John Deere Gator gives farmers mobile office for boundary mapping

BOONE, Iowa — John Deere Gator XUV Crossover Utility Vehicles are built for work.

“We can have fun but our engineers design and test these machines with customer jobs in mind,” said Eric Halfman, John Deere go-to market manager for Gator Utility Vehicles.

The XUV 875 is a diesel machine and the XUV 845 is a gas Gator.

“We have integrated technology built in so the XUV is GreenStar ready,” Halfman stated. “The Gator can be their mobile office for boundary mapping.”

Instead of using a tractor to boundary map a field, the Gator can be used to do that job. “This machine is lighter and more nimble and able to get closer to things while you’re mapping,” the market manager said. “It is made for going through rough terrain, so you can use a machine that’s made for that and protect the investment of your bigger machine.”

Customers don’t have to order a display or StarFire receiver for the Gator if they already have them on their other equipment. “You can move them from the combine to the Gator,” Halfman said.

A pull-behind sprayer can be used with the Gator. “There is an ISO implement connector so you can do sprayer rate control and section control with this Gator,” Halfman said at the John Deere display area during the Farm Progress Show.

“We have a farmer in northwest Iowa that uses the Gator for wetter spots so he can get in to spray earlier,” he said. “AutoTrac is another option and I don’t know many people who don’t use GPS technology while spraying.”

Farmers can also use the technology for removing rocks from fields. “You can map where the rocks are in the field,” Halfman noted.

The cargo box is a composite material. “It is class leading from a volume perspective,” he said. “The composite material has allowed our engineers to design some really cool stuff.”

By adding some dimensional lumber, farmers can customize the box to do a job like fencing. “There is a ledge so you can put plywood on there to create a shelf and then you have space below for fence posts and tools,” Halfman said.

On the side of the box are four stake pockets. “That allows you to mount tools on the side like a rake or shovel,” Halfman explained. “We also have a chain-saw mount.”

The tailgate is a workstation with pockets for screws, nuts and bolts. “There’s a C channel for pipes and a bump stop for wood,” the market manager noted. “And there are four spots in the tailgate for clamping.”

The cab has a storage area under the seat. “There is an option for an inverter so you can plug your computer in,” Halfman said. “Then you can pull up the Operations Center and integrate with what’s going on with mapping or you can charge a battery by plugging in a charger for your hand tools.”

The XUV 845 has a new exhaust system. “It is 31% quieter,” Halfman said. “There’s a distinct sound to a Gator and some love it, but others say make it quieter.”

For a better, cleaner air draw, Halfman said, the engine air intake location has been changed. “Same for the air intake for the transmission that has so been relocated so we’re drawing better air,” he added.

The Gator has LED lighting and marine-grade vinyl seats. “The Signature addition has leather seats,” Halfman said. “It is a spacious cab and when it’s cold out, we can warm you up and when it’s hot out, we can cool you off.”

For more information about John Deere Gator XUV Crossover Utility Vehicles, go to www.deere.com.