John Deere 855d or Kubota 1100rtv

[Boris1]

I just want to give some feeback and experience with both diesel utility vehicles. We own 3 JD 855D's and 3 Kubota RTV 1100 diesel vehicles. These units are used daily in mining conditions pulling steep inclines and on very rough terrain. Hands down the John Deere has proven itself superior in power, suspension and maintenance requirements. The Kubota's are constant wheel bearing changes, u-joint changes (very expensive & brand specific) and tranny problems (mostly leaking hydraulic fluid). The Kubota's are godly slow and underpowered with very poor and brutal suspension. The one positive is they will not freewheel. The John Deere suspension is night and day better and the power is much better than the Kubota. All these units get used harder every day than any typical owner would use them on a farm or for general utilities but just wanted to put some real feedback out there for people or companies to use when shopping for UTV's particularly in the mining sector. Neither of these units are good for recreation as they are just too slow.

You are referring to the older RTV 1100's , not the newer X series correct?

 

[JESSE1]

I traded an 855D for the RTVX-1100C that I have now. The Kubota is much heavier than the John Deere and I think that is what really slows the Kubota down. Load another 1000# on the JD and then compare performance. I really liked the 855D but I've found the Kubota rides smoother and has as much suspension travel as the JD. Not to mention the excellent cab with A/C and heat which you can't get the equivalent on the JD. I wish the Kubota had more get-up-and-go but overall it's a great machine. I enjoyed the 855D also and had good luck with it but the Kubota is built more like a tractor, the JD more of a lighter-duty UTV. Both great machines, just different.

 

[RollingsFarms]

If I wanted a cabbed machine it would be Kubota all the way. They're just so much nicer than anything you can get that I'm aware of, maybe except a mini-truck. I have always wanted a Gator though but ended up with a Polaris Ranger.