A few questions about the RTV

my3510 · Dec 22, 2004

I have decided that I need (want) a utility vehicle for work, camping, fishing and fun around the farm. I have six acres which is next to fifty acres my family ownes. I bought a two seater go-kart last year called a XTV (extreme terrain vehicle) which is a lot of fun and gets us around the farm real well but is not a work vehicle and has no reverse. I plan to start using more firewood to heat and am considering a wood boiler for the near future. I need a UTV that can haul a small trailer (5'x10') loaded with wood. I drove the Kubota RTV and the Kawasaki Mule, both deisel I liked them both but for the little bit of extra money the Kubota and it's power steering is at the top of the list. They both seemed a bit slow as far as top speed. I also looked at the Yamaha Rhino but it seemed more like something
for play than work. Can the RTV's top speed be increased
or is there another UTV I should be looking at that is in the RTV's price range and towing capabilities?

Thanks, Mike

riptides · Dec 22, 2004

Mike,

I think when you are hauling a 1/2 ton or ton of firewood in the back of the RTV over poor terrain, you will find speed is not a factor.

I had a beech down in a creek bed, I used the RTV to get down close to it and hauled up the cut pieces over terrain I had difficulty walking over.

Maybe it is just me, but 25mph is plenty fast enough for work tasks.

Just my opinion. Have a Happy Holiday.

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

bczoom · Dec 22, 2004

Mike,

For a work machine and towing, the RTV is the top dog. For a play machine, the Rhino seems to be the preferred machine. Most everything else falls somewhere inbetween and serves both functions.

If your terrain is relatively flat, I would think that most UTV's should be able to tow your trailer when filled.

As for speed, the RTV has a top speed of about 25 mph. I believe the diesel Mule and Gator are about the same. The Ranger, Rhino... have a top end of about 40 but many have tweeked the Rhino and are getting around 50.

As for price, the RTV is probably still the highest but becomes pretty close once the features are added to a competing model.

rtvman · Dec 23, 2004

If speed is important to you then I would go with the Mule 3010 gas. There is a governor, which is not on either of the diesel machines, that limits the speed to 25mph that can easily be removed to increase the speed up to 40-45 mph. The manufacturer and/or dealer will not recommend that as an option to you because of the liability but it can be done fairly easily yourself without harm to the motor. The motor will not over rev at full throttle provided it is under load. I had a 2003 Mule 3010 before I bought my RTV this past summer. It ended up for me anyway that speed was not as important as the power steering and the strenght of the diesel motor that the RTV offers. Other then those two points I must say that you really can't go wrong with either the Mule or the RTV.

I will caution you however that these work machines are designed for slower speeds and if you remove the governor on the Mule it may become a little tippy and potentially very unsafe at higher speeds./forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Happy holidays to you and be careful out there.