John Deere HPX Gator - Loading, Moving & Stacking Firewood

Went through a lot of firewood during Christmas week and need to get some more down to the house for New Years and before the next storm !

[@rogerbelanger295]

Nice quality videos...keep them coming. I was surprised at the amount of snow you got down there. I'm from Canada and that amount is a typical week.

[@m3entertainment228]

Thanks for watching . . . and I do have more on the way, stuck in post production (editing)! I'm just over 700 ft elevation above sea level here. If it's anywhere near freezing we'll always get snow if/when they are calling for rain in NYC. Last winter was the exception where we only got really one 8" snow storm, other storms that came through were just 1-3" dustings. Typically we get hit with at least two good 12 - 20" storms a winter.

[@rogerbelanger295]

@@m3entertainment228 You talk weather like a true Canadian!! That's one of our favorite pastimes up here....talking weather at the local Tim Horton's.

[@lovinlife4569]

@@m3entertainment228 I enjoy your videos. I cut a small amount of wood just for social burns. I like seeing how you stack and move the wood. I also like your snow removal videos….keep it all coming

[@m3entertainment228]

@@lovinlife4569 I am glad you enjoyed the video - thanks for watching!

[@bryanworth8292]

I was wondering about the tilt function you added to your gator . I'm going to buy my Mom's gator . It's about a 2003 or 4 and the tilt would be nice to have . Where did you get yours and how much did it cost ? Did you do the work yourself ? Thanks from S.W. Michigan .

[@m3entertainment228]

My Gator is a 2005-06, and I bought in used in 2008 from a JD Dealer with 210 hours on it. The hydraulic tilt system was one of the first things I went shopping for immediately. In 2009-10 John Deere wanted about $900.00 for the whole system. I went to Craig's List, Machinery Finder, and eBay to see if I could do better. I was fortunate and came across a system on eBay by a John Deere Dealer somewhere in the mid-west being sold as an "open box" for $550.00. Yes, I installed it myself. I found the Gator was pre-wired for the relays (part of the kit) , for the switch on the dash board, as well as the wires (with clips) for power to the hydraulic motor/pump. They were tucked nicely up against the frame rail (right side, near the rear wheel), and for the switch up against the back of the dash board all zip-tied from the factory. All the mounting holes were already drilled into the frame as well that made the installation of the hydraulic motor & pump, as well as the hydraulic pistons real easy. This also included the holes in the underside of the bed were pre-drilled for the top of the hydraulic pistons. Total installation was about 2 hours. As you may know, parts and attachments like this, given the age of the equipment are going to be a custom order through John Deere. I have not seen a hydraulic system for my Gator offered in a long time in the on-line classifieds. The last new complete system I did see the price was pushing $1,100.00.

[@bryanworth8292]

Thanks much . Yeah , this gator is in good condition but is a 2wd unit . I didn't expect that system to be that expensive but as with any green equipment , it comes with a hefty price tag . I do love my 2025r though . I put a pair of edge tamers on the bucket and it moves snow like a champ . I have a 5ft frontier rotary cutter and front and rear snow blades and the whole thing is worth every penny I spent . I just became one of your subscribers so keep makin videos . You have a beautiful property there in Jersey . Thanks again . Peace .

[@m3entertainment228]

Nice set up on your 1025R. You're right about this green equipment always seems to come with hefty price tag - but hey, its a John Deere! I do about 95% of all the yard and garden work, that includes planting, fertilizing, weeding, etc., - thanks for the comment. The only thing I don't do is mow the lawn. I travel frequently for business (at least I did up until 10 months ago!), if i were to miss a week, or even be a few days behind getting the lawn mowed it looks like a jungle, and then becomes twice the effort to edge, mow and clean-up, etc. Next spring I do have to thatch the lawn as well as aerate it. I have some annoying thin/dead spots that I have been trying to revitalize with adding top soil, and over seeding and over seeding - watering it daily, etc. and it still looks thin. Yes, some of it is shaded which does have an effect as well. In the mean time its about moving snow when it falls, splitting firewood, stacking it and keeping it dry, and of course enjoying some nice fires.

[@TrumpDesantis-zm3kg]

Do you like your gator? Have you done any trail riding with it and if so do you think it has enough suspension?

[@m3entertainment228]

I LOVE my Gator. My purpose/need for it is as a work horse - payload and towing capacity. I frequently loaded it up with about 1,000Lbs of logs/dirt/gravel and have towed a trailer filled with the equal amount of weight through the woods - and not on any trails. It simple pulls it with no issues. I am guessing your question on its suspension has to do with trial riding and at higher speeds - meaning suspension travel. My Gator is NOT a Baja Buggy - not what I bought it for or ever use it, it's max speed is between 20-25MPH, and i don't wear a helmet. It's wide stance and with its suspension give it a good ride stability at it's load and pulling capacity. There are Gator models available for the Trail Riding enthusiast if that is what you are interested in. I hope that helps - thanks for watching.

[@TrumpDesantis-zm3kg]

@@m3entertainment228 thank you for the thoughtful reply, much appreciated

[@victornaja7927]

how much do this go for . so is model just gator hpx??

[@m3entertainment228]

My Gator HPX is a 2005, Gas Engine, 4WD. New, in 2005 it was about $9,500 to $8,000. In 2005 JD also offered a 2WD version, as well as a Diesel Engine version, In 2008 when I bought this Gator used from John Deere dealer, I paid around $6,500. It had just 210 hours of run time. Today a used 2005 HPX Gator has a value of almost what I paid for mine in 2008 - $5,000 to $6,000. The 2023 roughly equivalent to this HPX Gator with Gas Engine, tilt bed, 4WD is now pushing about $10,000. If you want to go nuts, the top end JD Gator is around $35,000. This includes a Cab Enclosure that is both heated and has AC, a chill box to keep food & drinks along with a list of other amenities. I use mine to work, and I work it hard. Not interested in all this other options which to me are of little value. Thanks for watching - I hope this helps.

[@victornaja7927]

@@m3entertainment228 thank you very helpful, i must share. so i have a 1998 honda trx 300 4x4 beautiful quad. has a winch and a front plow. any way i can load my 4x8 trailer full of rounds of cut tree up hill and it really no hassle. i love it. so can you tell me please can you pull things with your gator if you wanted. i dont know the differences horse power between both yet. what im getting at is if maybe i should get a gator like yours instead of keeping my honda trx300. so i need to know if you gator can pull trailer with wood. to driveway not far distances,. thank you kindly.

[@m3entertainment228]

Sorry for the delay getting back to you - for some reason I wasn't given a notification! Pulling/Towing capacity for my Gator is about 1,500lbs, with a 1,000Lbs carrying capacity. I have a dump trailer equal to the size of my Gator's cargo bed. I have no issues loading both up to full capacity (and maybe a little over) then pulling it out of the woods, and the majority of time I am not on a trail. Never been stuck, or jammed - she just pulls! Sometimes I am as much as a half a mile in the woods pulling logs out. This Gator is rated at 25HP. I also have a Hi/Low Transmission selection. I am in Low when doing this pulling. I hope this answered your questions. Thanks for watching!

[@yolala100]

You're exactly like me, always make sure your machines are clean and well taking care of, Bravo

[@m3entertainment228]

Thank you! Sorry for the delay in responding. I am a firm believer machines/equipment have a little known device called a "Critical Need Detector!" It goes off when you need the equipment the most and nothing works. To avoid this detector from activating, is to wash, clean, maintain, service your equipment as needed, or even early. The machine will know this, and when needed the most be there for you. Why do we call machines "she" and "her" . . . . . boy, do they get pissed off if not enough attention is paid to them . . . . !!