Gator 855D

[kwbretired]

I'm thinking about purchasing a 2014 JD Gator 855D. Have lots of woods, hills, & rocks where my property is located. Trying to figure out if this is the right machine for me. Will be using it to work around the place & recreation. Still trying to decide about what options to have installed too. Would like to know of any problems the Gator is having.

 

[cartod]

I'd shy away from the diesel. It's loud heavy and slow. Go with the 825i, great machine with lots of power and a much better top speed.

 

[kwbretired]

The reason for diesel is I think is reliability & I have diesel tractors & truck. Which would have more torque at low rpms.

 

[cartod]

Go test drive one and talk to your dealer. While the 855 is a work horse in the field, it lacks in the recreation. I was fully sold on the 855 diesel and the dealer talked me out of it in short order by test driving them. Oh and do yourself a favor and get power steering.

 

[kwbretired]

I did talk to one dealer & he was only interested in showing mr the Kabota. I'm sure the Kabota is a fine machine but it's too heavy, turning radius sucks, & it's very pricy. I have not driven one yet but will in the near future. I agree power steering is the way to go. What about power lift is it necessary?

 

[kwbretired]

Does anyone know about the belt drive, does it slip if it gets wet or is the belt slotted like on a motorcycle. How often & how hard is it to change.

 

[cartod]

The oil filter is a bear to change, I haven't done the belt change on the gator but if its like the razor its easy. If you are going to be using the dump bed with heavy material you might want an electric dump, I know your wife will. I have had it in very extreme conditions and on a few group rides where water went over the windshield briefly. No problems to date. Top speed of diesel is also around 30, the gas 3 cyl easily does over 40mph. They make lots of extras for the gator and you can easily spend over 20k. The cab on mine was around 5k.

 

[kwbretired]

Thanks for the feedback. I had heard or read the belt would slip when it gets wet. Is there anything that can done for the noise?

 

[jcummins]

I got the 855d because everything else was diesel. Tried of messing with gas cans. A few times wish it was faster but for the most part it suits me fine.

I got the protection kit, dump bed, power steering. I'd buy again setup the same way.

 

[Briana03]

Welcome to TractorByNet!

I moved your thread to the ATVs & UTVs forum.

 

[Briana03]

Welcome to TractorByNet!

I moved your thread to the ATVs & UTVs forum.

 

[RoyJackson]

I've got an 855D and my neighbor has an 825i. Both good machines, but the 825i is noisier except at idle (then the 855D is noisier). The 855D has more low end torque, so one doesn't have to rev as high to get moving.
It really depends what you want to use it for. If more play then work and you do want to go 35+ MPH, then the 825i is the better choice. If more work and puttering around, the 855D is better.
I wanted diesel since I prefer to keep diesel around rather then gas (and with an 825i, you'll want to keep plenty of fuel on hand).

As far as speed...running off road isn't a high speed endeavor...not for most of us, at least.

So, if I had to do it over again, I'd still go for the 855D over the 825i. I would probably get the power dump though.

 

[kwbretired]

Thanks for the response. I am leaning hard towards the 855d. I also have a diesel tractor & backhoe so diesel fuel is already there. I was surprised after picking all the options I liked, it priced out over $20,000. WOW. I was thinking of going with the full cab & glass doors but think I'll just go with windshield & top.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

Does anyone know about the belt drive, does it slip if it gets wet or is the belt slotted like on a motorcycle. How often & how hard is it to change.

It could slip if it gets wet but at least on my 825i it's rare to get wet....the housing is relatively sealed...there is a vent but that's up high where water would have already caused other issues before the belt slipped.

The belt isn't hard to change on the 825i and I'm thinking the 855 is similar...takes a couple hours but isn't too difficult



For recreational use mixed in you really should look at the 825i also....it's got a lot more power down low and up high compared to the 855.....the only thing the 855 really has over the 825i is fuel economy and the 825i isn't too bad on fuel...mine gets 18+ mpg which is pretty good for trail riding in my opinion.

 

[kwbretired]

Thanks for your input. How is the ride? I recently rode a kabota 400 & I found it rode rough. Are bucket seats better than the bench seat as far as comfort?

 

[DIXIEDOG]

Thanks for your input. How is the ride? I recently rode a kabota 400 & I found it rode rough. Are bucket seats better than the bench seat as far as comfort?

The 825i rides great....Gators are in a different class than RTV's....they have a good suspension. The Kubotas have very poor suspension travel which is fine when using it like a small tractor but for a cross over where you'll be trail riding too they aren't a great choice in my opinion.

I purchased mine with the high back sport bucket seats and they are very comfortable.

 

[jimgerken]

I really wanted the diesel -- till I test drove one. Its just too slow to accelerate and top speed is limited. I bought the 825i, with sporty seats, electric/hydraulic dump box and power steering. The thing will work! And its a blast to ride around in too, great suspension, top speed at 43 is faster than two people who are talking want to go.
Power steering a MUST HAVE if you think you might ever put tracks on it. Power dump box a real pleasure, and your wife will love it.
One thing I wish I had, and applies to either the 855 or the 825, is the actual glass windshield with small area at bottom that hinges open. The plastic windshield gets dusty of course, then scratched. And the plastic half windshield mounts low close to the hood, so acts to draw gravel road dust into the cabin down low. I think the glass windshield, with openable area down low wide open, would have air flow-thru to avoid a lot of that dust drawn in.
Get a couple test rides, your opinion may vary.
Also, be aware the the seats are quite adjustable and will not necessariy be set back as far as they can be, when you test ride or buy new. If you feel it should have more legroom, study the seat mounting and re-attach the seats accordingly. There are multiple holes, etc. I moved the passenger seat back three inches and up 1.5 inches (raising it was done with two short pcs of 1.5" square tube put between the seat pan and the bracket, with longer bolts -- very easy to do), so it now matches the driver seat when it is full-back position. This greatly improved the passenger foot and leg room.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

These are nice looking machines for sure. Know you will like it.

 

[CARNEYM]

Just wondering if you have looked at the Polaris Ranger Diesel HST. I do like the Deere, but I also like the idea of a HST transmission.

 

[cre10]

Isn't a full cab miserable without heat and ac? Seems like it would be an oven or a fogged up ice box.