Mule 610 or RTV 400/500

PapaPerk · Jul 23, 2012

Title pretty much says it all. Which UTV would you prefer and why? I'm on the fence.

I really like Kubota tractors... but not sure about their UTVs.

Vehicle would be used for hauling and chores.... also spend some time in the woods on the trails. I can't justify buying a play only UTV.

Thank you for any input.

DIXIEDOG · Jul 23, 2012

I picked the RTV 500 over the Mule because I like the hydro tranny and the engine was fuel injected along with being extremely quiet. When I bought mine the RTV 400 wasn't out yet but for the price difference I would pick the hydro tranny of the 500.....alot can be said for all that engine braking and no need to change belts if you pull too much weight for the machine.

Eagle09 · Jul 24, 2012

Same reasons as Dixiedog said. I tried out both and the quality of the RTV500 is head and shoulders above the Mule. It is built like a tank and is a real workhorse of a machine. I looked at almost every machine available, but the Kubota just felt better and more heavy duty than any of the others. I love mine and have no regrets in buying it other than I wish I had gotten it sooner. :thumbsup:

PapaPerk · Jul 24, 2012

Eagle09 said:
Same reasons as Dixiedog said. I tried out both and the quality of the RTV500 is head and shoulders above the Mule. It is built like a tank and is a real workhorse of a machine. I looked at almost every machine available, but the Kubota just felt better and more heavy duty than any of the others. I love mine and have no regrets in buying it other than I wish I had gotten it sooner. :thumbsup:

Thanks for the feedback! Also considering the Polaris 400 or 500 Ranger. Did you try these out? They are much faster and have better suspension than the RTV 500/400.

Eagle09 · Jul 25, 2012

I did try out the Polaris as well as the Deere, but for what I wanted I kept going back to the RTV. I wasn't interested in fast trail riding as I knew mine would be for working more so than pleasure. The 25 mph top speed and the heavy duty suspension was better for my intended uses.

I'm not sure I know what you mean by the suspension being better on the Polaris. Are you referring to more ground clearance? Have you tried the RTV out yet? As with any major purchase it really pays to do your homework as you are doing. I spent several days visiting dealers and actually driving each machine as well as online research. After weighing all the facts the RTV just seemed to be a better fit for what I needed. YMMV.

PapaPerk · Jul 25, 2012

Eagle09 said:
I did try out the Polaris as well as the Deere, but for what I wanted I kept going back to the RTV. I wasn't interested in fast trail riding as I knew mine would be for working more so than pleasure. The 25 mph top speed and the heavy duty suspension was better for my intended uses.

I'm not sure I know what you mean by the suspension being better on the Polaris. Are you referring to more ground clearance? Have you tried the RTV out yet? As with any major purchase it really pays to do your homework as you are doing. I spent several days visiting dealers and actually driving each machine as well as online research. After weighing all the facts the RTV just seemed to be a better fit for what I needed. YMMV.

Thank you for the great feedback. Sounds like you really studied the machines. The rear suspension on the Polaris is fully independent. That should give a huge ride improvement. I really want a machine that can work AND play at times. I really like Kubota though for build quality and reliability. I'll have to check out both machines in person again.

citezen1 · Jul 29, 2012

I looked at several RTV's and it sounds like Your use of one is what My intentions were. I ended up at a dealer that had both Kawasaki and Kubota and several factors steered Me to the Kubota. The unit I purchased was uncrated the day before and first one (of the 400) They sold. So far it works very well, but it did have a bit of a shifting problem at the start, like another member had with His, but I tensioned the shift cable two turns and it is 100% now. I like the idea of the hitch receivers both front and back and We ran it pretty much steady for one full day and it used very little fuel. Not sure about in the States but in Canada You can finance for 0 % and Kubota has Their Own insurance plan while financed and it is full coverage and only $8 a month on or off Your property.