New UTV

[timswi]

If you need speed and heavy duty mudding performance get the Polaris. If you just neeed a really good Utility Vehicle for Work and basic transportation then the Kubota RTV 500 is great. I use mine for pulling a drag harrow to stepping in the bed to trim tall bushes. Its a great $10000 wheell barrow.

$10,000 wheelbarrow?...Oye!!!

 

[farmboy12]

I didn't know the price of the new little Rangers. I knew the 500 was certainly more than $7K when I was looking. I'm surprised if they can sell an electric at that price -- if they can.

The 400 is $8k. The EV (electric) is $10,700. The 500 is $9,800.


Kyle

 

[WV Tractorman]

I bought a Deere Gator HPX diesel model in 2006 . Have not gotten it stuck yet. Other than oil changes and the like no repairs ! Wish I had waited for the newer model though , higher ground clearance. Would highly recommend going GREEN !

 

[Blitz51]

Just got the Kubota 500 after looking for a machine to cruise around the farm/trails on and still be able to have a little fun now and then. I almost went with the 610 Mule, but the EFI and Trans were to great to pass up.

Took it out last night for the first time and was on some steep hills that required 4x4 with the mud....Worked as advertised without issue. I think you have to get into some hard stuff to really need to shift into 4x4 as I could go anywhere the ATVs could go.

PS- Smaller size allows for places the gator can't go.

PSS- Thanks to all the feedback on this board...I used the advice to make my decision.

 

[whistlepig]

They hain't legal here.

They don't care out here. Preble County, OH only has one sheriff. Farm kids out here that have been raised right. No trouble out here. If we have our ATV on the road we have a darn good reason for doing so. The sheriff knows that.

 

[project_X]

My vote is for a Japanese Mini truck, a third the price of one of the other well equipped UTVs. Heat, air conditioning, 60mph,........


here is mine:

 

[KentT]

My vote is for a Japanese Mini truck, a third the price of one of the other well equipped UTVs. Heat, air conditioning, 60mph,........


here is mine:

Having looked at them pretty closedy, IMO, the Kei truck is only a good choice if:

1. Work is your primary purpose, and trail riding is not something that really interests you -- i.e. pure utility.

2. You're not dealing with mountainous or steep terrain -- when you modify them to get the ground clearance and needed off-road tires, you also raise the center of gravity a LOT.

3. Parts availability isn't a concern, since they're all "grey market"

IMO, the Kei truck is only really competing with the Kubota RTV, JD Gator and perhaps the Kawasaki Mule. They simply do NOT compete with the off-road capability of the Yamaha Rhino, Kawasaki Teryx, Polaris Ranger or Arctic Cat Prowler. Those are the true "sport utes" in this market, if recreational trail riding is one of your intended uses...

 

[Milo]

I am shopping for a UTV. Mostly to haul firewood, Secondarily for cleanup around the house, Thirdly, run some trails for fun w/the grandkids....

Jeff I can't comment on the Bushhog or Cub. The small Mule 610 was mentioned which I'll add to FWIW.
I've had mine for over two years now and I use it about like you say you indend to. In fact I hardly even use my ATV's any more. I like that it'll fit on almost any ATV trail. It's had no malfunctions, which I kind of expected from a Kawasaki, and there's not even a squeak or rattle. It's easy to work on, I change the oil and did the initial 50 hour service myself. The belt size (width) is the same as on the bigger Mules and it's sealed from water and dirt yet is air cooled with a filter. Also air cooled is the engine so there's no coolant to change every few years. It has a high-low range, selectable 2-4 wheel drive, a limited slip front differential, and a selectable locking rear axle. It steers easily w/o needing power steering.
I was with a friend who was looking at small tractors. They also had Husqvarna UTV's there which I was just looking at. The mechanic came out and asked if I had any questions about them. I said no, I was just looking and actually had a small Mule. He said "you made a good choice, keep your Mule".

 

[JeffandTamara]

Well I Started the Thread back in 06, now it is 2010, and I still havn't made the purchase. BUT, Perhaps Tomorrow or Saturday.

What I have homed in on.

For less than $8,000.
Kawasaki Mule 610XC
Cub Cadet Volunteer 624.

Both are air cooled, I like the simplicity and lower maintenance. Performance and ground clearance not that much different.

I think it is gonna be the Cub. I think the money is gonna be real close on either one.
I Think I need the Extra Haul & tow capacity of the Cub, I like the cast iron rear axle setup...Not as refined as the Mule, but looks over engineered.
I like the 4 wheel disk brakes on the cub vs drum brakes on the Mule.
I would have preferred the bench seats like the Mule, but usually not a big deal, Cub Dealer is 3.5 miles away and has a pretty good shop service going. 2-Yr warranty....
I couldn't find anything definitive about the horsepower on the Mule, I think about 13 or 14, and I was concerned that might be a bit low. Although the Kaw. Dealer says you'll run out of traction way before you run out of power in low range.... From that perspective, the Mule might be better on fuel, which would add up in the

My concerns: During a test drive, I found the Cub kind of hard to smoothly start moving. Kind of jumpy. That could be a problem trying to hook up a trailer or getting into or out of a tight spot. My hope is I will get used to it,and/or the belt will break in a little. Anybody got any insight into this??? I didn't like the Parking break / starting permissive set up on the cub, but I am hoping there might be a solution to that there as well, or I just get used to it.

The cub is just not as a refined machine. IMO, it just don't look as slick, But rule 1 in engineering school, Form follows Function.....

ANYBODY out there got any good reason's I shouldn't go with the Cub, or something I have missed or should consider.... This is a lot of money, at least for me, so if there is something I'm missing I sure would appreciate your thoughts.... Thanks...Jeff

 

[DIXIEDOG]

Have you looked at the Kubota RTV at all? The 500 is a very heavily built unit and smooth starting and stopping is very easy with the hydro tranny....if you're looking for tough they are tough for sure. They also have the bench seats you mentioned that you prefer.

Just throwing it out there, RTV's aren't speed demons but when it comes to work they do it very well and the price is inline with what you are looking at.:thumbsup: