John Deere 825i Evaluation

[kmjohndeere44]

Got the Boss Plow Friday and love it! I've always plowed my driveway with a 6 ft blade behind my JD 4410, and was amazed that the Gator with the Boss did a better job. I was afraid that the Gator being so much lighter than the tractor would make it difficult to plow as effectively - but it does great! A couple of observations - this plow is HEAVY (everything about it is well made and made to last!). The heavy duty springs would defintely be nice to have - I plan on getting by by dropping off the plow when no snow is forecasted. The other issue is steering efforts - pretty heavy with this much weight.

Overall I'm very pleased with the plow and it's operation - smooth motion on the V

 

[yankeerider]

Nice rig! What are you running for ballast in the cargo bed?

 

[kmjohndeere44]

Salt bags - I've got a water softener so I need plenty of them

 

[jcmseven]

Is there any tractor you can think of that plows as well and efficiently as that Gator?? I cannot think of any.

John M

 

[KeithT]

Got the Boss Plow Friday and love it! I've always plowed my driveway with a 6 ft blade behind my JD 4410, and was amazed that the Gator with the Boss did a better job. I was afraid that the Gator being so much lighter than the tractor would make it difficult to plow as effectively - but it does great! A couple of observations - this plow is HEAVY (everything about it is well made and made to last!). The heavy duty springs would defintely be nice to have - I plan on getting by by dropping off the plow when no snow is forecasted. The other issue is steering efforts - pretty heavy with this much weight.

Overall I'm very pleased with the plow and it's operation - smooth motion on the V

Very nice!

 

[jcmseven]

kmjd-have you noted any grinding type noise coming from the front of your machine when plowing in low range?? I noted some today, as we have 11" of new snow, and it is still snowing. When in four wheel drive and in low range I occasionally hear it, but it does not seem to affect the operation of the machine. If I disengage four wheel drive and back up, it goes away and then I can re-engage four wheel drive and it seems not to do it anymore. Nothing seems to be rubbing on mine and functionally it has been perfect but wondered if you have experienced the same with your blade, which actually weighs about 100# more than mine, and that is pretty heavy.

John M

 

[kmjohndeere44]

No - haven't heard anything strange from the back - but have only plowed once and it wasn't 11 inches! (We are assured to have minimul snowfall this year in Michigan since I bought this rig!). Strange that you'd get noise in the back only in 4wd since the front differential is all that should be effected. Hopefullly nothing serious

 

[TMR]

My wife and I took the JD XUV 825i for a test drive a few days ago. We currently have a 2008 Ranger 700 XP/LE and will be updating soon so we've been looking. I think it's coming down to either a 2011 XUV 825i or a 2011 Ranger 800 XP/LE which we also test drove as well as others. Once you are used to using the Ranger 3 person bench seat it's tough to change if you have visiting grand kids quite often.

Agree on the benefits of bench seat with room for three and three seat belts.

I have a 2010 Ranger 800 XP...purchased May 2010. While I enjoy looking at other brands/models...I would now "have" to have a full bench seat for three...like the Ranger. Our Ranger rarely occupied by less than three...usually one or two grandkids. When I was making choice to buy I did not realize how much the three seats would be used

Just out of curiosity...are there any other full three wide bench seat XUVs??

Thanks...Tom

 

[jcmseven]

It's actually coming from the front of my machine and goes away when reversing. I wonder if somehow the limited slip front is engaging and that is why I hear the noise. Then when I back up it goes away and then does not reengage.

John M

 

[m38inmaine]

I just picked up my 825i with the bench seat. In my opinion it is not a full 3 wide bench seat. It comes stock with only seat belts for 2 and it would be a tight fit with a small child in the center. I just sold my 09 ranger and can say it had a much wider actual 3 person bench seat. I think Kubota, Kioti, and Bobcat also make a s/s with a bench seat.