Looking for the best UTV for play and work

[OrangeMuscle]

I just sold my 2018 Kubota L6060 Cab this week because I had no real use for it anymore. Primarily used it for helping on the new house I just built. Lots of grappling and moving dirt around. I didn't use it for over a month so I posted it and it sold fast. Now the garage had a big empty spot in it. I'm itching to fill it back up!

I have 20 acres and my goal is to buy a UTV that serves a few purposes.

1) To provide smiles and fun, and to provide seating for at least 3.

2) To be able to have decent snow plow capabilities. I have a half mile driveway.

I do have someone that will plow if I had to, but I find it fun and satisfying and would prefer to do myself. I love snow! Sadly it's been a zero snow winter so far except for a wacky Nov 15th storm.

I have read and watched everything possible online. I was originally thinking the Kubota RTV1100C was the one, being that it was the clear winner on the truly capable plowing it provides, but then I got hung up on the total lack of fun factor. Not just the top speed limitation, but rather a lack of zippiness. Then I turned to the new Deere 835 and 865, which seem great because they have the controlled cab but can also get the heart pumping. Also love the fact that the front windshield can lift up for enjoying nice weather. If I went this route, Im sure I would struggle with picking the gas or diesel. Even though the conditioned cabs are beautiful, I would imagine for some of the year you would like to enjoy the weather in the open.

Then I started looking at the Honda Pioneer. This is a great machine, but the back flip seats are somewhat of a joke, and it does seem a bit large for tight trails. Now I am heavily looking at the Yamaha Wolverine X4. It seems to get serious praise across the board. Seems to excel in all areas. But then I look at the plows that they make for these two machines and it seems like joke... looks like a flimsy blade being controlled by the winch. I read warning to stay under 5pm, to not lift blade with snow on it, and that most done even angle unless you manually do it. Also, with either of these machines, I would not have the beauty of the conditioned cab like the deere and kubota. Seems like the beefier Pioneer would be able to handle a v-plow but I don't think it can.

As you can see I'm lost and all over the map. Any thoughts?

 

[Industrial Toys]

Just personally, I would not subject any UTV to snowplowing that had a belt clutch. And in general, (I think) most don't have a sufficiently heavy drivetrain for that kind of work.

Difficult. You want a toy but want to have a working tool as well.

 

[jeff9366]

Seating and transmission will probably make your decision.

HST transmission and heavy weight for work = Kubota.

VIDEOS: Messick's Review of the Kubota RTV X11 Utility Vehicle - YouTube

kubota rtv 11 plowing snow - YouTube


Some other transmission for higher speed.

Personally, I would not drive a UTV over 25 mph on dirt with a passenger. Too much liability.


Consider noise too. The Kubota diesels are somewhat loud.

You will fuel a gas powered utility vehicle more frequently than a diesel.

 

[nybirdman]

I am a big Yamaha fan;I have owned three new ones.Grizzley ATV,Rhino(450cc) and currently a 2016 Viking.
My machines are used for my business and some trail riding;they "must" work when needed.
I put 4,000 trouble free miles on my Rhino and have 1200 on the Viking.These machines will push snow like gang busters and the CVT trans of Yamaha is the best out there;also the Yamahas have engine braking.
The Viking is a three seater;the New Wolverine X2 or X4 are a 850cc twin.
In our family we currently have two Vikings,a Grizzley,JD 825 and a Kawasaki Terx and a new Kodiak.
Belt driven machines got a bad rap from the old Polaris machines.I have a 1998 Kawasaki Prairie purchased new with 4000+ miles(snow-plowed with it) with the original belt on it.

 

[Code54]

Belt driven machines got a bad rap from the old Polaris machines.I have a 1998 Kawasaki Prairie purchased new with 4000+ miles(snow-plowed with it) with the original belt on it.

Agree 100% - I used our Mule FXT to haul very large loads of wood up steep inclines, tow 700-800lbs of dirt up hills and never had the belt slip. Years ago that was a big issue but there are several belt drives out there that can easily plow snow and not have any problems..

 

[Woody65]

Kawasaki mule pro-fx or fxt. I use mine for play and work. To me, it has the best of both worlds. The kubota will out work it but It’s too slow for play. The others can out play it but to light for work. Good luck choosing.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Amazing. Those front wheel driveshafts on the UTVs remind me of Q-Tips!

 

[9973720wb19]

kubota diesel - it's not loud at all. and a real work horse

 

[Notforhire]

This reminds me of my dream vehicle. A combination sports car/ dump truck. It will cruse at 70, get 40 mpg and can carry 5 tons of rock.:laughing:

I'm sure that you'll find something that works for you. Good luck.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

This thread may help you. OP did FINALLY make a choice/decision :laughing::cool2:https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/search.php?searchid=4819138
I have owned a RTV1140 for 8 years and it's permanent. It currently has about 400 sq ft of used pallet boards for cabin wall lining on the back of it to take up my mountain. It is a work machine and has even pulled my L3901 out of a bad downhill situation before and hauled lots of overflowing bed full of dirt and gravel and that's with extended bed and back seat up. I recently bought a RTV500 gas for grandson for a bit more zip and shorter turning circle. He's 14 and been driving the RTV1140 since he was 6. He loves them both but smiles more with the newer RTV500 which he has now gotten dirty.
Bottom line, you may have to buy two different machines for what you want. Buy new Kubota and maybe a used faster other color/brand. :2cents:

 

[ProjectKing]

I would buy another tractor and a Honda Pioneer 1000. A tractor is a indispensable tool for 20 acres and the Pioneer is an awesome machine. Good luck!

 

[OrangeMuscle]

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and advice!

I do agree the tractor is an indispensable tool, but for me, its just my house on a 2 acre cleared section in the middle of the woods. No firewood for me, have Geothermal. No farm animals, no dirt to move around, nothing left to grapple, and I did all the landscape rake work I could possibly do. Now Im just left with an extremely long half mile driveway that will be paved this spring.

After further brainstorming, I do agree that maybe Im asking too much for one UTV. Perhaps it would be better to just get a fun UTV and buy a $7,500 dodge 2500 with a plow that I see listed frequently.

JohnThomas, unfortunately your link didn't open up. Can you somehow try again, I would be interested in reading a similar struggle?

 

[nybirdman]

If you go with a sidexside and want to plow;look at the Boss plows;pricey but a very robust plow.Hydraulic angle ect.Much less upkeep than an old plow truck.

 

[shooterdon]

I used a Polaris 850 to plow with for a while. Got a used plow truck for $3500 (with the plow) almost 4 years ago. I would not recommend a UTV for plowing as the truck is so much better...faster, heated cab, wipers, lights....plus it carries a lot more. I use it as a beater truck and can go off the property with it into town...something the UTV cannot legally do. It also hauls firewood which is something you do not need.

With the work functions covered...look at a Jeep. We also had a Polaris RZR and it is a blast but useless for anything else. Only a two seater though. Wound up selling both the 850 and RZR and getting a used Jeep Wrangler. No dust, seats 2-4, A/C, heat, wipers, cab, it does fine trail riding, and is another vehicle we can use anywhere and anytime.

Even my UTV dealer is getting a used Jeep as he thinks the UTV's are overpriced and limited in use. They are a nice toy until you go riding back roads with a few others and are not leading the pack. And If you want the sun and dust and wind, the tops come off.

 

[timswi]

If you have a 1/2 mile driveway, I'm thinking the tractor will be needed again sooner rather than later. After I built my house, I sold my 8N w/loader and attachments and as soon as spring came around I regretted it..My right-of-way is around 1000 ft plus my couple hundred feet of driveway needed major maintenance. Bought my BX23 that year.

As far as plowing, my RTV1100 is perfect for me...Not a sport machine by any means but the HVAC and radio make plowing fun as opposed to the old days freezing to death on a quad.

 

[ArlyA]

Seems you do need a tractor. Fun to spend other peoples $$$!!! Nonetheless, UTV's are wonderful to have for work. Work is all I've ever done with them and pushing snow should not break it. CVT transmissions have been around for some time and that's what I'd get. Here is a photo of CVT equipped machine pushing some. And it didn't break.. :thumbsup:

 

[OrangeMuscle]

I tried like heck to try and convince myself that I still needed the tractor. Since the driveway is getting paved this spring, there is no more grooming or grading. All the property is final graded. I cleaned up every limb and twig and branch i could possibly find with the grapple. It was too big and silly to mow with, so the only reason at all to keep it would have been for snow removal. That would be a shame to just let it sit unused for 80% of the year. Plus it cost 50k. Too much to sit and rot.

Can the RTV1100C go into the trails at all?

Pretty scary that these UTV's are close to the same price of a new base Jeep.

I will be test driving later this week. Will stop by the Honda and Yamaha dealer, as well as the Kubota dealer. Perhaps take a spin in the new sidekick.

 

[cathy liebchen]

I tried like heck to try and convince myself that I still needed the tractor. Since the driveway is getting paved this spring, there is no more grooming or grading. All the property is final graded. I cleaned up every limb and twig and branch i could possibly find with the grapple. It was too big and silly to mow with, so the only reason at all to keep it would have been for snow removal. That would be a shame to just let it sit unused for 80% of the year. Plus it cost 50k. Too much to sit and rot.

Can the RTV1100C go into the trails at all?

Pretty scary that these UTV's are close to the same price of a new base Jeep.

I will be test driving later this week. Will stop by the Honda and Yamaha dealer, as well as the Kubota dealer. Perhaps take a spin in the new sidekick.

RTV is not for trails. If you are looking at Honda and Yamaha the Kawasaki Mule full sized is worth a look too

 

[shooterdon]

You will get tired of the Kubota on trails. My buddy has one and he regrets buying it.

 

[DK35vince]

Nonetheless, UTV's are wonderful to have for work. Work is all I've ever done with them and pushing snow should not break it. CVT transmissions have been around for some time and that's what I'd get. Here is a photo of CVT equipped machine pushing some. And it didn't break.. :thumbsup:

I'm with you.
I personally like the CVT's