Looking at buying a used Kubota RTV 900 Diesel - NEED ADVICE, PLEASE!

[Bigfoot62]

. . . I haven't checked the specs, but I suspect that the 1120 is longer than the 900. . .

According to Kubota's website, the two machines are exactly the same size, with the 1120 weighing about 90# more. (I suspect the weight difference is just the larger engine)
Now, the 1140 is 21" longer than the 900 or 1120, but it has two rows of seats. I'm not interested in the "crew" cab though.

I was just wondering if I would regret buying the 900 with the slightly smaller engine and a little less HP. I have 3 FWD tractors and I'm not looking to replace one of them. I'm looking to replace an ATV for farm chores.

 

[smstonypoint]

According to Kubota's website, the two machines are exactly the same size, with the 1120 weighing about 90# more. (I suspect the weight difference is just the larger engine)
Now, the 1140 is 21" longer than the 900 or 1120, but it has two rows of seats. I'm not interested in the "crew" cab though.

I was just wondering if I would regret buying the 900 with the slightly smaller engine and a little less HP. I have 3 FWD tractors and I'm not looking to replace one of them. I'm looking to replace an ATV for farm chores.

My mistake -- I was confusing the 1120 and the 1140.:ashamed:

Steve

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I think the answer depends on the # of people you want to transport. Back before my wife passed, our RTV 900 accommodated her, our Lab, and me in the one row of seating with no problem other than the Lab overlapping the passenger's lap. Seating for three adults would be a stretch. I haven't checked the specs, but I suspect that the 1120 is longer than the 900. I have some trails with tight turns that would have to be modified to accommodate a 1140.

Steve

Ditto on the turn radius, these are not atv's. Sometimes it take a bit of maneuvering to get around, but 4 seats is really nice when you have visitors, or two dogs and a passenger.

 

[Cat_Driver]

One of the biggest problems is> they sip fuel.. that may not seem like a problem but>> the fuel sits in the tank & goes bad.. big problem.
Not as big of a problem as a gas motor but is more expensive to fix..
You should become familiar w/ removing the injection pump.. the control rack will stick because of bad fuel..
& taking it in for repair is very expensive.. They charge THAT MUCH because they can, is the only reason..
Another thing is the air cleaning system.. filters & such.. ALOT of 900's in the scrap yard because of "dusted" engines..
Just do you maintenance on it regularly.. CHECK & TIGHTEN the air system REGULARLY.. Change the engine oil before its due & keep the fuel filters changed ATLEAST 2x a year & she would be a good choice for anyone..
ALOT of maintenance comes w/ owning a diesel..

Diesel fuel does not go bad at least in my area. I had a stored 1982 Kubota where the weeds had grown up through the engine area, seat area etc. It sat there with flat tires and a dead battery for 15 years. One day as a joke I put air in the tires replaced the battery and that beast started right up. I ran it hard for another 4 years before I decided to sell it. Never changed the oil or hydro fluid on it in that nearly 20 years. Heck I never even greased it. The pins holding the front end loader were worn down 50%. The teeth on the hydraulic pump for the chain were worn down 100% as was the chain which was paper thin from wear.
Before the sale I treated her nice for the first time in 20 years. Changed all the fluids, greased it up, new filters, and I actually hated to see that tractor go. It was an M4500 and pull like a freight train.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

The newer diesel fuel is not as stable as the old was.

David

 

[Bigfoot62]

OK, my search is over. (for the UTV, but not the add-ons) Made a deal on the RTV-X900 diesel today. 2018, Camo, $14k. (out-the-door, title and local taxes incl) This is the closest dealer to me. (18 miles) And I've known the salesman since he was born. I'm really glad that I could do business at home.

Now, I'll be looking for a good after-market windshield and winch, for sure. Any good recommendations for those? (the salesman told me not to pay Kubota prices for those)

 

[ultrarunner]

Congratulations... it's a good feeling to be pleased with your purchaser after putting in the research.

We have the Kubota windshield... it's good but the expensive glass one.

The plastic is way cheaper but prone to scratching... but if careful should also provide good value...

Any windshield provides some protection from the elements.

I thought about a winch but as much as I like the coolness factor I have managed well with a nylon tug strap and a choker for dragging things... if I were to get stuck the winch could be handy.... but around the ranch not really a consideration.

 

[Bigfoot62]

Ultra,
Thanks.

I like the idea of the real glass windshield, but I'm not laying down a grand. I want a good, scratch-resistant plastic, and prefer a fold-down for summer time. It's not unusual for us to have 95-100 degree days in July/August.

Probably gotta have a winch. I have 6 creek crossings on my fence row. I'm pretty sure it will be a necessity.

And, something that I forgot earlier, I have to have a gun rack. (rifle) The Mini-14 needs a place to ride along.

 

[ultrarunner]

It does get over a 100 for days at a time here... but generally it comes with low humidity... lack of air circulation as never been a problem.

I can see where a winch could be very useful with water obstacles...

Is there such a thing as water proof electric winches?

 

[RedNeckGeek]

Before I put money out for a windshield, I'd use the RTV without one and decide if I really needed one. I've done without one for going on eight years now without any undue hardship.

WRT the winch, I welded a 2" receiver to the front of the RTV and bolted a Warn 8000 lb winch to a Harbor Freight hitch. Rigged up welding cable connectors to the battery on the truck, tractor, and RTV, and can move the winch where it's needed.

Good luck with your new purchase.

 

[Bigfoot62]

It does get over a 100 for days at a time here... but generally it comes with low humidity... lack of air circulation as never been a problem. . .

Ultra,
You obviously have never been to the Gulf South in the summer! On a GOOD day, we hope that the heat and sunshine will be enough to dry the hay, because the humidity will run 60-80%. If it actually (rarely) falls below 50%, we're pickled tink!

And, I'm wanting a fold-down windshield for rain. Last year we had over 80". Our average is around 60". 20" so far in 2018, and we're only, what, 10 weeks into the year.

 

[Bigfoot62]

Before I put money out for a windshield, I'd use the RTV without one and decide if I really needed one. I've done without one for going on eight years now without any undue hardship.

WRT the winch, I welded a 2" receiver to the front of the RTV and bolted a Warn 8000 lb winch to a Harbor Freight hitch. Rigged up welding cable connectors to the battery on the truck, tractor, and RTV, and can move the winch where it's needed.

Good luck with your new purchase.

RNG, please see above post about the windshield.

I LOVE your idea with the winch! The new 900 has factory receiver hitches front and rear. That would be easy. :thumbsup:

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Congrats on the new toy, er.. I mean tool.
Windshield is on my list for my ranger. When it rains, you get wet.

 

[ultrarunner]

Ultra,
You obviously have never been to the Gulf South in the summer! On a GOOD day, we hope that the heat and sunshine will be enough to dry the hay, because the humidity will run 60-80%. If it actually (rarely) falls below 50%, we're pickled tink!

And, I'm wanting a fold-down windshield for rain. Last year we had over 80". Our average is around 60". 20" so far in 2018, and we're only, what, 10 weeks into the year.

The farthest South I have ever been is Dallas/Fort Worth changing planes...

Would love to explore one day... kind of hit the open road and see where I end up... I'm sure I would meet a lot of good people along the way...

 

[JRobyn]

I have a (glass) windshield on my Polaris Ranger EV that just tilts out at the bottom. It provides very good airflow when tilted, even when it's really hot. Plus, it seems to have less of the problem of sucking dust in from the rear.

 

[Bigfoot62]

The farthest South I have ever been is Dallas/Fort Worth changing planes...

Would love to explore one day... kind of hit the open road and see where I end up... I'm sure I would meet a lot of good people along the way...

Come on down! I think you'd like it. Except for maybe July/August. But, you might like that too. We have some friends from England, around London, and they used to come at the beginning of summer and stay until fall. They loved the hot weather. Said that their summers back home weren't hot enough. (maybe that's why we won the war :biggrin: )

 

[Bigfoot62]

I have a (glass) windshield on my Polaris Ranger EV that just tilts out at the bottom. It provides very good airflow when tilted, even when it's really hot. Plus, it seems to have less of the problem of sucking dust in from the rear.

Who is the manufacturer? Where can I look at one? (website would be great)

 

[Gary Fowler]

My used RTV900 came with a winch but I don't think it was factory installed. I use it all the time for pulling things like fence wire, trees, rocks etc. I have never used it to pull me out of the mud.
You may want to put some aggressive tread tires on your machine if you plan to do a lot of creek crossings and mudding. The ATV tires that mine have were ok for my place which generally doesn't bog more than about 6" deep but I wouldn't rely on them in south Louisiana buckshot soil.

 

[Bigfoot62]

. . . You may want to put some aggressive tread tires on your machine if you plan to do a lot of creek crossings and mudding. The ATV tires that mine have were ok for my place which generally doesn't bog more than about 6" deep but I wouldn't rely on them in south Louisiana buckshot soil.

FTG-05 suggested ITP Blackwater Evolutions. I can't remember the tire that's coming on mine, (I'll know tomorrow when I pick it up) but they looked pretty good. I won't be "mudding" with mine, just crossing the small creeks on my property. Most of the time, I don't have any trouble with my 2WD ATV. I feel like the 4WD will be fine, but we'll see. And we're in W. Central LA. Sandy soil here, not S. LA mud. If the factory tires aren't good enough, I'll change them.

 

[milkman]

I bought my RTV900 used and it has the plastic windshield. It has held up well but I have been careful with it and wouldn't want to be without it except in the summer, wish it would fold down for air flow. If I ever replace it, it will be with one that I can get some air flow through when it's hot.