Quick JD Gator crash course?

[56FordGuy]

Alright y'all, I've found a used Gator that I may go look at tomorrow. It's an '04 model. The owner says it shows 4,000 hours on the meter because his kids would leave the key on with the engine shut off, and the meter would run until the battery died. Are the meters wired to work that way? The pictures look good, far too nice to be a 4,000 hour machine. Could just be good pictures, though. What is the expected lifespan of a Gator? 10,000 hours?

I think it's a TS model, because I don't see any type of rear suspension. How do I know if it's a CX or a TS? Is there a big difference in the TS and TX, other than the lack of rear suspension?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I think, maybe the TS is the smaller gator? Not sure.

 

[56FordGuy]

I think the CX and TS both lack rear suspension, but one of them is larger than the other, and maybe has a slightly bigger engine?

Do these things have a data plate on them anywhere that would list a model and serial number, or is the serial number just stamped in the frame?

 

[professor]

The CX is smaller than the TS. I have owned a CX since 2004 and found it to be a very useful around my acre orchard and additional three acres. It has a Kaw. 8 hp engine with differential lock. It isn't made for serious work or riding on real rough terrain. The hour meter on the CX is controlled by the switch. However 4,000 hrs. on a air cooled engine is a little much. I wonder how many batteries he has replaced. I have 538 hrs. on mine.

 

[TimberXX]

Does he have records? We have several gators at work that see an easy life, but we have had problems starting at 2500 hours.

They are great machines, and easy to repair. But 4000 hours would make me worried unless he has changed out alot of parts.

Good luck.

 

[TimberXX]

You can tell the difference between a machine with 4000 hours, or one that has they key on.

How many owners have there been?
Look where the machine is stored is there oil on the floor?
How are the tires are them OEM?
How tight is the steering
We had issues with rear bearing on a couple of units. I would check them.
Do a compression check on the engine
Can the transaxle fuild be changed
How do the drive belts look?
How is the seat and pedals, this is an indocation of hours, have they been changed out?

I almost got burned on a similar purchase. I would get the vin and verify the year. Get the online manual, and verify seats, tires, etc to be sure its OEM.

Reviewing the manual online pre purchase saved me from a 5k mistake

 

[BleedGreen]

The CX is golf cart sized and does have rear suspension. The original 4x2 had no rear suspension as does the replacement model, the TS. The TX looks very similar to the TS but with a bigger engine, bigger cargo box and the addition of rear suspension.

4000 hours is alot of hours no matter how you look at it. We have a customer close by here at a power plant that uses 850Ds on the coal piles and they are pretty much shot by 4K hours.

Get the S/N on the unit and call your local dealer to see what can be found on the history of the unit. If it had 800 hours or so before the warranty was over plus several claims, the "key left on" story may not hold up.

 

[56FordGuy]

Well, to sum it up I bought the Gator. My first piece of John Deere equipment, and I love this thing.

I went down and checked it out, and I tend to believe that it is not a 4,000 hour machine. I haven't checked the serial number with the dealer, but may do that. Bought it from the original owner through a consignment at a local ATV shop. Came with a Curtis cab, too. Makes driving it on the cold, wet days a whole lot nicer. :thumbsup:

Thanks!

 

[TimberXX]

Congrats on the purchase. Im sure the cab will be nice.

Do you have photos?

 

[BleedGreen]

We dont recognize any equipment purchases without PHOTOS!