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John
Deere Gator 825i features a liquid cooled
3 cylinder DOHC automotive style engine,
which produces 50HP |
The top speed of the John Deere Gator 825i is
44 MPH, which seems slow in comparison to other
manufacturers more recreational/performance based
units, but as a purpose built machine, we felt
this was more than enough speed for farming, working
or hunting. The top speed is also in line with
safety for the Gator but was more than satisfactory
for our testing purposes as well.
“The power of the Gator was great. It
was plenty fast for us on the farm and we were
able to tow and haul just about anything with
it. We also took it out on the trails for some
fun and we had a great time with it. The ground
clearance was good and it went over just about
anything.” Schwartzback stated.
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The
extra large 16.4
cu ft cargo bed with 1,000 lbs of
capicity, removable sides, & 20 tie
down points to secure your cargo is huge selling point for the Gator. It
also features hydraulic dump, which allows
for easy unloading of the bed with a push
of the dash mounted switch |
One of the best features of this machine is
its huge cargo bed that offers a 1000 pound
capacity. Most Side-by-Sides come equipped with
cargo beds, but the Gator surpasses any others
on the market. The capacity is outstanding as
we were able to put five bales of hay in the
bed, with three on the bottom and two stacked
on top. The Gator was even able to haul a couple
of calves in the bed when transportation was
necessary. The center truck-style latch was
easy to engage and disengage and you can also
opt for a factory installed power lift option
for easy dumping.
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We
loaded 5 bales of hay into the cargo bed
of the Gator 825i & hauled it around
the farm with ease & the dump bed
allowed for quick & easy unloading |
The Gator’s large capacity bed also makes
it an ideal machine for hunting in remote locations,
or even closer in, as it can haul a full grown
Deere or elk easily. It’s also great for
fishing with plenty of room for equipment and
coolers.
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Our
Gator 825i came equipped with a Warn Winch
mounted on the front of the RUV &
the hand control plugs into a socket in
the front glove box with an extra long
cable, so you can walk around the vehicle
while using the winch for improved visibility |
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The
winch worked great on the trail to remove
a tree that fell accross the trail &
we highly recommend a winch for all SxS
vehicles |
We opted for a winch on our unit and found it
to work well. “We never got stuck to where
we had to winch ourselves out, but we did use
it to yank out a couple of stubborn shrubs and
few small trees on the farm, and it did that pretty
well,” said Davis Schwartzback.
The Gator is also incredibly tough and durable
as would be expected with any John Deere product.
The Hydro-formed steel frame allows for fewer
welded and bolted joints, providing superior durability
and exceptional tolerance for twisting under heavy
loads. The Gator features full steel skid plates
for unsurpassed underbelly protection, automotive
quality electrostatic paint to fight corrosion
and provide a tough finish. We did have a belt
wear out during our test, but it was under extenuating
circumstances and only added to our positive experience
with John Deere.
