Test drove used John Deere Gator 6x4, have questions

[Hay Dude]

I’ve wanted (or thought I did) a John Deere Gator 6x4 with Curtis Cab for 10 years.
Finally, a local one came up for sale that I thought I’d take a look at.
This one is 25 years old with 1700 hours. Electric dump bed and curtis cab.
Used on a horse farm. It’s in excellent conditions. Original paint & plastics look great. The metal Curtis cab was excellent. Seats were perfect. Definitely stored inside.
I drove it around his property a bit. My impressions are that it seemed slower than I expected. Maybe this is just the way they are.
The drive belt was recently replaced. It started and idled perfect. It accelerated a little slowly, I guess you can’t expect speed form an 18HP Yanmar diesel trying to move such a heavy vehicle?

So here’s the problems I saw:

1. When I applied the brakes, they worked, but when the brakes were pushed harder, they made a groan/grinding sound. It stopped, but the sound didn’t seem normal. Any idea what this might be?

2. It has a factory heater under the seat. The switch didn’t turn the heater on. Owner claimed the fan quit, or possibly the fuse was blown.
3. It has factory turn signals. Fronts work, but not back lights. Probably wiring issues as evidenced by wires hanging loose. I definitely like the idea of lights for working alongside the road. Owner said taillights were replacements. OK, not a big issue.
4. Rear tires were low on tread. Pretty straightforward. But how much should a set of 4 “factory” rear tires cost including mounting?
5. When the rear diff was locked, it was noticeably slower and definitely more difficult to steer. I perceived this as a “good thing” meaning the diff lock was locked and working properly?
6. Cab is equipped with windshield wiper, but switch did not turn it on. Another wiring issue.

I have zero experience with them and didn’t know what to expect. So my questions are pretty basic. Seems like a lot of electrical repairs.

Seller asking $8,000 but said he would take $6,000. Knowing it needs 4 tires and a lot of wiring diagnosis/repairs- Is this a good deal? It seems like it based on others I have seen advertised with rust, higher hours, etc.

I have toyed with buying a new one and paying it off, but they are $20,000. Don’t know if the new ones are any better, but they look more plasticky.

 

[nybirdman]

My only comment is that they are very limited off road,long with little clearance,solid suspension.Depends on your wants and needs.I would expect some problems at that age.

 

[CH4Ohio]

Can't really speak to the condition issues that you mentioned, but it's my experience that the 4 wheel Gators turn and handle much better than the 6 wheel version. I think dragging those rear knobby tires sideways in the turns takes a lot of juice. I also think the 6 wheel Gator is easier to get stuck and doesn't handle ditches and humps as well.

 

[workinonit]

Go price a new one.

 

[Rustyiron]

HD it sure looks nice, but my initial thinking to the price was that it's high. I am not "in touch" with their values either.
One thing I will say is once you get a sxs you'll be amazed how handy they are for reasons that you've never thought of. At least that was my experience.
Are you still deciding?
Is this from one of your customers?
Is this 6x4 configuration firm in your decision making?
These are utility vehicles like my Kawasaki Mule. They are slow.
My question is do you have time to look for a more conventional sxs with the features of this Gator.
Good luck with your decision.

 

[tassmannn]

I’ve wanted (or thought I did) a John Deere Gator 6x4 with Curtis Cab for 10 years.
Finally, a local one came up for sale that I thought I’d take a look at.
This one is 25 years old with 1700 hours. Electric dump bed and curtis cab.
Used on a horse farm. It’s in excellent conditions. Original paint & plastics look great. The metal Curtis cab was excellent. Seats were perfect. Definitely stored inside.
I drove it around his property a bit. My impressions are that it seemed slower than I expected. Maybe this is just the way they are.
The drive belt was recently replaced. It started and idled perfect. It accelerated a little slowly, I guess you can’t expect speed form an 18HP Yanmar diesel trying to move such a heavy vehicle?

So here’s the problems I saw:

1. When I applied the brakes, they worked, but when the brakes were pushed harder, they made a groan/grinding sound. It stopped, but the sound didn’t seem normal. Any idea what this might be?

2. It has a factory heater under the seat. The switch didn’t turn the heater on. Owner claimed the fan quit, or possibly the fuse was blown.
3. It has factory turn signals. Fronts work, but not back lights. Probably wiring issues as evidenced by wires hanging loose. I definitely like the idea of lights for working alongside the road. Owner said taillights were replacements. OK, not a big issue.
4. Rear tires were low on tread. Pretty straightforward. But how much should a set of 4 “factory” rear tires cost including mounting?
5. When the rear diff was locked, it was noticeably slower and definitely more difficult to steer. I perceived this as a “good thing” meaning the diff lock was locked and working properly?
6. Cab is equipped with windshield wiper, but switch did not turn it on. Another wiring issue.

I have zero experience with them and didn’t know what to expect. So my questions are pretty basic. Seems like a lot of electrical repairs.

Seller asking $8,000 but said he would take $6,000. Knowing it needs 4 tires and a lot of wiring diagnosis/repairs- Is this a good deal? It seems like it based on others I have seen advertised with rust, higher hours, etc.

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I have toyed with buying a new one and paying it off, but they are $20,000. Don’t know if the new ones are any better, but they look more plasticky.

As old as it is, those don't seem like hard fixes. Tires should be between $600-$1000. Sounds like it needs a brake job, and you'll need to diagnose the electrical issues. I have a Kubota RTVX 1100C that has a 24 hp diesel in it. It's not made for speed, but very strong. It says top speed is 25 MPH, but more realistically, around 22. I guess if I were going downhill with a tailwind, it would achieve that speed. The machine looks good. No comps, but I've seen similar machines without a cab go for 5000-7000. You could have a mechanic look at it and check the compression JIC.

 

[tomplum]

Deal seems good enough. Tires for some are on Amazon complete w/ rim. I know this as I had a customer who compared that to having a local tire vendor replace what she had , which was closer to 200$ a tire installed. They aren't speedsters, though zippy enough to cart things around the place. I always thought this type of vehicle would handle, turn better than they did. I rarely work on them or their counterparts. Isn't my favorite thing to do.

 

[tassmannn]

Deal seems good enough. Tires for some are on Amazon complete w/ rim. I know this as I had a customer who compared that to having a local tire vendor replace what she had , which was closer to 200$ a tire installed. They aren't speedsters, though zippy enough to cart things around the place. I always thought this type of vehicle would handle, turn better than they did. I rarely work on them or their counterparts. Isn't my favorite thing to do.

Yeah, I worked on a similar style in Polaris, and it was not a fun experience. It did handle well in the mud, though, and like all the other UTVs....don't expect to get there fast

 

[deserteagle71]

Unless you think you'll be hauling a lot of really heavy weight in the bed, or need the flotation of the extra tires, I'd say go with a 4 wheel machine instead of a 6 wheel. 4 tire machine is MUCH more maneuverable, turns much sharper and easier. We have a 6 wheel Polaris in our Search and Rescue unit and the only time we prefer it to the 4-wheel machines is when we have to travel in the sand dunes.

And yes, if it becomes harder to steer when you hit the locker button then the locker is working.

 

[rgr33]

I tested a JD 6x4, and the turning radius was a deal killer in my situation
My hunch is that unit looks in very good shape, but will ultimately prove to need a lot of glitches fixed, even beyond what you have already mentioned

If that doesn’t bother you you much, it may be a while before you come across another one as well equipped as this one

I have mentioned this before, but there is no tool or vehicle on my place, that gets used more then my UTV.