:welcome:
I love my Kubota 1140. I leave it configured with two bench seats all the time. Wonderful how it will take an extra 1, 2, 3, 4 extra people in an instant...or put stuff in and on second seat for easy access. It is a little lower to the ground than some competitive models...can be a good thing if you have problems stepping up into a vehicle. This makes it a little lower to the ground, but where you live typically ground clearance is not a big issue. I put hand holds in front and back...gives everybody, driver included, something extra to hang on to....not strictly necessary, but since I carry older people, kids, etc...I figured that they are a cheap extra safety margin. I notice that people use them more than half the time.
Top speed is a little over 20 mph....some people want to travel faster and this limitation bothers them...not me....I'm driving over pasture faster than a walking horse and seeing the country...good enough for me. The ride, you will have to decide for yourself if it is Ok for you. When going across pasture at slower speed, your ride is a function of holes and rocks you hit...springs are not a big factor here. Personally, when getting up to 15 mph or so across reasonable pasture, I've been impressed how the ride smooths out the bumps that I know are there.
One thing that was a big factor for me, power steering...not all vehicles have it....and this is important, easily overlooked factor...without it, steering at slow speeds, like often done with a UTV/RTV, can be a problem involving arm power and back motion....just something you will have to consider. Kubota steering is easy.
Turning radius with the 1140 is not as tight as I'd like it to be, occasionally have to do a 3 point turn. The hydrostatic transmission is wonderful. New models are improved over some several years ago...at that time people reported a decided screeching halt when you took your foot off the accelerator. Now it's very smooth slowing down and you have excellent smooth control if you realize you are going to stop and just slowly take your foot off the accelerator. This brakes the vehicle to a stop....I almost never use the actual brake pedal and then only when on a steep slope.
A roof and a windshield are mandatory.... I like the plastic roof on mine...wish I could get a glass windshield, the plastic one scratches far too easily. From Kubota, a glass windshield is available only with a metal roof.
I have tricked mine out with about 30 things that give it that extra usability/function customized for my use....and truly, these little things greatly improve the joy of using the vehicle....I've pulled a full 1000 gallon water trailer with it, flatbed trailer around the ranch, it carries all necessary fencing materials, tools, guns, etc...very flexible. And you need to carry a LOT of stuff since you never know what is going to come up on a ranch.
I understand your need to daily check cows and do ranch chores. Same here on 200+ acres. The Kubota is a work vehicle carrying almost everything I need all the time so I seldom have to make an unplanned trip back to the house for tools/supplies. Tool box in pickup bed is a must.
Am closing in on 200 hours with mine. It has been bullet proof, motor and transmission.....have had several flats, tried slime but a better answer is to get a spare tire, I have two, a right and a left.
Net, for me, I could have purchased something smaller and cheaper but know now that this would have left me struggling or coping with shortcomings with some frequency..... am very glad I did not compromise..... for a DAILY USER with a lot of different things to do, I made the right decision. A few more dollars than some other options, but then you get more, IMHO, AND IT'S WORTH IT. Am closing in on 70 and my body can't take what it once did, but the RTV helps me keep going.
I installed an inverter...so I also have 110 V ac power for electric tools, drills, saws, etc, where ever I am... a real help!
I put together a list of everything I needed and got bids from 6 or so dealers. I discovered some were stuck on sticker price while others were several thousand less.....so, figure out what you want and then get a bunch of bids....they will deal with you, or some will!