GaryW
07-29-2013, 04:36 PM
A couple months ago I bought a new 6X4 diesel gator. Now that I have gotten past the excitement of having a new 'toy', I can look at my purchase objectively. This is quite a machine. It's simple but very rugged design is impressive. The very low center of gravity and four soft rear driving wheels works wonders crawling over the rocky ground. Slow ground speed is necessary here for maneuvering through the dense woods. (I sometimes have to rely on the tires to self center the machine when passing between close spaced trees!) If you are not aware, the foot 'throttle' in the diesel gator actually connects to the governor. Once I get the engine RPM up to engage the centrifugal clutch, I can hold my foot steady as the machine crawls up and down hills. The four rear drive wheels move the machine along without fuss or need to spin to climb steep hills. I do not see how a 4X4 would do me as well. 20 MPH top speed? That might be an issue for open country but not here in the wooded Ozark ridges and hollows.