DIY: Adjusting Your John Deere Gator Shocks

February 27, 2019

Since John Deere's Gator debuted they have tackled a wide variety of tasks. The Gator has evolved into a crossover utility vehicle that could handle off-roading tasks as well, making it a must-have for those who needed a versatile machine that could do it all. An important part of this utility vehicle's success is the Gator shocks.

Today, there is a wide variety of Gators to choose from - each comes with several different features to make everything from farming to off-roading tasks a breeze. That being said, they still need to be maintained to ensure that they're working for years to come. Let's take a look at some equipment maintenance tips - specifically with regards to the shocks - that you might want to consider for your own Gator to keep it in working order.

Adjusting the Shocks

Adjusting the shocks of your Gator utility vehicle can ensure that you have a smooth ride every time, regardless of the terrain. Here are the key steps you need to take to adjust your main shocks and practice effective equipment maintenance.

• Before beginning, make sure you recognize the safety information and understand the signal words. Follow all instructions accordingly as you adjust your shocks.
• If you're hauling a heavy load, both the front and rear shocks may need adjustment.
• To begin, park the machine safely, then block the tires that won't be lifted off the ground.
• Raise the machine with a safe lifting machine, such as a jack, then lower the machine onto jack stands or other forms of stable support.
• To adjust the shocks, you need the spanner wrench that is included with your Gator.
• Using the spanner wrench, engage the detent feature between the shock and the collar.
• Rotate the collar on the shock to your desired preload condition.
• To ensure your safety and an optimal ride, be sure that both the front preload collars are set to the same position. Also, check to ensure that both rear preload collars are set to the same position. You can do this by counting the clicks from one extreme to another.

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