s best UTV I’ve had but they only get dearer so looking at something cheaper. Kubota is a no no because it’s slow and just useless but I thought Polaris would be a good contender and it’s definitely cheaper. Has Anyone had both and can give a good review of them?

We have A Kubota a good machine , but if you want speed try a cam -am petrol and run it on LPG

 

[Brisel]

The final drives are made of cheese on the Polaris. Bearings, drive shafts are constantly needing replacement. Just not strong enough to last. We've got 2 for the 'keepers who drive them all day every day so some wear & tear is inevitable. Otherwise they have been very good. Fast on the road, reasonably comfy. Used to run a Kubota and a Kawasaki Mule. The Kubota was gutless but otherise ok. The first Mule was great butthe second one was a Friday afternoon build - always breaking down.

The only I don't like about the Polaris is the windscreen. It won't fold up high enough to shoot rabbits from the passenger seat so we had to make a frame for standing in the load bay for lamping. First world problems, eh?

 

[Hampton]

I know it's not an answer to your question, but someone I know went through the exact quandary you're going through and decided on neither.
Instead he bought a fiat Panda 4x4 and says it's the best thing he has ever bought. It does everything the old gator did, but is also waterproof, better on the road and has both heating and airconditioning.
I think it wa also at least £1k cheaper

 

[Jim B]

Kubota probably the best built. New RTV X900 models ones have more acceleration than previous models, but same top speed (40k)

 

[danpwll]

im on my 2 nd gator and only problems is the belts, next door has a polaris and hates it , always in bits !! wants to change but who wants them second hand , few dealers wont even price on them as a px !!!

 

[tweedale terrier]

There are a number of Polaris machines that have been returned for new ones at only a year old due to so many problems. Drive belts and suspension seem to be the weak points. Our neighbor had no end of problems with the engine overheating. The gator has a bigger cargo box and bigger cab however does share the drive belt problem.

 

[Magnificent Earwig]

My cousin is a fitter for dealer who sells both Rangers and Mules, He says under no circumstances to buy a ranger as they are so unreliable. Mind you, I wouldn’t have a mule either

 

[Simon Chiles]

Why are these glorified quad bikes so much wonga? I presume it's because lots of big business think they need them too but you would have thought it economies of scale might have made them a bit cheaper.

Many years ago JD lent me a Gator for a local show we ( local group of Ag contractors) had a stand at. When they asked me what I thought of it I said it was good but IMO it was too much money. The reply was why would they make them for less when they sell like hot cakes. When you see how many are on golf courses the Ag market must be small fry.