JD 850D Gator users

/ JD 850D Gator users #1  

kuboman

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2009
Messages
2,304
Location
Canada
Tractor
B3200, L5740,
I am thinking of buying a used 850D gator with 500hrs. I have never owned anything like this and would like some input from those who have one.
Are they underpowered
Are they usefull
Are they a good buy or a glorified toy?

Any comments are welcome.

Also what should I look for in a used one.
 
/ JD 850D Gator users #2  
Definitely not a glorified toy.
The gator is a workhorse. Get something else if you are primarily looking for speed and agility.
Get the winch, hydraulic dump bed, bed liner, brush guards and skid plates.
 
/ JD 850D Gator users #3  
I'm happy with mine, and it goes faster than I'm comfortable driving it, and seems perfectly agile, but I have nothing to compare it to, so perhaps I don't know what I'm missing.
 
/ JD 850D Gator users #4  
I'm happy with mine, and it goes faster than I'm comfortable driving it, and seems perfectly agile, but I have nothing to compare it to, so perhaps I don't know what I'm missing.

:thumbsup: I agree.

I didn't mean to say I wasn't happy with mine, I wouldn't want anything else. Very dependable, and I agree, it goes as fast as I want to go.

I use it for hauling logs and firewood, and anything else that needs moving. I have lots of trails to maintain, the winch is handy for pulling logs up to (or out of) the trails, and for pulling vines out of trees, etc. The dump box is a labor saver for dumping loads.

Just meant to say that there are other machines that are made more for joy-riding and less for work.

What to look for in a used one? Things that are nice to have are: bed liner, floor mats, brush guards, skid plate, winch, hydraulic dump bed.

You won't be disappointed with the diesel Gator.
 
/ JD 850D Gator users
  • Thread Starter
#5  
I am not looking for speed but for reliable transportation around the rather large farm. I end up doing a lot of walking and with crummy knees etc. walking is becoming a chore so I figured a gator might fit the bill. Easy to get on and off plus it can do some real work work yet get me around the farm at a reasonable speed.:)
 
/ JD 850D Gator users #6  
Our diesel HPX has been more useful than I expected. Its a mobile tool platform, firewood or feed carrier, moves dirt or gravel over grass areas with no damage, moves trailers, plows snow, carries the family and fishing gear to the local pond and more.

They are easy to drive, relatively comfortable to drive on flat areas, fairly maintenance free and, so far, durable. The diesels run out of suspension before power. They do have limited ground clearance and can get stuck in deep mud (been there).

The XUV with independent rear suspension has more ground clearance and rides a little more comfortably than the HPX. The hydraulic dump is useful and there are lots of other options that you can add. Overall it sounds like a good fit for your use.
 
/ JD 850D Gator users
  • Thread Starter
#7  
Well thanks to all you that didn't try and talk me out of the gator:laughing: I bought it. I think it should be very useful and they are very easy to on and off which is a real plus for me.
Thanks for the reply s.:thumbsup::D
 
/ JD 850D Gator users
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Congratulations.

I am sure that the longer you have it, the more you'll love it.:thumbsup:

Ah yes it is that soothing green color:drool::drool::D
 
/ JD 850D Gator users #10  
If you are married, your wifey will steal it from you all the time.

Uses:
Mail.
take kids for a ride.
hauling chainsaws and tools.
take us fishing to the pond.
drive around to inspect land without rutting.
Haul wood from split area.
I'm sure I missed a few hundred.
Bed holds 1000 lbs.
 
/ JD 850D Gator users #11  
If your wife isn't using it the kids likely will likely be. Gators seem to be in constant motion. Good thing the diesels sip fuel.
 
/ JD 850D Gator users
  • Thread Starter
#12  
If your wife isn't using it the kids likely will likely be. Gators seem to be in constant motion. Good thing the diesels sip fuel.

Maybe I will have to buy one for me and then one for everyone else.:laughing:
 
/ JD 850D Gator users #13  
I have a 2010 850D and I have to agree it goes plenty fast enough and the yanmar is a proven engine. I have found so many uses for mine. When I am finished my rough cutting contracts I use trimming along fence lines and curbs as an excuse to run for my 850D and take it off roading loaded up with a trimmer:D
 
/ JD 850D Gator users #14  
I even put a stereo system in my gator, it has an alpine system with the speaker bar and overhead map lights above mounted on the roll bar.:thumbsup:
 
/ JD 850D Gator users #15  
I even put a stereo system in my gator, it has an alpine system with the speaker bar and overhead map lights above mounted on the roll bar.:thumbsup:

Are you guys on a "commission" basis with John Deere?!? :laughing:

I've been looking at the diesel gators for awhile. Just about have my wife convinced that it would be a great addition to the farm! :thumbsup:

AKfish
 
/ JD 850D Gator users
  • Thread Starter
#16  
Well after having my gator for a whole 18 hrs I can say it is quite a little work horse that is a lot of fun. Goes plenty fast and handles rough terrain far better than I expected.
Now the down side. Being a maintenance nut I want to change the engine oil but how do you change the filter without oil running down the side of the engine and all over the belly pan??:confused::confused:
 
/ JD 850D Gator users
  • Thread Starter
#17  
Bump

Anybody with oil filter suggestions?:confused:
 
/ JD 850D Gator users #18  
I have the gasoline version, and just shy of 100 hours. Only problem I've add was busting the right front CV joint. But I do some serious off roading with it, hauling deer stands, corn, plot feed, camping gear, etc. in Southern Ohio on skidder trails with lots of large rocks, etc. The thing runs over 6 inch logs at 40mph like they aren't even there. The same roads have beat up pickups & jeeps over the years with broken drivelines, punctured gas tanks, broken tie rods, and the list goes on. The Gator eats up that terrain, and then gets into the "rough" stuff.

Just built a very nice tree house/deer stand up the side of the mountain. Our local care taker had a rough go of it getting the the location on his ATV, yet we hauled up 3,500 pounds of material in just a few trips, to include multiple 18 foot 10 inch wide posts.

Be sure to invest in the brush guard kit around the entire body, as it will save lots of body rash problems. The hydraulic dumb bed is great for off loading logs. Along with my 2520, one of the best purchases I've made. They even work great together, XUV hauls the log splitter, and use the bucket on my 2520 to get the wood logs, load them into the XUV, haul them to splitting location, and cutting firewood isn't so bad now...
 
/ JD 850D Gator users #20  
Sounds like my Impala. Just a plain ole mess to change the oil filter.

Do it over a large piece of cardboard.
 

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