Howdy all,
I currently have an early 1990 Cushman diesel TurfTruckster to haul things around the yard and down to the beach, and two old Jeep Wranglers that sit for 9 mos out of the year to only be used for to plow my driveway and a couple neighbors driveways (I live on Long Island, NY, last year we had one 4" snow, we get something like 25" of snow each year on average). I am looking to sell all three and buy one 4X4 utility vehicle.
Here is an approx breakdown of usage time over a year:
Plowing: 15%
Hauling logs, loads of woodchips: 15%
Towing 20' boat/trailers slowly across yard in low gear: 5%
Driving to neighbors houses and beach with little to no cargo: 65%
I test drove a Kubota RTV900 yesterday, it is quite the machine, and unlike others I read about has a hydraulic drive and power steering. I am kind of on the fence about hydro versus belt drive, the belt drive seems simpler, as the unit will not see too many hours. One drawback I read about was the always locked rear axle, which may not be so good on grass and pavement, which is the terrain I will be on most of the time.
The Kawi Mule 4010 diesel is another option with utility in mind.
For utility/fun the Yamaha Rhino comes to mind. I am usually all for diesel (nearly everything I own is diesel powered), but for short trips a gasser could be fine, even better for start and go, especially in cold weather.
I currently have an early 1990 Cushman diesel TurfTruckster to haul things around the yard and down to the beach, and two old Jeep Wranglers that sit for 9 mos out of the year to only be used for to plow my driveway and a couple neighbors driveways (I live on Long Island, NY, last year we had one 4" snow, we get something like 25" of snow each year on average). I am looking to sell all three and buy one 4X4 utility vehicle.
Here is an approx breakdown of usage time over a year:
Plowing: 15%
Hauling logs, loads of woodchips: 15%
Towing 20' boat/trailers slowly across yard in low gear: 5%
Driving to neighbors houses and beach with little to no cargo: 65%
I test drove a Kubota RTV900 yesterday, it is quite the machine, and unlike others I read about has a hydraulic drive and power steering. I am kind of on the fence about hydro versus belt drive, the belt drive seems simpler, as the unit will not see too many hours. One drawback I read about was the always locked rear axle, which may not be so good on grass and pavement, which is the terrain I will be on most of the time.
The Kawi Mule 4010 diesel is another option with utility in mind.
For utility/fun the Yamaha Rhino comes to mind. I am usually all for diesel (nearly everything I own is diesel powered), but for short trips a gasser could be fine, even better for start and go, especially in cold weather.