Gator XUV, 2009 vs 2010

[RedHawkRidge]

I originated this thread, back in July last year. I ended up buying a 850D in Feb '10, and don't regret it one bit. The diesel is a beast. My land is 70 acres of steep hills in Western Wis, and my 06 HPX navigated the logging roads adequately, but the 850 just eats up the steepest grades.
The steering is a little better, due to the larger tires, higher inflation specs, etc, but if I have to turn around on a logging road cut into the side of a steep hill, it still takes muscling the wheel.
The greater ground clearance is helpfull, but it didn't resolve my inability to climb the hills in deep snow. I even put chains on the rears (diamond pattern), but they didn't help much. Front chains aren't feasible because there's not enough clearance between the tires and the struts.
Deere now offers a load of accessories but I still would like a temp gauge and speedometer, plus a rear bumper to protect the bed.
If and when JD ever gets around to the new version, I surely would appreciate the new cargo bed to fit the 2010 and earlier models.
jim

 

[jcmseven]

The 850D is a great machine. I have had good luck with the Electrosteer option for the Gator and have one of those systems on my XUV. It is not as smooth as the factory system on my Ranger, but really does help quite a bit steering at slow speed or with a snow plow on the front.

John

 

[lostcause]

i'm kind of saddened to see the bigger top speeds coming to the deere, but i know they have to keep up with the joneses to stay in the game too. that, plus my intended use is different than some.

i own land in a good sized subdivided parcel in a secluded section of the state. there are carraige trails all through the property which work as the road system between the house lots and common areas, but there are no autos allowed. it's essentially a golf cart community, but over the years the rules have flexed to include utv's because they excel at hauling your gear from the docks to the houses. with no autos, you need more than a golf cart to haul building materials.

aside from golf carts and utv's, the carraige trails are used by hikers and bicyclists of all ages, so you need to be able to share the roads and maintain civil speeds. i think the 25-ish mph top speeds are great. it allows a reasonably fast mode of transportation without being able to overdrive the conditions there. there are some mules, rangers, and a bunch of gators there currently, and the first razor showed up last year - it ended up upside down within a week.

i'm really never one to advocate governing to protect ourselves from ourselves, but for this case, i'd like to make the exception. i think the extra speed that everyone is going to end up with as newer machines show up will lead to a bad happening sooner or later. i'd hate to see them eventually banned along with the atv ban already in place.

 

[jcmseven]

lostcause,

I, to some degree, agree with you. It takes a great deal of responsibility to operate one of these faster machines safely. They will kill you if you don't. About six months ago, I purchased a Ranger XP 800 LE. It is the new model with the higher top speed. Believe it if you will, by GPS it is even faster than advertised, which is really fast. I have had Gators (still do) and others over the years that are not nearly as fast and have done just fine for me. It is nice to have the extra punch when pulling or climbing a steep long gradient with a bed full of something, but I really see no need in a UTV needing to go 60 mph or more. Sadly, while any of us could get hurt doing things we all likely do every day, I see many people coming into our hospital with serious injuries or even dead from misusing some of these machines. Just last week, a man was brought in with an epidural brain hematoma after jumping an ATV over a homemade ramp. What?? Adding danger to a dangerous situation; but, as they say, free will does not always run in parallel with common sense.

John M

 

[southtxfarmer74]

Has anyone bought a new 825i? I would love to hear what they think of the new gator after using it for a little while. I am considering buying one of these and am really curious as to how they perform.

 

[JESSE1]

I speced out an 855D and was ready to place the order when we found out that there's a hold on the alloy wheels. I think they're still available for either the camo or black version but I was going to get green and yellow. Not sure when they'll be available again. I'm going to wait a while to see what happens.

 

[farmboy12]

JESSE1-

If you don't mind saying, what did you spec out with the Gator and how much were you quoted and settle for?

I was interested in the 855D in either the camo or the green and yellow. I don't want to pressure you into prices but I was just curious if you didn't mind sharing.


Kyle

 

[JESSE1]

I think the quote was about $14,500. I added just about everything, all the protection for the front and rear, as many lights as I could get. Also wanted the max traction tires with alloy wheels. I going to hold off ordering until I find out more about the hold on the alloy wheels. Supposedly the demand for the alloy wheels was so great they couldn't supply them.

 

[BleedGreen]

I think the quote was about $14,500. I added just about everything, all the protection for the front and rear, as many lights as I could get. Also wanted the max traction tires with alloy wheels. I going to hold off ordering until I find out more about the hold on the alloy wheels. Supposedly the demand for the alloy wheels was so great they couldn't supply them.

The "take" rate on the alloy wheel option went from 15% on the 620i/850D to over 65% on the new 625i/825i/855D!!! Understandably, neither Deere nor their supplier could anticipate that kind of upswing and therefore those codes have been removed from our order system.

Personally I think that the problem does not particularly have to do with the alloy wheels, as much as the 14" size and larger tires. The only way you can get the larger Maxxis Bighorn tires on the XUV's is with the alloy wheel package - and most of my customers say they want the larger wheel/tire combo - if Deere were to offer the Maxxis Bighorns on a 14" steel wheel (yellow or black) I think half of the problem would be over immediately.

 

[JESSE1]

Do you have any idea when the wheels or tires will be available again? I don't want to order one with the steel wheels and then the alloy wheels become available after my unit arrives.