Gator 865r

[arlen4720]

The Gator 865r that I ordered has finally arrived at the dealer, and I was able to play around with it for an hour or so around the dealership. Some of the "bling" is back ordered (like the work lights), but they will have most of the goodies installed before the weekend. There's not much to dislike.
The AC works great...I had to add a little heat because even on the lowest fan setting, it got too cold in the cab within a few minutes! It's definitely not a speed demon with it's 32 mph top speed. It's about 500 pounds heavier than an 855D open station, and has the same engine (Yanmar 3TNV70). It does feel powerful enough..as long as you are not in a hurry:laughing:.
Cab is very tight, where you almost have to crack a window to slam the door. It is very quiet--but not like a car. There is no trouble talking in a normal voice, and talking on the phone wouldn't be a problem either. The cab seems to be styled after their premium tractor cabs. All the wiring for the optional stuff is built into the base harness.
It rides great over rough terrain. Here are a few pictures, and I'll post a few more in it's natural habitat once I get it home.

 

[ArlyA]

Thanks for posting photos. She does like sweet!! Please let us know how it is after you put her to work.

 

[timswi]

Very nice!!

 

[1010]

yep nice!!

 

[jcummins]

Getting more and more like little pickups.

 

[weldingisfun]

Getting more and more like little pickups.

They cost about the same too.

 

[rd_macgregor]

If you plan on using the bed a lot, you might want to consider adding protection to the rear cab window. My RTV has an expanded metal grill over the rear window and I've managed to bash it a time or two, so I'm glad to have it.
Compared to my RTV1100, 32 mph sounds speedy!

 

[arlen4720]

Good point! The rear window guard is part of the “bling” that the dealer is installing.
As far as the speed goes, if you are like me, 10-15 mph is about as fast as I need to go when running around the ranch. Maybe a little faster if I have to chase down an escaped calf.
It made it a hard decision to decide between a 54 hp Chinese gas (835r) or a 23 hp Japanese diesel (865r)
My preference was definitely the diesel. Top speed didn’t bother me, but I just wanted to make sure the **** thing could at least run the AC, pull a little, and go up steep hills. I think I made the right decision.
If I gotta use low range going up a steep hill, so be it.
One thing I noticed during my gas vs diesel research, is that the people who have diesels are happy with them, and the people that have gas models are happy with them also. That’s the way it should be I guess!
How does the Kubota perform in general—all things considered?
I would have bought one of those if Deere didn’t invent this model.

 

[JESSE1]

I've had three diesel Gators but currently have a Kubota RTVX-1100C. I had pretty good luck with the Gators especially the 855d I traded for the Kubota. They never lacked power. I bought Kubota because I wanted a cab with A/C and heat plus they offered a lot of features for the money compared to JD. Most everything came standard on the Kubota whereas I had to add them to my Gator. Plus Kubota Credit had four years no interest. I recently checked out a new Gator with the cab and gas engine at my JD dealer. Very nice but very pricey. Right now I'm very satisfied with the Kubota, rides good, a little slow but for my needs it's fast enough. I will check out a diesel Gator in the future, I would have no problem buying another one.

 

[arlen4720]

The Kubota is a nice machine, no question. I just went through a build on their website....They don’t give them away either!!! I like that there is a PTO option. How great would that be for snow blowing!
I wouldn’t be surprised if Deere does something similar in a year or two.
Like you, I wanted a nice cab. The reason I hadn’t bought a Gator till now, is because I felt that the add on cab versions just weren’t up to snuff. I figured if I was going to have a cab, it should be sealed and resonably quiet. Then you almost have to have full hvac just like a tractor.

I see you have a 997 too. I think that engine would be great in an ATV.