john deere gator 825i in snow

[sdd1986]

I just wanted to show the gator 825i in some snow. I think the snow was about 6 inches deep. Does anyone else have any utv in snow videos?

John deere gator in snow: https://youtu.be/c44qojdsyY8

 

[RoyJackson]

You can find quite a few on YouTube. I've plowed snow with mine (855D...diesel version of the 825i)...never had time to make a video though. The snow has been 6-8" deep and works with a Vee or angled plow...straight plow, you'll run out of traction. That's in low range 4WD.

Looks like 2-3 inches of snow in your video, but I know an 825i or 855D can get through 5-8 inches with the right tires...just wear high top boots in case you have to walk back. My neighbor tried running his 825 across a field behind our homes....got stuck, no way to rig the winch...walked home ( a few hundred yards) for a shovel to dig himself out. Once dug out, he followed the path he had made driving out.

Nice video though!!!

 

[DIXIEDOG]

I have a video of mine plowing a decent storm with the American Eagle plow I had on it....this storm was 16-18" done in a single shot

I have a Boss hydraulic V on there now and it has a bit more height to it and the blade has more curl to throw snow further forward....it is pretty much unstoppable :laughing:


I've driven through 12"+ snow with no plow and had no concerns about getting stuck with the factory upgrade 27" Bighorn tires....with true 4wd and power to spare the 825i goes wherever I want for the most part. The only thing that makes me think twice is deep water, more than 16" of water and I'm going around it...the alternator and air intake are both too low for the deep water crossing.

 

[sdd1986]

Nice plow video. Looks like u need a windshield lol

 

[DIXIEDOG]

Nah windshields are for womenz and Kubota drivers.....I can take it. :stirthepot: :laughing:



Now that I installed the Boss hydraulic V plow it's very rare that I get any spillage, the blade is tall and it throws the snow way forward to keep it to a minimum.:thumbsup:

 

[Copperhead]

Well, I am definitely a wimp. I have to spend a lot of time in a UTV plowing a lot of drive and even sometime cutting a swath to the highway over a mile away in those time when we get major snows and the county will not be out to clear our gravel road for a few days. Sometimes the wife has to do it all if I am away on a run with my semi truck so that I can get to the house or she can get out to come in to town to pick me up. You want to be macho, then by all means, have fun. I'll take the cab and heater way.

Got my JD dealer bringing out a demo 825i to my place tomorrow and gonna see how it plays in the snow on the farm. Jump a few conservation terraces, rip up some corn field, etc. Was talking with them Monday, and they had a bunch of 825i's that were used as demo's at the Iowa State Fair. They have between 16 and 40 hrs on them, they are DEEPLY discounting them and offering original full factory warranties that don't start till I take possession, if I buy one. They say timing in everything, and in this case, it might be true.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

Cabs are great if you can store them in a heated building or have time for the heater to warm up enough to keep it defrosted......I toss a tarp over the top of mine....when we get a snowstorm I pull the tarp dumping all the snow in front of my Gator and I go right to it.....the only warm up time it gets is the 30 seconds or so it takes to drop to 1k for shifting. If it wasn't for keeping the glass clear I'd consider one....it would be nice to have a cab with electric defrosters on all windows but I'm not sure how much more the charging system could be taxed.

 

[MF283]

Got my JD dealer bringing out a demo 825i to my place tomorrow and gonna see how it plays in the snow on the farm. Jump a few conservation terraces, rip up some corn field, etc. Was talking with them Monday, and they had a bunch of 825i's that were used as demo's at the Iowa State Fair. They have between 16 and 40 hrs on them, they are DEEPLY discounting them and offering original full factory warranties that don't start till I take possession, if I buy one. They say timing in everything, and in this case, it might be true.

I just got my 550 on the same deal, they had one 825, a little more than i wanted to spend though. Good luck.

Ronnie

 

[Copperhead]

Yeah, if I get the one of the demo 825i's that the dealer is wanting to sell me, and put a cab on it, it will be in a heated garage when not in use. Actually, anytime it is not in use, it will be inside, out of the weather year round. All of my equipment goes either into a pole barn or a couple of other out buildings I have. The garage becomes the parking area of either a CUT or the 825i in the winter. Best $700 I ever spent was for a Sterling 75K BTU ceiling mounted propane heater for the two car garage several years ago. Tapped into the main propane tank and one reliable unit.

Dealer brought out one of the 825i's to my place around noon today. Told me to keep it for the weekend and play around on it and see if I like it. If all goes well, will negotiate Monday. Only had time today to run it a little bit. Jumped a couple of farmland terraces and tore up some cornfield. Ground was pretty muddy from the snow we got a few days ago. Temps were up and a lot of melting. Was impressed.

I was looking at the 550 also early on. But what I am wanting a UTV to do, I needed to go a little bigger. This one is going to have to work and earn it's keep. I realize the 825i can be a fast mover, but speed was not much of a consideration for me. It was all about the power, the tow and haul capability, and the availability of aftermarket stuff I could use on it to get work done, etc. One thing the 825i has going for it is a huge selection of aftermarket stuff to tackle just about any task.

 

[RoyJackson]

I was looking at the 550 also early on. But what I am wanting a UTV to do, I needed to go a little bigger. This one is going to have to work and earn it's keep. I realize the 825i can be a fast mover, but speed was not much of a consideration for me. It was all about the power, the tow and haul capability, and the availability of aftermarket stuff I could use on it to get work done, etc. One thing the 825i has going for it is a huge selection of aftermarket stuff to tackle just about any task.

Since speed isn't important to you, you might want to look into an 855D (diesel version of the 825i). The engine is about the only difference (gearing too, I imagine). The 855D doesn't have the horsepower or top end of the 825i, but it's pretty strong on the bottom end and much more frugal when it comes to fuel.

One thing I'd also consider is getting tracks...Iowa is flat and does get snow...the tires on the Gators are good in snow, but tracks make 'em virtually unstoppable.