ATV vs UTV for Vineyards

[LightheartCellars]

Looking for something a little faster than the BX2660 to do vineyard irritation/ fruit inspections and trellis maintenance, as well as help with harvest, when we'd need 4WD to haul bin trailers.

Have 6 vineyards in a 5 mile radius, so "slow ag vehicle" on road is a possibility, but more likely trailered between. All current vineyards are flat, but bid on a hillside and likely to get them later.

I'm 55, 5'10, 240lbs, wife a bit older, shorter and lighter.

Currently leaning towards the Deere XUV 625i for 1000lbs hauling (full pick bin of grapes) while towing 1500 lbs (trailer with another full pick bin).

UTV Alternatives are:
Kubota RTV 900XXT for Diesel and Hydro with Hydraulic opt
Club Car XRT1550

ATV alternatives are Honda Rancher/Foreman series

Anybody using these in similar terrain/work load?

 

[Robert_in_NY]

What are your row spacings? Type of trellis? Around here I am more worried about the width being able to fit down the row without damaging any vines or knocking fruit on the ground. I know the RTV1100 is tight in a 9' row of concords with a single top wire, the doors are nice for keeping it warm or cool in the cab but are a pain in a vineyard.

I definitely would look at the UTV and not an ATV as the ATV is too limited and not as comfortable or easy to get on and off of multiple times a day.

For me I have narrowed my choices down to an XUV, RTV or Ranger. I am leaning towards the RTV1100 just because it has more uses for me then just the vineyard and its something my daughter can drive without getting injured as easily. The Ranger is attractive because of its ride and speed for going between vineyards but flying down the road in 30 degree weater in an open station vehicle just isn't any fun. Since I will use the UTV mainly in the cooler weather I am really thinking the RTV1100 is my best option. I will check to see how hard it is to remove the door and if its a simple task I will just remove the door for when its in the way.

I have never used a UTV for harvesting so I would be concerned with the hillside farm you bid on. I could see having trouble stopping that load going down a hill.

 

[Clark3461]

We have a Farmers Market and plant 12 acres, including sweet corn, tomatoes and Pumpkins. We have a kubota 900 and 1100 and a Cushman 1600 (which is the same as the Kioti Mechron and BadBoy Buggie). We use the UTV's to Till, Plant and Harvest. And we use them to plow snow in the winter. When there is snow, that is.

I'm not going to push a specific make, But I would strongly recommend a machine with Hydraulics. A Diesel engine is a plus too.

Full Disclosure: I manufacture a 3-point hitch system for UTV's that uses Cat. 1 implements. You can check out how we use the UTVs on our website at 3-Point Hitch - Farmboy | UTV Hitchworks Maineville, Ohio.

If you have any questions you can email me at darren@utvhitchworks.com

 

[LightheartCellars]

We have a variety of spacings from 8-10', single or double wire moving to VSP, (estate is VSP at 6' but only 0.4 acres).

Its coming to full size or mid size UTV, conversations with the wife suggest that she's not interested in climbing on/off an ATV.

basically midsizes from $7-10k, fullsizes from $9 up

Concerned about reliability of CVT with belts when hauling, which gives points to the Kuboota's

 

[foreman Etexas]

I would go with the UTV.The UTV would just handle trailer so much better, the side by side seating(getting on and off),and the beds a big plus for hauling stuff in. I did go and look at them the other day the JD550 was really nice but havent road anything but my artic cat prowler and the in-laws polaris ranger.

 

[LightheartCellars]

We're converging on the Kubota RTV900XT for these reasons:

its a side by side, easy to get in / out and holds 2 people, allows one or more old folks to travel the vineyard and give G kid rides. When G kids start driving, its got ROPS, seat belts and isn't a big heavy "toy" like an ATV, with associated speed and roll risk.

Ease of driving for aforementioned, with simple shift into range, and press on foot "accelerator" to engage hydro flow, coupled with power steering.

Diesel for longevity and torque
Non belt transmission for durability and confident engine braking
Hauls a grape bin on the back, and tows another.

Down the road possible to add hydraulic Aux output and bed lift

Matches tractor brand so consistent dealer, and colors match for consistent appearance as "professional" organization

 

[prehm]

Sheldon, I support your basis and your decision. I purchased a 2011 RTV 900XT last July. I'm confident that you will be impressed. If I may provide a suggestion, if you believe the future would require the hydraulic bed lift, by all means get it with the original purchase, meaning to at least get the work site model. If you see the need for the extra hydraulics, purchase the utility version. By all means do not use the wroksite hydraulics for other tools. The hydraulic fluid will get hot enough to melt the plastic reservoir on the work site version. The utility comes with a separate alloy reservoir for the repetative tool usage.

Philip
angus cattle

 

[Robert_in_NY]

We're converging on the Kubota RTV900XT for these reasons:

its a side by side, easy to get in / out and holds 2 people, allows one or more old folks to travel the vineyard and give G kid rides. When G kids start driving, its got ROPS, seat belts and isn't a big heavy "toy" like an ATV, with associated speed and roll risk.

Ease of driving for aforementioned, with simple shift into range, and press on foot "accelerator" to engage hydro flow, coupled with power steering.

Diesel for longevity and torque
Non belt transmission for durability and confident engine braking
Hauls a grape bin on the back, and tows another.

Down the road possible to add hydraulic Aux output and bed lift

Matches tractor brand so consistent dealer, and colors match for consistent appearance as "professional" organization

Have you asked the dealer about being able to stop that rig with two bins of grapes on a hill? I don't know if they have an option to equip the trailer with brakes which would eliminate my concern if I was doing what your planning. Our vineyard farming is a little different, we use tractors for everything, the wineries that do pick by hand have trailers behind their tractors and load them up. We use utility vehicles for vineyard maintenance and scouting, things where we have to get in and out of the machine often and still have tools (fixing wires and such) easily available.

 

[LightheartCellars]

Appreciate the inputs above, was helpful.

Test drove the RTV900 yesterday at dealer (C & N Tractor, Watsonville) on some mud/pavement & hard dirt ruts.

Can see why at speed the solid rear axle will beat up passengers, but not going to be an issue for utility use. It took some getting used to not lifting off the "accelerator" (proportional hydrostatic valve) too quickly, as the de-exceleration was substantial due to engine braking through the hydrostatic and 3 cyl diesel. Didn't need to use the brakes, other than to de-pressure the transmission for ease of shifting. Having to shift ranges & 2-4WD while stopped won't be an issue, we're not using this at speed on trails, but mainly for running up and down rows in vineyards looking at irrigation, or slow speed strip spraying under the wire.

Very pleased with general performance, we decided to buy the Worksite model with the hydraulic bed lift, to allow ease of both harvest hauling and crush pad disposal of stems and pomace (we'll have about 12 tons this year to spread in our vineyard)


For harvest:
We have a 4x8' 2 wheel trailer that we can pull behind either tractor/RTV,
and with the RTV's bed height matching the pickup's we can skid a full macro pick bin (48x48x12") across when backed up tail to tail using UHMV plastic strips.

Since it's about 8 labor hrs/ton for a 4 man pick crew, that's about a pick bin an hour, with pickers working both sides of two rows, with the bin in the middle, then drop the trailer for them to work into while cycling full bins to truck to go to winery. We'll have to borrow/rent a 2nd pickup to keep the crushpad fed and the pick crew running.

We're also building small "vanity" Vineyards in the area (< 5 Acres)

With the BX2660 FEL and the dump bed on the RTV900, its a micro loader/dumptruck combo as well, allowing effective movement of dirt/brush etc with two people. We'll probably get the utv 3pt hitch and diverter valves, to allow a "3pt" equivalent on either end, with cylinder hydraulic capability for light tool carrying.

With the McMillen D450 auger running on the tractor, RTV can be hauling trailer with compost in buckets for planting, or hauling line posts for installation with the Rohrer pneumatic post pounder running off the compressor/generator sitting on the bed.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

The Ranger is attractive because of its ride and speed for going between vineyards but flying down the road in 30 degree weater in an open station vehicle just isn't any fun. Since I will use the UTV mainly in the cooler weather

Thought about a Ranger with an aftermarket cab?