John Deere Gators

[KenNFD1219]

We are looking at purchasing two 2006 HPX 4X4 Gators, one for the FD and one for the PD. If you have one, what do you like or dislike about them? Any options you wish you had or options you have that you never use? How is the reliabilty and maintenance?

Our main uses will include support during brush fires in very hilly terrain and searches for lost people.

[LeuitEFDems]

If you're going 4x4 instead of 6x6, go with the Kubota...one word...diesel...Saw one in action yesterday for brush fires...great machine. We were looking at trading in our Kawasaki Mule for one of the Kubota's before yesterday, and yesterday sealed the deal.

[mcaldwell]

I have field tested and compard all of the major models for work in our mountain environment, and the Gator came in dead last.

A big issue with the Gators is power and hill climbing speed. They are painfully underpowered and slow in hilly terrain, but the diesel model is MUCH better. They do have tremendous cargo capacity, but unless you are building a big brush rig with large water tank, you will waste most of that. Also, they are not available with ROPS and/or seat belts in stock form, so working in hilly terrain can bring additional risk.

The Kubota, Polaris, Husquvarna, all have good cargo capacity, ROPS, seat belts, and better trail speed. If S&R or quick response is your primary goal, the Yamaha Rhino is by far the fastest and best handling side-by-side ATV on the trail. The big downside is it's small cargo bed with only 400lb capacity (compared with 800 or 1200 in the Gators).

Every one of these dealers will provide you with a test drive or demo somewhere in your region, so I encourage you to call them up and compare them first hand.

[Dalmatian190]

Interesting tidbits

Looking up the Kubota RTV900 (didn't see a 6x6 on their site...)

Wheelbase: 77.4"
Rear Tread Center: 46.5"
Length: 117"

The WWII Willys MB (Jeep):
Wheelbase: 80"
Rear Tread Center: 48"
Length: 134"

From which I conclude, the Kubota is a Jeep Which isn't a bad thing -- I never realized how small the original jeeps where until I saw one at a local fire department show. Southbridge, MA has one as their forestry rig...and I noticed back then it wasn't that much bigger than a large, single person ATV (which have become fairly popular in that area).

Anyway, I'd love to see more of these units move into my area -- it's got to be easier to zip ATVs & RTVs into and out of the woods even if they just carry 50 gallons at a time, then it is to try and work an F-450 or Hummer with a 200 gallon tank in. I'm not a big fan of "trailers" for snow-belt fire departments (I personally wouldn't want to be towing our haz-mat or tech rescue trailers if they're called out in a snowstorm -- that's not something I or any of our current members have experience handling!) but that's not likely to be an issue with a S&R or Brush fire situation. Tow em there, fill the tank from an engine on the road, go to work.

=======
And if Ken pardons me for waxing poetic for a moment...2 thoughts:
1) I can't recall the town or even exact resource. But I did see one town in MA that bought IIRC a utility 4x4 Pickup truck. They marked it "Public Safety" -- stored at the fire station, but used by both FD & PD. Rather than seeing the cops drive a "fire truck" while busting kids at a party in the woods or the firefighters head to a brush fire in a "police truck". Which I throw out 'cause whatever you get probably could be done as an "our towns" instead of the "ours and theirs" -- mark 'em neutrally

2) Which, if you mark 'em neutrally, make up a "skid" for each one -- so you can use the "PD's" unit for forest fires, too.

I do have the feeling we're swinging into another cycle (probably about 5 years into it) of bad brush / forest fires in New England like 1930-1960.

[Plattsfire2]

I have lots and lots of experience in Gators. They are, or at least they were, the primary mode of transportation at all our air bases in the middle east. I have logged many, many hours in a gator.

Pros:

1. Can haul a heavy load.
2. Can be equipped with a variety of add-ons, like headlights and turn signals and external power ports. (I don't know if the others can do this)
3. Can really take a licking. We used to beat the crap out of them, and they'd keep running. There's something to be said about an engine that is air cooled in 130 degree heat and performs flawlessly, subject to extreme conditions.

Cons:

1. Slow as hell.
2. Cheap plastic used on the front. Drop a tool on it or bump into something and CRACK. Big $$$ to replace since it's a John Deere.
3. Really not all that agile. If you can't get a brush truck into it, the Gator probably isn't going either. We only had the four wheeled version, and as far as I know they don't make a four wheel drive one. And the locking rear differential is a joke.

Hope this helps.

[JCA1386]

Ken, we just got one in cheshire. its 4x4 diesel, has a couple of different skid type beds for it, one with a stretcher,one with a personnel carrier, and something else. Couldn't tell you what the third is for the life of me, it sits in our old firehouse and only the chief has the key. It came with a trailer with some crazy generator on it. Apparently we got it through a homeland security grant, if you want you could give the chief a call see if u can schedule a time to see it, hes pretty proud of it

[ehs7554]

My old job had a Polaris Ranger. Fastest of its kind and sits 3 well. Bed was heavy duty plastic.

On a side note my dad has a Cub Cadet Big Country 6 wheeler. Apparently they were designed by the guy who started the John Deer gator craze. He left John Deer and basically if you look at the two, they are very similar. However having ridden in a gator there is no comparison. The Big Country is smoother and seems to be more powerful. It seats 2 and has a very large metal bed that we had rhino lined.

[KenNFD1219]

Apparently we got it through a homeland security grant, if you want you could give the chief a call see if u can schedule a time to see it, hes pretty proud of it

Thanks, I didn't know you had them. I'll call Jack on Monday.

Thank you for all the information. We are still in the research phase of this project.

Dal:
I think we are over due for some of the large (at least in this part of the country) brush fires. The woods are loaded with fuel and everything is dry. We had cycles with brush fires in 84-86, 90-91, 95-96, 99-2000. We had some pretty decent bursh fires up and down the Naugatuck valley during those years. We have not had any appreciable ground cover fires in 6 years.

[HFRH28]

The gator i've used (turf gator), the thing I disliked the most was not having the ability to lock the rear axle. I would also recommend an on-board smart battery charger, that'll keep the battery charged year round without overcharging. I can say for the gator, that even grossly over-loaded, it still handles decently and still has the pull to get you moving, even with the smallest engine and no low range. Just don't get in a hurry to stop it.

Personally I favor the Polaris Ranger 6x6. Engine is not under the cargo area as the Gator is, plus from what I've seen the Polaris uses shaft drive to the rear axles and not chain/belt drive (not referring to the centrifugal transmission torque converter) as some of the gators do. I personally am looking at getting a Ranger to extend the frame on for a larger cargo area. I just wish the Ranger came in a diesel version.

I like the Bobcat "toolcat" (I believe it is) that is equivalent to the gator, but from the dealings I've had with Bobcat, I wouldn't buy from them. (just my personal opinion)

If you have wetlands in your area, then I would avoid all of the above. Go for an Argo, Max, or similar make 6x6 or 8x8 amphibious ATV. However this would greatly cut down your cargo capacity.

[plhansen84]

Just think about this when we were looking at getting new 6x6's we went with the Polaris Ranger. They have a bigger payload which is important espacially if you are goning to have water on board because you may know that water weights 8.5lbs per gallon so that adds up quick just something to look at.

[hwoods]

One of my "Work Trucks" is a '05 Gator, W/ 4WD, Diesel, Locking Rear, and a lot of other stuff. We mounted a 50 Gal Poly Tank on it, along with a small pump and 50' of hose. Works Very well for us.

[MalahatTwo7]

I personally have not used any of the above named vehicles, however, the Canadian Forces use the Gator 4x2's and 4x6's a lot for various base duties. Now get me straight on this.... the Armed Forces of ANY country are not always the smartest guns in the crowd. I dont consider this observation to be a good reference, but it's there. I've never heard anyone complain about using them though.

[missingpattaya]

I worked as an emt and firefighter at a Deere facility and drove a gator on a daily basis, I hated it. It got stuck in the snow and did not have enough ground clearance. I would look at something else.

[neiowa]

US Army (light Inf units) started using the Gators several years ago for medical evac, laying commo wire and similar support duties. Beat the heck out of walking. But did not hold up well. Did not hold up to soldier use (even relatively light duty noncombat use (ie firefighter abuse). Designed/made for golfcourse (or as noted putting around a nice smooth airport). And JD green paint is prices the same as Fire Engine Red.

Polaris (as noted above) has developed a very good reputation for durability/toughness.

[firemedic8107]

We have one that is a 5 wheeler (4 in the back, 2 in the front). It is like everyone else has said painfully slow and underpowered. I drove into a small ditch with no water in the 70 gallon tank we built for it and couldn't drive out had to get a 4wheeler to winch it out. When we first got it we had a pulley changed which helped with the low end power.

We are able to lock the 2 rear axles together to make them roll, but the engine just doesn't have enough hump to pull itself.

Is has worked fine, but doesn't turn very well. We are looking to replace it with a Polaris 6x6 if we are ever able to.

[SBLGFD]

We tested the John Deere, Kubota and Bobcat - after side by side multiple operator "evolutions" it came down to the Kubota and Bobcat. Our decision was to go with the Bobcat - without regret. The unit performs very well with plenty of power ( Diesel ) - we run a 50 gallon removable brush unit and a slide in pt. transport skid. We felt the Bobcat was significantly easier to run - we allow the local first responder groups to have access to it on an as needed or event bases so we needed to be able to keep training and confusion to a minimum.

[ehs7554]

[QUOTE=firemedic8107]We have one that is a 5 wheeler (4 in the back, 2 in the front). QUOTE]

???? That makes 6

[DennisTheMenace]

Deere or Bobcat, either way go with the Diesel

[hwoods]

[QUOTE=ehs7554]

We have one that is a 5 wheeler (4 in the back, 2 in the front). QUOTE]

???? That makes 6

Jeesh, Kid, Is there something about that New Math that's missing..............

[MalahatTwo7]

[QUOTE=hwoods]

Jeesh, Kid, Is there something about that New Math that's missing..............

Ya, the middle index finger. Take that away and you have a 5 wheeler. Although on a somewhat serious note, just wondering if firemedic was making reference to a tricycle configuration, but with tandem wheels up front instead of a single?



Ya I know. That finger thing makes no sense. Its not supposed to. Its too early in the morning for "real thinking" - hey I'm in the Army!