Should I jump or step back?

[smstonypoint]

My point is, if you buy the Kabota or another UTV, you will use it rather than your tractor with FEL. It can't do as much as a tractor but it is so maneuverable and comfortable. And [U]fun[/U]!

[/QUOTE]

Agreed!!!

BTW, nice looking Gator.

Steve

 

[nickel plate]

My Kubota dealer has offered to bring out a RTV for evaluation - my choice and I can keep it for a few days. I'll accept, just need to pick a model. What would you choose?QUOTE]
The closer the dealer can move that unit toward you, the more likely you will be hooked. Salesmanship 101.

 

[scoutcub]

My Kubota dealer has offered to bring out a RTV for evaluation - my choice and I can keep it for a few days. I'll accept, just need to pick a model. What would you choose?QUOTE]
The closer the dealer can move that unit toward you, the more likely you will be hooked. Salesmanship 101.

I was thinking the exact same thing....

 

[sbakf]

I was thinking the exact same thing....

Of course - but not sure many dealers would even offer such. I'm leaning toward a Kubota, but will take time this week to eval the other brands (e.g., Polaris, John Deere, Kawasaki ...).

Today was cold and windy - perfect cab weather. Next few days, lows are mid 20's, highs peak at mid 40's, winds 10-25 mph. As said already, to do most ground work, you've got to get out of it. Getting there would be a bit more pleasant, though. It ain't like I'm living in Grand Forks, ND (did once). Was in the 60's here yesterday - great day for working outside. Dropped some trees and cut a bunch of overgrown Privet. Cleared and stacked it today with some grapple work.

Getting off subject - Kubota RTV's seem more costly, but are they really? I need to make sure I'm comparing apples to apples. Not only with respect to costs for options (add-ons vs standard equipment), but also paying attention to warranties and expected service life (e.g., engines and transmissions). From what I've been able to read so far, Polaris and Kawasaki UTV's rate pretty high. They appear a bit less costly than the Kubota, but that 60 month/0% financing thru Kubota is inviting. I'll need to do some number crunching before I'll know the real costs for each.

 

[PoorMansCat]

Never owned a Polaris UTV... but I have owned many Polaris ATVs... The only issues I ever had were of the "self inflicted" variety. And trust me when I say I abused every one of them.
I would definitely look at the Polaris, Kawasaki, Arctic Cat, and I believe Cub Cadet makes one also...
All of these can be had with stereos, auxillary lighting, cabs, (not sure about HVAC)
As for the winch, a 3K winch won't remove a well stuck ATV... even with a snatch block and proper use... Look for the highest capacity winch you can find... This is an area where there is no such thing as too big.. Look at RULE, Superwinch, Warn, etc... Just make sure its got a roller fairlead and weatherproof controls.
As for mud, not sure about the other manufacturers, but I understand the Polaris AWD system and its a true "all 4 wheels pawing the ground" 4x4.. not just one front pulling like some different systems.
Not trying to lead you to Polaris, its just the ones I am most familiar with.
At one time, the Cub Cadets could be bought with a small Caterpillar diesel engine. Just take the time to fully investigate all your options so you don't end up with buyers remorse.

 

[timswi]

Of course - but not sure many dealers would even offer such. I'm leaning toward a Kubota, but will take time this week to eval the other brands (e.g., Polaris, John Deere, Kawasaki ...).

Today was cold and windy - perfect cab weather. Next few days, lows are mid 20's, highs peak at mid 40's, winds 10-25 mph. As said already, to do most ground work, you've got to get out of it. Getting there would be a bit more pleasant, though. It ain't like I'm living in Grand Forks, ND (did once). Was in the 60's here yesterday - great day for working outside. Dropped some trees and cut a bunch of overgrown Privet. Cleared and stacked it today with some grapple work.

Getting off subject - Kubota RTV's seem more costly, but are they really? I need to make sure I'm comparing apples to apples. Not only with respect to costs for options (add-ons vs standard equipment), but also paying attention to warranties and expected service life (e.g., engines and transmissions). From what I've been able to read so far, Polaris and Kawasaki UTV's rate pretty high. They appear a bit less costly than the Kubota, but that 60 month/0% financing thru Kubota is inviting. I'll need to do some number crunching before I'll know the real costs for each.

This time of year is when I really appreciate the cab and HVAC.

 

[gwjd]

cheek out bobcat there utvs are rock solid we have 2 at work and we also have a tractor and skid steer its a city park about 50 acres we use the bobcats all day every day they will haul any thing you can put in them with in reason they diesel motors are reliable and easy on fuel we fill them up bout once a week wish ours had a winch ..... lots of power drug a 20 foot long tree that was 1 foot at the base up hill ..... dint really know it was back there .... we did bend the tail gate so cant advice that again the bobcats are a bit tippy though

if you got hills 4x6 gator will stay rock solid on any hill imaginable

and that price is a lot for a chian saw mover and these things are tanks you will want to drive it threw the woods at some point not sure the kabotas cab and body work are up for that

for general property task with 3 tractors all ready a work related utv with power bed and a winch will suffice

also new holand and huskavarna are the same looking parts might be a 3rd party turning out all these brands ?

o and about the AC in the cab the breeze has always been ok to keep me cool

 

[beretta96man]

Of course - but not sure many dealers would even offer such. I'm leaning toward a Kubota, but will take time this week to eval the other brands (e.g., Polaris, John Deere, Kawasaki ...).

Today was cold and windy - perfect cab weather. Next few days, lows are mid 20's, highs peak at mid 40's, winds 10-25 mph. As said already, to do most ground work, you've got to get out of it. Getting there would be a bit more pleasant, though. It ain't like I'm living in Grand Forks, ND (did once). Was in the 60's here yesterday - great day for working outside. Dropped some trees and cut a bunch of overgrown Privet. Cleared and stacked it today with some grapple work.

Getting off subject - Kubota RTV's seem more costly, but are they really? I need to make sure I'm comparing apples to apples. Not only with respect to costs for options (add-ons vs standard equipment), but also paying attention to warranties and expected service life (e.g., engines and transmissions). From what I've been able to read so far, Polaris and Kawasaki UTV's rate pretty high. They appear a bit less costly than the Kubota, but that 60 month/0% financing thru Kubota is inviting. I'll need to do some number crunching before I'll know the real costs for each.

I looked at all of them this fall and ordered the rtv 500 last week. Mostly because it seemed to be built tougher and I like my equipment dealer better than the "power sports" dealers around here. I'll have it by next week and review it for sure. I was close to buying the 610 mule because of the cost but I liked the hydro and PS on the rtv and felt it was a good value for what I was getting. It was hard for me to compare any of them to the kubota because of the drive train. I don't have it yet and I already hate the lack of storage but have plans to make some. The 0/60 was hard to pass up too:drool:

 

[timswi]

I looked at all of them this fall and ordered the rtv 500 last week. Mostly because it seemed to be built tougher and I like my equipment dealer better than the "power sports" dealers around here. I'll have it by next week and review it for sure. I was close to buying the 610 mule because of the cost but I liked the hydro and PS on the rtv and felt it was a good value for what I was getting. It was hard for me to compare any of them to the kubota because of the drive train. I don't have it yet and I already hate the lack of storage but have plans to make some. The 0/60 was hard to pass up too:drool:

The 500 is a nice machine....Not a speedster but a real work machine.

I liked mine alot. I kinda like having heat,A/C and a power angle now though.

The upside to the 500 is that you can go wherever the quad's go...I can't do that all the time anymore.

 

[scoutcub]

Never owned a Polaris UTV... but I have owned many Polaris ATVs... The only issues I ever had were of the "self inflicted" variety. And trust me when I say I abused every one of them.
I would definitely look at the Polaris, Kawasaki, Arctic Cat, and I believe Cub Cadet makes one also...
All of these can be had with stereos, auxillary lighting, cabs, (not sure about HVAC)
As for the winch, a 3K winch won't remove a well stuck ATV... even with a snatch block and proper use... Look for the highest capacity winch you can find... This is an area where there is no such thing as too big.. Look at RULE, Superwinch, Warn, etc... Just make sure its got a roller fairlead and weatherproof controls.
As for mud, not sure about the other manufacturers, but I understand the Polaris AWD system and its a true "all 4 wheels pawing the ground" 4x4.. not just one front pulling like some different systems.
Not trying to lead you to Polaris, its just the ones I am most familiar with.
At one time, the Cub Cadets could be bought with a small Caterpillar diesel engine. Just take the time to fully investigate all your options so you don't end up with buyers remorse.

Just FYI on the Cubs, they did offer a Caterpillar diesel for a few years, I drove one it was pretty nice. I have a 20 HP gas model that has been lots of fun, unfortunately it spends most of it's time in storage till I can build a pole barn and roam around the property with it. The newer ones have the Yanmar diesels and look pretty nice. I'm no authority at all on the utv's so no idea what they have/don't have.
I ended up with mine only because of a dealer that I know made me a deal I couldn't refuse.....:thumbsup:
I was under the impression the new machines run around 8-10K new, that's why the 18K got my attention!
I've got a soft cab kit, electric dump bed, actually can't wait to get to use it somewhere down the road....
Good luck testing/shopping!