JD 850D Gator users

[kuboman]

Sounds like my Impala. Just a plain ole mess to change the oil filter.

Do it over a large piece of cardboard.

Ah crud I was hoping I was extra dense and was missing a better way but I guess not
At least the 2bit filter can only hold so much oil:laughing:

 

[JESSE1]

I have had a diesel Gator 6x4, HPX and now an 855D. Most of the oil drains back into the engine, it won't make a big mess. The big problem is getting the filter off. I use the metal cup type filter tool and a 3/8 ratchet. Not much room to manuever.

 

[kuboman]

I have had a diesel Gator 6x4, HPX and now an 855D. Most of the oil drains back into the engine, it won't make a big mess. The big problem is getting the filter off. I use the metal cup type filter tool and a 3/8 ratchet. Not much room to manuever.

I have already had that fun. The previous owner torqued the filter on so tight I though it would never come off. I never go past 1/2 turn past gasket contact. I can always undo it by hand.:thumbsup:

 

[chipsndust]

kuboman:

I know I'm too late, but I decided to post for future reference. I just finished an oil change on my XUV 850D. (Also did my 2305, but that's another story)

I got a tip from the tech at the dealer. He said to loosen the bracket on the fuel filter and lift it out of the way for access to the oil filter.

I tried that, but the fuel lines were so tight, the fuel filter wouldn't move.

I disconnected two fuel lines to the filter on the driver's side, and removed the bolt from the filter bracket. This allowed me to move the fuel filter enough to get at the oil filter. I used oil filter pliers to loosen the filter. The manual doesn't mention the filter interference.

The first pic shows the fuel lines disconnected, fuel filter removed from bracket, and old oil filter removed.

The second pic shows the new oil filter installed.

Hope you enjoy your Gator as much as I have mine:thumbsup:

 

[kuboman]

kuboman:

I know I'm too late, but I decided to post for future reference. I just finished an oil change on my XUV 850D. (Also did my 2305, but that's another story)

I got a tip from the tech at the dealer. He said to loosen the bracket on the fuel filter and lift it out of the way for access to the oil filter.

I tried that, but the fuel lines were so tight, the fuel filter wouldn't move.

I disconnected two fuel lines to the filter on the driver's side, and removed the bolt from the filter bracket. This allowed me to move the fuel filter enough to get at the oil filter. I used oil filter pliers to loosen the filter. The manual doesn't mention the filter interference.

The first pic shows the fuel lines disconnected, fuel filter removed from bracket, and old oil filter removed.

The second pic shows the new oil filter installed.

Hope you enjoy your Gator as much as I have mine:thumbsup:

Thanks for that tip. Never thought of that. It sure would have made getting the over tight filter off easier.
And I love the little gator. Great little work horse and saves me a pile of walking.:thumbsup:

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

kuboman:

I know I'm too late, but I decided to post for future reference. I just finished an oil change on my XUV 850D. (Also did my 2305, but that's another story)

I got a tip from the tech at the dealer. He said to loosen the bracket on the fuel filter and lift it out of the way for access to the oil filter.

I tried that, but the fuel lines were so tight, the fuel filter wouldn't move.

I disconnected two fuel lines to the filter on the driver's side, and removed the bolt from the filter bracket. This allowed me to move the fuel filter enough to get at the oil filter. I used oil filter pliers to loosen the filter. The manual doesn't mention the filter interference.

The first pic shows the fuel lines disconnected, fuel filter removed from bracket, and old oil filter removed.

The second pic shows the new oil filter installed.

Hope you enjoy your Gator as much as I have mine:thumbsup:

Whatever you do, please make sure not to get 1 drop of oil on the drive belt or sheaves.

 

[kuboman]

Another question about these units. When mine is in neutral the transmission freewheels some and the only way to get it into gear is to grind things. Is this normal or do I have something wrong?

 

[DP Property]

I have had a diesel Gator 6x4, HPX and now an 855D. Most of the oil drains back into the engine, it won't make a big mess. The big problem is getting the filter off. I use the metal cup type filter tool and a 3/8 ratchet. Not much room to manuever.

I am with Jessie on this one same I had to go purchase the metal cup puller the other style was impossible. The first oil change from tha factory was a pain the factory had the oil filter really tight and the only way to get it off was to go out and buy that style with a small ratchet.

 

[DP Property]

Another question about these units. When mine is in neutral the transmission freewheels some and the only way to get it into gear is to grind things. Is this normal or do I have something wrong?

this does not sound normal the only time that happens to me is if I am climbing a hill and roll backwards a little. If I don't stop the machine completely first before giving it some throttle she will grind but in neutral I don't know why that is happening? a cable linkage adjustment maybe>?

 

[DP Property]

I have had a diesel Gator 6x4, HPX and now an 855D. Most of the oil drains back into the engine, it won't make a big mess. The big problem is getting the filter off. I use the metal cup type filter tool and a 3/8 ratchet. Not much room to manuever.

I am with Jessie on this one same I had to go purchase the metal cup puller the other style was impossible. The first oil change from tha factory was a pain the factory had the oil filter really tight and the only way to get it off was to go out and buy that style with a small ratchet.

 

[DP Property]

kuboman:

I know I'm too late, but I decided to post for future reference. I just finished an oil change on my XUV 850D. (Also did my 2305, but that's another story)

I got a tip from the tech at the dealer. He said to loosen the bracket on the fuel filter and lift it out of the way for access to the oil filter.

I tried that, but the fuel lines were so tight, the fuel filter wouldn't move.

I disconnected two fuel lines to the filter on the driver's side, and removed the bolt from the filter bracket. This allowed me to move the fuel filter enough to get at the oil filter. I used oil filter pliers to loosen the filter. The manual doesn't mention the filter interference.

The first pic shows the fuel lines disconnected, fuel filter removed from bracket, and old oil filter removed.

The second pic shows the new oil filter installed.

Hope you enjoy your Gator as much as I have mine:thumbsup:

Not a lot of room to work with in there but I am so glad I got the 850 deisel model seems to be much more issues with the gas model the 850 is well worth the price . I did the front strut upgrade added the roof and windshield and an alpine stereo system with a speaker bar- this machine has been a workhorse worth every penney.:thumbsup:

 

[DP Property]

I have already had that fun. The previous owner torqued the filter on so tight I though it would never come off. I never go past 1/2 turn past gasket contact. I can always undo it by hand.:thumbsup:

Good thinking never mind the previous owner the factory had mine on so tight I was cursing.

 

[DP Property]

I am thinking of buying a used 850D gator with 500hrs. I have never owned anything like this and would like some input from those who have one.
Are they underpowered
Are they usefull
Are they a good buy or a glorified toy?

Any comments are welcome.

Also what should I look for in a used one.

Not a toy I use mine for jobs all the time and I am commercial business. The 850D gets me back into the thick of things when I need to do bylaw weed control, the 850 cuts my man hour time in half or more, it hauls garbage out of my empty lots that I maintain, It moves leaves into the dump trailer and has a dump bed itself to save your back. 500 hours on that machine and motor is nothing if you get a good deal on it. I do recommend the front strut upgrade to the heavy duty front strut you can do the job yourself (it is so you won't bottom out the front end on big bumps or holes in your landscape) It makes the machine ride smoother and brings the front end up to the same height as the rear. I loved this upgrade. It is also plenty fast enough for me and when you want to use it for a toy it is still fun but a real workhorse. The 850D in my opinion is a much better machine then the 620i I have read to many bad stories about the 620i mixing oil and gas.
Most important thing is maintenance records have oil changes and filter changes been logged, was the previouse owner a cowboy who beat the **** out of it or was it used for commercial operations these are questions I would ask.
I am looking at older posts it appears you made the purchase how do you like it?

 

[kuboman]

Not a toy I use mine for jobs all the time and I am commercial business. The 850D gets me back into the thick of things when I need to do bylaw weed control, the 850 cuts my man hour time in half or more, it hauls garbage out of my empty lots that I maintain, It moves leaves into the dump trailer and has a dump bed itself to save your back. 500 hours on that machine and motor is nothing if you get a good deal on it. I do recommend the front strut upgrade to the heavy duty front strut you can do the job yourself (it is so you won't bottom out the front end on big bumps or holes in your landscape) It makes the machine ride smoother and brings the front end up to the same height as the rear. I loved this upgrade. It is also plenty fast enough for me and when you want to use it for a toy it is still fun but a real workhorse. The 850D in my opinion is a much better machine then the 620i I have read to many bad stories about the 620i mixing oil and gas.
Most important thing is maintenance records have oil changes and filter changes been logged, was the previouse owner a cowboy who beat the **** out of it or was it used for commercial operations these are questions I would ask.
I am looking at older posts it appears you made the purchase how do you like it?

I just love it!!!! So easy to get in and out, goes plenty fast rides smooth etc....etc...
The front strut up grade???? How much does it pick up the front.?

Any chance I can get a side view of yours farther back so I can compare. I don't know if I have the heavy ones or not.

 

[DP Property]

I just love it!!!! So easy to get in and out, goes plenty fast rides smooth etc....etc...
The front strut up grade???? How much does it pick up the front.?

Any chance I can get a side view of yours farther back so I can compare. I don't know if I have the heavy ones or not.

I think you get about 4 more inches in the clearance between the top side of the front tire and the inside of the front fender it becomes the same as your rear tire clearence. Stock the Gator sits a little low in the front you can tell if you look at your machine and the front sits lower then the rear. If the front is as high as the rear then it may have had the upgrade. If you ever find when you hit a decent size pothole with some speed and the front bottoms out into the fender then you have not had the upgrade because with the heavy duty front strut this never happens. I will get you a picture of the side of the gator further back this afternoon.

 

[DP Property]

I think you get about 4 more inches in the clearance between the top side of the front tire and the inside of the front fender it becomes the same as your rear tire clearence. Stock the Gator sits a little low in the front you can tell if you look at your machine and the front sits lower then the rear. If the front is as high as the rear then it may have had the upgrade. If you ever find when you hit a decent size pothole with some speed and the front bottoms out into the fender then you have not had the upgrade because with the heavy duty front strut this never happens. I will get you a picture of the side of the gator further back this afternoon.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JOHN-DEERE-...=260680383765&ps=63&clkid=4094694750280941274

 

[DP Property]

I just love it!!!! So easy to get in and out, goes plenty fast rides smooth etc....etc...
The front strut up grade???? How much does it pick up the front.?

Any chance I can get a side view of yours farther back so I can compare. I don't know if I have the heavy ones or not.

Hey Kuboman have not been here for awhile did you get the shifting issue sorted out with your gator?
If your still wondering about the front strut upgrade I will get a picture for you of the front end this week.
I was just here reading about the new gator and how much the guys seem to like it but I just got mine paid off I can't see getting rid of it and spending more money for now.

 

[kuboman]

Hey Kuboman have not been here for awhile did you get the shifting issue sorted out with your gator?
If your still wondering about the front strut upgrade I will get a picture for you of the front end this week.
I was just here reading about the new gator and how much the guys seem to like it but I just got mine paid off I can't see getting rid of it and spending more money for now.

Everything on mine checks out so the conclusion is that 'thats how it is'.
Don't worry about pictures as I doubt I would change them anyway but thanks for the offer.

 

[tonseth]

Thanks so much for the info. We are used to using a metal strap wrench. Will you please tell us what the filter pliers are?

 

[chipsndust]

Thanks so much for the info. We are used to using a metal strap wrench. Will you please tell us what the filter pliers are?

The Pliers I bought looked like this. I think I bought them at an auto parts store.