Why do most customers choose Ventrac's Gas Engines over the Kubota Diesel Engine?

Almost everyone's initial instinct is to buy the Kubota Diesel powered Ventrac 4500Y over the Gasoline powered 4500Z. But after some research and information gathering, most people decide against the diesel model. And it it is not because of the price, because the price is about the same. So why then?

Why Choose Ventrac’s Gas Engines?

EPA regulations stipulate that some expensive bulky components be present on diesel engines having 25+ horse power. These bulky components simply can't be fit inside the very limited space under the hood of a small tractor like the Ventrac. This is why Ventrac has selected the 24.8 HP Kubota for their diesel engine. For gasoline engines similar regulations begin when the engine displacement reaches 1000cc. This allows Ventrac to put more power under the hood of the gas tractors than the diesel.

Low end torque

Having good torque at low RPM's, as diesel engines are known for, can be nice for working equipment with the engine at low throttle, particularly with a gear drive machine not using the PTO. But with a hydro drive machine you pretty much need to get the engine up to 2/3 to 3/4 throttle to get the hydros flowing well enough to get much work done. And if you are using a mowing deck or some other PTO power attachment you are probably going to need the engine running at full throttle. What good is low end torque if you seldom have an application where you can use it.

RPM

In addition, the torque is higher at any RPM for the Kubota 32.5 HP gasoline WG972GL engine than on the Kubota 24.8 HP diesel D902 engine. Click the model # links to compare Kubota engine spec sheets.

Longevity

The gasoline and diesel Kubota engines are both build on the same footprint, are water cooled, share many of the same parts and should have a similar life expectancy.

Fuel Cost

While diesel fuel costs more than gasoline, the Kubota diesel engine only consumes an estimated 1.1 gallons of fuel per hour while the Kubota gasoline engine consumes 1.6 gallons per hour. If fuel efficiency is a concern then consider Ventrac's 4500P powered by the Kawasaki FD851D water cooled EFI 31 HP engine which consumes an estimated 1.2 gallons per hour and has more torque at any RPM compared to the Kubota Diesel D902.

Application

Where you tend to need more power is when you are climbing steep hills and or have a heavy load on the PTO as would be the case for a big mowing in heavy grass. These more demanding situations make the more powerful gasoline engines the way to go.

On the other hand the diesel Ventrac may have plenty of power for lesser demanding applications and may be a good choice.

‍Learn more at **https://www.btsouth.com/ventrac**