Looks like I'm getting a 2008 AC diesel. Anyone here ever drive one? Supposed to be slow (47 mph) but I can live with slow, need it to work in the woods, pulling out logs, etc. Was thinking of maybe installing a turbocharger to get a bit more power.

 

I never even knew AC made a diesel. I know Polaris used to make a diesel Sportsman and I think even a diesel Ranger. I don't think either sold very well. I'm sure it has more torque than a similar sized gas engine so it should have ample pulling power.

 

I think a modern diesel would be great in a utility ATV that has to work for a living. The torque and efficiency are better than their spark engine relatives. I think the transmission and driveline needs serious consideration to handle the low speed torque.

We used Kubota RTV side by side diesel utility vehicles at the park where I once worked. I can't remember the transmission, but I think it was a hydrostatic. This was in 2007.

David

 

I have done some reading on those diesels a while back. You can tune them and turn the fuel up and they will rip right along.

 

I wonder if they have difficulty starting in cold weather, that would be one concern I would have.

 

Apparently they are very popular in Scandinavia and below 0F require a dual battery set up, which this one has. It's a common Onan diesel, popular in Europe. Thing is heavy as a tank, almost 900 lbs, but that's great for what I need, towing out large logs, and towing out a cord of firewood on a 5' X 8' trailer. Also the longer wheel base will be great. My old AC 500 is maxed out doing what I use her for. Here is a picture of the 500 with about .6-.7 cord of green maple. I have an AC 400 for zipping around.

 

Just like any diesel keep a good glow plug in it and a good synth oil and it will fire every time. My old diesel truck as soon as i switched to synth oil i no longer had to plug it in during winter.

 

Zrock, I use Rotella T6 in the gas ones and plan on using that in the diesel. Now I gotta get off the computer and plow my driveway, try out my new 72" Cycle Country plow.

 

So how did the new plow work out?

GC

 

The 72" plow worked awesome! Originally my dealer said the AC 500 couldn't use bigger than 60" plow, wrong! My 500 has 30" Mudzillas with "Grip Studs". Those things get wicked traction, even in 2wd and the 500 has manual shift. I've learned that I can plow in 2nd gear Lo range for the long runs. My driveway is over 500 yards long, at 10 mph, you can move a lot of snow, even with a 4 wheeler. I plan to switch the 14" rims and Mudzillas to the diesel. I researched how to turn up the fuel and advance the timing on the diesel, if that's not enough, might do a Mitsubishi TD 02/4A30T turbocharger install, doesn't look too hard, as I have excellent fabrication shops near. If the diesel doesn't pull and plow as well as the 500 gas, it will be up for sale, haha.