Recommendations?

[ShadowCaver]

First, thanks to BrianW for his thread, some good points there... however, just to get some more direct thoughts pertaining closer to what my FIL is looking for:

A new UTV, comparing the following - does anyone have additional recommendations, etc. on what they've used or read about these, pros / cons, esp. for his use (see below):

Kawasaki Mule 3010 $10,000
Kubota RTV 900 $12,000
John Deere Gator XUV 825I $11,000

Also, recommend diesel or gas?

He is a farmer in upper Ozarks of Missouri, slight rolling terrain, has ~300 acre farm, some woods (trails are wide, bush-hog wide), running cattle and some crops, burns wood, hauling cattle feed, fixing fence, etc.,,, so use this device instead of a pick-up. So, this will be a working tool, not necessarily for play, exploring, hunting, etc. [until I'm there to borrow it! ]

Thanks!

 

[sweettractors]

My Aunt is in her eighties and she keeps up with the farming operation on here John Deere Gator 4 wheel drive with Fully Enclosed Cab, Heater and Air Conditioner. It is a Diesel. I have no idea what she paid for it last year. She keeps it parked at the back door of her house. Without it, she would be virtually house bound. Ken Sweet

 

[timswi]

My Aunt is in her eighties and she keeps up with the farming operation on here John Deere Gator 4 wheel drive with Fully Enclosed Cab, Heater and Air Conditioner. It is a Diesel. I have no idea what she paid for it last year. She keeps it parked at the back door of her house. Without it, she would be virtually house bound. Ken Sweet

Now that right there is a COOL Aunt!!!!!

 

[sweettractors]

Now that right there is a COOL Aunt!!!!!

They have a family farm operation of about 3000 acres of beans and corn and with the Gator and the cell phone she keeps in contact with them closely in planting and harvesting seasons. She still makes dinner, supper for the workers. Ken Sweet

 

[2fast2]

I would suggest the Gator for this farmer, but the diesel version might be more to his liking. The 825 is the new, faster, gasoline model, but the 855 is the current diesel version. He might also consider a traded in XUV 850d if any are available, as it would foot his bill well and I'm guessing some will be traded for people to "upgrade" to the new, faster model. The 850d goes 30 mph and that is probably plenty fast for the farmer who would rather use it for the work it was designed to do.

 

[jcmseven]

I have had an 850d and recently ordered an 825i, though I do not have it yet. I have bought my dad an 825i in the olive green color and have had some limited seat time on it. I have never owned either the Mule or the RTV900 but my parents' neighbors have them, so I have had some limited seat time on them as well. My opinion is that for general running around and mixed activity the Gator is tough to beat. The Mule and RTV are solid work machines; the RTV slightly more so due to its higher weight. They have very limited suspension travel, though, and do not have true four wheel drive with open fronts on both. The 850d is a solid and very powerful machine. It will go every bit of 30 and has true four wheel drive--unusual in the diesel class until Polaris came out with its new diesel, but is heavy enough that it cannot maintain that speed going up steep grades. It has a lot of lower end torque and is very easy on fuel. They are noisy, particularly at idle, and become less so when moving. They will never be as smooth as gas. I know many farmers keep fuel on their property, so the diesel is a popular option for this reason and would serve the situation mentioned well. When the 850d came out with the 620i gas version, there was a tremendous difference in power making the 850 a great choice for those doing heavy work. The 825i is much more powerful than the diesel now, and with reasonable economy and a true automotive style engine, it may close the durability gap as well. I liked the new gator enough that I sold my Ranger to get one. Personally, with money as no object, the new gas Gator would be my choice, but I feel the diesel would offer acceptable performance and satisfaction in this case.

John M

 

[nickel plate]

First, thanks to BrianW for his thread, some good points there... however, just to get some more direct thoughts pertaining closer to what my FIL is looking for:

A new UTV, comparing the following - does anyone have additional recommendations, etc. on what they've used or read about these, pros / cons, esp. for his use (see below):

Kawasaki Mule 3010 $10,000
Kubota RTV 900 $12,000
John Deere Gator XUV 825I $11,000

Also, recommend diesel or gas?

He is a farmer in upper Ozarks of Missouri, slight rolling terrain, has ~300 acre farm, some woods (trails are wide, bush-hog wide), running cattle and some crops, burns wood, hauling cattle feed, fixing fence, etc.,,, so use this device instead of a pick-up. So, this will be a working tool, not necessarily for play, exploring, hunting, etc. [until I'm there to borrow it! ]

Thanks!

Your figure of $10,000.00 for an extinct Mule 3010 is way out of line. I bought my 2008 3010 Mule diesel one year old with eighteen or so demo hours but sold as new with the warranty in tact for $9000.00. Go with the Mule but for less money-they are bullet proof-and if it is a 2008 model, you get power assisted steering!

 

[tallur4me]

I looked at all the utv's and bought a rtv 900 diesel. I too farm in the ozarks. Horses and goats. The 900 is one tough machine with power and enouogh speed. Mine will do almost 30 mph down the highway and that's fast enough for me. You can pull, haul, stretch fence, and a lot of farm jobs. The only downside that I've found is that the diesel is a little noiser than our gas JD gator. The real hydraulic bed lift is a plus. It is strong and fast. In addidtion the machine has the rear hydraulic quick attach.

J D

 

[ShadowCaver]

Thanks for the replies so far... will pass on the info to him. BTW, the prices were rounded-off values based on what I was given - I've not done any research on that part of the equation, it was just for reference. So far, 4 votes for Gator, 1 each for the Mule and the Kubota - kinda surprised, as would think the Kubota would have more favorable outcome, given its reputation for solid ruggedness,,, and JD's rep for high prices for replacement parts?

Would the 4010 be a better comparison then against the Kubota and JD models he was looking at?

Again, thanks.

 

[2fast2]

I haven't been "impressed" that JD's parts are exceptionally high, but I do feel their quality is. I can't comment regarding our XUV since it has needed NO parts. Thats my favorite price (zero.)

 

[kude]

I haven't been "impressed" that JD's parts are exceptionally high, but I do feel their quality is. I can't comment regarding our XUV since it has needed NO parts. Thats my favorite price (zero.)

I have a 2005 HPX with a straight blade snow plow. I burned out the CIM electric motor on the snow plow power unit. Deere said the power unit was $900. I said all I need is the 3 inch diameter electric motor. They said electric motor not available separately. I spent a lot of time trying to find a replacement on the Internet, then I found boat trim motors that match the electrric motor on the power unit. I found an electric motor that works for about $70. Bought two. That's the only problem I have had with the Gator in 5 years.

 

[Rottresq]

Don't overlook the Bob-Cat 4X4 with Intellitrac tool attachment. They are tough and work all day. Have a 2006 in my barn and could not do anything on my acres here in CO without it. The major difference between all other UT and Bob-Cat, the hydraulicy operated front end tools. I have the bucket/snow plow/and pallet forks. Use the bucket most, plow second. The one complaint about Bob-Cat UT, the price. New with all my tools, skid plates, top, tool box, bed liner, $18k. I gritted my teeth and wrote the check, and am very glad I did. Try the INTERNET for a used one, occasionally one pops up. They are diesel, top speed 25 and made to work, but you can play too. I noticed an adverstisement for them flashing at the top of this forum.

 

[old8nguy]

I have a 3010 and work it daily. Good tough machine. The one drawback is legroom. I'm 45 and have arthritis and it is hard to get in and out of and there's not much legroom. If thats not a problem for your fil, I would say they are a good working rig.

I'm not sure whether or not the redesigned 4010 addressed the legroom problem or not. Just a heads up and something worth thinking about.

 

[trailmaker]

I've used the two and four seat mules, both gasoline versions. Pros - very quiet and very durable. Cons - low ground clearance and primitive suspension.

My next UTV will probably be the 4010. The four seats and quiet engine will be good for touring the property with guests. When the rear seat is folded down it will be a good reliable work UTV with a large bed.

 

[zene55]

I bought a 4010 trans diesel about a year ago for 12k. I have worked it hard and only regret not getting the hardtop when I bought it. I suggest if you want to play buy a gas engine if you want to work buy a diesel.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

My Aunt is in her eighties and she keeps up with the farming operation on here John Deere Gator 4 wheel drive with Fully Enclosed Cab, Heater and Air Conditioner. It is a Diesel. I have no idea what she paid for it last year. She keeps it parked at the back door of her house. Without it, she would be virtually house bound. Ken Sweet

Is it an HPX? I did not know Deere made AC for their gators.

 

[sweettractors]

Is it an HPX? I did not know Deere made AC for their gators.

I do not know the model #. If Deere does not offer that as a option, I would imagine the dealer subbed that out for her? Ken Sweet

 

[jgrreed]

I'm considering a Deere XUV as well, but can't decide between the power and durability of the diesel 855D vs. the higher top speed of the gas version (825i, 44mph vs 32 mph for diesel).

I like the utility of the gator, but would like it to be a fun offroad vehicle too. I'd sure hate to be left behind by my friends.....

I sure like them all decked out in green and yellow!!!

Any thoughts??

-Jer.

 

[jcmseven]

There is no question you should go with the gas 825 over the diesel in this case. I have had both and have had probably the best true utility UTV for off-roading currently made, the Polaris 800 EPS LE (of course any of these would not compete v. a 400 pound bed capacity sport UV) but I am talking true UV. My Polaris would be a little faster in the woods and on trails than my Gator would be due mainly to its power steering, slightly smaller physical size and lighter weight. Not all Rangers have power steering, but mine did. The diesel Gator is a great work machine with a good deal of torque. It is heavy, but accelerates well. Unfortunately, it simply lacks the horsepower to keep up with either JD's own 825i or the Polaris in top speed, acceleration or off-road environments, though I found it to be a good off-roader, particularly in slow speed maneuvers. The 825 give one the best of both worlds. Though its gasoline engine likely would not last as long as the diesel in the 855, it is a true automotive style powerplant and is heavy and well-made. It has excellent torque and would likely last thousands of hours before needing replacement at which point the machine likely would have been sold or totaled already. This machine would give the Ranger a run for its money in almost every off road situation and is a much better work machine and pulling machine than the Ranger. The difference here is pretty noticeable, making it a better choice for plowing snow, pulling carts and trailers, hauling heavy loads, etc. My opinion is if you are looking at JD products and are interested in working the machine hard but keeping up with your buddies on the trail, the 825i is the way to go. In all honesty, and this coming from someone who likes diesels in these machines, I would not go diesel at all in this choice unless one has a dedicated fuel supply on a farm or something that would make diesel more convenient to own for that reason. Does this help??

John M

 

[jgrreed]

There is no question you should go with the gas 825 over the diesel in this case. I have had both and have had probably the best true utility UTV for off-roading currently made, the Polaris 800 EPS LE (of course any of these would not compete v. a 400 pound bed capacity sport UV) but I am talking true UV. My Polaris would be a little faster in the woods and on trails than my Gator would be due mainly to its power steering, slightly smaller physical size and lighter weight. Not all Rangers have power steering, but mine did. The diesel Gator is a great work machine with a good deal of torque. It is heavy, but accelerates well. Unfortunately, it simply lacks the horsepower to keep up with either JD's own 825i or the Polaris in top speed, acceleration or off-road environments, though I found it to be a good off-roader, particularly in slow speed maneuvers. The 825 give one the best of both worlds. Though its gasoline engine likely would not last as long as the diesel in the 855, it is a true automotive style powerplant and is heavy and well-made. It has excellent torque and would likely last thousands of hours before needing replacement at which point the machine likely would have been sold or totaled already. This machine would give the Ranger a run for its money in almost every off road situation and is a much better work machine and pulling machine than the Ranger. The difference here is pretty noticeable, making it a better choice for plowing snow, pulling carts and trailers, hauling heavy loads, etc. My opinion is if you are looking at JD products and are interested in working the machine hard but keeping up with your buddies on the trail, the 825i is the way to go. In all honesty, and this coming from someone who likes diesels in these machines, I would not go diesel at all in this choice unless one has a dedicated fuel supply on a farm or something that would make diesel more convenient to own for that reason. Does this help??

John M

That helps a lot John, thanks for taking the time.

That is what I figured.... We do have a diesel tank on the acreage, but that still won't make up for the constant belittling by my buddies if I'm always the last to arrive!!!

-Jer.