Successful Farming Ultimate UTV Evaluation

[aczlan]

I think for the most part when people are driving a utv they don't expect they will need to use low range to climb hills or pull a load. I don't think many people doubt the Kubotas ability to move through various terrain or get over hills....the thing that separates them from the competition is that need for gear reduction. I've yet to see a hill that I've had to use low range on in my Gator 825i, I have friends with utvs including a Polaris Ranger, Polaris RZR and a CanAm Commander and all these machines will blast over any hill I've seen up here without shifting, they generally won't even lose any speed at all regardless of whether loaded or empty.

I agree that the RTVs could use a little more HP, however (IMO) the RTV is designed as a tractor with a rollcage, a bed and a bench seat vs most of the other UTVs which are designed as an oversized ATV with a bed, a steering wheel, a rollcage and multiple seats.

It seems a lot of people really like their RTV's which is great but for the folks who hop out of almost any other machine and get into the RTV it's going to feel like a major downgrade in the power department as well as suspension. It doesn't necessarily make them bad but it does hurt them in any side by side comparison testing situation.

It depends on what you need. Before we bought the RTV, we had a Toro Workman 2100 (now called the Workman MD) which got replaced because it was loud, 2wd (no locking diff) and ugly.
We looked at the Big Red, Mule 610, Deere 550, 625i and 825i. Our requirements list included:

• Towing well
• Carrying stuff
• Easy to get into (inlaws have various hip/knee/back issues, so something that was hard to get into wasnt going to work)
• Easy to drive
• Easy to load
• 4wd
• Locking rear differential
• Able to fit down our golf cart trails
• Flat bed (no wheel wells)
• Quiet
• Bench Seat

We sat on a couple of Deere 825i machines and while they were nice, they were too big and too high.
We got a demo of a 625i and it was fast (scary fast for our place and some of the people who will be driving it), tall (cab/bed floors were the same height as our 1/2 ton pickup) and it was loud.
The XUV 550 had wheelwells in the bed which knocked it off the list.
The Big Red was too big
The Mule 610 was meh (nothing stood out).

Aaron Z

 

[MNBobcat]

I used to review ATVs professionally. It does take some experience to be able to provide useful insight into the machines and to share it in a way that's useful to the reader. Even pro reviewers stumble sometimes. I remember when I was at the Polaris factory with a bunch of other Editors and we were testing Polaris' new diesel ATV. I had to bust out laughing when the Dirt Wheels editors wanted to jump the diesel ATV for a photo opportunity. They only knew one way to test and review an ATV. Whereas, I got a chain and tested the ATV by putting it to work towing logs in the woods.

The moral of the story is they have to be tested the way you would use them. Riding around on roads and trails doesn't cut it.

 

[texasjohn]

The moral of the story is they have to be tested the way you would use them. Riding around on roads and trails doesn't cut it.

You've got a good moral there!! Agreed! It's the difference between riding a horse in the arena and rounding up, all day, in the Texas Hill Country with rocks, brush, cactus, bluffs, heat, wild cattle, boggy creeks. You can begin to form an opinion in the arena but it can only be proven in the pasture. That's where versatility, strength, stamina and ease of ride is demonstrated. Once rounded up, you can play with 'em in the arena. Sometimes people even have different horses for work and play.

 

[milkman]

Does that mean I can't go jumping my RTV900? I also wonder how much experience the testers have with a hydrostat. The belt and automatic drive would all act similar and be more familiar to more people, the hydro operates and is a different animal and can't be driven like the others.

 

[timswi]

Does that mean I can't go jumping my RTV900? I also wonder how much experience the testers have with a hydrostat. The belt and automatic drive would all act similar and be more familiar to more people, the hydro operates and is a different animal and can't be driven like the others.

That is absolutely true. I was looking at a Polaris Sportsman EPS and an RZR yesterday to use as a toy (depending on which one SWMBO prefers) and when asked about the belt wear he said if I tried doing anything heavy in high range, I could wipe out the belt in an hour (they've seen it). If I would stress it in low range the belt would last a really long time. Thankfully I don't have to concern myself with such things with an HST. Didn't buy an RTV1100 to throw rooster tails up hill but it does everything I want it to do without complaint...Would I like H range to go up a pine tree at 25mph, sure...If I decide to invest in a turbo, it will...Doubt that will happen as I have no compelling need. My RTV performs just fine for me. These are different animals for a certain group of us who need a machine that does what these do. Certainly not for everyone and not for the speed obsessed.

 

[texasjohn]

Good point. I was thinking about the difference between gas/diesel/hydrostatic today. I was going up one of my steeper hills today after closing a gate at the bottom, pulling trailer of over 1000 lbs total. Started off in Mid range and floored it halfway up the hill. Engine noise changed and speed began to slowly increase from 5 mph to 10 mph...but it wasn't a head snapping acceleration, just a gradual increase. I don't know what a different side by side UTV would do, but I'm happy with how the RTV handles my needs. Guess I find that ranch life hands me enough unexpected excitement without hunting for more.

 

[houstonscott]

I didn't even consider those other utv's after examining an RTV. The others are simply overgrown motor cycles with four wheels. The RTV is a full blown commercial AG vehicle. There simply isn't anything like my RTV1100. It's a joke to compare them. HS

 

[DIXIEDOG]

I didn't even consider those other utv's after examining an RTV. The others are simply overgrown motor cycles with four wheels. The RTV is a full blown commercial AG vehicle. There simply isn't anything like my RTV1100. It's a joke to compare them. HS

Why is it a joke to compare them? They are rated to haul about the same amount as everybody else, they claim to be a utv not a tractor. The commercial outfits up here seem to all have either Rangers or Gators....I've yet to see a RTV in use on a power line or construction site. They are no more a commercial AG vehicle than a BX series lawn tractor

 

[houstonscott]

Why is it a joke to compare them? They are rated to haul about the same amount as everybody else, they claim to be a utv not a tractor. The commercial outfits up here seem to all have either Rangers or Gators....I've yet to see a RTV in use on a power line or construction site. They are no more a commercial AG vehicle than a BX series lawn tractor

My commercial observations here are with the RR, BNSF uses RTV's. When I lived in Houston just outside Ellington Field, where the man space program was, NASA used RTV's at the airfield. You want a light duty vehicle to jet around your property on, speed and longer distances to cover, the other guys have that covered. You want a piece of HD farm ranch machinery equivalent to a tractor in longevity and build, then an RTV is what you want. If you have ever really put your hands on on RTV it's immediately obvious you are looking at a whole different machine in an RTV. HS

 

[aczlan]

My commercial observations here are with the RR, BNSF uses RTV's. When I lived in Houston just outside Ellington Field, where the man space program was, NASA used RTV's at the airfield. You want a light duty vehicle to jet around your property on, speed and longer distances to cover, the other guys have that covered. You want a piece of HD farm ranch machinery equivalent to a tractor in longevity and build, then an RTV is what you want. If you have ever really put your hands on on RTV it's immediately obvious you are looking at a whole different machine in an RTV. HS

Also, I see them frequently on interstate construction projects. IIRC, Messicks got a pair of RTV900s (tradin?) last year with 9000 hours on them.

Aaron Z

 

[pwright]

The moral of the story is they have to be tested the way you would use them. Riding around on roads and trails doesn't cut it.

So are you saying that you don't think they did a proper evaluation? Have you read the full article (not just the excerpts on the web site)?

Some of the comments about what each reviewer was looking for:

"No farm or acreage is completely flat so she looks for a machine that can handle the uneven terrain with ease, especially when loaded down."

"However, she hasn’t had as much experience riding utility vehicles so she will particularly pay attention to ease of use and comfort. She is also looking for a machine with a little get up and go."

"As an engineer and designer, he looks at how well the various design tradeoffs (cost, ergonomics, performance) were managed and when driving, how well the components function as a system."

"One important feature to Joe is how the machine handles at high rates of speed and on varying terrains. Does it turn easily into corners? Does the machine feel stable when the terrain is uneven? Does the machine handle well in loose terrain like sand or mud?"

"He will focus on the ease of use and driving. In particular, Michael is interested in how easy it is to get in and out of the vehicle and using the bed for chores."

"He will look at how the vehicles perform with a load and the comfort of the rider."

"He will place a particular emphasis on the comfort of the vehicle and its ability to handle technical terrain."

"He uses the machines everyday working on the ranch, in particular for hauling feed and supplement. Given his experience, Chad will focus on the capability of the machine on rough terrain with a load."

"Works on the ranch and uses utility vehicles to haul feed and for working cattle. He is especially interested in the load capacity of the different vehicles, and the speed the vehicle can move with a load to accelerate chores."

"He is interested in how the machines handle rough terrain and ease of use."

Seems like they covered the bases pretty well. Most of the reviewers are working ranchers.

One thing I didn't really like about their methodology is that for load testing they went with half the manufacturer's rated load capacity but the Gator RSX and the Viking have pitiful (400# & 600#) load capacities compared to the 1000# & 1100# ratings of the others. Would have thought their scores in that part would be a bit lower lower than they are. If it takes you 2x or 3x as many trips with feed or whatever that's not good.

 

[aczlan]

One thing I didn't really like about their methodology is that for load testing they went with half the manufacturer's rated load capacity but the Gator RSX and the Viking have pitiful (400# & 600#) load capacities compared to the 1000# & 1100# ratings of the others. Would have thought their scores in that part would be a bit lower lower than they are. If it takes you 2x or 3x as many trips with feed or whatever that's not good.

Same with the Prowler. How does the Prowler (which has what looks to be a 24"x36"x8" bed that is rated to carry 600# and probbaly sits most of 4' above the ground) get a 4.6 and a 4.11 for "Cargo and Storage" while the RTV900 which has a 52"x46.7"x11.4" bed that is rated to carry 1105# and sits 31" off the ground get a 2.8 and a 3?
It would have been better (IMO) to have chosen a weight that was within the capacity of all the machines (ie: 400# of feed) and compared them based on that, or used their 1/2 payload measure and then used a multiplier for their score based on their relative cargo capacity.

Aaron Z

 

[houstonscott]

You would need the test to last ten years to get your answer. An F150 will tow a max load for a test at its limit just fine when new, but the F 350 can do it routinely with reliability year after year, long after the F150 would have failed. HS

 

[pwright]

Same with the Prowler...

It would have been better (IMO) to have chosen a weight that was within the capacity of all the machines (ie: 400# of feed) and compared them based on that, or used their 1/2 payload measure and then used a multiplier for their score based on their relative cargo capacity.

Forgot about the Prowler. Should not have scored anywhere near that well in that category.

Something along the lines of what you suggested Aaron would have been better.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

My commercial observations here are with the RR, BNSF uses RTV's. When I lived in Houston just outside Ellington Field, where the man space program was, NASA used RTV's at the airfield. You want a light duty vehicle to jet around your property on, speed and longer distances to cover, the other guys have that covered. You want a piece of HD farm ranch machinery equivalent to a tractor in longevity and build, then an RTV is what you want. If you have ever really put your hands on on RTV it's immediately obvious you are looking at a whole different machine in an RTV. HS

I owned a RTV 500 for a bit under 2 yrs and wanted a lot more....then I tried out a 900 and it had the same things I didn't like about the RTV 500......lack of power and poor suspension travel. It was down to the Gator 825i and the Ranger 800...the Gator won by a narrow margin and it was more the warranty and closeness of the dealer....if I lived closer to a Polaris dealer and they had the same warranty as my Gator I would have likely bought one of them instead. I use my Gator on fence lines, hunting, and trail riding. I can fill the bed with cedar fence posts and still go through virtually any terrain, I"m not out running my winch all the time like the RTV....I can also cruise at much higher speeds without punishing myself with the rough ride the RTV had.


The RTV isn't for everyone and just because someone owns another brand it doesn't mean that they have not checked out or owned and RTV. I've seen 2 other newer RTV's sitting on the used lot at the local John Deere dealer in the past couple months, I've yet to see any XUV Gator at the Kubota lot.

 

[houstonscott]

I owned a RTV 500 for a bit under 2 yrs and wanted a lot more....then I tried out a 900 and it had the same things I didn't like about the RTV 500......lack of power and poor suspension travel. It was down to the Gator 825i and the Ranger 800...the Gator won by a narrow margin and it was more the warranty and closeness of the dealer....if I lived closer to a Polaris dealer and they had the same warranty as my Gator I would have likely bought one of them instead. I use my Gator on fence lines, hunting, and trail riding. I can fill the bed with cedar fence posts and still go through virtually any terrain, I"m not out running my winch all the time like the RTV....I can also cruise at much higher speeds without punishing myself with the rough ride the RTV had. The RTV isn't for everyone and just because someone owns another brand it doesn't mean that they have not checked out or owned and RTV. I've seen 2 other newer RTV's sitting on the used lot at the local John Deere dealer in the past couple months, I've yet to see any XUV Gator at the Kubota lot.

I think about those other machines every time I get in and put on the AC. HS

 

[timswi]

I think about those other machines every time I get in and put on the AC. HS

Me too and the heat when there's negative wind chills. He's confusing speed with power. I had an RTV500 and Have an 1100 now. I have NEVER run out of power on either..Some speed, yes but never power. He makes it very clear that he loathes RTV's. That's fine. He doesn't own one anymore as he reminds us almost daily. Personally I have nothing against the other brands and would never harp on their shortfalls, and they all have them including mine. Even after reading the out takes posted earlier, these people really wanted a high speed, high comfort touring UTV..That's fine but they never made that their primary basis...Hauling 400-500 lbs isn't even close to a load. Some quads can almost handle that.

 

[houstonscott]

Me too and the heat when there's negative wind chills. He's confusing speed with power. I had an RTV500 and Have an 1100 now. I have NEVER run out of power on either..Some speed, yes but never power. He makes it very clear that he loathes RTV's. That's fine. He doesn't own one anymore as he reminds us almost daily. Personally I have nothing against the other brands and would never harp on their shortfalls, and they all have them including mine. Even after reading the out takes posted earlier, these people really wanted a high speed, high comfort touring UTV..That's fine but they never made that their primary basis...Hauling 400-500 lbs isn't even close to a load. Some quads can almost handle that.

I don't like the plastic beds, get real. HS

 

[timswi]

I don't like the plastic beds, get real. HS

Me neither, that's why we have what we have..A little more speed would be nice but the other benefits massively outweigh that. Don't know about you but I've slowed down in high range but never ran out of momentum regardless of the hill. I don't know what the reviewers were doing...Assuming they didn't either.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

Me too and the heat when there's negative wind chills. He's confusing speed with power. I had an RTV500 and Have an 1100 now. I have NEVER run out of power on either..Some speed, yes but never power. He makes it very clear that he loathes RTV's. That's fine. He doesn't own one anymore as he reminds us almost daily. Personally I have nothing against the other brands and would never harp on their shortfalls, and they all have them including mine. Even after reading the out takes posted earlier, these people really wanted a high speed, high comfort touring UTV..That's fine but they never made that their primary basis...Hauling 400-500 lbs isn't even close to a load. Some quads can almost handle that.

No I'm not. Power isn't trying to start up a high and needing to shift from high to low and then idle up the hill so the machine doesn't bog right down.....power isn't hitting a mud hole and continuing to lose wheel speed until you're machine is completely stuck and unable to get out without winching. I understand the appeal of the hydrostatic transmission but the amount of power loss between the already small engines of the RTV and the wheels is just too much. I also think that even the 25 hp on the flagship RTV is a bit on the low end.


I don't loathe the RTV I owned or the ones I've tried out, I just find it humorous that so many brag on the RTV as the only "REAL" working side by side. The RTV 900...1100's can't do any more work than a Ranger or Gator can.