Test drove used John Deere Gator 6x4, have questions

[tjandrews]

It would be nice if our new (to us) 4x2 gas Gator looked this good. Age unknown, no cab, the rusted box needs body work, there's holes rusted in the floorboards, all tires worn and two have slow leaks. But we're more than OK with that, because of how we got it.
It seems that a neighboring dairy farmer had it for many years, finally deciding to buy a new one. He didn't say, but we are speculating that the dealer wanted nothing to do with the old one because it needs so much work, so there was no trade-in. He stored it in a shed for two years, and we talked about how great it would be for running around for our farm stand, but it was only talk because we had other places for our limited funds. Then one day in June we returned home from a family birthday party to find it sitting in our driveway, free of charge. The neighbor said something about getting it out of his way.
Never had anything better for running out after sweet corn, sunflowers, and other things we might pick on demand. Much faster than one of our old tractors, with a considerably better suspension. Easier on fuel for what we are doing. No idea how it might be in the mud, because we haven't had any mud around here since May. Clutch seems sluggish in cold, damp mornings, but I think it's the nature of the beast.
For now, you'd have to tear my cold, dead hands from the steering wheel to get it back...

 

[Brad Conquest]

I had gator 6x4 I thought was great machine till I bought a Kubota RTV X1100C. Kubota runs circles around the gator and Iem a John Deree man.

 

[Page2]

"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."
If that's the machine you want and need, then buy it. - As you've found out, decent older machines are hard to find, all the problems you list can be fixed with a little time and money. Cash in hand speaks loud, show him $5500 and you might walk away with a new toy. Even the 6k is not a bad price, IF that's what you want. Good luck!

 

[troverman]

I had gator 6x4 I thought was great machine till I bought a Kubota RTV X1100C. Kubota runs circles around the gator and Iem a John Deree man.

But the RTV is not a 6x4 and is a more complex machine.

 

[sunandsand]

I rescued a four wheel Gator from a foreclosure a while ago. Paid $150 and pulled it home behind my tractor. 297cc Kawasaki, leaky tires, busted fenders, the usual.

These things in ANY condition seem to be ungodly expensive. Be aware that there is a scam currently going on Craigslist where someone has a really nice one shown in the photo and they're asking $1,000, next step is pay by bitcoin and we'll send you the Gator . . .

Looked for a "Gator" group (like this one, TBN) and most of the people on them all "wanna go faster!" The only way one of these things is going to "go faster" is if you drive it off a high cliff (think Thelma and Louise cliff) and fire four JATO bottles on the way down. Yeehaaaa . . .

As we all know, John Deere is right proud of their green paint, so I went to eBay for the various parts I will need to make this thing work properly again.

I need about $1,000 in parts altogether which isn't too bad considering what these Gators sell for. The list includes lights, shocks, fuel pump, some electrical stuff, tie rods or maybe a complete rack, seats and so forth.

That is with the understanding that I am going to make my own exhaust system - JD wants $416 for a simple muffler and U pipe! I knew learning to weld would pay off someday!

To make it PRETTY as well as work properly will take another thousand dollars! (I ain't doin' it!). Each plastic front fender is over $200, the hood is even more (I can fix that) and the little rear fenders are also stupid expensive.

When I get it going (later this year), I'm going to name it "Ugly Betty"(because I do happen to know a pretty Betty) and put it to work.

Best Regards,
Mike/Florida

 

[Rhorn4400]

Agree with the comment not good off road. Excellent on soft ground not mud. I think max speed is 18 mph. I have two and love them for reliability and small footprint on soft ground. 25 inch rear tires

 

[RGQ]

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.

Some thoughts on your potential purchase. John Deere 6x4 gators are good simple Utiility vehicles that like anything has pros and cons. Yanmar Diesel is bulletproof. 6x4 will do well in most terrain but is limited by ground clearance and a drive belt that is not enclosed. Any water on that belt and you are getting another vehicle to tow it out of the puddle. Leg room is limited. Cabs are nice but amplifies the noise to a level you may not like after a few miles. They are also heavy increasing load/reducing top speed and limit the ability to perform service/ maintenance. 6x4’s are slow. Early ones did 16 MPH, newer ones got into the lower 20’s. Turning radius is terrible due to the 4 rear drive wheels. These are some initial thoughts. Understanding how you want to use the vehicle would allow me to provide feedback more specific.

Below is a link to the John Deere Gator Forum. A good resource for owners.

John Deere Gator Forums



Some feedback specific to your numbered items.

• The brakes are internal wet disc and probably will not have to be replaced. Some units did have an issue with noise when stopping. (sounds like a sick whale) John Deere came out with an additive to reduce/eliminate this noise. Pour it into the transaxle.
• Not certain about the heater. On my 6x4 L/C gas unit the radiator is under the front passenger seat. I do know that the diesels were very cold blooded so getting heat out of one will take allot of work/load.
• Electrical problems need to be diagnosed per the circuit with the issue. Do be aware that the wiring harness runs through a channel in the frame so access can be challenging.
• Rear Tires. Note that off road tires can be up to 20% plus or minus difference in diameter. Air up the tires to specification, measure the diameter and if 2 are smaller use them for the front set. The axle on the front set of rear tires is actually ½ “ higher than the rear axle. This is to improve the steering.
• Rear diff lock is working and does demand more power as you are driving both sides..
• Another diagnostic opportunity

Yes, allot of electrical issues. DIY not too expensive. Having someone else do it could be costly. Source a Technical Manual so you have the electrical diagrams.

To me, $8K is high. $4-$5K maybe. Personally I would rather look at a 855D. 4WD, Yanmar diesel, fully enclosed clutches and belt. Slightly faster. Good ground clearance and suspension.

Hope this is of some value as you look at JD utility vehicles.

 

[bike_n_texas]

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.

View attachment 4067384

View attachment 4067385

View attachment 4067386

View attachment 4067387


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.

We owned and used a 6x4 for about 10 years. We used it around our farm for hauling hay, hauling dirt, moving trailers and just generally getting around the place. It was very heavy duty and reliable and has a really nice-sized bed on it. The downsides were that it was slow, had way too little ground clearance (I got it got stuck on high center more than once), and the turning radius is really wide. Also, it's a small thing, but the steering wheel is so low that I found it a little weird getting into the driver's seat and not very comfortable to drive.

About 5 years ago, we sold the 6x4 and bought a used Gator XUV 855D. The 855D is superior in almost every way. It's agile, fast, has a tight turning radius, great off road and really comfortable. The only thing I preferred about the 6x4 was the larger bed.

My recommendation is to pass on the 6x4 and get a modern design diesel side by side like a XUV 855D or a Kubota RTV.

 

[troverman]

For the money, the original 6x4 gator is hard to beat. I also wouldn’t call the 855D “fast.” My 835 gas will do pretty close to 50mph but I still don’t think it’s fast

 

[Paul McILwain]

I have a 2000 6/4 and I think the brakes are internal, mine have groaned since I got it 15 years ago. They don’t have discs and pads so you can’t do a brake job. I have had a lot of use out of mine and think they are great however with flat bottom and low ground clearance it is very poor in deep snow