Peg Perego John Deere Gator HPX Review
A perfect riding vehicle for little workers, the Peg Perego John Deere Gator Hpx is a 2-seater, all-terrain, 12-volt motorized utility vehicle that comes with a working dump bed with tailgate and high traction knobby wheels which provides a fun and realistic driving experience for kids.
It is great outdoor ride-on toy (well, you can use it indoors provided you have plenty of space) that the kids will surely love.
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The Gator Hpx is recommended for kids age 3 to 8 years old, although some as young as 2 years old have been reported to ride on the gator hpx with no problems.
Weight Capacity: 130 lbs total for both riders is the maximum capacity recommended by the manufacturer
Features:
- Extra-Large dump bed with tailgate
- 2 speeds plus reverse (2¼ or 4½ mph) with 2nd gear lockout for beginners
- SmartPedal accelerator (run, coast and automatic brakes – increases riding time by 27%)
- Adjustable seat for growing kids
- Knobby tread wheels provide traction on various kinds of terrain – be it grass, gravel, dirt or pavement
Warranty:
Comes with a 1 year limited warranty which can be extended for another year with consumer participation
How to assemble the John Deere Gator Hpx?
As with all Peg Perego ride-on toys for kids and battery powered vehicles, the whole package comes complete with rechargeable battery and charger. The enclosed drive mechanism and wiring is fully assembled already while the accessory components can easily be assembled.
A word of caution though, when you purchase Peg Perego John Deere Gator HPX, the instruction manual that comes with it is filled with pictures but with very limited words.
Although they’re visually appealing, many buyers find it hard to comprehend what those images mean making it a pain to figure things out yourself. It’s a good thing that Peg Perego has great after-sales customer service, so a quick phone call will definitely help in getting that thing up and running.
Making the most out of your Peg Perego John Deere Gator Hpx Batteries
During the initial battery charging, it is recommended to fully charge the battery before use. Try not to discharge the battery completely as it may damage it and lead to battery recharging problems. Doing these 2 techniques alone will help you avoid battery problems that many users complain about the John Deere Gator Hpx. When the power is low, charge it immediately. This can be tough especially when your kids still want to play. It may be a good idea to have a spare 12-volt battery to keep the fun going.
When it comes to accessing the batteries, I’ve heard a lot of complaints from disgruntled parents that the batteries are hard to access which can be very frustrating. But let’s think of it this way, if the batteries were easy to access, then it will be accessible to a child which is what the manufacturer is trying to avoid. Batteries contain hazardous chemicals and are dangerous in the hands of an unknowing kid.
Technique for easy removal/access to the battery:
Remove the screw that holds the battery compartment out with a screwdriver, then unclamp the 2 strong plastic clips that hold the compartment shut. Slide out the steel metal retention bar which holds the battery in place when moving and then plug it into the outlet. Before putting the battery back into the compartment, be sure to route the wiring on top of the battery unit for a smooth flow. Slide the metal bar in, shut the cover and it’s good to go.
User Reviews:
“We just got this put together for spring and the kids LOVE it! They played on it nonstop for 2 hours and 15 mins before the battery died. This is the absolute hands down best ride-on I’ve bought for them – ever. Let’s break it down:
Pros:
- Powerful 12v 2-speed – moves (2) 50-pound children on even ground through grass, rocks and even in rough terrain
- Two-seater, carries two children seated in front comfortably given the total weight is less than 130 pounds (that’s the manufacturer recommendation but we had 160 lbs of kids riding this thing for 2 hours and 15 mins before the battery died)
- Included dump bed w/ tailgate carries rocks, toys, and sometimes another child (warning: the child may fall out!)
- Braking – the vehicle locks/brakes the tires when the accelerator is fully released
- Traction – This thing climbs over rocks, grass, dirt, pretty much anything reasonable for a child’s toy. Spun out occasionally with only one kid in it but that wasn’t a problem because once one played with it they all joined in.
- Highly responsive Customer Support
- looks really tough for a child’s toy
Cons:
- No horns or rear lights (though you can easily buy one and attach them)
- No Seat belts – not an absolute necessity since our 2-year old can hang on just fine but older models had them
- Flimsy in some areas, dump bed tail-gate has weak support (although there’s a metal bar running along the top of the bed which supports it) and the vehicle floor could be stronger
- Horrible Instructions – only pictures of screws and general parts of the toy are included in the manual
- Battery compartment – very hard to access making it difficult to pull the battery out”
Note: This is summarized review. To read more reviews, click here
Here’s a video of the John Deere Gator Hpx in action: