REVIEW
1
horse WORK
From years spent driving John Deere tractors, Farm Trader NZ’s Willie McKnight has a long-time affinity for all machinery green and yellow. So the opportunity to spend a weekend test driving the John Deere Gator XUV 855M was no particular hardship Photos by Oliver Shergold
The solid, dependable John Deere build makes this the ideal rough and tumble unit for those looking for a crossover utility.
W
ith a list of farm jobs a mile long waiting to be done, the Gator wasn’t long off the delivery trailer before being put to work on the farm. Like most John Deere designs, this Gator is built to last. First impressions are of brute strength; its wide stance and solid chassis offer plenty of deck space for a variety of farm tasks. With a long wheelbase and low centre of gravity, there is plenty of stability here, which makes it an ideal all-round workhorse. The roll over protection structure (ROPS), or as John Deere calls it, the operator protection system (OPS), adds to the butch appearance and provides a strong base for optional accessories.
HISTORY John Deere released its first Gator in 1992. The design was based on its earlier (1987) All Materials Transport (AMT) vehicle, which had a small front wheel and four back wheels. Gators first came out as 6x6 or 4x4 and were new and innovative to the market then. The design has continued to evolve but that early reputation as a ‘go anywhere do anything’ machine has remained. Today’s version of the Gator boasts a lot to like. Safety features have evolved significantly; there is an improved centre of gravity, ground clearance has improved along with suspension, and this model, released in 2018, has much to offer.
ENGINE The Gator is powered by the well-known and long-lasting threecylinder Yanmar motor; this is mounted low in the chassis under
the rear cargo deck, giving it a low centre of gravity by putting the weight over the back wheels. Engine cooling is liquid from a large radiator up front with good airflow to it, and a big fan to suck in air if need be. Access to the motor is easy – just tilt the deck with one easy handle on the driver’s side. With the engine being diesel and weighing in at 23hp (17kW), the unit was a little sluggish to get moving initially. This is largely due to the power to weight ratio, but once it gets moving and you put your foot down, it easily gets up to its top speed of 42km/h (depending on load and terrain). If speed is a top priority, other John Deere Gator models are available with higher horsepower. Or you could make the switch to the petrol engine, which offers almost double the horsepower (at 54hp/40kW). The Gator pulls well, particularly in low gear, proving itself with our tandem bike trailer full of hay, which totalled around 500kg, close to its stated towing capacity of 680kg. By the feel of things, I could tell it would perform well even with a bigger load. One thing I did notice early on is that the engine is louder than some other models I’ve driven, but an engine cover would reduce this noise. As with all diesel engines, you can hear and feel the inductive noise from the machine.
TRANSMISSION Like most side by sides, the John Deere Gator features a continuous variable transmission (CVT). This model runs a double-sided cogged drive belt for added longevity. Fitted with a CVT intake system, the belt temperature is reduced, which improves the overall durability of the drive belt.
Looking for an ATV/UTV? Search for ‘ATV’ or ‘UTV’ on TradeFarmMachinery.com.au or type the TA or DIY code shown here into the keyword search field
38 TradeFarmMachinery.com.au
AD-616004996.als - Base Edition 38
$11,000
TA1025552
2014 JOHN DEERE GATOR XUV855D. Bullbar, half doors, half windscreen. • TAS 03 6111 4725
$26,000
TA998371
2016 JOHN DEERE GATOR XUV855D. 94 hrs only, as new, pwr steering. • QLD 07 3171 1832
$16,500
TA1005161
2016 JOHN DEERE GATOR XUV855D. 855cc engine capacity. • QLD 07 307 33764
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30/7/20 2:23 pm
