The 2014 Polaris RANGER Diesel HST introduced an unusual drivetrain to the RANGER utility side-by-side lineup: a 24-horsepower Yanmar diesel engine paired with a hydrostatic transmission. Polaris offered the three-passenger machine in standard and Deluxe configurations, with the Deluxe adding a factory-installed enclosed cab, heat and air conditioning.
Developed for agricultural, rural and commercial work, the RANGER Diesel HST combined its diesel powertrain with a treadle pedal, hydraulic power steering, On-Demand True All-Wheel Drive and a load-supporting De Dion rear suspension.
2014 Polaris RANGER Diesel HST Highlights
- 24-horsepower Yanmar diesel engine
- Hydrostatic transmission
- Forward-and-reverse treadle pedal
- Hydrostatic engine braking
- On-Demand True All-Wheel Drive
- Hydraulic power steering
- Multi-link coil-over De Dion rear suspension
- 1,250-pound cargo capacity
- 2,000-pound towing capacity
- Pallet-sized rear dump box
- 90-amp alternator
- Three-passenger seating
Yanmar Diesel Engine and Hydrostatic Transmission
At the center of both RANGER Diesel HST models was a 24-horsepower Yanmar diesel engine. Rather than using the belt-driven continuously variable transmission found in most recreational RANGER models, Polaris paired the engine with a hydrostatic transmission.
The hydrostatic drivetrain was designed around predictable low-speed operation and work applications. It also provided engine braking for smooth, controlled deceleration when descending hills or carrying a load.
This configuration distinguished the HST from the conventional Polaris RANGER Diesel introduced for 2011. Both machines targeted diesel-oriented customers, but the HST added a different transmission, control system and rear-suspension design.
Forward and Reverse Treadle Pedal
One of the RANGER Diesel HST’s most distinctive features was its treadle pedal. The operator could control forward and reverse movement through the two-direction pedal without reaching for a transmission shifter or removing a hand from the steering wheel.
The arrangement was particularly useful during repetitive work such as positioning a trailer, loading material, clearing snow or maneuvering around a farm or jobsite. It operated more like the directional pedal commonly found on compact tractors than the controls in a conventional recreational UTV.
On-Demand True All-Wheel Drive
The RANGER Diesel HST and HST Deluxe used Polaris On-Demand True All-Wheel Drive. The system automatically supplied power to the front wheels when additional traction was required and returned to two-wheel drive when the extra traction was no longer needed.
This allowed the operator to concentrate on steering and throttle control while crossing mud, snow, loose soil or uneven terrain.
De Dion Rear Suspension and Work Capacity
Polaris equipped the Diesel HST with a multi-link, coil-over De Dion rear suspension. The design was intended to maintain ride height and ground clearance more consistently as weight was added to the cargo box.
The machine was rated to carry as much as 1,250 pounds of cargo and tow up to 2,000 pounds. Its extended pallet-sized dump box incorporated the Polaris Lock & Ride accessory system. The standard HST used a gas-assisted box lift, while the Deluxe received an electric lift.
Comfort and Electrical Capacity
Hydraulic power steering was standard on both versions. Polaris also provided a tilt steering wheel with approximately 10 inches of adjustment, additional legroom, integrated footrests and a wide bench seat for three occupants.
A 90-amp alternator supported cold-weather starting and allowed operators to run multiple electrical accessories. That additional capacity was especially important on the Deluxe model because of its factory cab and climate-control equipment.
RANGER Diesel HST vs. HST Deluxe
| Feature | RANGER Diesel HST | RANGER Diesel HST Deluxe |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 24-hp Yanmar diesel | 24-hp Yanmar diesel |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic | Hydrostatic |
| Power steering | Standard | Standard |
| Dump-box lift | Gas assisted | Electric |
| Enclosed cab | Not standard | Factory installed |
| Climate control | Not standard | Heat, defrost and air conditioning |
Factory Cab and Climate Control
The RANGER Diesel HST Deluxe came with a fully enclosed, factory-installed cab. Its climate-control system provided heat, windshield defrosting and air conditioning, making the machine suitable for work in both hot and cold conditions.
The cab also featured doors that opened approximately 180 degrees for easier entry and exit. This was an important early step toward the sophisticated factory HVAC utility UTVs that later became a major part of the Polaris RANGER lineup.
2014 Pricing and Availability
Polaris announced a starting MSRP of $15,199 for the standard RANGER Diesel HST and $20,999 for the HST Deluxe. Both versions were offered in Sage Green and were scheduled to reach Polaris dealerships in April 2014.
Where the Diesel HST Fits in RANGER History
The RANGER Diesel HST was a specialized work model rather than a replacement for the conventional RANGER Diesel. Its hydrostatic transmission, treadle pedal and De Dion rear suspension gave it characteristics more commonly associated with compact agricultural equipment.
Although the HST configuration did not become the standard drivetrain for later RANGER models, the Deluxe version helped establish the demand for fully enclosed, climate-controlled utility side-by-sides. That concept subsequently developed into the modern RANGER NorthStar lineup.
See our history of the Polaris RANGER for the full progression from the original RANGER 6×6 through today’s diesel, electric, NorthStar and extreme-duty models. For current machines and additional archived coverage, visit our Polaris UTV model page or the Polaris RANGER models, reviews and buying guide.
