JD Gator

roysallis · Nov 9, 2000

Anyone got any experience with a John Deere Gator. I am thinking about buying one. I would like to get the 6x4 to get the 18hp engine. The 4x2 has a 10hp engine. I just do not know if the 10hp engine would be strong enough. I will be using it around the farm and maybe some for hunting. Also any info on prices.

Bird · Nov 9, 2000

roysallis, there are a couple of Gators in my area, and as far as I know the people who own them are happy with them. But my brother and my nearest neighbor bought Kawasaki Mules after comparing them to the Gator. You might want to check them out also.

Bird

gerard · Nov 9, 2000

I have a friend who has the 4 x 2 with the dump box. He uses it constantly and raves about the machine. Said it has a differential lock and doesn't need the 4wd. I go to equipment auctions regularly and the 4 x 2 w/ dump box usually go for $4500 - 5000 with less than 300 hours. Just saw two go last week for $4750, each had less than 200 hours. Think they are around 5500-6K new.

roysallis · Nov 9, 2000

Bird and Gerard, thanks for the feedback. I looked at the Mule briefly and I like the bench seat over the split seats in the Gator. The bench seat will let me haul more grandchildren (I have 9). I heard that the Gator was built heavier that the Mule. Also, the electric dump is not available on the Mule. My main concerns are the power and traction. Gerard, your reply answered my concern about traction. I did not know if I needed the 6x4 to get the necessary traction or not. The 6x4 is about $1500 more than the 4x2. I priced a basic 4x2 with electric dump for $5700 and the 6x4 with electric dump for $7200. The dealer offered to let me test drive one on the lot but it is level so I do not know if I could tell how the 10hp 4x2 would perform against the 18hp 6x4. My wife plans on hauling dirt, fertilizer, etc. around the farm and I will probably be hauling grandkids. I know she could use the tractor/FEL for some of this but the Gator would be easier. Besides, I need to be using the tractor will she is doing the gardening stuff.
Thanks again for the feedback.

keitho · Nov 9, 2000

In reference to the Kawasaki Mule, My friend has a model 2510 4x4 at his property. It's pretty beefy, we've even pulled 2000 pounds of boat and trailer up a steep, muddy ramp. It has a tight turning radius and maneuvers almost like an ATV on trails. For what it's worth, it has a sticker that says "made in Nebraska". Anyway, I like the JD Gators too. Just my two cents.

Keith

Bird · Nov 9, 2000

roysallis, <font color=blue>Re: the electric dump is not available on the Mule</font color=blue>

I don't know where you got that information, but my brother's Mule sure does have the electric dump. And it sure is nice, too. We've moved a lot of dirt by my loading all that could be loaded, with the front end loader of my Kubota, onto and spilling off the bed of the Mule, and he hauls, dumps, and comes back for the next load.

I believe his is a 20hp engine, two cylinder gas, but you know they now have a 3 cylinder diesel model, also. He'd love to trade up to the diesel, but just can't justify the expenditure.

Bird

Blu21 · Nov 9, 2000

Have you checked out the Polaris 6x6,it has true 6 wheel drive and a 800lb.dump box, a option is available for electric dump also tracks for the rear four wheels.This thing is unstoppable.It is powered by a 500cc.4stroke.Tom

PLOWER · Nov 9, 2000

roysallis,
If i were you I would consider looking at the polaris ranger.It is a 6X6 double seater,and Ive drove one and it went 45mph that would be nice for somthings it has a 500cc
engine.But the only trouble list is 9,999 and the jd gator 4x2 is 7,000 and the 4x6 is 10,799. Hoped this helped a little.

PLOWER

roysallis · Nov 10, 2000

Thanks for all the feedback. The dealer told me that the Mule did not have an electric dump. Maybe he just wanted me to buy the one they had in inventory that did not have electric dump. Somehow he could not find a brochure on the Mule. I will definitely check out the Polaris. I forgot about them. I was going to buy a used Polaris 6x6 2 years ago for $4000 but my wife was against it at the time. It had only 350 miles on it.

Branch · Nov 10, 2000

My neighbor has a 4x2 Gator. His 4 acres of property is quite hilly with 230 lemon trees. He loads a 65 gallon sprayer in the back and is able to traverse all of his property spraying with two people on board. Also interestingly, when talking to my Deere dealer recently I noticed that they had a Mule in the shop that they were rebuilding. I asked their mechanic about it and he told me that both vehicles used the same motors and what appeared to be the same transmissions. Unfortunately the repair manuals call out totally different Part Numbers for identical parts. FWIW He also felt that the Gator was built more substantially than the Mule.
Branch