JD 835E Gator or other UTV

Zebrafive · Oct 13, 2020

paulsharvey said:
20 hr/100 mile service (158 miles actually) is/was $460. I wasnt about to mess with valve adjustment on a brand new machine, so I guess that's the price of being lazy. That does seem crazy though. I will be doing all the oil changes from here on out my self.

Did you have the 20 hour service done yet? I am guessing it was "check valve clearance", not adjust valves. I am guessing it's not hard to check the valve clearances, but no idea how hard they to adjust.

paulsharvey · Oct 13, 2020

Zebrafive said:
Did you have the 20 hour service done yet? I am guessing it was "check valve clearance", not adjust valves. I am guessing it's not hard to check the valve clearances, but no idea how hard they to adjust.

We went ahead and had the dealer do it. I dont doubt I could have watched a few YouTube videos and figured it out, but for the first service I figured I'd let the do it. From here on out, I plan to do all the maintenance myself.

Industrial Toys · Oct 13, 2020

Believe me. The less you let the "experts" do, the better off you will be. You take a little time to read and figure things out ad you will probably be ten times more educated on the matter than the guy a dealer has working on your stuff.

MinnesotaEric · Oct 24, 2020

I’m seconding a Polaris General. Pretty good suspension, winter ready, good on trails and shares the same engine as my go-fast “woodsey” RZR 1000S with easier access to adjusting valves.

Whatever you do, get one with enough oomph to have a little fun.

RZR on Ice at Lake Belle Taine in Winter, Hubbard County, Minnesota - YouTube

Zebrafive · Oct 25, 2020

I ended up buying a 2018 Kawasaki Mule Pro FXR. It was trade to original selling dealer for a Kawasaki Mule Pro FXT. It has 29 hours. The dealer said the 20 hour service had been done there by the previous owner. He also said there were some recalls done before it was offered for sale. Steering, and an engine vent/shield recall. Still has 11 months of warranty left. I wanted green or camo (not FXR colors, red and silver were that year's choices). Between red and silver, red was my first choice, but buying used, color was not my first priority.

Bocephous · Oct 26, 2020

Nice find! Congrats, and enjoy!

paulsharvey · Jan 24, 2021

Me and son did the 2nd service last weekend. Change oil, filter, and clear air filter. Pretty easy to get at everything.

About a month or two ago, we did have to do an alignment. It was toed in by about 1.5" and eating tires up. No idea if it just worked loose or if somebody hit something. Got it to 1/8" toe in with a tape measure and much better now.

Also wife wanted bigger tires, lol, so I ordered some 27" on Amazon, like $320. They actually ride better then the 25" factory Ag style tires. These new ones are more of an aggressive truck tire then a tractor tire.

Zebrafive · Jan 25, 2021

Did you check valve clearances as part of the service? Kawasaki uses the same engine in their Pro FX series (FX, FXR, & FXT) and calls for valve clearance check at 20 hours.

paulsharvey · Jan 25, 2021

Zebrafive said:
Did you check valve clearances as part of the service? Kawasaki uses the same engine in their Pro FX series (FX, FXR, & FXT) and calls for valve clearance check at 20 hours.

No, I had dealer do the 20 hr service, and do the check and or adjust valves; just did the 600 mile or whatever 2nd service, and thats just oil, filter, and blow out air filter.

Zebrafive · Jan 26, 2021

OK, I was wondering how hard the valves are to check/adjust. I bought used and 20 hour service was said to be done. Next check is 100 hours or 1200 miles.