6x4 JD Gator question....

MotorSeven · Aug 29, 2007

If the deal closes in a couple of weeks, i will aquire an older Diesel Gator along with a popperty purchase. It has been sitting in a shed and the ownner said he hasen't run it in 2 years. First things first....how the heck do you lift the dump bed to access the engine/battery? I crawled all over the thing and couldn't find a latch or pull handle.....& this feeling of ineptness is creeping in........

RD

dsb5610 · Aug 29, 2007

MotorSeven,

If it's manual dump there is a lever behind the drivers seat, slide it one way or the other (don't remember which) then pick up the dump bed. If it has a power dump there should be a rocker switch on the dash or next to the parking brake (again, don't remember which).

dsb

MotorSeven · Aug 29, 2007

dsb, thanks. I had flipped the drivers seat up and found a slot which looked like it shoulda had a handle, but didn't. I'll check the dash 2morrow. Dumb-er question: if the battery is also back there under the bed and its dead i guess i have a big green rubiks cube.....lol

darkday · Aug 29, 2007

That battery is under the bed but you can just go to the back and in the open area is where it is located. Shouldn't be to much of a problem to get it out without lifting the bed. The rocker switch (at least for the 03 model) was located on the left hand side of the dash. I obviously had a power dump for my 6x4 but my current HPX has a metal rod that sticks up somewhat flush with the front of the bed.

This 6x4 is probably the biggest workhorse in the JD line of gators, you will have good fun with it. It can haul many things and go place you would have never dreamed of on your land. Get that baby working!

dsb5610 · Aug 30, 2007

If it is power dump and the battery is dead you can easily put a charger on the battery accessible from the back. If your charger is decent sized you should be able to raise the dump with it.

I had a 6x4 gas with manual dump then an HPX Trail Gator with power dump. If I were to buy another it would have a power dump.

dsb

BarryinMN · Aug 30, 2007

The dump is an electric screw drive. Relays are mounted on the center rear verticle member.

Battery is easier replaced out the back. It's the local L&G $20 variety.

Another way to lift the dump bed is follow the electric drive shaft up to the bed & pull the hitch pin & pin out then manually lift the bed.

Had the first ever no start problem with mine this year. Buzzing relays but no start. Replaced the battery cables & problem over. + cable didn't look bad but was.

I usually put fork extenders on pallet forks & pick up the machine for maintenance

darkday · Aug 30, 2007

Barry that doesn't sound to safe getting under there with a forklift holding it. Do you get under your car with a hydraulic jack holding it up ?

BarryinMN · Aug 31, 2007

darkday said:
Barry that doesn't sound to safe getting under there with a forklift holding it. Do you get under your car with a hydraulic jack holding it up ?

There's not much under a gator it's mostly skidplate with a couple of drain plug holes....

When I go under a car it is up on a pair of super HD wood & steel ramps.

Now with my dozer I crawl up on RR ties & drop the skid pan with hyd jacks.

Also have a crate of 4x4, 6x6 & 8x8 blocking for whatever.

darkday · Aug 31, 2007

There's not much under a gator it's mostly skidplate with a couple of drain plug holes....

I wasn't really referring to the safety of the gator

TOMMYHPX4X4 · Aug 31, 2007

well i worked on hydraulic cranes and i wouldn't get under nuthin that is lifted with hydraulics.lol always put something as a backup. o-rings and valves giveout just like that and when they do them forks or crane booms come down fast and i mean fast.o seen it happen a few times and it was like a split second and they was on the ground.thats why they make dogs for friction cranes but hydraulic cranes and fork lifts done have the luxury of that safety device. "BETTER SAFE THAN FLAT"