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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 843
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 843 |
I keep thinking about getting a four wheeler for farm use. A 250-400 rancher would get me by just fine. However with the rise of the RZR and other Side by Sides, i've been seeing quite a few Gators for sale at a reasonable price.
Anything to know about them, I have heard they are slow. How is parts availability? Pain to work on? General opinions.
Still got my eye open for a dahautsu hi-jet, not like i'm in a hurry.
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 10,036 Likes: 9
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 10,036 Likes: 9 |
Rice burner running gear with a green body. JD doesn't make much of its product line in America any more. For any serious work, try to find one with a diesel engine and a power dump bed. Jerry
Ignorance can be fixed. Stupid is forever!
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 651
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 651 |
I have an 850D with 600 hours on it and it is a colossal piece of crap. I own a snow removal company and also have a Ranger 900. I am working on buying another Ranger and launching the Gator. I would buy Rangers all day before I got another Gator.
Cons:
Heavy AF Slow Prone to failure Expensive to fix
Pros:
You can tell people you own a John Deere and buy a hat.
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 45,304 Likes: 23
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 45,304 Likes: 23 |
Had some at a place I worked.
Liked them about as much as the Kawasaki Mules.............they generally got a person from point A to point B. Had to drive them a good 1/4 to half mile to get to the other side of the project multiple times a day. Seemed to be about as problem free as anything we had on site.......in other words they sometimes broke. But, realize, it was a large project and multiple drivers with different driving habits. Almost all paved too, so I can't speak to their mud capabilities.
We had mostly 4 wheel versions, and I think the other part of the project had an old 6 wheel version. All lasted multiple years (6-8), some are probably still running.
Geno
The desert is a true treasure for him who seeks refuge from men and the evil of men. In it is contentment In it is death and all you seek (Quoted from "The Bleeding of the Stone" Ibrahim Al-Koni)
member of the cabal of dysfunctional squirrels?
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 10,327 Likes: 4
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 10,327 Likes: 4 |
I've had one for 3 or 4 years, 825 I think. Gas burner, power steering, power dump bed. It's great for around the farm work. Runs about 40-45mph down the road, that's as fast as I want to drive it. Part are easy, but as usual, green parts are pricey.
Black Cows Matter!
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,293
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,293 |
Its a Ford - Chevy argument. The 825 and 835 have a Chery engine that is tough as nails unless you bog them and play in water. Ive worked on them for 24 years. The only engine failures Ive seen are from dusting them by not changing air filters. All brands have belt and clutch problems if they are mistreated. Im not a fan of the Diesel gators
Farmer told me the other day his 825i has outlasted a mule and Ranger and still going with close to 2000 hours on it
Last edited by TLB2; 02/09/20.
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 8,490
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 8,490 |
I have a 4 X 6 Gator it is a working monster, no problem putting a pallet of fertilizer in the back or pulling a 8 foot cultipacker, if you buy a toy, then don't expect it to work like a man, John Deere makes toys and tools , make sure you know what you are buying !
Writing here is Prohibited by the authorities.
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,978 Likes: 10
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,978 Likes: 10 |
I have a 2008 620i gator. It has about 1200 hours on it. Replaced the drive belt once and the front axles. The axles are expensive from JD but you can get both for less than $200 On eBay. I have cattle on about 12 sections and not many roads. Mostly use the washes for roads or go across country. I carry fence tools, chain saw, chains, etc in the bed. Has an electric dump bed when needed. It gets me where I need to go. I have been pleased with it. I run Sea Foam in the gas and can tell a difference if I don't use it. It is not as fast as some of the others but where I go fast is not an option. Usually crawling around in FWD or in deep sand. I usually cover about 15 to 20 miles in a day on the ranch.
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 19,243 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 19,243 Likes: 2 |
I know a lot of people who have Gators, and they like them, for the most part. I also know some of those people who got rid of them, and bought a Ranger, because the Ranger is faster. I have a 2013 Polaris Ranger 500. For what I do, it's ideal. I have tractors for jobs that require pulling some type of implement, so I don't have to do that. I use mine mostly for hunting, checking the cattle, and running around the farm on. I've got almost a 1000 hours on mine, and it has been virtually trouble free.
If I was in the market for another UTV, Polaris is where I'd look first.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,267 Likes: 2
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,267 Likes: 2 |
I know you asked about Gators, cant help, don't know anyone around here that runs a Gator, but, a buddy has had an 07 Yamaha 660 Rhino that he's totally beat the hell out of for 13 years, worn out several sets of tires, that thing is a tank and just keeps going, he's a farmer and a hunter, another neighbor has a big 800 EFI Polaris Ranger, it's been a hell of a machine for him too, he's a farmer cattle rancher, matter of fact, his Ranger is parked out behind one of my shop buildings right now, I let him cross my pasture going up to the NW corner so he can work on his North fence, running East and West, I rode up there with him last week, that big Polaris is smooth riding with plenty of power and traction, he had a pretty good load in the bed too, consisting of steel post driver, couple three bags of quickcrete and sand, rolls of barbwire, and other assorted fencing tools.
Trump Won!
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 26,577 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 26,577 Likes: 3 |
I know you asked about Gators, cant help, don't know anyone around here that runs a Gator, but, a buddy has had an 07 Yamaha 660 Rhino that he's totally beat the hell out of for 13 years, worn out several sets of tires, that thing is a tank and just keeps going, he's a farmer and a hunter, another neighbor has a big 800 EFI Polaris Ranger, it's been a hell of a machine for him too, he's a farmer cattle rancher, matter of fact, his Ranger is parked out behind one of my shop buildings right now, I let him cross my pasture going up to the NW corner so he can work on his North fence, running East and West, I rode up there with him last week, that big Polaris is smooth riding with plenty of power and traction, he had a pretty good load in the bed too, consisting of steel post driver, couple three bags of quickcrete and sand, rolls of barbwire, and other assorted fencing tools. What Gunner said. I bought a 08' Rhino 660 new and have run the piss out of it, hauling firewood out of mtns etc. Runs like the day I bought it.
FJB & FJT
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,639
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,639 |
I have an 850D with 600 hours on it and it is a colossal piece of crap. I own a snow removal company and also have a Ranger 900. I am working on buying another Ranger and launching the Gator. I would buy Rangers all day before I got another Gator.
Cons:
Heavy AF Slow Prone to failure Expensive to fix
Pros:
You can tell people you own a John Deere and buy a hat. My shadow will not darken a John Deere dealership again...….their service department sucks.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,267 Likes: 2
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,267 Likes: 2 |
I know you asked about Gators, cant help, don't know anyone around here that runs a Gator, but, a buddy has had an 07 Yamaha 660 Rhino that he's totally beat the hell out of for 13 years, worn out several sets of tires, that thing is a tank and just keeps going, he's a farmer and a hunter, another neighbor has a big 800 EFI Polaris Ranger, it's been a hell of a machine for him too, he's a farmer cattle rancher, matter of fact, his Ranger is parked out behind one of my shop buildings right now, I let him cross my pasture going up to the NW corner so he can work on his North fence, running East and West, I rode up there with him last week, that big Polaris is smooth riding with plenty of power and traction, he had a pretty good load in the bed too, consisting of steel post driver, couple three bags of quickcrete and sand, rolls of barbwire, and other assorted fencing tools. What Gunner said. I bought a 08' Rhino 660 new and have run the piss out of it, hauling firewood out of mtns etc. Runs like the day I bought it. If I ever consider that type of machine, i'll damn sure be looking for a low hour 07-08 Rhino 660 Raeford, this kid [probably 35 now] has ramped that thing several feet in the air, headed for the mountains with cases of beer, an ice chest full of bolo and hot dogs, plus an extra 5 gal container of gasoline back when he was younger, he'd stay up there raising hell all weekend.
Trump Won!
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,896
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,896 |
I have a 4 X 6 Gator it is a working monster, no problem putting a pallet of fertilizer in the back or pulling a 8 foot cultipacker, if you buy a toy, then don't expect it to work like a man, John Deere makes toys and tools , make sure you know what you are buying ! This. We call our 20 year old 4X6 Granny because she has been there so long. Slow yes, but if something has to be done, she is the one to take. And we have Polaris, Honda, etc. NOTE: Not impressed with the cheap 4 wheel JD. Have a couple of those and they are the last ones used. But Granny is always good to go!
Some mornings, it just does not feel worth it to chew through the straps!~
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 26,609 Likes: 19
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 26,609 Likes: 19 |
I keep thinking about getting a four wheeler for farm use. A 250-400 rancher would get me by just fine. However with the rise of the RZR and other Side by Sides, i've been seeing quite a few Gators for sale at a reasonable price.
Anything to know about them, I have heard they are slow. How is parts availability? Pain to work on? General opinions.
Still got my eye open for a dahautsu hi-jet, not like i'm in a hurry. I have seen a lot of John Deere products being listed on craigslist and facebook marketplace that feel very scammy.
Last edited by PaulBarnard; 02/10/20.
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 19,243 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 19,243 Likes: 2 |
The older Gators were very good machines, designed for field use, not for road and trail running up and down at 45 MPH. I know some people that have had excellent results out of theirs. JD tried to compete with the Ranger line, and some of the other UTV's that are mush faster than the Gator, and in doing so, have been turning out a less than reliable prodcut
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,272
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,272 |
I have an 850D with 600 hours on it and it is a colossal piece of crap. I own a snow removal company and also have a Ranger 900. I am working on buying another Ranger and launching the Gator. I would buy Rangers all day before I got another Gator.
Cons:
Heavy AF Slow Prone to failure Expensive to fix
Pros:
You can tell people you own a John Deere and buy a hat. Yep I had one and it was a ROUGH RIDE...
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went" Will Rogers
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,628
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,628 |
I've had one for 3 or 4 years, 825 I think. Gas burner, power steering, power dump bed. It's great for around the farm work. Runs about 40-45mph down the road, that's as fast as I want to drive it. Part are easy, but as usual, green parts are pricey. Yea I have the 825i also. It has been a workhorse with no problems for 6 years.
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 152,000 Likes: 24
Campfire Savant
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Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 152,000 Likes: 24 |
I have a Polaris side by side, it’s handy for hunting!
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,349 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,349 Likes: 1 |
I have a 900RTV Kubota diesel. Probably 12 years old. Only problem I have with it is when the grandsons come in and say,"Papaw. we need your 4wd diesel truck to tow the Kubota out of the stock tank". How did that happen, "We don't know Papaw, we just turned our head while fishing. The next we knew it was in the water". OF COURSE! I was born yesterday and couldn't understand! I'm regular on oil and all the filter changes along with the hydraulic fluid and filter. It has a dump bed, 4wd, and 4 wheel diff lock. It also has hydraulic lines with disconnect to operate other tools. It ain't fast and rides rough, but it serves our purpose. I have replaced the rear tires.
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