Gator 855D

kwbretired · May 10, 2014

I'm thinking about purchasing a 2014 JD Gator 855D. Have lots of woods, hills, & rocks where my property is located. Trying to figure out if this is the right machine for me. Will be using it to work around the place & recreation. Still trying to decide about what options to have installed too. Would like to know of any problems the Gator is having.

cartod · May 10, 2014

I'd shy away from the diesel. It's loud heavy and slow. Go with the 825i, great machine with lots of power and a much better top speed.

kwbretired · May 10, 2014

The reason for diesel is I think is reliability & I have diesel tractors & truck. Which would have more torque at low rpms.

cartod · May 10, 2014

Go test drive one and talk to your dealer. While the 855 is a work horse in the field, it lacks in the recreation. I was fully sold on the 855 diesel and the dealer talked me out of it in short order by test driving them. Oh and do yourself a favor and get power steering.

kwbretired · May 10, 2014

I did talk to one dealer & he was only interested in showing mr the Kabota. I'm sure the Kabota is a fine machine but it's too heavy, turning radius sucks, & it's very pricy. I have not driven one yet but will in the near future. I agree power steering is the way to go. What about power lift is it necessary?

kwbretired · May 10, 2014

Does anyone know about the belt drive, does it slip if it gets wet or is the belt slotted like on a motorcycle. How often & how hard is it to change.

cartod · May 10, 2014

The oil filter is a bear to change, I haven't done the belt change on the gator but if its like the razor its easy. If you are going to be using the dump bed with heavy material you might want an electric dump, I know your wife will. I have had it in very extreme conditions and on a few group rides where water went over the windshield briefly. No problems to date. Top speed of diesel is also around 30, the gas 3 cyl easily does over 40mph. They make lots of extras for the gator and you can easily spend over 20k. The cab on mine was around 5k.

kwbretired · May 10, 2014

Thanks for the feedback. I had heard or read the belt would slip when it gets wet. Is there anything that can done for the noise?

jcummins · May 10, 2014

I got the 855d because everything else was diesel. Tried of messing with gas cans. A few times wish it was faster but for the most part it suits me fine.

I got the protection kit, dump bed, power steering. I'd buy again setup the same way.