UTV Decision

[NYBOB]

I've been looking for months at the honda pioneer, kawasaki mule and can am defender.

I really like the mule, but the others have a much better turning radius. 16 feet to less than 14. It is going to be a 50 / 50 machine work and play. Without trying it on my property, it's hard to tell if the turning radius will truly make a difference.

Do anyone that has a mule pro fx able to comment on trail maneuverability compared to the other two machines?

Thanks

 

[ruffdog]

Turning radius is important for me as I use my unit mostly for work. Just ask your self how often you would need to maneuver around trees, rocks, and backing into the shed. I also love the one finger power steering.

 

[s219]

Can't comment on those models directly, but my Kubota RTV has a 13' turning radius, and it's never been an issue on my trails, so I can at least say that anything in that range would be fine for trails I have been on. My neighbor has a Pioneer 500 and his turns tight too. There are some real tight turns on the one trail we run, so I'd want to test a Mule before committing if there is that much of a difference.

Where it is an issue is when I drive up to my house -- I can't turn around in the available driveway space (pad is just about 25-27' deep). I have to pull in and back out to turn around (K turn), like a normal car. I don't know why, but that surprised me the first time and it has been an annoyance when I zip up to the house to grab a tool from my workshop (I pretty much run laps between barn and house with the RTV, sometimes 10-20 times a day).

Based on that, I'd say measure any parts of your property where you want to turn around frequently, and see if you have at least 32' to fit the Mule. Or decide if you are OK doing a crapload of K turns.

 

[NYBOB]

I am less concerned with turning around versus the agility in the woods. I wish they could bring all three to my property to try them out

 

[Zerk]

Kawaski teryx and Yamaha Rino are good combination or work and play, IMO.

 

[symphony]

Although I didn't compare the turning radius of each, I have compared the specs/features of Pioneer 1000, CanAm Defender and Kubota RTV X1100C.

What I'm finding is that no one manufacturer offers the perfect solution, at least for my needs.

Pioneer 1000:

Positives:
- 6-speed DCT (dual-clutch transmission) no CVT belts
- 72-hp engine good for speeds above 60 mph
- Low/high-range sub transmission
- 2wd, 4wd, 4wd differential lock and turf mode
- 2000 lb towing capacity
- 1000 lb bed capacity
- 11 inches ground clearance (10.5f/10r suspension travel)

Negatives:
- Poor hard cab design
- Heater is insufficient to keep up to air leaks in the cab
- No AC
- Plastic bed and no hydraulic assist dumping

There have been some reported issues of the DCT clutches slipping and Honda has been slow to repair or troubleshoot the problem. I would stay away from purchasing the Pioneer 1000 until the DCT issues are worked out.

CanAm Defender:

Positives:
- 72-hp V-twin engine good for speeds to 60 mph
- 4 mode traction system, 2wd, 4wd with Visco-Loc, selectable open dif in 2wd mode
- Low/high-range sub transmission
- Integrated cab version available with heat (no AC), power windows
- Nice cab and interior, gauge cluster, removable storage containers, etc
- 2000 lb towing
- 1200 lb payload

Negatives:
- 9 inch ground clearance on cab version vs. 11 inch on non-cab
- Visco-lok (limited slip) front differential not lockable
- No AC
- CVT belt
- Cab is not as well sealed at the RTV
- Plastic bed

Kubota RTV:

Positives:
- HST transmission for heavy duty use
- Diesel engine offers excellent fuel economy
- Good torque 52ftlbs
- Highest payload 1629 lbs
- Good ground clearance 10.4f/10.5r
- Average suspension travel 8 inches
- Best cab, heat/AC, automotive style controls, roll-down windows, well sealed
- 2wd/4wd, open rear dif (lockable)
- Hydraulic lift bed
- Metal body panels and bed
- PTO option for various implements
- Dynamic braking with wet disk brakes

Negatives:
- 25 mph top speed
- 24.8-hp engine (needs turbo and intercooler IMHO)
- Limited slip front differential not lockable
- Heavy 2370 lbs but most solid of the bunch

The RTV is a workhorse capable of withstanding commercial operation.

I'm leaning towards purchasing the RTV X1100C but it's a shame in my view that Kubota has done little in the last several years to bridge the RTV into a more rounded UTV. The low top speed I believe dissuades potential buyers who are looking for both the utility and fun factor in their UTV.

My ideal UTV would be a Kubota RTV fitted with an automotive style AT transmission, lockable front differential and capable of doing 40 mph.

 

[motownbrowne]

Although I didn't compare the turning radius of each, I have compared the specs/features of Pioneer 1000, CanAm Defender and Kubota RTV X1100C.

What I'm finding is that no one manufacturer offers the perfect solution, at least for my needs.

Pioneer 1000:

Positives:
- 6-speed DCT (dual-clutch transmission) no CVT belts
- 72-hp engine good for speeds above 60 mph
- Low/high-range sub transmission
- 2wd, 4wd, 4wd differential lock and turf mode
- 2000 lb towing capacity
- 1000 lb bed capacity
- 11 inches ground clearance (10.5f/10r suspension travel)

Negatives:
- Poor hard cab design
- Heater is insufficient to keep up to air leaks in the cab
- No AC
- Plastic bed and no hydraulic assist dumping

There have been some reported issues of the DCT clutches slipping and Honda has been slow to repair or troubleshoot the problem. I would stay away from purchasing the Pioneer 1000 until the DCT issues are worked out.

CanAm Defender:

Positives:
- 72-hp V-twin engine good for speeds to 60 mph
- 4 mode traction system, 2wd, 4wd with Visco-Loc, selectable open dif in 2wd mode
- Low/high-range sub transmission
- Integrated cab version available with heat (no AC), power windows
- Nice cab and interior, gauge cluster, removable storage containers, etc
- 2000 lb towing
- 1200 lb payload

Negatives:
- 9 inch ground clearance on cab version vs. 11 inch on non-cab
- Visco-lok (limited slip) front differential not lockable
- No AC
- CVT belt
- Cab is not as well sealed at the RTV
- Plastic bed

Kubota RTV:

Positives:
- HST transmission for heavy duty use
- Diesel engine offers excellent fuel economy
- Good torque 52ftlbs
- Highest payload 1629 lbs
- Good ground clearance 10.4f/10.5r
- Average suspension travel 8 inches
- Best cab, heat/AC, automotive style controls, roll-down windows, well sealed
- 2wd/4wd, open rear dif (lockable)
- Hydraulic lift bed
- Metal body panels and bed
- PTO option for various implements
- Dynamic braking with wet disk brakes

Negatives:
- 25 mph top speed
- 24.8-hp engine (needs turbo and intercooler IMHO)
- Limited slip front differential not lockable
- Heavy 2370 lbs but most solid of the bunch

The RTV is a workhorse capable of withstanding commercial operation.

I'm leaning towards purchasing the RTV X1100C but it's a shame in my view that Kubota has done little in the last several years to bridge the RTV into a more rounded UTV. The low top speed I believe dissuades potential buyers who are looking for both the utility and fun factor in their UTV.

My ideal UTV would be a Kubota RTV fitted with an automotive style AT transmission, lockable front differential and capable of doing 40 mph.

This is a great second post. Thanks for the detailed comparison!

 

[KYErik]

My Dad has a polaris ranger and one feature that is really annoying is the "engine braking". It might be nice if we drove down lots of steep slopes but we don't.

 

[4570Man]

I don't think 25 mph is that bad. It seems slow on paper and on roads, but there are very few off road locations where I can reach 25 mph.

 

[s219]

My RTV-X1120D tops out at 28-29mph, and that is way faster than I can go most of the time. Typically I am running 8-12mph off-road and then 15-22mph on-road. Once and a while I will get it up to top speed on-road. Makes me realize I'd want better/rounder/balanced tires and a tighter suspension if going much faster. I would have a hard time wanting to go 60mph in any of the UTVs without better tires and suspension.