When I was shopping for a UTV a couple years ago, I really wanted the Gator. My issue was a minor one but the gator only came with bucket seats. My wife and I have 2 young children and sometime we all like to go out and see about the cattle. With the mule we can all sit on the bench seat just fine. Also I liked the Mule's front storage compartment and the $2000 cheaper price. I wish deere would make a gator comparable to the 610 Mule 4x4 in as far as the size, features and price. I think it would be a winner. What do you all think? Greg Sweet
Wanted a Gator but the Mule fit my needs and budget better.
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Believe me we have asked Deere for a number of "upgrades" and "changes" throughout the years... To thier credit, this year we finally have a unit that competes (and beats IMHO) with the Ranger in all areas, including top speed. We also finally have a bench seat, although it is not quite what most of us wanted. Factory electric Power Steering is almost guaranteed for sometime during the spring of 2011 and we continue to hear rumors of a 4 seat Gator for 2012.
I bought a Gator HPX gas and I really liked it. I was comparing it to everything and overall it was fine. I think I pay like $8K for it.
When kiddo #2 showed up - we bought a Polaris Ranger Crew. Then the gator went away and we got another Crew. The only thing that I don't like about the Ranger is the plastic bed. If you are out welding or hard on a bed - it tears up pretty easy.
I drove a new DJ Gator 850i today. It is fast, much larger and has an optional bench seat. I think they are making progress, but they need a 2nd row of seating. Also - it was $13,500!
D.
When kiddo #2 showed up - we bought a Polaris Ranger Crew. Then the gator went away and we got another Crew. The only thing that I don't like about the Ranger is the plastic bed. If you are out welding or hard on a bed - it tears up pretty easy.
I drove a new DJ Gator 850i today. It is fast, much larger and has an optional bench seat. I think they are making progress, but they need a 2nd row of seating. Also - it was $13,500!
D.
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10,272 Posts
When I bought a Mule not many choices
I bought my Mule 2510 back in 1996. About the only other choices were a golf cart or JD Gator. The 4 wheel Gator was only two wheel drive and had a small engine. The 6 wheel gator did not steer well (it wanted to keep going straight). I did not care for the way the rear set of tires were chain driven from the set in front of them (6 wheeler). I told the dealer they needed to build a 4x4 and put a bigger engine in it and they would sell. The dealer told me if I wanted 4x4 buy the 6 wheeler, if not (you don't need 4x4 anyway) by the 4 wheeler. I looked at JD for several years befroe I bought the Mule. At that time it only came in Red (I wanted Green) (I think they came in green the very next year), but I got a bench seat, hi and low range, locking rear axle and 4x4. Not a BIG engine, but one that would go faster than needed (for me). I think it was four or five years (more if you count the years I was "looking") before JD came out with a real 4x4. What took them so long?
I bought my Mule 2510 back in 1996. About the only other choices were a golf cart or JD Gator. The 4 wheel Gator was only two wheel drive and had a small engine. The 6 wheel gator did not steer well (it wanted to keep going straight). I did not care for the way the rear set of tires were chain driven from the set in front of them (6 wheeler). I told the dealer they needed to build a 4x4 and put a bigger engine in it and they would sell. The dealer told me if I wanted 4x4 buy the 6 wheeler, if not (you don't need 4x4 anyway) by the 4 wheeler. I looked at JD for several years befroe I bought the Mule. At that time it only came in Red (I wanted Green) (I think they came in green the very next year), but I got a bench seat, hi and low range, locking rear axle and 4x4. Not a BIG engine, but one that would go faster than needed (for me). I think it was four or five years (more if you count the years I was "looking") before JD came out with a real 4x4. What took them so long?
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