Getting Ready to buy either a 825 or 625 but concerned about the Chery Chinese Motor

[BJE80]

First post. Thanks for having me. :OhNoes: :Thmup:

So I'm getting ready to buy my first gator. The 625 is enough power for me. And I like the fact it's a proven Kawasaki engine. However, a speedometer is not available (need it for food plot spraying) and the 825 also has some really nice other stuff standard that the 625 doesn't. I was easily sold on the 625 until I found this out.

Is retro fitting a 625 with a dash speedo a possibility somehow?

The 825 comes with those options standard that are not available on the 625 but I must admit I'm scared about the Chinese motor. So, how has the 825 motor been standing up so far? I'm a stickler for reliability so I'm hoping the people on here that own the 825 have found it to be a joy to use thus far.

I even thought about the diesel but just not sure I want to deal with hauling the diesel fuel and other inconveniences that come with that. Plus it's another grand cost wise above the 825.

I've done a lot of reading and can't seem to find any real reviews on how the Chery motor is holding up.

This UTV will be used at our cabin for hauling firewood, clearing trails, working/planting foodplots, hauling deer, and taking the family for a ride around the property, etc.

So any help, suggestions, and comments are appreciated.

[CaptDan]

I have not had any problems with my 825 Gator so far, other than the squeaky bed. I have just about 500 miles and 75 hours on it.


Dan

[Regulator]

I've only put about 150 miles on my 825i since I bought it a couple months ago and I have had absolutely no problems with it...the engine has performed flawlessly...I did alot of research, and looked for complaints about the 825's before I bought mine, and my lack of finding hardly any bad comments helped my decision to go ahead and buy the new 825i instead of waiting a year or so to find out how the machine and it's new engine hold up...

I have heard of a bunch of people that have 625's that wished they bought or had an 825 instead though...I haven't heard of any saying that they had an 825 and wished they had bought the smaller one instead...as far as retro fitting a 825 speedo in the 625, I would imagine that it wouldn't be a simple install...you could use a GPS Unit to use as a speedo for those times you need to know how fast you are going...they've always worked great on my motorcycles when I didn't have a speedo on them...not sure how accurate they would be for you at speeds under 10 mph though, because it takes a couple seconds to start displaying your speed, and does have a slight lag...and, if the 625 has an RPM gauge, I am sure there are RPM to MPH conversion charts to put you pretty close to where you need to be on the spraying of food plots...

Even though the 825's motor is a Chinese one, I am sure (read:hoping) that John Deere made a good choice in the manufacturer, and held to strict guidelines and quality control...and, that motor is one thing that always impresses people that haven't ridden in a new Gator when I take them for a ride...they are amazed at it's power, and how smooth it is, along with the sound....I surely can't tell you which Gator you should buy, or which one you'd like better, but I feel safe in saying that if you went with the 825i, you won't be disappointed in your purchase...

Good luck to you and welcome to the Forum!!!

Larry in MD

[Deputy347k9]

Welcome to the Forum and wishing you the very best in your upcoming purchase. Many of the Forum members are farm owners that really work the hell out of thier 825i Gator. Granted you may not need the spped but the extra power and options really do come in handy. The only problem I have had with my 825i during this last year is with the starter. Seemsitit would stick every once in a while. John Deere replaced it with not problems. Yes you are going to pay more for the 825i but you will have the most powerful machine on the market, besides you future trade will be worth more.

Larry
Deputy347k9

[duling]

BJE80.. I was in your boat about six months ago... I spent an insane amount of hours on the internet trying to decide which UTV to buy. I had a guy that was giving me a steal of a deal on the Arctic Cat, the Polaris dealer down the road practically throwing in the kitchen sink to get me to buy a Ranger XP, and then JD's rep and my farm boy roots in the back of my mind. I ended up going with the JD because well... it's a JD and then the 625 vs. 825 decision came. After 10 test drives and more carpel-tunnel inducing internet browsing I went with the 825. The power is just nasty, it is so smooth, and it is more than I will ever need. The 625 is a great machine but every time I drove the 825 I just became more impressed with its automobile-like feel vs. the 625's ATV-ish drivetrain. Good luck to you... you are on the right track because you are going with a JD...

[asp]

I have a 625 with 329 miles on it, no problem except for replacement of the wiring harness for the fuel pump. Very happy with purchase of my (4th) gator. It is used on the farm and for clearing horse trails in the woods. A GPS would be your solution for your miles per hour. Look at www.mountguys.com for a holder for it.

[purplewg]

I had the same issue when I was looking. I was really hesitant to buy a Chinese motor but I did. I also bought the extended warranty for $250 or $275 whichever it was just in case. You will like the power of the 825 over the 625. I had a cow try to outrun me across the field the other day. She soon learned she wasn't playing with a slow tractor and decided to go on back and through the gate where I wanted her to go. When I mashed the gas and pulled along side her so quick she just gave up. lol

[Regulator]

Purple WG....Too bad that wasn't video'd...it could have been John Deere's next Gator TV Commercial...

"Gator versus Cow"....that would have been a great selling point!!!

Larry in MD

[GATORDONE]

We have sold over 30 825i at our dealership this year with no returns of problems with the engines(including mine with 108 hrs) Had 2 with fuel regulator problems that had warped plastic housings. Some driveshafts and fewer other miner items that were not engine related. As purplewg mentioned get the 3 yr extended warranty it is we'll worth the money. I had 2 620i before that i also used for food plots, Purchased a $100.00 garmin gps that i mounted with velcro on the dash for mph and worked perfect. Good luck on your choise! :Thmup:

[BJE80]

Thanks all of you for your replies. Sounds to me like the 825 engine is holding up well so far. I like the idea of the GPS if I had to for the 625 but really am leaning towards the 825 unless I start seeing some negative feedback somewhere. I'd love to hear more members experiances so far with the 825 motor.

Also, have Chery put this same motor in any other piece of equipment for a longer time frame that I can read up on how it has been holding up more long term?

[GATORDONE]

Our Deere rep told me that this engine is ran in over 70% of smaller cars over seas with very good reliability and that it is to Deere's spec's just like the Kawasaki engines are. The 825i is the only machine of Deere that runs this engine as of now.

[juanca08]

I have sold several 825i this years, all I keep hearing from my customers is "what a great machine". At the beginning I was very skeptical about the cherry engine, but quality and reliability of the engine proved me wrong. I want to share this article with you. Good luck and happy new year.

http://www.cheryinternational.com/viewNews.php?id=73

[CaptDan]

I have sold several 825i this years, all I keep hearing from my customers is "what a great machine". At the beginning I was very skeptical about the cherry engine, but quality and reliability of the engine proved me wrong. I want to share this article with you. Good luck and happy new year.

http://www.cheryinternational.com/viewNews.php?id=73


I don't read code, the engine name, so a simple question, is that the engine that is in our Gator's ?

Thanks


Dan

[missouri gator]

My 825 has nearly 1500 miles on it with no engine problems. The dealer did replace the throttle position sensor to remedy a fast idle issue. The gator has hauled sandbags during this summers flood event, and is used to tow a 12 ft. trailer with my JD riding mower loaded, the engine has never used a drop of oil. The extended warranty is well worth the $ for a total of 3 years coverage. IMHO

Mark

[juanca08]

I don't think is the same engine SQRE4G. The 825I engine has the same specs as the SQR372 engine. Same engine family though.

[trainman]

I started off wanting the 625i myself, then I looked at all the additional equipment the 825i had over the 625i, it became a no brain-er, plus the price was less then $1500 with the May Green Sale, 825i had a $800 discount from JD. I would buy the $250 extended warranty for two more years for warranty repair, plus I would think that if the 3-cylinder engine was to give problems JD would take care of them, their name is at stake.

John

[CaptDan]

I don't think is the same engine SQRE4G. The 825I engine has the same specs as the SQR372 engine. Same engine family though.


Thanks


Dan

[RMOSSSO1]

Two quick comments. Perhaps too simple. But I will repeat what I have said elsewhere. First, if it isn't broke, don't fix it. Second; KISS, Keep It Simple Stupid. I too shopped for many different UTVs. I was close to buying a Club Car XRT until I demo'd one. I guess they have changed. JD out did themselves on this vehicle. Mine is about a year old. One oil change. It has no fear and goes where the competition does NOT. I do not want to go somewhere at 50 mph, just go somewhere 20 mph, anywhere, and the GATOR 825i does that job, IMHO!

[pcbunn]

You won't have any problems with the Chinese engine...their stuff is built to JD specs.