Interesting that two people can look at the same thing and see two totally different pictures/images/ideas!
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This forum has obviously evolved to a mostly Kabota group
Key word FORUM, johnthomas.This thread brought out the other members who, obviously, are still around in some numbers.
I don't know what to make of your comment that you've bought 13 Kubotas in 8 years. Clearly there is brand loyalty there. But just as clearly to me is some dissatisfaction that you keep "flipping" them. Hopefully you have a great dealer that you aren't loosing money on every buy / sell. I know they hold their value well. I'm also thinking that "13 Kubotas" is not referring to 13 UTVs, probably most are tractors (I'm guessing.)
If the original poster has a good relationship with his local Deere dealer, he probably will find a Gator to be a satisfactory purchase. I've only had one repair in 3 years on mine, so maybe dealers aren't an important part of the equation once you get past price. My decision reflected a brand loyalty as well as a sense of loyalty to a local dealer with whom I've had a relationship outside of tractors and UTVs and, all things considered, would rather give him my business than take it somewhere else. But number one consideration was product and I'm happy enough. So is my wife (that matters lots, too!)
Buying a side by side
- Thread starter dougrout
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wyndham6
Member
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2011
- Messages
- 25
- Location
- Clarksville, VA
- Tractor
- Kubota RTV 1140, Jinma Nortrac 4WD compact tractor, Polaris Ranger
I agree with the comment regarding cvt transmissions. I have a Polaris rangers 6x6 and recently bought a kubota 1140 rtv. I got real good at replacing the drivebelt on my ranger. I love having the hydrostatic transmission of the rtv. We have loved the ranger, but the kubota is just in a different class.
Based on all the replies I think I'm going to arrange for test drives for the Polaris Ranger, the Kubota RTV and the John Deere Gator. I'm still not certain about which size of each to test. Cost is an obvious issue as is the power requirements for hill climbing and use of tracks in the winter. I'll talk to the dealers about these issues. Let you know what happens.
Before you buy take a look at the new Koiti Merchron. It is standeard with a 3 cylinder deisel, and rugged construction.
I understand that they are going out the door, with an hydralic dump bed, for 10 grand. Hard to beat that price and Koiti makes an excellent product regardless of price.
I understand that they are going out the door, with an hydralic dump bed, for 10 grand. Hard to beat that price and Koiti makes an excellent product regardless of price.
sunnyside360
Veteran Member
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- Aug 8, 2006
- Messages
- 1,561
- Location
- Central PA
- Tractor
- JD 3720, JD 4320, JD 835R, Kubota M4D-071, Kubota ZD1511
I'm not knocking Kioti because I never had one but my neighbor has a Kioti tractor and he has trouble with dealer honoring warranty work, ie, leaking fuel filter (cracked), leaking radiator, and he has to pay for transporting the tractor to/from the dealer. I rarely have trouble with my Deere tractors and equipment under warranty but when I do I have never had a hassle and have never had to pay for transporting to/from the dealer. This has been my experience at three different Deere dealers. Can't say how Gator UTV's would be handled but I'd be surprised if you had a hassle for warranty work --- you would probably be responsible for transporting the UTV to/from the dealer.
Excellent decision to test drive all models of interest. Good luck.
Excellent decision to test drive all models of interest. Good luck.
So I had a test drive of an RTV 1100 today. I was impressed with its ability to climb hills, even in 2 wheel drive. This was my first drive in a side by side - I was surprised at how noisy it was in the cab and how slow it was. Mind you, I certainly wasn't pushing it given the bumpiness of the route.
Tomorrow the JD dealer is dropping off a Gator 855D. I'll be very interested to see how it handles on my own property. I wonder if it will be as noisy? It has no cab, so I suspect it may not be as loud as the RTV.
What are your thoughts about cabs? I'm wondering if I can get by with only a roof and a windshield? The problem will be when I'm out grooming ski trails in February!
I'll let you know how the Gator works out.
Tomorrow the JD dealer is dropping off a Gator 855D. I'll be very interested to see how it handles on my own property. I wonder if it will be as noisy? It has no cab, so I suspect it may not be as loud as the RTV.
What are your thoughts about cabs? I'm wondering if I can get by with only a roof and a windshield? The problem will be when I'm out grooming ski trails in February!
I'll let you know how the Gator works out.
sunnyside360
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2006
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- 1,561
- Location
- Central PA
- Tractor
- JD 3720, JD 4320, JD 835R, Kubota M4D-071, Kubota ZD1511
All cabs are noisy. Some worse than others. The RTV 1100 cab machine I test drove did not seem too bad but it had padding all around the cab --- roof, doors, back panel. Maybe the padding is optional.
Let us know what you think of the Gator 855D. You could get by with only a roof and windshield. Just depends on what creature comforts you want and how much you are willing to spend. I thought the cadilac of all machines I test drove was the RTV 1100 cab but the price was more than I wanted to spend. Think list was around $18K but some dealers will discount. That heated cab would be nice in winter along with A/C in summer.
JOHNTHOMAS
Super Member
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- Apr 14, 2008
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- Somerset, Ky
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- F2690 4WD RTV X1140 MX5400 HST ZD1211
You don't need no stinkin cab!!! Cabs are for sissys!
What's the big deal with a frozen face or hands??? What's it really worth in dollars and cents to be more comfortable? What's it worth to sit in a warm cozy cocoon in a T shirt and a blizzard outside? What's it worth to not want to come back in the house and unthaw fingers and feet? NO, YOU DON'T NEED NO STINKIN CAB!!!!!!!:laughing:Actually I don't have a cab on my 1140 but I do have a roof and a self made plexiglas windshield that has saved my face when I go down the hill 4 or 5 times a winter for a 10 minute round trip ride to pick up my Grands when school is called off. Before the windshield my face would freeze and I live in Ky where it's not known to have much snow and not really very cold very often. No ski trails to groom for me.
I believe it's simply the weight of comfort on one side and money on the other. I've gone cheap but I don't brave the cold elements very often.
If I was back living in North Dakota or even Montana it would be a no brainer for me, cab (factory or self made) without a doubt.
I wouldn't/don't want a cab in the summer with my current location and usage.
I think you can get by with nothing, but you'd be more comfortable with a full cab with heater and windshield wiper. Minimum would be a windshield and roof, but you'll get snow coming around the sides and a little backdraft from the negative pressure behind the windshield. In the summer, with my windshield closed, I eat some dust and debris from the bed if there is anything in there. With the windshield opened a couple inches at the bottom edge, not so much.
Really, no different than riding a snowmobile and getting snow on you. If you're OK with that, skip everything and save your money. Dress appropriately and you'll be fine.
OTOH, the guys who groom ski lodges with big snow cats have cabs with heaters.
Are you getting tracks? And a cab, heater, etc. WOW that is going to add up. I hope this is for a business and your accountant can work some magic to help.
Really, no different than riding a snowmobile and getting snow on you. If you're OK with that, skip everything and save your money. Dress appropriately and you'll be fine.
OTOH, the guys who groom ski lodges with big snow cats have cabs with heaters.
Are you getting tracks? And a cab, heater, etc. WOW that is going to add up. I hope this is for a business and your accountant can work some magic to help.
