Do you plan on using your RTV (rough terrain vehicle) as a work horse? If so, you might want to consider a model with a diesel engine. A diesel engine RTV will give you more torque for doing tough jobs around the property, but the gas engines are cheaper. Lets go over some benefits and drawbacks of the diesel engines compared to gasoline to help you make your decision.
Diesel UTV Pros
The first and main benefit of getting a diesel UTV is the amount of work you can get done with them. The engine’s are tough and generally last a long time. A diesel engine relys on compression rather than spark to ignite the fuel mixture in the cylinder. Because of that, diesel engines don’t have spark plugs or spark plug wires to worry about either.
Because of the reduced maintenance and the added torque or pulling power, diesel engines have been very popular for farm work or other similar jobs. A very popular option is the Kubota diesel engine. Kubota is one of the largest suppliers of compact diesel engines in the world.
For ranch chores and tough jobs, you can’t beat a diesel UTV. A popular use is to attach a trailer and use the UTV to get into places that a truck or tractor can’t easily get to. The diesel UTV engines are also known to use less fuel than the gasoline engines do.
Diesel UTV Cons
So far the diesel option for your UTV seems great, but they do have their drawbacks. The one main issue is the noise. A lot of folks don’t like how much louder they can be than a gasoline engine. The UTV tends to shake a lot more too, diesel engines just run a bit rougher, nothing you can do about that. It can make for ride that feels as though it beat you up a little.
Another problem is getting the diesel fuel for the UTV. Some gas stations don’t sell diesel, so make sure you figure out what it’s going to take to keep your machine fueled up and factor that into your decision. Some people have a diesel tank right there on the property. If that’s the case, this is probably a pro not a con.
Something else to mention is that the diesel engines will be heavier and slower. If you plan on using this for work, that won’t big such a big deal. But if you like to open it up and get speed on the trail, the diesel engine is not for you.
Gasoline UTV Pros And Cons
Gasoline UTVs are by far the most popular of the two. If you plan on doing trail riding, hitting the dunes, or racing your UTV. It has to be a gasoline engine. The gasoline UTVs are a lot lighter too, making them easier to load or unload to bring them to different trails and areas.
The only real benefit diesel UTVs have over gasoline is the work they do. A gas engine can put in work, but not for very long. They need a lot more maintenance, especially if you plan on towing or hauling things around all the time. They may be cheaper in the beginning, but after time and money spent fixing them all the time, you’ll wish you had a diesel engine made to put in work.
Which Do I Choose Diesel Or Gasoline?
This answer depends on what you plan on using the machine for. If you plan on using it for work and farm duty only, and have easy access to diesel fuel, then get a diesel hands down. Don’t get me wrong, a gas engine will work too, and will be cheaper to purchase. But in the long haul, you’ll get more use out of a diesel with less maintenance issues.
If you like to go fast, go with gasoline. The gasoline UTVs will be cheaper to purchase, lighter, quicker, and offer a smoother ride. You can still put a gas engine to work, but they will wear out quicker under the strain, and will give you mechanical problems a lot sooner. You must decide what you’ll be using the machine for, and pick what suits you best.