All purpose UTV for farm use?

[Redneck in training]

One factor that is often overlooked is the rear axle. Consider the implications of owning a machine that can weigh 2500 lbs loaded, with a solid rear axle. Since you are an ATV owner, you know the consequences of this (major turf and trail or driveway damage simply from turning a corner). Many UTVs have solid rear axles, even though they have independent rear suspension. There are a few that have open differentials which are lockable, and of course they are all four wheel drive so you can engage the front wheels too. The Gator 825i and 855 are two that have open and locakable rear differentials. I can drive my 825i around on the lawn all day with Big Horn tires and not do damage, even when cornering really sharp. Some other machines simply make a corner and leave a 1-2 inch deep trench from one or both rear wheels, because they have solid rear axles. Also, the differential equiped machines survive the use of tracks much better than solid rear axle machines, because of greatly reduced stress on the drivetrain.
Your choice, but now you are informed.

What he means by solid axle is it has no differential. There is no single term describing powered axle without differential. Solid axle in automotive jargon means beam or live axle powered or not with differential or not.

 

[timswi]

One factor that is often overlooked is the rear axle. Consider the implications of owning a machine that can weigh 2500 lbs loaded, with a solid rear axle. Since you are an ATV owner, you know the consequences of this (major turf and trail or driveway damage simply from turning a corner). Many UTVs have solid rear axles, even though they have independent rear suspension. There are a few that have open differentials which are lockable, and of course they are all four wheel drive so you can engage the front wheels too. The Gator 825i and 855 are two that have open and locakable rear differentials. I can drive my 825i around on the lawn all day with Big Horn tires and not do damage, even when cornering really sharp. Some other machines simply make a corner and leave a 1-2 inch deep trench from one or both rear wheels, because they have solid rear axles. Also, the differential equiped machines survive the use of tracks much better than solid rear axle machines, because of greatly reduced stress on the drivetrain.
Your choice, but now you are informed.

Pretty sure the 900 is the same as my 1100..Open rear diff until you apply the diff lock...No yard damage except if you have to concern yourself with machine weight...RTV's are substantial in the weight department. A good thing mostly.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I wouldn't think that many folks with RTV's would be running up and down their lawn daily, well possibly occasionally spreading mulch to flower beds and other such duties once a year of so. I don't but if I need to traverse the lawn, I do and unless it is extremely wet, one cant even see where I ran. The 12" wide tires distribute the weight very well and turning isn't an issue. RTV's don't have a really short turning radius for one thing and open differentials (front and rear) don't dig in when turning. The large turning radius might be considered a short coming compared to other UTVs but one gets used to it soon enough.

 

[Member]

Any thoughts on Honda Pioneer 700-4 it has my attention looking at it hard.

I have a Pioneer 700-2. I've only had it for a few weeks but so far so good.

I wanted reliability and a smooth ride in a smaller machine appropriate for my trails.

In my opinion it breaks down like this:
- Polaris: They check a lot of boxes like fastest, most horsepower, most available accessories. The boxes they don't check for me are technical superiority of the transmission and reliability.
- Kubota: Hardest working and most advanced transmission but slow and there's not a lot of suspension compliance.
- Yamaha: The new offering looks huge in size. I read, but have no direct experience, that the engine mount dampening/isolation is not good. It seems like they basically stopped development during the lawsuits and they're just starting back up
- Kawasaki: Didn't consider.

With the Honda it won't be the fastest or have the most horsepower but it will work every time I go to use it and that mattered much more to me than going 60 MPH or winning a drag race.

 

[timswi]

I have a Pioneer 700-2. I've only had it for a few weeks but so far so good.

I wanted reliability and a smooth ride in a smaller machine appropriate for my trails.

In my opinion it breaks down like this:
- Polaris: They check a lot of boxes like fastest, most horsepower, most available accessories. The boxes they don't check for me are technical superiority of the transmission and reliability.
- Kubota: Hardest working and most advanced transmission but slow and there's not a lot of suspension compliance.
- Yamaha: The new offering looks huge in size. I read, but have no direct experience, that the engine mount dampening/isolation is not good. It seems like they basically stopped development during the lawsuits and they're just starting back up
- Kawasaki: Didn't consider.

With the Honda it won't be the fastest or have the most horsepower but it will work every time I go to use it and that mattered much more to me than going 60 MPH or winning a drag race.

As far as the Kubota suspension compliance, that is somewhat true. I believe the front can be softened, the pre irs ones had leaf packs in the rear, so not much you can do there. After 4 years with my 1100, I haven't found the ride to be abusive--Soft, no, but quite tolerable. I don't know what the 2014 models ride like as I have not tried one yet...They may be improved with the irs.

 

[DT86]

I don't know what the 2014 models ride like as I have not tried one yet...They may be improved with the irs.

Oh man they are smoother riding and faster. I didn't believe it at first just driving the new one didn't seem faster, but my dealer and I had a drag race.

 

[timswi]

Oh man they are smoother riding and faster. I didn't believe it at first just driving the new one didn't seem faster, but my dealer and I had a drag race.

Thought the new ones still maxed out at 25mph..Or just quicker?...So they ride nice too?

 

[Ken45101]

As for ATVs and age, I'm 66 and don't have any problem getting on and off the ATV.

However, since we bought the RTV900 (6? years ago), the 4wheelers get very little use. Hauling hay bales? Yes, it can be done with a 4 wheeler but it's sooo much more convenient with the RTV. Firewood, everything.

The only place the 4 wheelers comes in handy is for checking out our trails. If a trail is blocked by a downed tree, the 4 wheeler is easier to turn around than the RTV. And sometimes it's more enjoyable if I'm solo trail riding. But other than that, the RTV900 wins hands down.

It has a rear differential so lawn damage is not an issue. And a differential lock if you need it. The powered dump bed is nice. We have the winch and snow plow on ours.

The hydrostatic transmission is great for automatically providing downhill braking. Let your foot off he accelerator and it pretty much comes to a stop.

 

[DT86]

Thought the new ones still maxed out at 25mph..Or just quicker?...So they ride nice too?

The 900 is quicker off the line but the the 1120 is quicker off the line and maintains speed better. I had the 1120 up to 28 coming off a hill.

I added pics on the "new RTV for 2014" thread.

 

[timswi]

The 900 is quicker off the line but the the 1120 is quicker off the line and maintains speed better. I had the 1120 up to 28 coming off a hill.

I added pics on the "new RTV for 2014" thread.

Thanks..I'll have to check one out...Did you notice if they have the new-gen emissions?..KTAC kinda said that they did.

 

[RJT]

Well, I was able to get out to try a Gator HPX 4x4 Diesel, Gator CX 4x2 (the cheapo model) and a Kubota RTV900. I liked the Gator HPX but as mentioned, it didn't feel like it had enough headroom for me (I'm 6'3"). The RTV900 was nice but I just wasn't feeling it. Maybe I'm a speed demon but it just didn't seem quick enough to me and it didn't help that the salesman was an absolute jerk. Of all 3, I was actually happiest with the CX 4x2 and I haven't the slightest clue as to why. I'm not sure if the 800 lb tow limit will be enough. I'm not really scared away by the 4x2. If I need to go in the snow.. I'll just use something else that I have that has 4x4.

As to what I'm going to use it for.. To elaborate more on "farm use" to me.
1. We're starting a fruit farm; strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. I plan on using whatever machine it is that I get primarily for harvesting.

2. My wife has lots of feathery friends. Chickens, Turkeys, Geese, Ducks, you name it. I'm going to need (from time to time) to haul some of these animals from their pen (which will be on the far end of the property) to the house if they need to be treated for any injuries etc. We also will have a bio-secure area at the opposite end of the farm in case illness' such as avian flu, new castle disease, or other various diseases come back in blood work testing (my wife shows her chickens and ducks). Will also need to move newborns from the holding pen / incubation area (she breeds and sells them too) at the house to the flock introduction pen right next to the main poultry pen. So pretty much, moving her poultry around. Their feed gets delivered by the ton and will be in a silo.

3. Just general purpose stuff.

The wood to build the pens and materials needed for construction will more than likely just stay on the back of my F150 and that will be driven over to wherever it is needed. No point in unloading material just to load it into something else.. To unload it again. Between the 2 of us, we have 4 vehicles not counting our POS plow truck that we use on the property so unloading off the pickup won't be necessary.

Maybe I'd use it to bring my tools over from out of the shed? Maybe use the winch to stretch fencing or something. Maybe I don't even need a UTV/ATV, but I'll tell you what.. I want one, so I'll probably get one anyway since the funds will be available, haha.

 

[Cpjlube]

My experience is with the Gators. I own an older 4x2 Gator (gas). I use it mainly around my house. Hauling mulch, moving supplies, it even makes a nice mobile tool bench because the bed height is perfect. I bought it three years ago, it has a ton of hours and has a few problems but never fails to start and get the jobs done. It even gets out to the farm and helps out occasionally. By design it's about 80% work and only 20% play. No real suspension in the rear, with the diff lock it is capable of going off road but no rough country capability.
I have used an 825 Gator also. Much bigger feeling. Definitely more off road uses. It's more 50% play and 50% work. One thing I found I didn't like was that the bed was higher making loading a bit worse. Also, the roll bars and bigger seats make it slower to get in and out. Around the house I like the smaller (cheaper) Gators more than the jacked up ones. Just my opinion.

Chuck

 

[jimgerken]

Drive an 825i before you decide.

 

[RJT]

What I did do, was test out a 550. We passed a JD dealer when we were coming back from dropping a box truck full of stuff off from our move. I like it better than the other three machines I tried out. It had the "protection and utility" packages. I talked numbers with the salesman and talked about one or two add-ons that I would like to have. My quote was "about $11,500 before taxes". It had a pretty nice ride for a mid size and they even had a cart loaded up with cinder block to show you how they feel while towing. I was pretty impressed with the thing. The salesman seemed like a great guy, too. I think my utility vehicle search has all but ended unless I find something better / I get other recommendations. The only other one I feel compelled enough to go check out at a dealer is the Honda Pioneer 700-2. I appreciate all the insight and help y'all have provided. This is a great forum and I'll absolutely be sure to stick around!

 

[pwright]

You really should check out both the Honda and Polaris offerings.

 

[rmorey]

We picked up a Kioti Mechron. 900cc diesel engine with 1500 lbs towing and the largest box in the industry. Also several thousand dollars cheaper than any other diesel out there.:thumbsup:

 

[dusty3030]

Is the 550 an air cooled, carburetor, Briggs and Stratton?

I like Gators, my 620I was bullet proof, but I would buy a high hour used liquid cooled, fuel injected or diesel machine from any of the popular brands before I would buy an air cooled, carbed one.

 

[coobie]

An RTV900 is a great work machine. Not fast, but will do what you want and then some...No belt drive is a plus for grunt work.

DITTO on then Kubota RTV 900.

 

[RJT]

I've had horrible luck with Polaris, tbh. Everything I ever had by them broke unless I babied it and used it gently aside from a 500 H.O I used to have. I test drove an RTV900, I didn't like it. It just wasn't for me. I really don't need anything big and I do still plan on getting out to try a Pioneer 700-2. My wife has a Honda ATV and it has been near bulletproof. Plus, the Honda is actually a couple dollars cheaper than the JD configured the way I want it.

 

[RJT]

Anyone familiar with Bennche?
If what you see is what you get at the price they have posted.. I don't need to say anymore.

From their website, the Bighorn 500:
"Upgraded accessories included - what a deal! Our middle-of-the-line/mid-level EFI Bighorn 500 not only features a four-stroke, single cylinder, 471cc 22.8HP engine with an automatic L-H-N-R-P transmission, but comes standard with a top cover, aluminum wheels, full-size windshield, cup holder, and winch. Perfect for lightweight work or play, the Bighorn 500 also meets safety requirements for a low-speed vehicle. Just get a license plate and you can ride on your neighborhood streets! Whether you use the Bighorn 500 for work or play, you'll find its power, flexibility and upgraded accessories make it the best value on the market!"

And from what I can see, comes with a receiver hitch!

Dry Weight: 1146 lbs
Bed Capacity: 400 lbs (35.5" x 44")
Towing Capacity: 1200 lbs

MSRP $8,299 / $9,149 EPS and as pictured in attachment.




Closest dealer is about 25 miles from the new house. I'm gonna swing by tomorrow. If they're as nice as they look in pictures.. And ride as well as I hope they do.. My decision is made.. And I'll let y'all how goes it. Sub 10k for all of that is insane. I hope the quality is good.


I'm going to take one of THESE for a ride as well.
Perhaps I'll sell 2 of my quads. MSRP $6,999. What you see is what you get.





About $16,149 for both if those numbers are anywhere near close. If I'm offering cash, I'm sure It's well within the right ballpark. My "as cash" quotes have been about on par with what website builds have been, so I'm going to presume they're similar. I can easily get around 6k for the 2011 Yamaha Grizzly FI Auto 4x4 I have.. Probably another 4k for the 2010 Kawi KFX450. I've grown out of the Kawi anyway. I'm no speed demon anymore.. At least, not unless I have a roll cage or vehicle body around me, haha.



Last edit, I promise. I've found some reviews on both products. It seems like they get pretty high marks in performance/reliability and about average everywhere else. That's good enough for me! Off to the dealership tomorrow to take some toys for a test drive!