825i vs 855D

[flenth]

Been agonizing on weather to go with the 825i or 855D.
I currenty have a 09 850D and really like it. The only reason I am considering upgrading is the clutch enclosure and improved suspension.

I use my 850D duck hunting and often have to get through very deep mud, black clay plowed fields to get where I need to go. It gets me there, no probelm.

I drove the 825i and really like the get up and go. I aslo like the new digital dashboard. But I'd hate to take a step backward just for more speed. I aslo wonder how the digital dash would hold up in wet conditions.
The hour meter on my 850D went out at about 60 hours. They figure it got wet.

So, anybody have any opinions or advice to help me make up my mind? Thanks.

 

[JESSE1]

I recently traded an '04 HPX diesel for a new 855D. More power than the HPX, all around better vehicle. I test drove the 825i and liked the sound of the engine but I didn't like how high the engine had to rev just to get moving. If you're used to a gasser it probably wouldn't matter but since you're used to a diesel that's what I'd recommend you stay with. You won't be disappointed with the 855D.

 

[jcmseven]

I have had both and if you want the most power go with the 825i. It pulls as well, or better, than my 850d and has much, much more performance. JD has made some upgrades in the 855 to make it perhaps a little more snappy than my 850 was (though I loved my 850) but there is a huge gap in power between it and the 825 still. One thing to keep in mind is that my 825 is thirsty, really thirsty. It burns consistently twice the fuel of my diesel. I suppose one must pay to play. As for the dash, I use my 825 as a plow machine in winter and had the dash soaked with melted snow, etc., most of the winter. No problems. I also wash my vehicle often and though I try to keep direct spray off the dash for the reason you mention, it has done fine without even any condensation on the inside of the glass. That said, it will probably die in 2 days once I tell you that.

John M

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

i think you would be ok on the digital dash. if they are anything like the ones on the rhino's water is no problem. i have my rhino snorkeled and i ride in water and mud that gos about 5" over my dash and never had any problems with it.at some times it's completely submerged for a few minutes (10/15 minutes at a time).

 

[cdaledave89]

The hour meter on my '09 850D went out at 5 hours!

I don't think the wet conditions had anything to do with yours crapping out. The service guy that replaced mine said that this was one of the only problems that's he's seen repeatedly in the 850D's.

 

[soonerd483]

Just got my 825i this past week.......in love with it......

Sorry just have to show her off......


Definitely has the get up and go. 855 is nice, louder of course.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I recently traded an '04 HPX diesel for a new 855D.

I also have a "04 HPX and am wondering if the bed height is higher on the new models? I have only seen pictures and it looks like it is. Getting older and I sometimes have problems lifting heavier things into the back...

 

[JESSE1]

The bed height is higher. The new box has a tailgate with a latch like what's on a pickup and the sides have rails you can tie to. Overall a much better design than the old box. I don't think you'll notice the height if you load things with the tailgate down. You'll like the new XUV, the ride and handling is much improved over the HPX.

 

[FarmHog]

I am also in a quandry about which model to buy. I see the top speed is 44 mph for the 825 but what about the 855? Speed is not a huge factor for me as I also have a 4-wheeler to go-speeding. I use my unit for some pretty heavy farm duties ( fencing and hauling some pretty heavy loads ). Anyone see any issues here?
I have considered the Kubota due to the heavier frame but it appears way to many negative owner reviews.
Any addidtional questions I should present to the dealer before I purchase?

 

[gatordone]

If speed is not the problem the 855d will go 35mph, Also the fuel consuption is about a third of the 825I which is thirsty. If doing farm chores and just hauling heavy loads the 855d is the way to go, The yanmar diesel will outlast the rest of the machine.

 

[jcmseven]

I agree, my 825 has much more power than did my previous 850d, but it uses the fuel. If ultimate performance is your goal, working or playing, the 825 is much better. If burning 2 gallons per hour or so in regular use bothers you, go with the 855.

John M

 

[PioneerMan]

I know this post is old, but I think the fuel tank on these is way too small. I am looking at the same decision right now, and the thought of getting a few hours on a tank of gas seems nuts.

 

[PioneerMan]

Oh and can you upgrade the alternater on the 855d? I also think it is dumb to outfit the diesel with a smaller alternater. They can use winches too! )

 

[trailbuilder]

I know this post is old, but I think the fuel tank on these is way too small. I am looking at the same decision right now, and the thought of getting a few hours on a tank of gas seems nuts.

We pull some pretty big loads with our Gators (825i) and they are on tracks. (None of the Kubota RTV 1100's could pull the loads we do with the Gator 825i with or wothout pressures turned up or aftermarket turbos.) We have never run the fuel tank out in 2 hours...maybe 3-4. We are adding an aux fuel tank because we like to be out 7-8 hours in some situations. It is an aluminum tank on a flat bed with a gooseneck hitch for the groomers. I can send pictures when we get the prototype back,

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

only 3 or 4 hours to a tank on the 825 thats sad they nned to redsign that part to give more time to a tank.i would rather the 855d

 

[trailbuilder]

only 3 or 4 hours to a tank on the 825 thats sad they nned to redsign that part to give more time to a tank.i would rather the 855d

Remember we have tested all of the current side by sides available last winter. We only found that the Gator met the power and traction needs for pulling a groomer with tracks on it.

I guess it depends on what you do with the 825i Gator. We work ours as hard as you can....and we don't want to run out of fuel 5 miles from the fuel depot in the middle of winter with 12 inches of new snow to walk through....(here it gets -20F in the winter). When we are puttering around in the summer doing summer trail maintenance, hauling dirt, firewood and pulling manure spreaders we could probably go the full day on a tank of fuel. We don't use it for recreational use running mud bogs and trail riding so I am not sure how it would do for fuel consumption; I suppose it depends how you drive it.

 

[jcmseven]

Eric, you may already have done this, but could you post what type and perhaps a picture of the track system you use with your 825. As we approach winter, I have thought about tracks for mine as I live where we do get a fair amount of snow and it is pretty steep. My drive, for example, is over 20% in one spot. My 825 is a plowing machine and I have been able to plow everything I need to without chains even, but I have had an occasion or two where the machine has slid going down a steep section. I am not against chains, but do not like that they dig into the asphalt if they scuff at all. As for the fuel consumption, I have found it is highly variable. My Gator burns a good bit more fuel than my dad's does and aside from some add-ons on mine, they are the same machine. I use them both, just obviously mine more.

John M

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

when i had my hpx i worked it hard but never ran it wide open down the trails .i don't even run my rhino fast me and the wife rather take it slow and atleast enjoy the view instead of seeing it at a blur.lol so how long does the 825 run on a tank if you do just moderate driving? like maybe half throttle or less during the whole ride.

 

[jcmseven]

Tommy, where I live it is very hilly, so it is impossible to keep the machine at a given throttle level given that it is a heavy machine (mine weighs 1735# full of fuel without me on it). With that stated, I have gotten 5-6 hours of use from a 5.3 gallon tank before. It was not totally empty at the time of refueling, but was quite close. My father's 825 I has done even a little better, but his property and usage areas are not as steep as mine and he putters around a lot more than do I. His machine also does not employ the brush guards, hydraulic lift for snow blade, full windshield, toolbox, and Fox shocks that mine does and weighs therefore around 200 pounds less than does mine. My opinion is that the Chery 3 cylinder engine burns about the same, if not slightly less, fuel than did the Kawasaki engine in my first XUV when running at low RPM under low loads. Having had both an XUV with a Kawasaki, a diesel, and the one I have now, the Kawasaki had to work hard to pull the machine and do its duties even at low ground speeds, but it did not seem to work (or be able to work) much harder when pushing the pace or under load. It also had a 3600 +/- 150 rev limit. My current 825 I will rev to over 5000 RPM's regularly and is encouraged to do so by the set up of the CVT. When pushing snow, pulling a heavy trailer or hauling a heavy load uphill, the machine wants to rev and that is when the fuel consumption goes way up. In my case, plowing snow last winter took about two gallons per hour, if not more in some cases. The 825 has much more power than does the 855d diesel, but it takes fuel to utilize it. One could probably keep consumption close to the lower horsepower Kawasaki engine (never close to the diesel) by feathering the 825 around or living somewhere flatter (like Louisiana), but in that case it likely would be just as good to get the 625i instead unless one just wants the speed.

John M

 

[jcmseven]

I should also mention that I am not complaining about the fuel consumption. I knew it would be high prior to buying and weighted the additional power and performance as being more important to me and my usage. My main point in discussing it revolves around letting folks know who may be looking that an 825 I is simply not going to offer the economy of an 855d, but offers much more power and speed for almost every task. One could also construe that given the fact it has over twice the horsepower of the 625 I, the fact it does not use over twice the fuel of a 625 I makes it "economical" relative to its other gas-powered John Deere sibling.

John M