Help configure an RTV900

[Deerlope]

Pete, You will want at least a 3000lb winch but if it were me I would go 4000lb. The work site model comes with a brush guard. I put the plastic canopy on mine but the rain still got in when driving to the mail box so I had to get the windshield also.I don't have a block heater because it is in a heated garage. The RTV is a real work horse. I make maple syrup and it hauls all the sap via 2 55gal plastic barrels in the back. I haul my fire wood logs out full lenght with my L3830 then cut and haul to the shed with the RTV. Your wife will wonder how she ever lived without it.

 

[Boondox]

Thanks, Fred. I figured a windshield would eventually be needed since so much of our rain seems to come at us horizontally! And a 4k winch sounds like a great idea.

I brought a rental unit home today for a weekend trial. First impression was it was nowhere near as nimble as my ATV, but that's no real surprise. Second impression, after taking it through a patch of mud, is those ATV tires suck! The rears loaded right up with muck and if not for my forward speed and the fact I was in 4WD I would have been stuck in my first five minutes of operation. I actually had to run it up and down our dirt road to clean out the tires!

Darkness was falling by then, and I still had to give the dogs their playtime, so it's parked on the porch overnight. Tomorrow I'll do some fall chores, like cleaning up leaves and fallen branches, then maybe a load of firewood

 

[Egon]

Morning Pete:

Alls fine up here. I am also hauling out some windblown trees. The neighbour has also told me to help myself to a bunch he has.

Now this may sound silly but seeing as you have animals have you considered a horse or ox. Our neigbour had some custom logging done several years ago by a fellow who used horses.

Has the little car been worn out yet by drifting around some of those nice windy roads.

By the way may you have inclinations towards being a "Tool Junkie" ?

Ahh - go buy it Pete. Forget the justification. Make life fun!

 

[Boondox]

Tool junkie, huh? You figured me out!

We considered a horse but decided against it for a couple of reasons. First, we just don't have the infrastructure to support one thru the bitter winters. No barn or shelter of any type. No space remaining for hay storage since Tamara's sheep hobby took over my garage. Secondly, I've always been a bit intimidated by horses and am not sure I could learn to handle one. But internal combustion I can handle!

The Mini is doing just fine. We put some hot tires on it and it handles mountain curves without protest, though at times the lateral forces are uncomfortable for me. I took it to an abandoned airport with a Mini club (closed course) and managed 127mph. The wife took it away from me after that.

Anyway, back to the RTV. It's MUCH heavier than my ATV, and with basically the same tire footprint that weight is giving it some trouble in soft sections. I can foresee getting stuck much more often with that beast and having to winch myself out. So still not entirely sold on the idea...that's why we have a rental for the weekend.

Take care, Pete

 

[Deerlope]

If you have to run a lot of mud the Bota may not be your answer, they are too heavy almost 2K. Now the Polaris 4x4 or 6x6 has true 4/6 wheel drive but the are a constant maint problem.The polaris will wear out sitting in the garage. If I were you I would try them all on your land. There is also a set of tracks for each wheel on the Bota but they will cost you another 4300 bucks. As a matter of fact they are avilable for all the side by sides. I work my RTV right to death but I stay away from mud, unless its got a bottom.