UTV Comparison

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I have a John Deere 865r, which is the diesel version of the new cabbed HVAC equipped unit. I really like the little Yanmar, but at 32mph it doesn’t have the speed of the 835 gas models. I usually only go about 20, so it’s ok for running around the ranch. I just like diesels. I would recommend it to anybody. Just have to stomach the price. Fully optioned out, you are nearing 31K.
But you only live once.

I'm sure it's really nice. Keep us posted on how you like it.

Can you tell me how long it takes to warm up to operating temp? Our gas model takes a few minutes on a 65 deg day.

Also, if you are taking off from a dead stop, how many rpm's does it take to get rolling? Our gas likes to rev up to 3000 or so to take off. It then stays in the 3-4000 range until you get going pretty fast and then it will climb close to redline at top speed. Only done that once so far on a smooth parking area.

Just interested in comparing the diesel.

 

[arlen4720]

I'm sure it's really nice. Keep us posted on how you like it.

Can you tell me how long it takes to warm up to operating temp? Our gas model takes a few minutes on a 65 deg day.

Also, if you are taking off from a dead stop, how many rpm's does it take to get rolling? Our gas likes to rev up to 3000 or so to take off. It then stays in the 3-4000 range until you get going pretty fast and then it will climb close to redline at top speed. Only done that once so far on a smooth parking area.

Just interested in comparing the diesel.

It starts and runs good right away, just like a little diesel tractor.
The machine starts moving at about 1650 rpm. The gas ones have a whole different feel to them...they really like to rev.
I’ve had it since May and have about 120 hours on it. Ac works great! Even at idle.

 

[sunnyside360]

Just came across this interesting and informative post. I very recently traded my 2014 Kubota RTV X1100C camo machine (cab with HVAC) for exact same 2018 Kubota side-by-side. Nothing wrong with my older 2014 model with 600+ hrs on it but got a really good deal that was hard to turn down while it was in for scheduled service.

Wish I had known about the new John Deere side-by-side with cab and HVAC. I would have checked it out prior to trading for another Kubota. That said, however, the Kubota RTV X1100C has been a great machine. My biggest complaint is the max speed since some of my property borders a secondary asphalt road where I'd like to go faster than 26 mph. The RTV has been ultra reliable with no failures in 4 years and over 600 hrs.

Guess I'll have to wait a while (few years) to check out and test drive the new John Deere with cab and HVAC.

 

[ArlyA]

The loss of high range is why I can't recommend a Hydrostatic transmission. They are also more costly and have many, many more parts to fail.

Just came across this interesting and informative post. I very recently traded my 2014 Kubota RTV X1100C camo machine (cab with HVAC) for exact same 2018 Kubota side-by-side. Nothing wrong with my older 2014 model with 600+ hrs on it but got a really good deal that was hard to turn down while it was in for scheduled service.

Wish I had known about the new John Deere side-by-side with cab and HVAC. I would have checked it out prior to trading for another Kubota. That said, however, the Kubota RTV X1100C has been a great machine. My biggest complaint is the max speed since some of my property borders a secondary asphalt road where I'd like to go faster than 26 mph. The RTV has been ultra reliable with no failures in 4 years and over 600 hrs.

Guess I'll have to wait a while (few years) to check out and test drive the new John Deere with cab and HVAC.

 

[sunnyside360]

The loss of high range is why I can't recommend a Hydrostatic transmission. They are also more costly and have many, many more parts to fail.

Over the years, I've owned several of the other SxS's with CVT transmissions as well as Honda Pioneer 700 with true automatic transmission and Kubota with hydrostatic transmission. Never had any issues with the automatics or hydrostatics -- can't say the same about CVT's.

Should add that I've owned several hydrostatic CUT tractors (Deere, Kubota and Massey) and have never had any problems with the transmisssions.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Just came across this interesting and informative post. I very recently traded my 2014 Kubota RTV X1100C camo machine (cab with HVAC) for exact same 2018 Kubota side-by-side. Nothing wrong with my older 2014 model with 600+ hrs on it but got a really good deal that was hard to turn down while it was in for scheduled service.

Wish I had known about the new John Deere side-by-side with cab and HVAC. I would have checked it out prior to trading for another Kubota. That said, however, the Kubota RTV X1100C has been a great machine. My biggest complaint is the max speed since some of my property borders a secondary asphalt road where I'd like to go faster than 26 mph. The RTV has been ultra reliable with no failures in 4 years and over 600 hrs.

Guess I'll have to wait a while (few years) to check out and test drive the new John Deere with cab and HVAC.

I still wish you would go drive one, just to come back and give us a bit of a comparison. I would value someone's opinion who has spent as much time as you have in an HVAC machine.

I'm sure both have their pros and cons. The Deere's new transmission has engine braking, but not 100% sure if the belt's pulleys stop like the Yamaha's. The Yamaha's IIRC, have an extra centripetal clutch that engages off of idle.

I'm still in awe of the Deere 835M's suspension. I can't believe how good it rides across an average field. But I've only ridden in Rhinos, the RTV500, and the HPX gator to compare it too.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

The loss of high range is why I can't recommend a Hydrostatic transmission. They are also more costly and have many, many more parts to fail.

How many hydrostatic transmissions have you seen fail? I hear this all the time, and I'm sure there have been hydrostatic transmission failures, but you sure don't read about many of them on here. In fact, I can't remember ever reading about one on this forum.

If it was a systemic problem with hydrostatic transmissions, surely we would hear about them here on the #1 tractor forum on the net.

 

[4570Man]

That’s a not existent problem people that don’t like them like to spout. That’s somewhere in the line of problems on par with drilling a hole in the ROPS. I’m sure it’s happened but I’ve never seen a HST transmission fail that wasn’t worn out as in thousands of hours

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

How many hydrostatic transmissions have you seen fail? I hear this all the time, and I'm sure there have been hydrostatic transmission failures, but you sure don't read about many of them on here. In fact, I can't remember ever reading about one on this forum.

If it was a systemic problem with hydrostatic transmissions, surely we would hear about them here on the #1 tractor forum on the net.

This isn't another hydrostatic transmission argument per se. It is whether they are good for side x sides or not. I believe they are awesome for small to medium sized tractors, but not so much for an ATV or side by side. So it would be nice to keep the topic as used on these types of machines.

Most of us all know they are very dependable.

 

[John_Mc]

How many hydrostatic transmissions have you seen fail? I hear this all the time, and I'm sure there have been hydrostatic transmission failures, but you sure don't read about many of them on here. In fact, I can't remember ever reading about one on this forum.

If it was a systemic problem with hydrostatic transmissions, surely we would hear about them here on the #1 tractor forum on the net.

The only hydrostatic transmissions I've heard of having common problems are those on "lawn tractors" (basically glorified riding mowers). That problem stems from trying to use an undersized transmission for towing.

 

[falfrenzy]

Honda is a great choice as well and agree with ALLDodge

I LOVE my Honda Pioneer 700. Actual geared transmission, factory locked rear axle, I rarely put in 4WD. With the front diff lock, I was able to back up a steep hill easily.
Can put 1000 lbs in the bed, and tow 1500 lbs with a 2" receiver. I opted for the Electric Power Steering(EPS) , and I am glad I did. Pushes snow with a 72" snow plow with ease.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I saw an auction the other day where they were auctioning off around 6 rusty Yamaha rhinos. They were 4-5 years old, and used on the beach below Corpus Christi to search for sea turtles coming up on the beach. Almost all of them had over 10,000 hours!!! ONE OF THEM HAD 13,450 HOURS!!!

That there is a testament.


I took out the new Deere 835M gas, again a few times. It really has good acceleration. The ride quality keeps astounding me. Since it belongs to my FIL, I don't want to get it all dirty so I stay in the grass and gravel roads. He upgraded the headlights to the LED option, and on high beam, they are really bright.

 

[AllDodge]

Would need to go back thru this thread to find out which Gator my buddy has now, but just last week he said his new one just broke an axle. They wasn't doing anything but just going across the field to the deer stand and it started steering hard. Go figure, his previous one had nothing but issues so he got the tried and true old style, now this one has issues

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I forget the model number but buddy bought the new model JD and had nothing but trouble with it. Had the clutch replaced 3 times before 50 hours. After many discussions JD agreed to exchange it with the older model and he has had no problems.

Since your looking for the faster models, I would also look at the Honda, no belts

Oh, just talked to my buddy about the JD he had and which one you don't want. He had the 590S4 and it had all the problems, suggest staying clear. He now has the 835M and likes it a lot other then being really large, takes ever bit of a 20 foot trailer to haul

Would need to go back thru this thread to find out which Gator my buddy has now, but just last week he said his new one just broke an axle. They wasn't doing anything but just going across the field to the deer stand and it started steering hard. Go figure, his previous one had nothing but issues so he got the tried and true old style, now this one has issues

I would be very interested to know more details about this. That is the same model my FIL has.

 

[AllDodge]

It was the front axle on the 835 and was not doing anything hard. JD dealer said this was rare for it to happen and maybe it was just a bad part.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

It was the front axle on the 835 and was not doing anything hard. JD dealer said this was rare for it to happen and maybe it was just a bad part.

Did he take a picture of the wheel/axle part?

 

[ArlyA]

I think every break on pretty much all machines, can be summed up with the statement "I was just riding along, when this goat came out from nowhere and broke my _______"

It was the front axle on the 835 and was not doing anything hard. JD dealer said this was rare for it to happen and maybe it was just a bad part.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I think every break on pretty much all machines, can be summer up with the statement "I was just riding along when this goat came out from nowhere and broke my _______"

When I worked on ATV's for a living, the number 1 cause for bent or broke tie rods, axles, swingarms, bent wheels, was bouncing off of trees or big fence posts going through a narrow gate. Also, the 2nd number one reason for broken parts was "I let my kids drive it"...

Not sure what broke AllDodge's friends machine. It could have simply been a bad part from bad material. When an axle breaks, it breaks in 2 kinds of ways. A torsional break, which is too much horsepower which often gives a "spiral" break. A dumped clutch, rapid R to F to R, or the front differential locked and the tires not giving up traction, will/can cause a shaft to just shear almost cleanly like you sawed it in two.

I hope Deere takes care of him and makes sure he's happy. My FIL bought the insurance you get when you finance it through Deere credit, and he bought the extended warranty to cover most everything for 4 years/ up to maybe 800 hours IIRC?

I still would like to see a picture of the part if possible.

 

[Code54]

or the front differential locked and the tires not giving up traction, will/can cause a shaft to just shear almost cleanly like you sawed it in two.

Busted two in my Rhino back in the day rock crawling. Looked like a nice smooth shear as you said. Was covered under warranty so I never worried about it a whole lot. GRat machine and was a lot of fun!

 

[AllDodge]

Did he take a picture of the wheel/axle part?

No, its not fixed yet. JD came out to get it and his son had it out deer hunting (works fine in 2 wheel drive). JD said they would come back to get it but he told them he will run it into them, just hasn't done it yet