[mskibo]

I picked up a new 2015 HD PTO Deluxe last night. I traded a 2013 HD PTO in on it. Here are my initial observations.

Engine/Drive Train
Quite a bit quieter than the 13 model. Motor seems a bit quieter in the cab and the hydrostatic drive a lot quieter. Road noise seems reduced as well. Power seems about the same. Feels a bit slower on acceleration but top speed of 30 MPH is the same as the 13. Seems to climb a bit faster on hills. It idles higher than the Yanmar, about 1900 RPM. The engine comes up to operating temp faster thus the cab get warmer a lot faster. Was 10 degrees this morning and the cab warmed right up. The only thing I am disappointed in is that there seems to be a lot more soot on start up than the Yanmar. Was thinking it would be less with the higher tier compliance. You have have your foot on the brake to start the motor now (do not care for this).

Interior
Love the new split windows on the doors. Can open them to let air in and to have a conversation with someone out side. You can no longer open the windshield (I never used that feature in the 13). Am hoping that will cut down on the leaks that I would get when blowing snow. I think they reduced the size of the hip bars on the seats so it is easier to get in and out of the cab. Windshield washer fluid tank has been moved under the hood.

I will not get a chance to use the blower until October or November so I cannot comment on the PTO and power. I suspect it will be about the same as the Yanmar.

All in all I am pleased. I really like the fact the machine is quieter. I definitely has a more refined feel to it versus the 13 model.

Mike

 

[KeviNH]

Did it come with upgraded dump bed for salt spreader?

Love the new split windows on the doors. Can open them to let air in and to have a conversation with someone out side. You can no longer open the windshield (I never used that feature in the 13). Am hoping that will cut down on the leaks that I would get when blowing snow. I think they reduced the size of the hip bars on the seats so it is easier to get in and out of the cab. Windshield washer fluid tank has been moved under the hood.

My 2014 Bobcat has the fixed windshield, split driver's side window, and washer fluid reservoir under the hood, so not all of these are recent changes. But they are good features.

Do you know if yours came with the upgraded dump bed designed to accept the sand/salt spreader?

 

[mskibo]

My 2014 Bobcat has the fixed windshield, split driver's side window, and washer fluid reservoir under the hood, so not all of these are recent changes. But they are good features.

Do you know if yours came with the upgraded dump bed designed to accept the sand/salt spreader?

Frankly, I do not know. The bed looks the same to me as the 13 but I have not looked closely.

 

[Jorts]

All 2015 brutus are set up to accept the salt spreader. They come with the upgrade- saw it on the Polaris website I think.

 

[wifi_guy]

I picked up a new 2015 HD PTO Deluxe last night. I traded a 2013 HD PTO in on it. Here are my initial observations.

Engine/Drive Train
Quite a bit quieter than the 13 model. Motor seems a bit quieter in the cab and the hydrostatic drive a lot quieter. Road noise seems reduced as well. Power seems about the same. Feels a bit slower on acceleration but top speed of 30 MPH is the same as the 13. Seems to climb a bit faster on hills. It idles higher than the Yanmar, about 1900 RPM. The engine comes up to operating temp faster thus the cab get warmer a lot faster. Was 10 degrees this morning and the cab warmed right up. The only thing I am disappointed in is that there seems to be a lot more soot on start up than the Yanmar. Was thinking it would be less with the higher tier compliance. You have have your foot on the brake to start the motor now (do not care for this).

Interior
Love the new split windows on the doors. Can open them to let air in and to have a conversation with someone out side. You can no longer open the windshield (I never used that feature in the 13). Am hoping that will cut down on the leaks that I would get when blowing snow. I think they reduced the size of the hip bars on the seats so it is easier to get in and out of the cab. Windshield washer fluid tank has been moved under the hood.

I will not get a chance to use the blower until October or November so I cannot comment on the PTO and power. I suspect it will be about the same as the Yanmar.

All in all I am pleased. I really like the fact the machine is quieter. I definitely has a more refined feel to it versus the 13 model.

Mike

Pictures!!!

 

[jharris]

I just bought a 2015 brutus hdpto from a private individual.
It has 16 miles on it, I did not test drive it before purchase (my mistake).
It will only go 14 miles per hour on level ground.
It will only go up grades at 4-5 mph.
I was able to transfer warranty.
After I read your review I am wondering if I should take it to dealer for adjustments.

 

[Ketchn]

Yes you should, and once it's adjusted right it should do 25 just fine and 10 or better up hills in low, smaller hills on the trail slows me down to 22-25. My top end on a cooler day without the a/c I can just get to 30mph. 30 mph is the advertised to speed from both Polaris and Bobcat.

 

[jharris]

I have been looking for the advertised speed in writing from Polaris but have been unsuccessful. I would like to approach dealer with speed spec in hand.
Thanks for your input.
I really like other features of brutus.
I could live with 25-30 mph,,,but 14 mph top end is killing me slowly.

 

[Ketchn]

I did some quick checking and the bobcat website shows 14mph in low and 30mph in high, and when the hydrostatic drive is adjusted correctly it will do those speeds. I've seen it on the Polaris site before didn't find it yet today.
Just about every Brutus or Bobcat comes with the hydrostatic drive adjusted wrong and acts just like yours, this forum is full of posts like yours and of Polaris dealers telling them nothing is wrong.
Spend some time reading about the slow speed and no power issues before approaching your dealer, because when you bring them proof they will talk to there dealer rep and they will send them the instructions for fixing it. Some people have better luck taking it to the bobcat dealer as they know how to work on hydrostatic drives better then most Polaris dealers.
Mine would barely get up to 22mph on the level and only go 3 in low up a steep hill, after the adjustment it would go 25-30 on the level and it went 10 up the steep hill.
How fast does it go in reverse? Anything over 8 or 9 is too fast.

 

[jharris]

I called local Polaris service dept. poor guy was clueless about brutus speed issue.
He tried to suggest an rpm deficiency.
I mentioned this site and the shared info here.
He agreed to call Polaris rep for advice.
waiting for callback.
Thanks for info .

 

[Ketchn]

Some dealers are hesitant to fix it because they need to buy a $70 tool to adjust the hydrostatic system.

 

[Interceptor]

The tool is not a necessity, any mechanic with half a brain should be able to figure out how to adjust it without any special tools. If I get a chance I'll make a video of the whole procedure using basic hand tools.

 

[jimslick]

please make the video, it would help a lot of people, if you can it would be appreciated.

 

[Ketchn]

I agree with jimslick, I think it would benefit just about everyone on the site, and a few Polaris and bobcat dealers.
Now that you opened a can of worms, we expect a 4K video with flawless lighting and videography, and you might as well throw in some high dollar voiceover talent also.
On the other hand we would be thrilled with a too dark to see anything shaky video with lots of swinging the camera around and shots of the cat with a few rants about liberals and conservatives. And don't forget to talk too soft while having super loud horrible music playing.
Maybe I should of had less sugar today.

 

[KeviNH]

How quiet is it?

I picked up a new 2015 HD PTO Deluxe last night. I traded a 2013 HD PTO in on it. Here are my initial observations.

Engine/Drive Train
Quite a bit quieter than the 13 model. Motor seems a bit quieter in the cab and the hydrostatic drive a lot quieter. Road noise seems reduced as well.

It'd be great if somebody with a 2015 model could borrow a SPL meter and get some decibel readings for the "Objectively Loud" thread.