ATV or UTV ?

[robertwhite]

Here's the predicament I am having.........

Mini Farm (15ac), all flat, half field, half lawn.

I was seriously considering getting a Kawi Mule 4010 (or similar other brand), preferably in the Trans 4x4 (convertible) model.

Then I started to think about just how difficult it would be to dump a load of dirt, rock, logs, whatever without a hydraulic ram or at least an electric one. Looking around the net, I see hydraulic kits in the $800-1100 range

They are also in the $10K+ range.

So.................. I asked myself, what about getting an ATV (700-750cc) and then just picking up an ATV trailer which are easily had for $500-1000 depending on weighted or hydraulic lift. A new '09 Yamaha Grizzly or Kawi Brute is right at the $7K point. Add the 2 costs up and it is actually less to get the ATV (which can be played with in the fields, trails, etc.) and the dump trailer which is easily separated and stored.

Now obviously, the UTV is easier to get into tight spaces, but the property is pretty much wide open and getting around trees and such is not an issue. I also have no need to fly thru the fields or roads at 50 mph, so the ATV will be used as a workhorse.

So the question is, How much real world use will I gain or lose in either scenario?

 

[Uncle Doug]

I have used either an ATV or my tractor with FEL to move or haul stuff or tools around our 11 acres for a number of years. It worked ok but when it was time to get a new ATV I decided to move up to a UTV. After pricing the new ones I started looking at used with low hours. There are a lot of them on the market right now. Most at 25-40% below the new prices even with low hours. I ended up going with a Kubota RTV 900. I did not get the power dump bed as did not deed it. I actualy passed on one with 700 hours in the same price range of the unit I ended up buying but a broker was selling and did not have much history on the unit.

The Kubota is more of a work vehicle and there are other brands with more speed. It does fit my needs quite well. I like being able to haul tools, feed and even a grandkid along without overloading a ATV or having to tie everything on the back.

 

[Stonehaller]

I used to use a dump trail with a garden tractor until a got a Kubota RTV500. It is so handy having the bed right on the vehicle. I worried about dumping a fully loaded UTV bed as well and was planning on adding an electric lift until I actually tried it with a load. On my RTV500 if the bed is fully loaded it is easy to dump by hand. I posted these pictures previously of my wife dumping a full load of dirt. However, if you load a few rocks in the front of the bed, then you cannot lift it unless you roll the rocks to the middle or back of the bed. As long as you can keep the load distributed in the bed, then there is no need for a lift.

 

[Dargo]

I kind of loaded mine a bit heavier. I've posted this before, but here is my RTV900 with close to 2000 pounds in the back. My little helper loved to pull the 'dump' lever when it was time to dump. To save my lawn, I used the RTV to fill the edges next to where I concreted my driveway so there wasn't an 8" drop from the driveway edge. I literally made a couple hundred trips and dumped loads like this with the RTV. Never had an issue and it always dumped the load.

 

[coobie]

Here's the predicament I am having.........

Mini Farm (15ac), all flat, half field, half lawn.

I was seriously considering getting a Kawi Mule 4010 (or similar other brand), preferably in the Trans 4x4 (convertible) model.

Then I started to think about just how difficult it would be to dump a load of dirt, rock, logs, whatever without a hydraulic ram or at least an electric one. Looking around the net, I see hydraulic kits in the $800-1100 range

They are also in the $10K+ range.

So.................. I asked myself, what about getting an ATV (700-750cc) and then just picking up an ATV trailer which are easily had for $500-1000 depending on weighted or hydraulic lift. A new '09 Yamaha Grizzly or Kawi Brute is right at the $7K point. Add the 2 costs up and it is actually less to get the ATV (which can be played with in the fields, trails, etc.) and the dump trailer which is easily separated and stored.

Now obviously, the UTV is easier to get into tight spaces, but the property is pretty much wide open and getting around trees and such is not an issue. I also have no need to fly thru the fields or roads at 50 mph, so the ATV will be used as a workhorse.

So the question is, How much real world use will I gain or lose in either scenario?

I have owned both,2003 Kawaski 400 atv,2004 kaw.3010 mule 4X4 and now my 2006 kubota RTV 900 4X4.My choice hands down would be a Kubota RTV 900 or 1100 models and then the Kaw. mule.coobie

 

[robertwhite]

Stonehaller: Does the 500cc have enough "oomph" or does it feel underpowered at times? Mind telling what it cost you?

I looked at the specs of the Kubota machines vs. the other well knowns and the specs look impressive. Question is do the specs pan out in the real world?

Don't know if I will be able to get away with a 500cc, but there are no real hills on the property.

900cc cost? (dealer sites nor Kubota site lists pricing at all)

What say the masses?

 

[Box5]

If you have any plans for recreational use, go with a Polaris ranger, or a atv. The Kubota seems like more of a workhorse and not so much something you'd take trail riding.

I'm going through the same decision you are right now, but i've pretty much narrowed it down to a Honda Rubicon Atv. Solid axle, beefy and dependable workhorse small enough to navigate our trails to get firewood. Plus the price difference was the real issue, a new Rubicon is about 6300, the rtv 900 is WAY more expensive (but its also alot more machine). As far as atv's go, i've done alot of reading lately, and even the people that ride Yamaha's, polaris, kawi, say the honda atv's are where its at for farm use, but mudding go with anything else.

 

[Shmudda]

Hey...Honda' love the MUD....just look!

Let me tell you something, they ALL get stuck! Its the winch that counts when forging the mud holes.

I wouldn't trade my Honda's for anything. No belt, no problems. Seen way to many belts get wet, muddy and swamped and then have issues. I'll take the hydro tanny or manual anyday over a CVT.....

Craig

 

[Dargo]

If you have any plans for recreational use, go with a Polaris ranger, or a atv. The Kubota seems like more of a workhorse and not so much something you'd take trail riding.

I can go along with that statement. The Kubota is definitely more suited for heavy work. I do have a Suzuki 750 King Quad with 27" 589 tires on it. I have to admit that it's been pretty dang good on the trails, in the mud, in the snow and climbing hills. There again, it's the first ATV I've owned that has been fuel injected. That makes it soooo much nicer! Oh, I do have a nice 3500 pound winch on it that I have used. It goes really well but, as previously stated, they all can and will get stuck.

 

[whistlepig]

Wagons are not very handy. They shake everything off and are easy to turn over. They are a pain to back up and to get in to tight places. Although I do have an ATV wagon I rarely use it. I'll use the pickup truck or FEL rather than the wagon. We do love our ATV's. We have two. A Honda Rancher and a Polaris Sportsman. Both are very good ATV's. For us it is better to have an ATV. We sometimes use these things in mud and snow up to the axles. They go right through it. UTV's don't do as well as ATV's in the slop. But if the only choice I had in hauling was between an ATV with a trailer and an UTV I would for sure go with the UTV.