Has any one considered a Japanese Mini?

[20 20]

I've tried bidding on them for some time{government auctions} but allways get out bid. I Also would like to see more of them seem VERY handy. Some have 4wheel drive dump box etc...There is a sales place in upstate NY that has them but I feel they may be a little high priced????????

 

[woodhe1]

I just ran across this forum and I would like to add a few comments.

Mini trucks are still being imported. They must now pass EPA requirements and only a few dealers have met the new testing requirements.

You can purchase NEW mini trucks.

All parts are available for the 1990-2010 models. The 1990-1998's are the same mechanically as are the 1999-2010 models.

Trucks come in 2 or 4wd, with a variety of different styles. They are an alternative to ATV/SUV/RTV's. Some States have bypassed Federal Law (do not meet crash test requirements) and you can drive them on non Federal Highways. WI has legislation pending.

I have sold them to dairy farms, school systems, campgrounds, golf courses, construction companies , hobby farms, landscapers, nurseries, sod farms, emergency services, logging operations, cross country ski trails, etc., etc. These are not toys. They are small trucks that are used and abused throughout the World. Anyone who has been outside this Country can attest to their uses and abuses (talk to a Golf War Vet). I have seen them crossing a field with a pallet of soybean seed ... 60 bags at 50 lbs/bag. They just run and are simple to fix (clutch replacement 1.5 hrs)

A comparison of pricing for the Kabota/Polaris/JD crowd:

2010 Suzuki Super Stalker; 4wd, ps, ac, heat, full metal cab (with doors that fit), 5 speed, lo-high range, locking diff. $14,200 ... rated at 40mph and idle at 1 pint per hr. I think the nicest thing about these minis is the resale. I sold a 1991 Mitsubishi today (5/11/10) for $5500.00, 33,000 mi.(1/3rd of the life gone), 4wd, high-lo, lifted 3", off road wheels & tires, and a rear receiver hitch/bumper. Now this truck is 19yrs. old ... I wonder what the $18,000 (new comparably equipped) Kabota will be worth in 19 years.

If you want a work vehicle, these may fit the bill.

dan

 

[woodhe1]

Just completed a 2009 Suzuki Super Stalker, Dump Box, with Detachable, Subaru Powered M-B Companies 60" Broom Unit.

Unit will be out for show and tell early next week.

 

[woodhe1]

Posted a short video of this truck in a pipeline site. It was back-filled last fall and ran the truck through this spring. Ground was very soft and I was up to my knees in muck. Truck sunk about 2"

dan

 

[Dargo]

I just ran across this forum and I would like to add a few comments.

Mini trucks are still being imported. They must now pass EPA requirements and only a few dealers have met the new testing requirements.

You can purchase NEW mini trucks.

All parts are available for the 1990-2010 models. The 1990-1998's are the same mechanically as are the 1999-2010 models.

Trucks come in 2 or 4wd, with a variety of different styles. They are an alternative to ATV/SUV/RTV's. Some States have bypassed Federal Law (do not meet crash test requirements) and you can drive them on non Federal Highways. WI has legislation pending.

I have sold them to dairy farms, school systems, campgrounds, golf courses, construction companies , hobby farms, landscapers, nurseries, sod farms, emergency services, logging operations, cross country ski trails, etc., etc. These are not toys. They are small trucks that are used and abused throughout the World. Anyone who has been outside this Country can attest to their uses and abuses (talk to a Golf War Vet). I have seen them crossing a field with a pallet of soybean seed ... 60 bags at 50 lbs/bag. They just run and are simple to fix (clutch replacement 1.5 hrs)

A comparison of pricing for the Kabota/Polaris/JD crowd:

2010 Suzuki Super Stalker; 4wd, ps, ac, heat, full metal cab (with doors that fit), 5 speed, lo-high range, locking diff. $14,200 ... rated at 40mph and idle at 1 pint per hr. I think the nicest thing about these minis is the resale. I sold a 1991 Mitsubishi today (5/11/10) for $5500.00, 33,000 mi.(1/3rd of the life gone), 4wd, high-lo, lifted 3", off road wheels & tires, and a rear receiver hitch/bumper. Now this truck is 19yrs. old ... I wonder what the $18,000 (new comparably equipped) Kabota will be worth in 19 years.

If you want a work vehicle, these may fit the bill.

dan

I have to give credit to the guy down the highway from me who sells them. He let me try one at my property. For my needs, to be blunt, it was terrible. He was a really nice guy. I felt like I owed him for letting me test it and find out it wasn't what I wanted. I bought a Kubota RTV1100 instead and have been extremely happy I did instead of a mini-truck. It all boils down to using the unit for what it was designed for or trying to make a unit do what it was never designed to do.

 

[YanmarFever]

I have to give credit to the guy down the highway from me who sells them. He let me try one at my property. For my needs, to be blunt, it was terrible. He was a really nice guy. I felt like I owed him for letting me test it and find out it wasn't what I wanted. I bought a Kubota RTV1100 instead and have been extremely happy I did instead of a mini-truck. It all boils down to using the unit for what it was designed for or trying to make a unit do what it was never designed to do.

I test drove the kubota rtv & a Yamaha rhino sport model.
weaving in and out of the trees, going thru my stream, and climbing the back hill, the Rhino won hands down.:thumbsup:
The kubota was a slug, and it handled terribly, while my friend ran circles around me in the rhino.
Plus I can dress up the rhino to fit my needs a lot cheaper than the kubota.
Needless to say the rhino was a lot cheaper... $10500 verses the bota which was way to much & the dealer was a local jacka.. that I would have to deal with if I had any problems with warranty work.

 

[Dargo]

I test drove the kubota rtv & a Yamaha rhino sport model.
weaving in and out of the trees, going thru my stream, and climbing the back hill, the Rhino won hands down.:thumbsup:
The kubota was a slug, and it handled terribly, while my friend ran circles around me in the rhino.
Plus I can dress up the rhino to fit my needs a lot cheaper than the kubota.
Needless to say the rhino was a lot cheaper... $10500 verses the bota which was way to much & the dealer was a local jacka.. that I would have to deal with if I had any problems with warranty work.

I had a very modified Rhino and loved it. However, I needed to haul more and do more work. Had both for a while but one needed to go. Sitting in the comfort of A/C in summer and nice warm heat in winter certainly weighed on my decision on which to keep. Although it weighs way too much to be "sporty", my Kubota now is by no means a 'slug'. Works well for my needs.

I just can't see the use for a mini truck. No power, no trail ability like the Rhino, no strength like the Kubota and heavy modifications must be made to get them to traverse even moderately muddy trails and hills. You spend a lot of time and money trying to make one something it will never be.

 

[YanmarFever]

I had a very modified Rhino and loved it. However, I needed to haul more and do more work. Had both for a while but one needed to go. Sitting in the comfort of A/C in summer and nice warm heat in winter certainly weighed on my decision on which to keep. Although it weighs way too much to be "sporty", my Kubota now is by no means a 'slug'. Works well for my needs.

I just can't see the use for a mini truck. No power, no trail ability like the Rhino, no strength like the Kubota and heavy modifications must be made to get them to traverse even moderately muddy trails and hills. You spend a lot of time and money trying to make one something it will never be.

You are right, I have a mini truck too, but it would never go where the rhino goes. I can blast thru the back field at 35 mph, where as with the mini truck if I go faster than 10 mph my head would hit the roof from the bouncing .
ALTHOUGH it sure is nice in the hot summer with the air conditioning on
intermitant wipers, ability to lock it, it hauls 800 lbs, and converts to a flat bed.

 

[woodhe1]

Alternative,

They are an alternative to an ATV/RTV/UTV. They are built for 90% work ... 10% play. The sweeper truck in an above picture is in MD sweeping as they install rumple strips on I83. The operators were in a Kobota ... now they argue over who gets to sweep in an AC cab.

As far as heavy modifications go. The basic modification for these trucks in the US is a lift kit. This 2" or 3" lift allows you to run 8" wide off road tires. Some trimming may be required, depending on the model.

On another note. These trucks are in all sorts of configurations. I have seen: box trucks, canvas sides, reefers, garbage compactors, 1 yd. ready mixers, dumps, side dumps, scissor lifts, etc. etc.

I'll post a picture of a truck a soil tester uses in Buffalo, NY area. He got sick of pulling out his JD 6 wheeler and Rhino. He never has been stuck with it. The fire dept borrowed it for a brush fire in a swamp across from his house. They slid on their 250 gal. skid unit (off a F250 and way over capacity of the Suzuki) and went at it. Never stuck it and now looking at upgrading their Polaris 6 wheeler.

Another comment. These trucks are located throughout the world. Why? Because they are reliable, can be abused, easy to maintain, and easy to get parts. 1st gear, lo range, around 7mph.

A friend has a Honda Rubicon, it is fun but that's about it.

dan

 

[KentT]

Alternative,

They are an alternative to an ATV/RTV/UTV. They are built for 90% work ... 10% play...

dan

That might be the appropriate ratio for the JD Gator, Kubota RTVs, Kawasaki Mules -- but it is definitely not the ratio intended for the Polaris Ranger, Kawasaki Teryx, Arctic Cat Prowler, Yamaha Rhino, new Can-Am Commander -- and the Polaris RZR is 100% play...

Kei trucks may be a viable alternative to the work UTVs -- but not the sport/utility, much less the pure sport like the RZR.