Ability to climb and descend steep grades.

[ultrarunner]

One of my projects on the ranch is to put in a firetrail/firebreak along the fenced property boundaries...

It's been let go over the years and access is an issue...

Over the last two years I have been using the Deere 350C to make my way... so far so good.

Some of the slopes must be 45 degrees... if not then close to that.

It sure would be easier and quicker to have a small ATV for checking and mending the fence line.

Never owned one and don't know anyone close with one.

How stable and how capable are these small ATV's?

I would imagine 4wd with 4wd brakes a must and excellent parking brakes because at some places there is nothing flat... either it is up or down... with the dozer I set the brake and use the blade for a brake...

 

[ovrszd]

Many, many, many folks have been injured on ATVs. There is a definite technique to riding one on steep terrain. If you have no experience you will probably tip it over backwards during the learning curve. An experienced rider can go places you cannot imagine. And as an unexperienced observer you will never fully grasp how it's done. Only seat time will give you that knowledge. It's a hard learn.

 

[ultrarunner]

Would that include the RTV like Kubota and Gators?

The only surefooted machine I am most comfortable with is a small Dozer... I will back up and if to steep it won't go and then I drive back the same path... the front blade and rear rippers make amazing brakes.

I'm most uneasy on side hills with the Kubota and Deere TLB... things that don't phase me in the least with the Dozer are different on a TLB.

 

[ovrszd]

UTVs (RTV, Gator, Rhino, Ranger, etc) are much more stable than an ATV. Tip over backwards incidents are much less likely. Side slope roll overs are also less likely. Injury is only less likely if seat belts are used.

The comparison of UTVs and ATVs is minimal. They simply are not the same thing.

A 4x4 ATV will weigh around 600lbs. A 4x4 UTV will weigh around 1300lbs. The Kubota RTV is near the heaviest at 2000lbs.

 

[ultrarunner]

Good point... I need to get my terminology correct... I have seen ranchers with Honda Ranchers which look like a 4 wheel motorcycle.

I'm thinking of a RTV like one of the newer Kubota's depending on finances...

Sure would be nice to be able to do a Demo at the property... imagine tires make a big difference too.

 

[jeff9366]

I have a Kubota RTV 500 gas Utility Vehicle. It is very stable. I have the optional $250 Turf tires, which are really R4 Industrial tires. Money well spent for increased stability in your extreme scenario.

All Kubota Utility Vehicles have HST transmissions and differential locks. You know the value of HST engine braking.

The diesel Kubota Utility Vehicles are heavier, WIDER and require greater turning radius.

I also have an all terrain MUTS trailer ($1,849) with low pressure tires. It goes everywhere the RTV 500 goes, trailer full or empty. (Full trailer of dirt excepted.)

The cargo bed of my RTV500 stays loaded with tools: Chainsaw, Reciprocating Saw, 2-stoke gas, bar oil, loppers, manual pole saw,. fire shovel, etc., so I have the MUTS trailer connected most of the time. Buy a dumping trailer.

I have never owned or used a POLAR trailer but they appear to be great value.

(With the US$ very strong and the Canadian Loonie very weak, two axle MUTS trailers are cheaper now than when I purchased my single axle MUTS from Larry Edwards four or five years ago.)


LINKS (2): MUTS - Multi-Use Trailer System for your ATV, Quad and 4 Wheeler - Welcome

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=home+depot+polar+trailer

 

[ovrszd]

I started with 2wd ATV and then 4wd ATV and then Rhino ATV and then Kubota RTV. Very little comparison between any of them.

If all you are after is basic transportation, ATV.

If you want a more comfortable ride with some utility ability, UTV.

If you want a miniature work truck, RTV.

It's all about your intent.

I still have a Rhino and RTV. The Rhino rides nicer and is more Sporty. The RTV is a workhorse.

I bought both used. Paid $7K for the Rhino with 25hrs. Paid $5500 for the RTV with 186hrs.

Good luck in your search. If you wanna come to missouri you are welcome to test drive my stuff.

 

[ultrarunner]

So the no issues with the RTV500?

Don't know anyone with one... had a friend with a 400?

He liked it OK but his place was dead flat.

My neighbor in the Bay Area has a Gater he bought new... single cylinder gas... he uses it all the time... it only has two wheel brakes and when he came over to my place he nearly ended up in the creek... white knuckle ride for sure.

 

[ultrarunner]

I started with 2wd ATV and then 4wd ATV and then Rhino ATV and then Kubota RTV. Very little comparison between any of them.

If all you are after is basic transportation, ATV.

If you want a more comfortable ride with some utility ability, UTV.

If you want a miniature work truck, RTV.

It's all about your intent.

I still have a Rhino and RTV. The Rhino rides nicer and is more Sporty. The RTV is a workhorse.

I bought both used. Paid $7K for the Rhino with 25hrs. Paid $5500 for the RTV with 186hrs.

Good luck in your search. If you wanna come to missouri you are welcome to test drive my stuff.

Mighty neighborly of you... definitely looking at the work side of things... it would be also nice to be able to take elderly out sometimes around the place... my soon to be 82 year old Mom was all over the ranch yesterday... her 65 year old friend had trouble walking to the barn...

 

[ovrszd]

My RTV is an '08 900 diesel, hydraulic bed dump, hydraulic 4 wheel brakes. I added taller, aggressive mud tires. Get along fine with it. Slow at 25mph top speed. I never road it and only use it to work on the farm.

 

[ultrarunner]

I have a Kubota RTV 500 gas Utility Vehicle. It is very stable. I have the optional $250 Turf tires, which are really R4 Industrial tires. Money well spent for increased stability in your extreme scenario.

All Kubota Utility Vehicles have HST transmissions. You know the value of HST engine braking.

The diesel Kubota Utility Vehicles are heavier, WIDER and require greater turning radius.

I also have an all terrain MUTS trailer with low pressure tires. It goes everywhere the RTV 500 goes, trailer full or empty.

The cargo bed of my RTV500 stays loaded with tools: Chainsaw, Reciprocating Saw, 2-stoke gas, bar oil, loppers, manual pole saw,. fire shovel, etc., so I have the MUTS trailer connected most of the time. Buy a dumping trailer.

I have never owned or used a POLAR trailer but they appear to be great value to me.


LINKS (2): MUTS - Multi-Use Trailer System for your ATV, Quad and 4 Wheeler - Welcome

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=home+depot+polar+trailer

Looks like the trailers are two axle???

 

[jeff9366]

I believe that RTV400 is one cylinder. RTV500 is two cylinders, 15.8 horsepower.

No issues at 700 hours.

I use ethanol-free Marine gas in mine. Marine gas is readily available in Florida. No particular reason, but I do.

Current MUTS are two axles only. Less money, more stable.

 

[Oldpath05]

My guess on stability on going up and down on incline hills, banks and knolls, is a ATV UTV with those track thing accessorizes instead of tire's. I'd like to put them on my Rhino but I think there $1000.00/pc.

 

[4570Man]

Are you sure the hills are 45 degrees, not 45 percent grade. 45 degrees is extremely step. I wouldn't ride my side by side or four wheeler up that. I would be more inclined to go with a side by side because they have a full roll cage.

 

[ovrszd]

Yeah 45 degree is steep, but very doable. Just gets a bit nervy when they are 50ft tall or taller.

 

[ultrarunner]

Only from looking at it... have not taken a measurement.

Looks like a 45 on my protractor.

I cleaned it up the back 40 acre fence right of way yesterday and it really is a 40 acre parcel... many said it was too steep... the John Deere 350C took it all in stride... backed up all the way to the top and then put the blade down and worked my way to the bottom.

One of the most scenic spots on the property is also at the highest elevation... I made a detour trail to that point with the Dozer... would be nice if it were more easily accessible for the elderly if it could be done safely...

Not much rock... mostly grass, brush on dirt with ancient oaks.

The steepest spot so far is a straight line along the old boundary fence... 5 strand barbed wire on T-Posts and with some redwood posts.

I've got a Suzuki Samurai I can take out their and maybe that would give me a little better picture... it's all stock and has street tires... nothing fancy.

 

[ovrszd]

Samis are awesome UTVs.

 

[Wild Bill the 2nd]

My guess on stability on going up and down on incline hills, banks and knolls, is a ATV UTV with those track thing accessorizes instead of tire's. I'd like to put them on my Rhino but I think there $1000.00/pc.

This is what I was thinking too. Tracks just like the dozer.

I have an RTV 900 and in low range it should have the power to run an actual 45* incline. It all comes down to traction.
With the right tires and soil conditions probably. All I know is that my house has a 12/12 pitch and I wouldn't personally want to drive anything up that...

Richard has the hill climbing knowledge here with all of his off-roading buggies.

 

[4570Man]

Here is what a 37 degree slope looks like. I would be surprised if my mule could make the transition from the ground to the slope even if it could climb it.

 

[s219]

I have had an RTV-X1120D since December and am impressed with it on hills. Unlike many of the ATVs/UTVs out there with belt driven transmissions, the HST is amazing on hills, both up and down. I use both high and low gear in 4WD off road, and with low it's like a mountain goat uphill and downhill.

The RTV is definitely built heavier and more tractor like than a lot of UTVs. More for work than fun.