Gator 855D

[kwbretired]

Wow, thanks for all the input.

I was thinking about the same thing about an enclosed cab being hot without air conditioning. I would for sure go with the glass windshield. I will test drive both the 825i & the 855d before I buy. Do the dealers get upset if you put them to a real test ride when comparing?

I haven't looked at anything but the John Deere Gator & the Kabota 900 & 1100 RTV. I didn't like the Kabota due to weight & turning radius. I will be using whatever I buy on 175 acres in Arkansas which is mostly woods & ridges. It is located on a gravel road so the wife & I can go riding around on the gravel road without having to worry about traffic. But I will also be using it for work around the place - repair fencing - tending a few cows - hailing fire wood etc.

 

[cre10]

Wow, thanks for all the input.

I was thinking about the same thing about an enclosed cab being hot without air conditioning. I would for sure go with the glass windshield. I will test drive both the 825i & the 855d before I buy. Do the dealers get upset if you put them to a real test ride when comparing?

I haven't looked at anything but the John Deere Gator & the Kabota 900 & 1100 RTV. I didn't like the Kabota due to weight & turning radius. I will be using whatever I buy on 175 acres in Arkansas which is mostly woods & ridges. It is located on a gravel road so the wife & I can go riding around on the gravel road without having to worry about traffic. But I will also be using it for work around the place - repair fencing - tending a few cows - hailing fire wood etc.

Everyone told me if you go cabless then to get front glass and back glass. They said just front glass will suck in dust from the rear.

I just bought a Kubota 1100C and although not fast, I romped it all across the dealership up and down their terraces all through the grass and gravel. If they don't like my driving then they don't want my $20,000 for the machine.

 

[jimgerken]

My local Deere dealership holds "deere Days" once a year, at a local moto cross track. They bring one of everything. You can sit in a 40000 lb excavator and dig a 10 foot hole in the ground if you want. Or ride a Gator around the mini-moto track (for kids, pretty mild), where there are jumps and mudholes, etc. Last year my wife mowed with two different zero turns. Neither fit our budget after all, but it was a great day. They served us soda and BBQ, and cookies. Two years ago we came home with free Gator T shirts too. I am in southern MN. the dealers are owned by SEMA.

 

[kwbretired]

I'll have to check with the local dealers to see if they put on the same type of event for test riding. If you order a machine, how long does it take to be delivered to the dealership? Is the 855d built heavier than the 825i, I tend to be a little rough on equipment at times. One other thing I was curious about is how well do they handle mud.

 

[RoyJackson]

Is the 855d built heavier than the 825i, I tend to be a little rough on equipment at times. One other thing I was curious about is how well do they handle mud.

The 855D and 825i share the same chassis, so the robustness of the frame is the same.
As far as mud....that depends on the tires. Reckon you will want the winch option. The winch can be installed in front or back, by the way. And you can move it to either end when necessary.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

I'll have to check with the local dealers to see if they put on the same type of event for test riding. If you order a machine, how long does it take to be delivered to the dealership? Is the 855d built heavier than the 825i, I tend to be a little rough on equipment at times. One other thing I was curious about is how well do they handle mud.

Both will handle mud but if mudding is going to be your primary recreation driving you want to stick with the gas engine....you will build a lot more wheel speed with the gas engine and it will better clear the tires. That said when you go "too far" you'll know because the floor boards will be "floating" your Gator.....don't ask me how I know this :laughing: That's when the winch Roy is recommending is the bee's knees.:thumbsup:

 

[Mike_Kanzer]

Great UTV - I have had mine for several years and use it to plow snow, haul firewood, etc.
My only main complaint is the placement of the oil filter- It is tucked up and inside the back of the engine and can only be reached with one hand. Very hard to get a filter wrench onto it as well. Not sure if the dealers have a special tool to reach it, but I have had the devil's time changing it. Mike

 

[jcummins]

Great UTV - I have had mine for several years and use it to plow snow, haul firewood, etc.
My only main complaint is the placement of the oil filter- It is tucked up and inside the back of the engine and can only be reached with one hand. Very hard to get a filter wrench onto it as well. Not sure if the dealers have a special tool to reach it, but I have had the devil's time changing it. Mike

...Yep!

 

[kwbretired]

Thanks for the responses.

As far as the mud, I won't be doing a hole lot of that just once in a while as needed.

Mike, you bring up a good point on the oil filter. Is that on a gas model or a diesel? How about draining the oil & refilling? How hard is it to get to the carburetor in case it has to be pulled & cleaned?

A couple more questions, is the bed liner necessary & is a better idea to install LED work lights yourself or just buy the lights from John Deere & have them install them?

 

[Mike_Kanzer]

The oil filter is on the 855d which is the diesel model. It is easy to drain the oil and refill it. The filter is the only real problem. I would also get power steering if it is available . In tight spots you have to muscle it a bit to turn around.

 

[jimgerken]

On the gas model the oil filter is easily accesible. Also, I would do a spray-in bedliner. There are extra places in the front grill to mount more lights. I added some fog lamps I had in stock, and put them on a seperate circuit in case of some problem with primary system. they are low and wide and really add nicely to the stock beam pattern.
I second the suggestion for the power steering.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

Thanks for the responses.

As far as the mud, I won't be doing a hole lot of that just once in a while as needed.

Mike, you bring up a good point on the oil filter. Is that on a gas model or a diesel? How about draining the oil & refilling? How hard is it to get to the carburetor in case it has to be pulled & cleaned?

A couple more questions, is the bed liner necessary & is a better idea to install LED work lights yourself or just buy the lights from John Deere & have them install them?

Both the 825i and 855d are injected so you won't have a carb to clean

 

[WTC67213]

if you haven't already, look into the Intimidator utv line. Brand new 100% american made company

Our diesel is 1000cc
35mph
1600 payload
2100 towing
27'' tires standard
push button locking front and rear diffs
full cab enclosures with heat available.
bigger bed, 4 wheel disc brake rotors
low gear 36:1 gear reduction
larger 3 person bench seat
12'' ground clearance
10'' suspension travel

 

[kwbretired]

Fuel injection, I like that better than a carburetor.

I did a little research on the Intimidator, their home base (Batesville, Ar.) about an hour away from my property. I heard of the Intimidator a couple of months ago & had forgotten about them. Has some pretty good specs but not sure about reliability. How long have they been in production? Would like to hear the Pros & Cons from some more people. That is a lot of money to invest in something so new.

 

[WTC67213]

Fuel injection, I like that better than a carburetor.

I did a little research on the Intimidator, their home base (Batesville, Ar.) about an hour away from my property. I heard of the Intimidator a couple of months ago & had forgotten about them. Has some pretty good specs but not sure about reliability. How long have they been in production? Would like to hear the Pros & Cons from some more people. That is a lot of money to invest in something so new.

The machines themselves have been on the ground for 1 year. They started out back in 2010 with what we knew as a Bad Boy MTV. Focused on the electric side of things. Current they have split from their Bad Boy counterpart and come out with what we see now, the Intimidator line. Has been in R&D for a few years now and their main goal was to come out with a heavier built machine price it at or below competition and spec for spec out do everyone. Intimidator comes with more standard options and over specs then you will find in any market.

3 configurations
1: classic series - 3 person single bench seat - Gas, Diesel, Elec
2: truck series - 6ft flat bed with fold down aluminum sides - Gas, Diesel
3: crew series - dual row bench seats 6 passenger - Gas, Diesel

We have been doing quite well selling them being the new kid on the block. But they come from a company that took the world by storm with the Bad Boy mower product.
There customer service is top notch. If any problem arises you can guarantee you'll be taken care of.

There are very few customer reviews online due to being such a new product. From what I am hearing from my crowd i'm selling to. All of which own or have owned a Polaris, JD, Kawasaki, ect is this is hands down a better more comfortable heavier higher quality product.

below is a write up from a very pleased customer of mine who drove down from Nebraska with one intention in mind. TO BUY AN INTIMIDATOR!!!!

Jac'd Up » Intimidator

 

[kwbretired]

I looked at the Intimidator yesterday at a boat & hunting event. I was VERY impressed with the Intimidator. Found out they sell them in Baton Rouge Louisiana. I am going to test ride both the gas & diesel models in a couple of weeks. I had had made up my mind on the John Deere Gator 825i but after checking out the Intimidator not so much now. The Intimidator has a lot more leg room & is easy to get in & out of. The plastic body is a lot thicker/sturdier than other utv's I've seen.

 

[WTC67213]

I looked at the Intimidator yesterday at a boat & hunting event. I was VERY impressed with the Intimidator. Found out they sell them in Baton Rouge Louisiana. I am going to test ride both the gas & diesel models in a couple of weeks. I had had made up my mind on the John Deere Gator 825i but after checking out the Intimidator not so much now. The Intimidator has a lot more leg room & is easy to get in & out of. The plastic body is a lot thicker/sturdier than other utv's I've seen.

Suspension is heavier. Wheel bearings and spindles 50% larger. Lower gear ratio for pulling. A faster unit will be released sometime in near future mid year. Specs are not yet out.

 

[kwbretired]

What is the selling price of the basic Classic gas & diesel & for the upgraded version? I'm really interested if the price is right.

 

[WTC67213]

You have a pm sir

 

[kwbretired]

I got a price on a 2014 Intimidator Classic Diesel in camo. Options were 3000# winch, lexan windshield, hard plastic top, side mirrors, basket/tray that muons on back of roll bars, spray in liner. It has about 10 hours on it. All this totaled up to $14,935 tax included. It's not a speed demon but that's OK it will be used around the farm mostly. Was wondering if this is a good price or not. I was concerned that it didn't have power steering but after driving it today I'm convinced that it's not needed at all - very easy to steer even in 4 wheel drive. It has lots of leg room & is easy to get in & out of. I would have liked to see storage area but I can work around it. I may build a box 6" to 8" tall & mount it on the roof.