Best Workhorse UTV?

[troutsqueezer]

There are some, but not many who use a UTV for plowing or ground engagement type work. How steep is the slope? If you keep the tractor facing uphill and don't do any side traversing you'll be ok.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I live on a steep hillside and have owned several Kubota tractors in the BX, B and one L. The L was scary due to the steep hillside and traded it in short period of time.
I have a RTV1140 which has the back seat or larger dump bed with a couple of minutes of rearranging. The RTV1140 is a slow workhorse, not a fast fun sporty "thing". The Kubota RTV runs thru a driveshaft, not belts. Let off the floor throttle and the RTV stops. Top speed on my RTV is 27 MPH on paved road with slight down hill stretch. Won't trade my RTV1140 unless it's for another one. The dump bed will hold/carry 3 to 4 BX tractor loads of dirt or gravel with out the slightest strain. Kubota also has a nation, well world wide, dealer network with any necessary part needed available as well as mechanics for when they may be needed 20 or 30 years from now when it might need some type service. You can do your own fluid and filter service on the RTVs, simple and easy to reach for anyone to do.
Kubota has been building tractors and RTVs for many years and does do some construction equipment but mostly known for their dependable engines (Kubota engines are used on several other brands of machines) and tractors and work RTVs (slow and dependable, not fast).

 

[benandgeorgialee]

I appreciate all the advice!

I'll probably hire someone to come in and do the initial plowing, or even buy an old tractor and let my husband do it. For everyday purposes, I'll be using it to mow weekly, cultivate/till once per year and spread lime several times the first year, and maybe yearly after that. The slopes are probably 20 degrees in some places, maybe a tiny bit steeper.

Price range...preferably under 18k.



One more question... am I just scared of what I don't know? lol! Will a tractor do fine on the hills? There is not a spot to ascend the hills where it is less steep, so it will be going straight up and down the slopes. The garden tractor we have is very old and doesn't work so great. It slips on hills and will fly down backwards, or not be able to go over a tiny bump due to traction on damp grass and I'll get stuck on the hill, terrified because I can't go up and don't want to fly back...and these are only 13 degree slopes in our front pasture, not as steep as in the back. I looked at the Kubota B series and the price is similar to the UTV.


edited to add: One thing I need to consider is the trees will be planted fairly close - 6 feet apart, rows are 10 feet apart. There's not going to be a huge amount of room to maneuver a large tractor pulling a mower or tiller.

 

[WTC67213]

Take a look into the Intimidator UTV truck seriers

Heaviest payload and Towing capacity. 1,600 payload 2,100 towing
Granny gear of 36:1 reduction Lowest gearing in the industry
50% larger wheel bearings and spindles
larger a-arms
27'' rubber stock
Largest bench seat (more knee room and head room)
Gas and Diesel engines available

Have had farmers hook a 8' disc behind one of these and go to work as well!

Truck series


Classic with short box

 

[dusty3030]

Kubota B with the tires set wide, hydrostat transmission, fluid filled tires would be more capable.
Got to remember you'd be pulling some kind of mower on a UTV versus one attached to the 3 pt or a belly mower like on a tractor.
So on the UTV that would make backing up near impossible if you are pulling a tow type mower.

 

[benandgeorgialee]

Take a look into the Intimidator UTV truck seriers

Heaviest payload and Towing capacity. 1,600 payload 2,100 towing
Granny gear of 36:1 reduction Lowest gearing in the industry
50% larger wheel bearings and spindles
larger a-arms
27'' rubber stock
Largest bench seat (more knee room and head room)
Gas and Diesel engines available

Have had farmers hook a 8' disc behind one of these and go to work as well!

Truck series
View attachment 389726

Classic with short box
View attachment 389727

I like that I have the option of a crew cab with those, as we could fit our whole family if we wanted to go ride at Windrock. What are the differences between the Intimidator 1000cc diesel and a higher-end Kubota RTV? How is it going to handle pulling attachments up a hill? Can an after-market 3pt be attached (not sure that we will, but the option is nice). The closest dealer to us is about 200 miles away, which we'd be willing to drive if we think it's the right fit for us. Thanks

 

[newbury]

Price range...preferably under 18k.



One more question... am I just scared of what I don't know? lol! Will a tractor do fine on the hills? There is not a spot to ascend the hills where it is less steep, so it will be going straight up and down the slopes.

Maybe a B w/ dually turf tires on the rear?
Sort of like

 

[newbury]

or maybe

But my concern would be once the ground is exposed ALL the soil would wash away.

/edit - or even worse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvBeEi9Pfyo

 

[WTC67213]

I like that I have the option of a crew cab with those, as we could fit our whole family if we wanted to go ride at Windrock. What are the differences between the Intimidator 1000cc diesel and a higher-end Kubota RTV? How is it going to handle pulling attachments up a hill? Can an after-market 3pt be attached (not sure that we will, but the option is nice). The closest dealer to us is about 200 miles away, which we'd be willing to drive if we think it's the right fit for us. Thanks

The Intimidator will have a wider foot print compared to the Kubota with our 27'' rubber vs their 25'', more speed in the CVT 35mph vs kubota hydro 25mph, heavier automotive grade 4 wheel disc brake and rotors, 50% larger wheel bearings and spindles, 800lbs more towing capacity, Wider and deeper bed with option of the versabed (Aluminum flat bed) front and rear 2'' receivers.

Currently no 3pt mounts available but many different routs to hook up implements via 2'' receiver and a full 4 point frame mount.

Our granny gear of 36:1 is the lowest on the market allowing you to scale any hills with whatever you're pulling.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYdabIrhuYU

 

[PapaPerk]

I like that I have the option of a crew cab with those, as we could fit our whole family if we wanted to go ride at Windrock. What are the differences between the Intimidator 1000cc diesel and a higher-end Kubota RTV? How is it going to handle pulling attachments up a hill? Can an after-market 3pt be attached (not sure that we will, but the option is nice). The closest dealer to us is about 200 miles away, which we'd be willing to drive if we think it's the right fit for us. Thanks

Stick with the Kubota 900 RTV or larger for pulling hard. It basically has a tractor hydro transmission. Plus the braking action of the hydro trans would work extremely well on your hilly terrain. Trust me.

So you would use a gasoline powered tow behind Bushhog? Certainly a valid way to mow. A bit unconventional but will work. In Eastern KY a lot of folks use 4wheelers with tow behind gas powered rough cut mowers for mowing those steep grassy hills! 4wd UTV and ATV climb hills like goats and are fairly stable.