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.)