Decision Time - Time to Buy!!!!

Gipper · Mar 29, 2005

I bring this back up as an update to the earlier post. My original post was on Feb. 26, and in it I told you the Kubota dealer had indicated a two to three week wait. It is now nearing five weeks and I'm still waiting for him to call me that his shipment of RTV's has arrived. I might add that with spring here, I have a lot of chores lined up to use it for, and thinking by middle of March I would have it, I sold my ATV, so with nothing to pull my small trailer with, my patience is starting to wear thin. I'm starting to have thoughts that the Club Car XRT or the Kawasaki Mule would either would serve me nearly as well.

The main reason I would prefer the RTV is the hydraulic lift on the dump bed and the enging/transmission braking on steep ground. The next closest dealer is about 80 miles from here, and is no larger than the one I'm talking with, so they probably would not have any better access to them. The dealer I'm working said there would be no problem bringing one to my site for a test drive, when he got more in. I really need to do something soon, but I am going to wait a little longer.

Thanks to all of you that responded and offered advice. I definitely think you helped prevent me from rushing out and buying whatever was in stock and available. I like the quality of Kubota, but I really need to get one that I can put to work soon! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif (The XRT 1500 does have a 20 hp Kubota engine)

Gipper

Wingnut · Mar 29, 2005

Surprising that your dealer can't get them. I took a motorcycle ride on Saturday to start off my riding season, and decided I'd head for Clare, MI (30 miles) to see what he has on the lot. Then, on Sunday, the wife wanted to go for a ride (car), so we headed that way so she could get a good look at what I was interested in. They had a half dozen of each of the WS, GP and Rec models, and that was just what was out front ... may have had more out mack for all I know.
Makes me curious as to whether these are '04 or '05 now ....

carthage · Mar 29, 2005

We ended up buying the camo model from that same dealer in clare. Good people. Would have bought from the same dealer we purchased the tractor from, but they did not have the camo, and no other dealers were willing to part with one. Supply and demand. Wingnut, I think those were 04 models. Believe they own two other dealerships, and can move models were needed.

Wingnut · Mar 29, 2005

haven't talked to them yet, since both visits were after hours. How were their prices compared to list? The dealer I bought the L3710 at, Miscisin in Standish, is so small I'd be lucky if he at least had one unit to test drive ....

pete

carthage · Mar 29, 2005

Pete- I can't exactly recall, but they did take some $ off retail. Wasn't a lot, but seemed to be what was consistant with prices mentioned here, last fall. Transaction was spotless. They were excellent in fixing the warrenty items, and arranged transport as my truck was down at the time. Both kubota dealers I have dealt with in the last 5 years have been excellent. But then again, the tractor has never visited the dealer since purchase in 99. Zero problems. We we see about the RTV.

FL_Cracker · Mar 29, 2005

Don't know where you are but the dealer in Blue Ridge, GA which is 1 1/2 hours above Atlanta has at least 10-15 units in stock all the time. There is no shortage right now.

Wingnut · Mar 30, 2005

Thanks. I'll have to give them a call .... when checking out other dealers around here, I found that Aldersons, near Flint, has their prices online ... looks like 8% lower than retail ... I'll see how Clare compares.
I was tempted by one offered privately in Harrison (auto Trader listing) w/ full cab, heater, and more for $13.5k ... but the wife is more intereste in the warranty on something this new ....
My tractor is about the same age as yours and I've also had no problems with it ... although I did have ot take one of the filled back tires in for a leak repair.

Gipper · Apr 18, 2005

I'll bring this thread back up one last time to let those know that responded with advice and information that I certainly appreciate it and also that we (my wife and I) are now driving the RTV 900 around the farm! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Yep, we waited over a month on the nearest dealer to call us that he had gotten some in, but never did hear from him, and we still haven't, so we started checking with others, though a much greater distance from us. Found one a little over 100 miles from us and the dealer approximately 85 miles had just gotten one in, still in the crate. I had dealt with this dealership in the past on other smaller items and parts for my Kubota lawnmower, but a small issue with the parts manager over some wrong filters sent to me prevented me from calling them first. I have known the owner of the business for nearly 20 years.

Anyway, it was worth the wait, particularly for the engine/transmission breaking on the down hill drag. I'm sure the other two (the Mule and Club Car XRT 1500) I was looking seriously at are very nice machines, but I felt I needed more than just brakes on a couple of places I will be in it on a regular basis. It's almost unbelievable that on a very steep grade, you can let off the accelerator and the vehicle will stop. Very comforting to know when coming downhill, especially with a load in the cargo bed.

One mistake I think I made was not going with the mud type tire, rather than the standard worksite tire. When the ground is wet there will be some areas of the property I will have to avoid. It rained the first two days after I got it and I can tell these tires will not get it done in mud.

I do have a couple of questions. Does the fuel guage work properly for most of you? In over 6 hours of operation, the fuel guage registers beyond full, though we did see it bounce a little when fuel sloshed in the tank. I thought I read in the ATV Illustrated review where a full tank of fuel will be good for about 13 to 14 hours of operation, maybe a little more after broken in. Also, the second question concerns the hydraulic lift on the cargo bed. I read the entire manual and maybe overlooked it, but what happens if the engine would not start and you need to get to it for repairs, etc.? Is there a manual over-ride to get the bed raised to give access to the engine compartment? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Again, thanks for your advice. My wife and I are now happy owners of the RTV. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

lloyd123 · Apr 18, 2005

"I do have a couple of questions. Does the fuel guage work properly for most of you? In over 6 hours of operation, the fuel guage registers beyond full, though we did see it bounce a little when fuel sloshed in the tank. I thought I read in the ATV Illustrated review where a full tank of fuel will be good for about 13 to 14 hours of operation, maybe a little more after broken in. Also, the second question concerns the hydraulic lift on the cargo bed. I read the entire manual and maybe overlooked it, but what happens if the engine would not start and you need to get to it for repairs, etc.? Is there a manual over-ride to get the bed raised to give access to the engine compartment?" 

The fuel gauge will drop faster once the needle starts to bounce. When stopped and on level ground it will read accurate.

You can put the hydraulic dump lever in neutral/float - all the way forward/down - and then lift the bed manually.

Good luck with your new toy.

bczoom · Apr 18, 2005

( One mistake I think I made was not going with the mud type tire, rather than the standard worksite tire. When the ground is wet there will be some areas of the property I will have to avoid. It rained the first two days after I got it and I can tell these tires will not get it done in mud.)

Gipper,

Congrats on your RTV.

lloyd123 answered the 2 questions.

Do a search in this forum for "589" or "Bighorn" for discussions on tires based on terrain.

Brian