2011 vs. 2012 855D Gator

[Front Range]

I am debating on whether to wait for the 2012's to arrive or to go ahead and order a 2011 855D. I will be using the UTV this winter to push snow on my 1/2 mile road. Any thoughts on whether I should wait for the new model to arrive, which might not be until the end of the year? I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

[825joe]

No real changes as of yet.

[pcbunn]

I'm still trying to figure out why folks buy diesel vs. gas, what's the advantage?

[Front Range]

I live at almost 9000 ft., and heard that the gas version might have problems at altitude.

[hornadylnl]

For me, I already have a diesel transfer tank but not a gas transfer tank. My tractor and generator are diesel as well. I don't want to get a second fuel tank and I'm 5 miles from the nearest gas station. I hate having to get gas for the mowers, let alone having to put a 5 gallon can in every time I fill it. Also, it sounds like the fuel economy of the diesels are double of the gas. My needs are 95% work and 5% play.

[J Grace]

Picked diesel over gas = more power for plowing and hauling.
Don't need the speed.
Not sure of the new motor made in China.

Time will tell which is the right move!

[JakeJD]

If you're waiting for official details, you probably wont know till November 1st.

[Front Range]

Thanks for the responses. My use of the vehicle would be more work that recreation. And I really need it sooner than later anyway. Think I will look in to ordering now instead of waiting. Thanks again!

[825joe]

the 825i has more torque than the diesel. I was surprised by that. The diesel makes more power down low im sure where it counts for plowing and hauling. The 825i appeals to the more trail\work crowd. The diesel will do the same just at a slower pace. :)

[pcbunn]

I wouldn't be concerned about the engine being built in China, regardless if its diesel or gas. Chinese manufacturing is going to meet or exceed JD specs and Chinese engineering is as good as anyone's. My kid brother has been flying Chinese aircraft for 20 years and has always been surprised by the durability of their radial engines. Most of the junk they make winds up in our hardware stores and Costco but they also are capable of manufacturing anything we build here.

[825joe]

This is true. The motor seems solid. Considering it runs at 5000rpm plus when cruising around, I think that alone says a lot for its component durability.

[trainman]

I would have thought that JD R&D Dept. would have put many hours into the engine project before giving it the ok. I don't think I've read on this forum or any other forum that anyone has had a major engine failure on the 825i, but I stand to be corrected if there were any. I thought I read on this forum or read somewhere that JD has a plant in China, or is going to build a plant in China, could be the future, I hope not. Now comes the $64,000 question, did JD buy the engine from China because it was the best for the Gator, or did they buy it because of price, probably some of each. I don't think that JD is out to build an inferior product, I think they want market share and are trying very hard to get it, but still have to deal with Polaris and Yamaha. Plus I think that JD would stand behind their product better then other manufactures, they are much bigger then other UTV manufactures and have more bucks to make it right.

John

[kahuna]

I live at 8700' in the San Juan mtns. And my 825i runs great, lots of power. Just installed the delux cab, the heater is next.

[Front Range]

Kahuna...Have you used your to push snow and how did it handle heavy snow?

[kahuna]

No, the Gator is my recon vehicle - I have an ASV RC60 with a 72" snowblower, and I do all the driveways in our development. We get drifts up to 12' when the wind blows, so a blower is a must. That said, if I were only doing my driveway, I'm certain that the 825 would be more than adequate, and I'd definitely want a "V" plow. The low end torque on the 825 is astonishing!