  In this paper, we study the experimental signatures of a gluophilic $Z'$ at
the LHC, in particular through the analysis of three jets or four tops events.
The $Z'$ couples to gluons through dimension six operators and the parameter
space is constrained with experimental searches released at 7 and 8
$\mathrm{TeV}$ by CMS along these two different channels. Existing constraints
coming from the study of dark matter where the $Z'$ represents a possible
mediator between the latter and the Standard Model are also included for
comparison. Prospects at $\sqrt s=13$ TeV allow us to evaluate for which values
of the parameter space a gluophilic $Z'$ could be discovered during the next
run of the LHC. In particular, we show that the analysis of the three jets
invariant mass could provide a clear signal ($>5\sigma$) for masses of the $Z'$
above 300 $\mathrm{GeV}$. Four tops events bring in addition further discovery
potential for heavy $Z'$ (above $\sim 2~\mathrm{TeV}$). A combination of both
signals in four top channels and three jets analyses during the next run of the
LHC could thus provide a clear signal of the presence of a heavy gluophilic
$Z'$.
