This is an excellent video. I have dealt with both diesel and gas engines over the years and I vary what fuel I want by what kind of equipment I use. Today I took delivery of the 4500z. I immediately cringed when I noticed it was a gas engine. I wanted diesel for all the reasons you mentioned. I do now recall talking about the emissions regulations issue. I bought the wide area mower, bagger, and snowblower attachments. I am hoping I do not regret it having a gas engine. Kubota engines are excellent. I have diesel fuel at my shop in a tank. I was concerned with consumption. I appreciate the video. You explained it very well. Thank you so much
I have the 4500z and it definitely likes to drink fuel if you’re working it hard. The 72” side discharge deck in tall grass will help it use about 2 gallons an hour. I have found that I abuse the mower deck by letting grass get out of normal mowing frequency. It cuts so clean but the sacrifice is fuel consumption. Running a trencher, AeraVator , power rake, or even just a bucket consumes much less fuel. Maybe a gallon to 1.5 gallons per hour
That sounds about right. I was dead set on the diesel until I got behind the Kubota gas. I keep watching my video on the 4500Z eating the tall grass like nothing. It was a really , really hard decision. If I am spending the money on this machine I don't want to regret the engine. Fuel cost its a trade off. I just hate having to store lots of fuel. I am still curious if I made the right choice. I mowed for the 2nd time and in the tall grass where the Z screamed thru, I had to bump the throttle back just a bit. I was not throwing smoke or anything I just like to stay around the 3200 RPM range. I am happy tho. I will say the diesel runs cooler. Maybe the extra quart of oil helps sum, But it only runs with the one bar lit. If I'm really hogging in some tall stuff for a while at 6 to 7 mph it jumps to 2 bars but then drops right back to 1.
@@steiger256 I demoed the 32 gas on the 95 wam and was mowing a 24 degreee slopes and hill. Grass was not that tall and when climbing the hill or going across it the 32 was loosing power also. Actually quite a bit more than I thought it would. I have 2 4100 john deeres and they are obviously non turbo. They too lose power doing tasks. Tilling is a big one. I am use to it. But they dont consume a lot of fuel. They just seem to be weak as they are 20 hp. I have debated on the 32 and the diesel now and just am ready to pull the trigger and I told him 32 today. Now I am sitting here debating on if I said the right engine. I mow a bunch of 15 to 30 degree hills and am not on them all the time. But I also cant run them full speed with my scags as they wont go full bore on them to stay on them. Darn decisions.
You explain things so well. Hope you do a video on you power.bucket especially trying to dig a hole. I have the teeth on mine but it still doesn't dig good at all. I needed to dig a 4' wide x 3' deep hole, it was going to take me forever and the hole was going to be huge with the Ventrac. And the Ventrac is wider than the bucket, but I gave up before that became a problem. I sold my Kubota L2501 so the day it was leaving , I dug the hole with it in just a few minutes. I don't know what I will do for digging in the future? Like planting trees or many things, you may not dig many holes but when you need a hole dug, surely the Ventrac should be better than a. pick and shovel. Your advice would be appreciated. Thanks
I am not really sure how well the Ventrac can dig a hole. I know the friend of mine did comment that the only time he can stall out the diesel is if your trying to rip up 6 plus inches of soil. I never really dug to deep with my 430, I primarily only used the slip scoop for just transporting material. I will have to try to dig a hole to see how it works.
I’m wrestling with that same decision. I’m buying my ventrac solely for snow removal. Regrettably I think I have to go with gas. I have a 25 hp Diesel yanmar and I don’t think it’s enough hp. I enjoyed your video
I think for snow removal the diesel would work just fine. I have heard it is the steep hills is where it lacks. I have not used a snowblower on either yet so I can not give you a honest answer if it would have enough power. I did stumble across a video of a 3400Y diesel with a blower. It seems to have more than enough power with only a 22 HP engine. Click on the link below if you would like to check it out. ruclips.net/video/TazrNYz-BRw/видео.html
Have you thought about or any comments on the turbo add on for the diesel. I’m your next door neighbor in WV and a lot of slopes. Thinking about getting a ventrac and definitely want the Y for all the deisel reasons you mentioned.
Honestly for what the turbo modification costs I think you would be better off getting the Kubota gas or Kawasaki. I have mixed thoughts on the turbo. I have done lots of research to make my decision. I have read where some turbos destroyed engines and others where people love them. Most of the turbo mods I have read they only run at 2800 RPM, But the Ventrac pumps and attachments like the mower decks are designed to operate at 3600 RPM. I am totally happy with the diesel as it is. I am also on level ground, I have heard others say it seems to lose power when it gets to the top of hills. I guess it all depends on how steep and how fast you want to go. I am waiting to try mine on some hills to see for myself. I think the turbo kit is around 2500.00 thats why if I needed more power I would go with the Z or the P. I just don't know much on the turbo kits except there have been a few 450 Steiners for sale recently with the Kubota diesel for sale with blown engines. Very low hour machines, under 100 hours. Both had turbos. Maybe others will chime in that have turbos that could tell us both more on them, I'm just going on what I have have read. Hope that helps.
How much does diesel cost per gal where you are? For me it costs more than gas. Are u running other diesel vehicles? I have the 4500z and use about 15 to 20 gallons of gas a month. I mow about 10 ac flat and 3 ac hillside once a month and the house lawn 1 ac twice a month, plus miscellaneous chores using other attachments. ATV’s, motorcycles and chain saws use about 5 gallons a month Since I need gas for the ATV’s and Chain saws I have to store gas anyways, 10 x 5 gal rotated cans, this is also back up fuel for the 2k generator and car or trucks. I do not have any diesel equipment yet, this may change in a year or two. If it does, it may me a standard tractor of some type. I get gas at sams club or the local grocery store with the discount card. I try not to make special trips to just get fuel. Thanks for the videos
Diesel is around 2.39 a gallon at my local fuel station. I am looking at getting off road diesel. Off road is around 1.80 a gallon. It really was not the fuel cost that made me go diesel just the fact of always having to go get gas. I have 8 gas cans usually keep them treated and full for winter for generator if needed. It never seems how many cans I have full it always dissappears, Usually in the kids 4 wheeler. I really really loved the 4500Z, But my dad said if the diesel doesn't work out I can get the Z and he will take the Y. So far it is working out well.
steiger 256 in my area the price difference currently is about 45 to 50 cents. It’s almost a wash when u consider you use a bit more gas I don’t have the problem with kids anymore. The gas rotates well with 10 cans. Winter time not as much but still use it in the trucks and cars and as backup fuel. Thanks
@@steiger256 it is 2.15 here in Iowa right now. I use red diesel and put it in a ibc tote that the co op fills for me. If they dont come we have a station that sells red diesel and I just throw the tote in the truck with skid steer and go get 275 gallons. I also have fuel barrels for gas so having either is not a big deal.
I would also like to know more about this. The previous 4000 'flagship' Ventrac was a 4000 series with a turbo diesel engine and it is literally an unstoppable machine. I was wondering, was the engine that had the turbo the same engine?
The engine your thinking of that was in the 4000 series is the Briggs Vanguard 31HP turbo diesel. That was a great engine. Only problems I ever heard of with that engine was it sometimes had over heating issues. The engine they replaced it with id the Kubota D902 25HP diesel. The reason they went to 25HP was with Tier 4 emmisions any diesel engine over 25HP has to have a regen system on it.
@@steiger256 Yeah I knew about the emissions, not exactly what you said. The legislation is ridiculous to say the least. Literally politicians making decisions about topics they do not have the first clue about. I guess you learn something new. I thought Vanguard engines were strictly gasoline engines. I remember seeing the Vanguard and diesel together but always thought it was an error. If I had any other question for you it would be do you regret the diesel yet? I am looking at purchasing a Ventrac in the near future and will do a little of everything with it but will definitely be cutting on slopes, which is why I think I am going to have to go with the Z.
@@HexaFox I love my diesel. I would choose it again. The Kubota gas is a great engine also. If you are going to be mowing slopes I would go with the Z. I have been told by many people the diesel lacks on hills. I am planning to do a video this summer mowing hills with my diesel to see how it does. I am curious myself.
@@buddyfoll8341 I cant really rember to much about it. Sorry. A friend of mine had the 440. I played with it a bit when he got it. He traded it for a Ventrac a year or 2 later.
I will ask him this week what his thoughts were on the hydrolics between the 440 and his 4500. The 440 has same as 450 i think. Ill let you know what he says. Hes honest on opinions.
I have never heard of a lseki engine. I looked them up. Really good reviews. Kubota has good reviews as well. I can get Kubota parts and filters everywhere so it works well for me.
@@steiger256 only for the minor stuff . Just hope you never have to get Internal parts then you'll be saying something completely different . I use to think a lot of Kubota's not anymore .
This is an excellent video. I have dealt with both diesel and gas engines over the years and I vary what fuel I want by what kind of equipment I use. Today I took delivery of the 4500z. I immediately cringed when I noticed it was a gas engine. I wanted diesel for all the reasons you mentioned. I do now recall talking about the emissions regulations issue. I bought the wide area mower, bagger, and snowblower attachments. I am hoping I do not regret it having a gas engine. Kubota engines are excellent. I have diesel fuel at my shop in a tank. I was concerned with consumption. I appreciate the video. You explained it very well. Thank you so much
The 4500Z is a great machine. It does use more fuel, But it is powerful and reliable as well. I think you will be happy with it.
I have the 4500z and it definitely likes to drink fuel if you’re working it hard. The 72” side discharge deck in tall grass will help it use about 2 gallons an hour. I have found that I abuse the mower deck by letting grass get out of normal mowing frequency. It cuts so clean but the sacrifice is fuel consumption. Running a trencher, AeraVator , power rake, or even just a bucket consumes much less fuel. Maybe a gallon to 1.5 gallons per hour
That sounds about right. I was dead set on the diesel until I got behind the Kubota gas. I keep watching my video on the 4500Z eating the tall grass like nothing. It was a really , really hard decision. If I am spending the money on this machine I don't want to regret the engine. Fuel cost its a trade off. I just hate having to store lots of fuel. I am still curious if I made the right choice. I mowed for the 2nd time and in the tall grass where the Z screamed thru, I had to bump the throttle back just a bit. I was not throwing smoke or anything I just like to stay around the 3200 RPM range. I am happy tho. I will say the diesel runs cooler. Maybe the extra quart of oil helps sum, But it only runs with the one bar lit. If I'm really hogging in some tall stuff for a while at 6 to 7 mph it jumps to 2 bars but then drops right back to 1.
@@steiger256 I demoed the 32 gas on the 95 wam and was mowing a 24 degreee slopes and hill. Grass was not that tall and when climbing the hill or going across it the 32 was loosing power also. Actually quite a bit more than I thought it would. I have 2 4100 john deeres and they are obviously non turbo. They too lose power doing tasks. Tilling is a big one. I am use to it. But they dont consume a lot of fuel. They just seem to be weak as they are 20 hp. I have debated on the 32 and the diesel now and just am ready to pull the trigger and I told him 32 today. Now I am sitting here debating on if I said the right engine. I mow a bunch of 15 to 30 degree hills and am not on them all the time. But I also cant run them full speed with my scags as they wont go full bore on them to stay on them. Darn decisions.
You explain things so well. Hope you do a video on you power.bucket especially trying to dig a hole. I have the teeth on mine but it still doesn't dig good at all. I needed to dig a 4' wide x 3' deep hole, it was going to take me forever and the hole was going to be huge with the Ventrac. And the Ventrac is wider than the bucket, but I gave up before that became a problem. I sold my Kubota L2501 so the day it was leaving , I dug the hole with it in just a few minutes. I don't know what I will do for digging in the future? Like planting trees or many things, you may not dig many holes but when you need a hole dug, surely the Ventrac should be better than a. pick and shovel. Your advice would be appreciated. Thanks
I am not really sure how well the Ventrac can dig a hole. I know the friend of mine did comment that the only time he can stall out the diesel is if your trying to rip up 6 plus inches of soil. I never really dug to deep with my 430, I primarily only used the slip scoop for just transporting material. I will have to try to dig a hole to see how it works.
@@steiger256 Thanks, I do want to see your results on digging.
Great justification for your decision to buy the diesel over the gas powered model. Diesel definitely beats gas in terms of efficiency and torque.
I’m wrestling with that same decision. I’m buying my ventrac solely for snow removal.
Regrettably I think I have to go with gas.
I have a 25 hp Diesel yanmar and I don’t think it’s enough hp.
I enjoyed your video
I think for snow removal the diesel would work just fine. I have heard it is the steep hills is where it lacks. I have not used a snowblower on either yet so I can not give you a honest answer if it would have enough power. I did stumble across a video of a 3400Y diesel with a blower. It seems to have more than enough power with only a 22 HP engine. Click on the link below if you would like to check it out.
ruclips.net/video/TazrNYz-BRw/видео.html
Have you thought about or any comments on the turbo add on for the diesel. I’m your next door neighbor in WV and a lot of slopes. Thinking about getting a ventrac and definitely want the Y for all the deisel reasons you mentioned.
Honestly for what the turbo modification costs I think you would be better off getting the Kubota gas or Kawasaki. I have mixed thoughts on the turbo. I have done lots of research to make my decision. I have read where some turbos destroyed engines and others where people love them. Most of the turbo mods I have read they only run at 2800 RPM, But the Ventrac pumps and attachments like the mower decks are designed to operate at 3600 RPM. I am totally happy with the diesel as it is. I am also on level ground, I have heard others say it seems to lose power when it gets to the top of hills. I guess it all depends on how steep and how fast you want to go. I am waiting to try mine on some hills to see for myself. I think the turbo kit is around 2500.00 thats why if I needed more power I would go with the Z or the P. I just don't know much on the turbo kits except there have been a few 450 Steiners for sale recently with the Kubota diesel for sale with blown engines. Very low hour machines, under 100 hours. Both had turbos. Maybe others will chime in that have turbos that could tell us both more on them, I'm just going on what I have have read. Hope that helps.
I got Rick rolled by an ad…
Agreed
It's torque you want but the diesel barely beats the gas version.
How much does diesel cost per gal where you are? For me it costs more than gas.
Are u running other diesel vehicles?
I have the 4500z and use about 15 to 20 gallons of gas a month.
I mow about 10 ac flat and 3 ac hillside once a month and the house lawn 1 ac twice a month, plus miscellaneous chores using other attachments.
ATV’s, motorcycles and chain saws use about 5 gallons a month
Since I need gas for the ATV’s and Chain saws I have to store gas anyways, 10 x 5 gal rotated cans, this is also back up fuel for the 2k generator and car or trucks.
I do not have any diesel equipment yet, this may change in a year or two. If it does, it may me a standard tractor of some type.
I get gas at sams club or the local grocery store with the discount card.
I try not to make special trips to just get fuel.
Thanks for the videos
Diesel is around 2.39 a gallon at my local fuel station. I am looking at getting off road diesel. Off road is around 1.80 a gallon. It really was not the fuel cost that made me go diesel just the fact of always having to go get gas. I have 8 gas cans usually keep them treated and full for winter for generator if needed. It never seems how many cans I have full it always dissappears, Usually in the kids 4 wheeler. I really really loved the 4500Z, But my dad said if the diesel doesn't work out I can get the Z and he will take the Y. So far it is working out well.
steiger 256 in my area the price difference currently is about 45 to 50 cents.
It’s almost a wash when u consider you use a bit more gas
I don’t have the problem with kids anymore. The gas rotates well with 10 cans. Winter time not as much but still use it in the trucks and cars and as backup fuel.
Thanks
@@steiger256 it is 2.15 here in Iowa right now. I use red diesel and put it in a ibc tote that the co op fills for me. If they dont come we have a station that sells red diesel and I just throw the tote in the truck with skid steer and go get 275 gallons. I also have fuel barrels for gas so having either is not a big deal.
I got the Y and it was a mistake had to put a turbo on it to get the HP.
Where were you losing the power at? What attachments?
I would also like to know more about this. The previous 4000 'flagship' Ventrac was a 4000 series with a turbo diesel engine and it is literally an unstoppable machine. I was wondering, was the engine that had the turbo the same engine?
The engine your thinking of that was in the 4000 series is the Briggs Vanguard 31HP turbo diesel. That was a great engine. Only problems I ever heard of with that engine was it sometimes had over heating issues. The engine they replaced it with id the Kubota D902 25HP diesel. The reason they went to 25HP was with Tier 4 emmisions any diesel engine over 25HP has to have a regen system on it.
@@steiger256 Yeah I knew about the emissions, not exactly what you said. The legislation is ridiculous to say the least. Literally politicians making decisions about topics they do not have the first clue about. I guess you learn something new. I thought Vanguard engines were strictly gasoline engines. I remember seeing the Vanguard and diesel together but always thought it was an error. If I had any other question for you it would be do you regret the diesel yet? I am looking at purchasing a Ventrac in the near future and will do a little of everything with it but will definitely be cutting on slopes, which is why I think I am going to have to go with the Z.
@@HexaFox I love my diesel. I would choose it again. The Kubota gas is a great engine also. If you are going to be mowing slopes I would go with the Z. I have been told by many people the diesel lacks on hills. I am planning to do a video this summer mowing hills with my diesel to see how it does. I am curious myself.
Did you by chance run a Steiner 450 with the diesel?
I mowed a bit with a 440 diesel, only drove around a 450
Well shoot. Was looking for an honest opinion about the different hydraulic systems.
@@buddyfoll8341 I cant really rember to much about it. Sorry. A friend of mine had the 440. I played with it a bit when he got it. He traded it for a Ventrac a year or 2 later.
I will ask him this week what his thoughts were on the hydrolics between the 440 and his 4500. The 440 has same as 450 i think. Ill let you know what he says. Hes honest on opinions.
I would get the diesel if it was the Iseki diesel engine
I have never heard of a lseki engine. I looked them up. Really good reviews. Kubota has good reviews as well. I can get Kubota parts and filters everywhere so it works well for me.
@@steiger256 only for the
minor stuff . Just hope you never have to get Internal parts then you'll be saying something completely different . I use to think a lot of Kubota's not anymore .
@@steiger256 I have an iseki and it is so darn reliable, simple, and powerful. It just purrs no matter what the conditions. It is over 30 years old