ATV or UTV ?

[Stonehaller]

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?

The RTV500 is a definitely wimpy at or near max. speed. It will do 25 MPH on the flat, but any hills slow it down. In low range it is a tank - you cannot stop it. I have dragged good size logs out of the woods in tight areas where I cannot fit my tractor. I am quite happy with it. Cost was $7800 before tax.

 

[robertwhite]

The RTV500 is a definitely wimpy at or near max. speed. It will do 25 MPH on the flat, but any hills slow it down. In low range it is a tank - you cannot stop it. I have dragged good size logs out of the woods in tight areas where I cannot fit my tractor. I am quite happy with it. Cost was $7800 before tax.

I am going to look at the RTV's on Monday but in all the reading I have been doing it sure seems that the RTV500 is just barely adequate on hills with any kind of load. I am not looking for a speed demon (either the RTV or Mule) but I really don't want to be wishing it had more power after I purchased it.

Anyone have a Mule 3010? If so, how would it compare to the RTV500 under load on hills?

 

[Stonehaller]

Anyone have a Mule 3010? If so, how would it compare to the RTV500 under load on hills?

The Mule 3010 is more like the RTV900 in size. The Mule 610 is comparable to the RTV500. I went with the small vehicle because of the narrow trails that I have. If the size is not an issue, the larger vehicles are a better value.

 

[robertwhite]

The Mule 3010 is more like the RTV900 in size. The Mule 610 is comparable to the RTV500. I went with the small vehicle because of the narrow trails that I have. If the size is not an issue, the larger vehicles are a better value.

Physical size yes, but engine size on the 3010 is only 617cc. A Mule 610 is only 401cc. Physical size is not a concern of mine (although for others such as yourself it may be), but engine size and the ability to go up a hill or pull a load is a big concern.

I am going to have to see an RTV in person to compare.

 

[Stonehaller]

Physical size yes, but engine size on the 3010 is only 617cc. A Mule 610 is only 401cc. Physical size is not a concern of mine (although for others such as yourself it may be), but engine size and the ability to go up a hill or pull a load is a big concern.

I had test drove both the 610 and the RTV500 and thought they were similar in power. Remember the hydro trans of the RTV, though more heavy duty, is not as efficient as the CVT belt drive of the Mule 610 which may be why it gets away with a smaller engine. I drove a used 3010 before either of the smaller UTVs and remember it had more performance and better ride then either of the smaller UTVs. It is hard to tell real world performance from just a test drive. Hopefully some 3010 owners will chime in here.

Even in high range, the RTV500 has good power if you go slow. I have towed my 21' boat in and out of the barn up a small grade in high range. The engine and trans do a go job at lower speeds. It's above about 15 MPH that it could use more power.

 

[Dargo]

I am going to look at the RTV's on Monday but in all the reading I have been doing it sure seems that the RTV500 is just barely adequate on hills with any kind of load. I am not looking for a speed demon (either the RTV or Mule) but I really don't want to be wishing it had more power after I purchased it.

Anyone have a Mule 3010? If so, how would it compare to the RTV500 under load on hills?

I know it probably doesn't count, but I had a Mule several years ago. Back then I had a JD Gator when their strongest model was the 4X6 with no suspension. To be honest, I liked both of them, the old JD Gator and the mule. The big difference was that my JD Gator was the yellow colored diesel powered 'Worksite' Gator and the Mule was gas powered. Neither broke down on me and I worked them hard. Again, it's been a while since I directly compared them, but the RTV900 was heavier built than a comparable Mule in early 2004.

I've had countless Odysseys, Gators, off road go carts and one Mule and two RTVs. I now have an RTV1100 camo. I just don't particularly care for the bright orange color and I don't like being hot/cold and bug bitten when riding around my property. The cab on the RTV1100 is particularly nice but expensive. One thing I did on both the RTV900 and the RTV1100 is add a 'coast valve' to make them drive very similar to all other machines and not have that sudden stop when letting off the throttle. I'm quite certain that there are a lot of quality machines out there. I just prefer diesel (fill up at the barn tank) and I've worked the Kubota RTV machines extremely hard with no ill effects. Again, others may do the same. I don't know. I'm more of a 'if it isn't broken, don't fix it' kind of guy. Therefore, I've stuck with the RTV machines.