the old ones were rough but the new ones are awesome - they run 20-25 mph hour and suspensions are now equal to Polaris (of which I have owned 3) - they do not run like a tractor believe me

The new ones have a much better ride than the old clunkers.. I was surprised myself

Most everything will run Kholer diesels and the fuel filter is usually up top and easy to get to. Canister style element. Im sure Kubota is just as easy with the room they offer in the engine compartment. Actually old school style air cooled engines will be the easiest and cheapest to service most of the time

Recurring maintenance about the same between gas and diesel?

Good thread OP.

My hesitation with a diesel UTV has always been that I can usually get a gas engine going if something goes wrong. Not as confident with diesel. Also, do the diesels run high pressure fuel systems? Any concerns with injectors or pumps?

The ethanol gas and the points made already makes diesels alot more attractive.

The time between service will be stretched further with a diesel other than air filter and radiator maintenance.. And to be honest its going to be just as difficult to get an EFI gas engine back going as a diesel.. one needs fuel/air/spark/compression the other needs fuel/air/compression... its getting past the electrical and ECU problems that can be tough to troubleshoot with new age engines....

I think diesel on any of the smaller motors is a lot like vanity plates. Why don't they put it on all the riding lawnmowers if it's so great?

My Gator is currently down for fuel pump and contaminated fuel. I thought it had been doped but now believe I'm seeing the results of ethanol separation. The black plastic fuel tank has a tan slick on the bottom. I will drive to Bowie (Allen's) to get ethanol free gas at 2.25 a gallon. It will store very well alone but I'll Stabil it for long term storage.

You just can't store ethanol gas very long without sliming your Gator.

So yes, diesel don't do that. My JD 425 could have been diesel but I chose fuel injected gas. It still runs fine but I have to be careful with the fuel. I never considered diesel in the Gator...

We got our Kubota used, from a dealership. The owner wanted a newer model. Like I said, we've had it 8 or 9 years. I have no idea what year model it is. In all the years I've had it, it has never failed to start (I've surely cursed my good luck by saying that). I take it in every year or so for basic service, which includes the fuel filter, which is not in an easy place to reach (on mine).

Over the years, I have had the occasional minor problem. That engine brake would not work, and the RTV was hard to stop or to take out of gear. I finally found out, from talking to the dealership service manager, that all I needed to do was put penetrating oil on the accelerator linkage where it attaches to the engine. I did that, worked it back and forth a few times, and all is fixed. Dust can get into the linkage right there. I mention this just in case one of you may have an RTV showing the symptoms. No need to go to the Kubota doctor.

Next time you are grunting to pick up your manual dump bed, think of me, tlk, or DonK. We have hydraulics. It's wonderful.

Your reading comprehension feature not working I see.

And they are on riding mowers. Real mowers with joy sticks, and not a steering wheel. ZTRs made to run every day, all day. What do you think the fuel is the mowers use that maintain ball fields?

I've seen large commercial mowers running on propane. My present off road/ hunting rig is converted to propane. Has anybody ever converted a utv to propane? One advantage to me is not having fuel issues due to long periods of non-use

Very seldom has long periods of no use kept a diesel engine from starting. I have diesel equipment that sometimes sit for over a year without starting. Keep the tanks full so no water gets into it. Diesel is not like the crappy gas that is now sold. There is not alcohol in it. And Bill, like Fireman said if you want lawn equipment that is used a lot diesel is your best bet. It may be a little more expensive but will more than pay the difference in the long run.

Let's go back in time 27 years.

How many Chevy 350's and Ford 351's have made it 500,000 miles? Answer: some

How many twelve valve, all mechanical Cummins diesels have made it 500,000 miles? Answer: lots more than the gas engines.

$ nothing cheaper than a single cylinder 19hp gas engine.. and if maintained right will last plenty long.

The one thing I wouldn't own with a diesel is a lawn mower.. to much rattle for such small sized parts... even with the commercial lines the gas engine usually well outlast the mower.. I got a Finish mower for the 3point of my tractor now though and hardly use the mower other than the ole ladies house in town

I have a 900cc Diesel Kubota. The thing is a workhorse with a factory payload greater than some 1/2 tons and pulls like a S.O.B. when it has traction. I also believe (just my opinion) that Kubota makes just about the most bulletproof small diesel engines in the world. That being said it is heavy and slow and will get stuck in the mud if you are not paying attention. Mine stays up at the our camp and even after sitting for a month at -10 it will start no problem at that temperature without a block heater.

I apply the same to UTVs.

http://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/6682348/Gas_vs_Diesel_trucks:_Interest#Post6682348

Have used a mule diesel for few years , no problems
Lots of power but slower than some others I've driven like kubota utv and gators