J.D. 4 X 2 Trail Gator - need info

MiniOaksMocha · Jan 12, 2004

Does anyone have a JD 4 x 2 Trail Gator? Looking at a used one, but don't know much about the Gators. How do they compare to the Kawasaki Mules?

cowboydoc · Jan 13, 2004

I have both, well not the trail but the regular gator, and the mule. I prefer the gator hands down. To me the gator is roomier, more comfortable, and much more stable. I also think the Gator rides better than most anything out there even with the added suspension the others have. That suspension on the mules, ranger, etc. is awful stiff to me and bounces you around alot. The Gator is very smooth. I don't like how high the mule sits, and I much prefer the regular seat to the bench seat. The mule also rides rougher to me. My wife hates the mule. She won't even drive it if she has a choice. She says it feels like a tin can compared to the gator. Also the mule is very hard to start in the cold.

art · Jan 13, 2004

You might want to look at a new comer for design vs the deere. Cadet introduced the Big Country and they have a 4x6 as well as a 4x2 and both are really built well. The new Kubota is the most unique of all with many features the others don't have like power steering. I would check load ratings as that adds stiffness to the chassis and be sure it is what you want. I know the 4x6 gator is about as rough on hard going as it gets. We have a college that bought two under state contract last year and are pricing the Big Country after a demo last summer as well as the Kubota. I think they will take the Big Country do to the price but there complaint is rough ride with no suspension.

Tractors4u · Jan 13, 2004

I have a Gator 6X4 and was really expecting that it would beat me to death due to the lack of rear suspension, but it doesn't. Those big fat cushy tires soak up most bumps. If the bump is so bad that I feel it I probably should have slowed down. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

jinman · Jan 13, 2004

The 4x2 Gator is similar only to the low-end Kawasaki Mule 550 and shares the same approximately 10 hp, air-cooled engine. Before making a decision to buy any utility vehicle, I'd just suggest that you find as many as possible and test drive them so you can decide what features you like best. There is a broad spectrum of capability across all brands. If all you need is basic transportation for 1 or 2 people and a small amount of gear at fairly slow speeds, then one of these low-end machines might be just what you are looking for. The Trail Gator model can haul about 100 lb more cargo and will go a little faster than the standard 4x2 Gator.

art · Jan 13, 2004

Brent, they do do a good job because of the fixed axles and the fat tires of leveling, but on things like dead furrows in fields and speed bumps on driveways where you can drive over them at near full speed with suspension and not get thrown off or loose what you have for a load the difference is quite a bit. It is good to know the limitations of the machinery that you are using. People live longer that way!

cowboydoc · Jan 13, 2004

We can sure drive over corrugates, bumps, and anything else and not get thrown off the gators at any speed. No limitations with our Gator or the Mule. Just happen to like the Gators better.

I'm not sure where you are from Oak but if you're anywhere close to me you're welcome to come over and try ours out. We have the 2510 Mule, 6x4 Gator, 4x2 Gator, and hopefully the first of next week we'll have the new 4x4 Gator. My neighbor has the new 3010 Mule and you could try that too. And as much as I prefer the Gators he swears by the Mules. You'd have a good comparison. The only thing he doesn't like about his new one is it is hard to start.

Old_Hickory · Jan 13, 2004

Where I work we have a bunch of Kawasawaki mules and those things have been driven daily for 11 years and had very little maintenace done to them.We haul tools in them,make in plant deliveries of boxes etc and they are still running stong,they have really taken some punishment.

yellowsocks93 · Jan 13, 2004

Here in the snow the Mules really get sucky snow traction. The Gators do way better. My neighbor did not even try to take his Mule out in the snow. It was a 4x2. I agree with Coyboydoc on the greatness of the JD Gator. It was the first and the best! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Oh, it always will be the best in my book.

jinman · Jan 13, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The only thing he doesn't like about his new one is it is hard to start.
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Richard, I think it's interesting that both the Gators and the Mules have Kawasaki engines, but the Gator is easier to start than the Mule. Does the Gator have a manual choke like the Mule? Don't they both have Mikuni carbs? You are not the only person I've heard talk about the Mules being hard to start and I really can't figure out why that is.

When I picked up the new Mule from the dealer, the service technician told me to make sure I pulled the choke all the way out when starting the Mule. I followed his suggestion and the Mule fired right off. At Christmas when I gave the Mule to my girlfriend, I told her to do the same. Although I've asked her several times, she always tells me the Mule starts right up when she chokes it. She read somewhere in the Operator's Manual that the choke is supposed to automatically open after the engine starts. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Since you have the 2510, you've probably had lots more experience than me, and certainly you have much colder temperatures. Has the Mule ever been so hard to start that the battery ran down, or is it just that it doesn't start as quickly as the Gator? With the same engines, there's gotta be a reason. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif