Kubota or John Deere

[Threepoint]

In fairness.....my statement needs some clarity......the elk were separate....different days. We did have four guys and one elk on different days....still a lot of weight.

That's still an impressive amount of weight, and performance, for sure! Do you recall which model of Kubota it was? I just checked the specs on the RTV-X1120D, and it looks like the total payload is 1510 lbs, including 1102 lbs in the cargo bed. I'm sure you were well over that with 4 guys, gear, plus the elk.

 

[jerrybob]

That's still an impressive amount of weight, and performance, for sure! Do you recall which model of Kubota it was? I just checked the specs on the RTV-X1120D, and it looks like the total payload is 1510 lbs, including 1102 lbs in the cargo bed. I'm sure you were well over that with 4 guys, gear, plus the elk.

I believe it was a 2013 1140 with a diesel engine. The bull was a beauty......guessing in the 900 lb range. He was a 6x6 with eye guards. We quartered him out and kept the horns. Strapped the horns to the top....meat in the back.....2 big guys....2 ave. guys.....probably averaged about 200lbs per guy. We all had rifles and small day packs. Two days later I got a cow.....she was smaller.....probably around 450 to 500lbs. Same process but we had one less rifle with us. The guy who got the bull was our driver that day.....he was still gloating.

 

[ovrszd]

I have the hand throttle on an '08 RTV900. I use it in steep timber or when pulling very heavy loads.

When the hand throttle is activated the pedal simply becomes an HST pedal. Improves capability of the machine just the same as using the hand throttle on an HST tractor.

 

[ultrarunner]

Thanks ovrszd... I had heard it was a good option... especially for those comfortable with Kubota Hydro tractors.

So it sets engine rpm and movement/speed of movement is controlled by the pedal?

 

[ovrszd]

Thanks ovrszd... I had heard it was a good option... especially for those comfortable with Kubota Hydro tractors.

So it sets engine rpm and movement/speed of movement is controlled by the pedal?

Yep....

 

[DIXIEDOG]

A lot depends on your use....if you plan to offroad/trail ride with this I would definitely lean toward the Gator....Kubotas can work but then again so can the Gators. My 825i pushes snow unbelievably well with the Boss V plow. I've pulled trailers as well as loads of wood and have yet to run out of power or have all the belt slipping issues people claim you will when you have a CVT. My Gator is the gas model so it's not a direct comparison to the diesel you're wanting but they are close...the diesel doesn't have quite the grunt or high end the 825i does but it's pretty close.

 

[ovrszd]

A lot depends on your use....if you plan to offroad/trail ride with this I would definitely lean toward the Gator....Kubotas can work but then again so can the Gators. My 825i pushes snow unbelievably well with the Boss V plow. I've pulled trailers as well as loads of wood and have yet to run out of power or have all the belt slipping issues people claim you will when you have a CVT. My Gator is the gas model so it's not a direct comparison to the diesel you're wanting but they are close...the diesel doesn't have quite the grunt or high end the 825i does but it's pretty close.

What model was the Kubota you owned?

What diesel engine are you comparing your gas engine to when you say it doesn't have the "grunt"??

 

[burzynsr]

For long term durability go with the Kubota. If you want to go fast get the Deere. I don't know which diesel is in the Deere but the Kubota is bullet proof. Also the HST on the Kubota will for sure outlast the belt drive on the Deere. I have not priced either as of late, the money is your call.

 

[JESSE1]

I've had three Gators with the Yanmar diesel. The last one was an 855 diesel that I traded for my current Kubota RTV-X1100C. I wanted a cab with a/c and heat which Deere doesn't come close to building compared to the Kubota. So far I'm satisfied with the Kubota, a little slow but for me it doesn't matter because I use it mainly for checking the cows and pasture. When I bought the Kubota nearly two years ago I was able to get it for 48 months no interest. Price wise it was not much than the John Deere and much better equipped with just about everything standard on the Kubota.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

What model was the Kubota you owned?

What diesel engine are you comparing your gas engine to when you say it doesn't have the "grunt"??

The Kubota I owned was a gas 500....when I'm saying the diesel doesnt' have the grunt I'm going off the test drive only and comparing the JD gas/diesel options. When I test drove the RTV diesel it had the same lack of suspension travel and lousy hill climbing acceleration the 500 had so Kubota was ruled out quickly. I'm also not a huge fan of the let of the go pedal and get lurched forward feel the 900 I test drove had.



I think there's a reason all the snow groomers that use side by sides, power companies, and road crews are using Gators/Rangers and not the Kubotas...a lot of people claim that the CVT transmissions can't do any work but that's proven wrong on a daily basis. The Kubotas have a following but it's mainly in the residential side and then it's typically from people who use it on a relatively small property only....for recreational use they aren't close to the competition.