kmjohndeere44
New member
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2008
- Messages
- 15
- Location
- Lapeer, MI
- Tractor
- John Deere 4410, John Deere 997 w/ 72" deck, John Deere 825i
My dealer dropped off an 825i for me to try Thursday. I currently have an 850D and wasn't sure I wanted to move away from the diesel engine. I learned more than I expected!
First - i thought the changes from my Gator were going to be the bigger wheels/tires, new engine, new front suspension and new box only. They've actually practically melted and re-poured except for the rear suspension. New frame, more room inside the cab, new shifter controls.
The 825i has tremendous low end torque - accelerates much faster than the 850D (I was concerned they were going to gear it for top speed and it would not pull). The engine is very refined for noise and vibration - night and day better than the 850D Yanmar.
Steering ratio is slower (numerically higher) so steering efforts are dropped and higher speed steering is more stable, but it suffers in the woods - more steering wheel input to maneuver.
Shock damping is more controlled and roll stiffness is higher than 850D and makes it feel very stable at the higher speeds both off road and on asphalt.
My 850D has nasty gear rattle in the front differential that a trip back to the dealer could not fix. This is eliminated on the 825i - very welcome improvement!
The new cluster is very nice - back lit so easy to see at night - has an odo, trip odo, tach and speedo - fun to watch it at MPH!
The shifter control efforts are much reduced from the 850D.
The box is a great improvement with the integrated tail/brake lights. Feels substantial now instead of a bit rinkydink like the stamped steel on the 850D.
All in all I was very impressed, and ordered one this morning fully loaded (got the doors and heater for the deluxe cab this time! Will be a welcome addition in February in Michigan). Hope to get it second week of September.
Only option I didn't get was the sport exhaust - does anyone know what the real options are there and the effects on sound and power? The price went up on it from $399 to $599 overnight so I opted out to see what other options there might be
First - i thought the changes from my Gator were going to be the bigger wheels/tires, new engine, new front suspension and new box only. They've actually practically melted and re-poured except for the rear suspension. New frame, more room inside the cab, new shifter controls.
The 825i has tremendous low end torque - accelerates much faster than the 850D (I was concerned they were going to gear it for top speed and it would not pull). The engine is very refined for noise and vibration - night and day better than the 850D Yanmar.
Steering ratio is slower (numerically higher) so steering efforts are dropped and higher speed steering is more stable, but it suffers in the woods - more steering wheel input to maneuver.
Shock damping is more controlled and roll stiffness is higher than 850D and makes it feel very stable at the higher speeds both off road and on asphalt.
My 850D has nasty gear rattle in the front differential that a trip back to the dealer could not fix. This is eliminated on the 825i - very welcome improvement!
The new cluster is very nice - back lit so easy to see at night - has an odo, trip odo, tach and speedo - fun to watch it at MPH!
The shifter control efforts are much reduced from the 850D.
The box is a great improvement with the integrated tail/brake lights. Feels substantial now instead of a bit rinkydink like the stamped steel on the 850D.
All in all I was very impressed, and ordered one this morning fully loaded (got the doors and heater for the deluxe cab this time! Will be a welcome addition in February in Michigan). Hope to get it second week of September.
Only option I didn't get was the sport exhaust - does anyone know what the real options are there and the effects on sound and power? The price went up on it from $399 to $599 overnight so I opted out to see what other options there might be