RTV, Gator, Mule, by Nov.'07

[patrick_g]

The hydrostat braking feature seems like a minus until you get used to it (just a few times in the seat) and then it seems like a BIG PLUS.

All you have to do is get used to the idea of letting up on the pedal more gradually. anticipating a stop and it will go smooth as silk with Teflon coating. If you need to stop quickly it is already stopping pretty good as soon as your foot leaves the hydrostat pedal headed for the brake pedal. In many instances you can't get your foot off the hydrostat pedal and on the brake fast enough for the brakes to contribute before the machine is stopped or nearly so.

In rough territory the hydrostat really shines as you are changing gear ratios as needed seamlessly without shifting and can get enough braking to hold you back nicely going down steep rough passages by just letting up more on the pedal. It seamlessly goes from varying the propulsion to a braking effect by only a small easily controlled change of your foot position on the hydrostat pedal.

I'm sure there are manual shift advocates who are true prima ballerinas on the pedals doing the manual shift thing, heeling and toeing, double clutching and really showing off their skills but at no time making more progress than just about anyone on a hydrostat with a couple sessions under their belt.

Pat

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Had a chance to stop at several dealers and get pricing and test dive a few machines. I explained to each dealer that it would be late Fall before I would make a decision and all were receptive and understood. No dealer acted as though I was just pricing and spent a lot of time answering my questions and were very eager to earn my business.

Here is what I have so far. No dickering with price at this time.

John Deere HPX, Gas $8499, Diesel will not be offered on the 2007 HPX.

The HPX I test drove was not very powerful and would not climb a 35 degree hill in low range. Come to find out something was wrong with the motor and the dealer was very red faced when he found out he put me on the wrong machhine. I did not have time to drive one of the others on the lot but told him I would be back. He offered to bring one out for the weekend for me to test dive. I told him that when I was closer to making a decision I would want to test one at least for a day and was more interested in the XUV.

He could only give me list price on the XUV of $10,499 for the gas and $11,500 on the diesel.

He is the only Deere dealer I have close by and they seem to be very customer friendly. He has been in the aera 2-3 years and his inventory has really increased in the last year and he seems to have good pricing.

Trans Mule received pricing from two dealers. One was $11,000 one was $10,000. I was able to test one on there lot and on a small hill. Seemed to have lots of power and handled great. Half way up the hill I applied the breaks to see how they would hold and you had to put quite a bit of pressure to get it to hold. Plus I will need to use both feet, one on brake, one on gas, when startingoff on a hill to prevent it from rolling back. I can see where the RTV would have an advantage here. But overall a very nice machine.

One of the Mule dealers also has Polaris but did not have the Ranger or Ranager XP on the lot but should have one in soon so I picked up a brochure to look over. Had not thought much about the Ranger but may take a look. I have a Polaris ATV and it has never given me any problems.

RTV General Purpose $9600, Worksite $10,900 and $10,600. Both of these prices are from the two dealer I use the most and Both offered to let me test them for a week which I thought was great since I need to get use to the Hydro. Both said it takes about a week to get use to it and most people they sell them to don't like the Hydro at first but after a week or so they love it. Maybe thats what I need to do inorder to sell myself on the Hydro!

Bobcat 2200 Diesel, $10,896. Gas $9,643.
Bobcat 2200S ( 4 seater) Diesel $13203. Gas $12,135
One of my dealer is also a large Bobcat dealer. I have driven the Bobcat and really liked it. Not sure about it though. Still trying to see if I can get my IR discount.

4420 Treker by Land Pride$8,500. Just happened to stop at a dealer who carried these, test dove, lots of power, handels good. Don't know enough about these yet. I don't know anyone who owns one. Looks like it would be a good buy.


I still have about 9 months before I decide. So I will test all on my property before making a decision. And it still looks like it will be a hard decision between the Mule, Deere, and RTV.

 

[scesnick]

I have a Yamaha Rhino and I do Love it but I use mine pertty much the same way you will be using your and I haul ALOT of firewood in the fall and winter. I think my next RUV will be one of these Japanese Mini Trucks

They are about half the price of a RUV and they have 4wd, differentail lock, 6ft. bed that folds flat and some even dump, a cab, heat , radio, and did I mention they are about half the price???

 

[patrick_g]

SCESNICK, Thanks for the link. Very interesting. I wish they knew something about user interfaces in the web design area but still very interesting read.

I use a highly modified VW Bug (F/G Beach Buggy, Myers Manx type) as a run about on my place. It is street legal and has convertible top but minimal cargo capability and crawling in and out is not trivial with no doors, a roll cage, and deep bucket seats.

A 4x4 with diff lock and a decent bed (or dump bed) sounds VERY INTERESTING and the price is certainly better than the current available crop.

Pat

 

[hunterridgefarm]

I have a Yamaha Rhino and I do Love it but I use mine pertty much the same way you will be using your and I haul ALOT of firewood in the fall and winter. I think my next RUV will be one of these Japanese Mini Trucks

They are about half the price of a RUV and they have 4wd, differentail lock, 6ft. bed that folds flat and some even dump, a cab, heat , radio, and did I mention they are about half the price???

scesnick,

There is a dealer across from the JD dealer where I test drove the Gator. He has about 25 of the Japanese Mini Trucks on his lot. They look like they would be a good buy but I don't think they would work good on my property.


Quote from patrick_g
"In rough territory the hydrostat really shines as you are changing gear ratios as needed seamlessly without shifting and can get enough braking to hold you back nicely going down steep rough passages by just letting up more on the pedal. It seamlessly goes from varying the propulsion to a braking effect by only a small easily controlled change of your foot position on the hydrostat pedal."

Patrick,
This is one reason I want to test the RTV on my property, I have a lot of hills.

 

[scesnick]

Pat,

there are MANY more sites that sell these little jokers. Just do a google search for japanese mini truck. That was just the one i could remember.
These are becomming a HUGE hit with farmers/ranchers and hunting outfitters. Mostly because of the versatility and the price.

Huntrridgefarm,

Yes, with the stock tires they would not seem to do so well on my farm either but if you put the ATV tires and rims on them they become as capable as ALMOST any RUV. This is the one I want. It is only as wide as my yamaha Rhino and not as wide as a Polaris ranger so fitting in the trails should not be too bad...

 

[Old Coot]

scesnick,

Quote from patrick_g
"In rough territory the hydrostat really shines as you are changing gear ratios as needed seamlessly without shifting and can get enough braking to hold you back nicely going down steep rough passages by just letting up more on the pedal. It seamlessly goes from varying the propulsion to a braking effect by only a small easily controlled change of your foot position on the hydrostat pedal."

Patrick,
This is one reason I want to test the RTV on my property, I have a lot of hills.

I also have a lot of hills and the main problem with the 900 is when your going up hill stop when your pulling and try changing gears. If it is under a load you can't get it out of gear and have to wait to for pressure to release. I found it is easier to shut off the key and restart the engine. But I still like it.

 

[jinman]

The fellow at the gas station where I get my oil changed has a LandPride Trekkor. He said it belonged to his dad. I was very impressed with the value of that unit based on price and how well it seemed to be put together. It comes with a standard bedlift and a nice glovebox for the base price below $9000. It also has a Honda 20hp powerplant. Overall, it seemed to really shine in the quality of the suspension. This unit was about 6 months old and had no problems during that time. Obviously, I was impressed.

 

[patrick_g]

If it is under a load you can't get it out of gear and have to wait to for pressure to release. I found it is easier to shut off the key and restart the engine. But I still like it.

Well, that isn't only THAT hydrostat. The drill is this on my hydrostat: put on the brake (hard) and then try the gear lever. If no joy then with brakes on hard, rock the hydrostat pedal forward a little and then back a little and then let up on it and try the gear lever. If still no joy then push in the clutch and push the hydrostat pedal a little and then release the pedal and try the gear lever. If you don't get it on the first try of this last method repeat it a couple times alternating between forward and reverse on the hydrostat pedal. Sounds like a lot of STUFF but in reality now that I understand what works, I can get mine shifted in less than 5 seconds.

Pat

 

[rox]

Sesnick,

Does that mini truck seat one or 2 persons?
thx