John Deere Gator™ XUV Models Recognized with 2018 AE50 Award

Dec 07, 2017

The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) recognizes the Gator XUV835 and Gator XUV865 from John Deere with the AE50 Award for 2018. The AE50 award highlights the year’s most innovative designs in product engineering in the food and agriculture industry, as chosen by a panel of international engineering experts.

Introduced in 2017, the new utility vehicles are designed for customers who need all-day comfort with off-road terrain capability in all seasons. The gas-powered Gator XUV835 and diesel-powered Gator XUV865 offer a quiet cab, three-wide seating, and exceptional heating and air conditioning to maximize productivity and comfort.

According to Tim Ulschmid, project engineer for Gator Utility vehicles, the XUV835 and XUV865 combine versatility, durability and comfort into a machine that can increase productivity in all weather conditions.

“When designing the new Gator utility vehicles, customer comfort was top of mind,” Ulschmid explains. “The XUV835 and XUV865 provide ample room for three-across seating and offer our quietest and most comfortable cab with heating and cooling for year-round weather protection.”

Source : John Deere

Video: Winter Service Inspections for John Deere Equipment - The FarmCast Ep64

The FarmCast, host Troy Randall speaks with Doug Luedke, Vice President of Service, and Davin Peterson, Executive Vice President of Aftermarket at 21st Century Equipment, to discuss the importance of proactive service and how it helps farmers reduce downtime during their busiest seasons. The conversation focuses on the Winter Service Inspection Program, a comprehensive approach designed to keep equipment running at peak performance and limit costly in-season breakdowns through preventative maintenance and expert technician support.

Doug and Devin explain how 21st Century Equipment’s service teams have evolved to meet the needs of today’s connected machines. With more technology and data integrated into modern equipment, technicians now play a vital role in both mechanical repairs and precision ag support. Through advanced diagnostics, machine monitoring, and John Deere’s Expert Alerts, they can identify and address potential issues before they become major problems—saving customers valuable time, money, and frustration.

Throughout the discussion, the team shares real-world success stories demonstrating how proactive inspections and customer-focused service help maximize uptime and efficiency for every operation. Whether it’s a large tractor, combine, or small mower, the goal remains the same: to provide trusted, reliable support that helps farmers and landowners stay productive and confident in their equipment year-round.