Pointers on buying Gator ?

[bcarwell]

I have about 20 acres and some cows and see the need for an all-around utility vehicle like a John Deer Gator or equivalent, as my pick up and Kubota 7500 are too cumbersome, slow or inconvenient to ride fences, drop off the garbage, spray, move a little poop, take somebody to see something, etc.

So far I know NOTHING about these beasts but am reading. Could some kind sole provide a list of features which are essential and those which are "nice to have", and maybe a few (used) models, brands, and prices to look for.

And some gotchas to be aware of regarding used vehicles (and BTW, what are these things generically called: ATVs, utility vehicles, Gators, or what ?)

Fer instance, 4WD (essential ?), how many horse power, PTO, 3PH, gas or diesel, automatic or manual, disk brakes, etc. ?

Thanks for any tips.

Bob

 

[jeffinsgf]

Buy a lease return golf cart for about $2,000. Put a suspension lift and flotation tires on it for about $600. Add a cargo bed for about $250. You now have 80% of the utility of a Gator for 25% of the price. It's not 4WD and it won't pull stumps or climb over stacks of concrete blocks, but it will get you and 400 or 500 pounds of stuff all over 20 acres.

Electric or gas is your choice. I have and prefer electric. It will handle a full day of running all over 10 acres on a charge. Plug it in at night and it is ready to go again in the morning for a few cents worth of electricity. Gassers have more giddyup on hills and won't leave you stranded on the back of your property if you forget to charge it -- of course you do have to remember to fill it.

 

[bcarwell]

Thanks for replying Jeff. Where do you find used "lease-return" golf carts ?
Sounds like an option worth looking into.

Bob

 

[jeffinsgf]

Check your local dealer for E-Z-GO and Club Car (the two most popular brands). My E-Z-GO dealer in little old Springfield, MO has probably 25-30 sitting in his lot all the time. Check eBay. I bought mine already lifted on eBay. Turned out after watching auctions for months that the one I picked out was at a dealer across town from me when I lived in KC. If I had it to do over, I would buy a basic cart and do the upgrades myself. You'll save more bucks and get exactly what you want.

Check out the forum and the merchandise at:

http://www.buggiesunlimited.com