RTV in the mud

[milkman]

Skip, if I could get a diesel gator for $5700, I don't blame you, I'd be all over that thing too even if it doesn't have a belt cover, but the gators I've looked at have been gas and even they have been close to the price of the RTV.

 

[darkday]

Well so far it's about even, owners like them, non owners say they're dogs, keep it coming, I'd like some more real experiences, I don't know if a dealer has a demo unit, or if any of them do for that matter.

One thing I learned long ago is to never trust statistics. There is often an underlying reason behind their results. In this case you could look at it as non-owners just haven't seen the light yet. Or you could see it as the owners bought the RTV based on their needs and it met those needs to their expectations, or perhaps they just don't have enough experience with UTVs to know what else can be had. I know when I got my 6x4 I thought I had died and gone to heaven. It was a tough machine and did everything I wanted and then a lot lot more. I was able to go places that were inaccesible to a motor vehicle for years with that thing. But guess what? It was a piece of junk for recreational use. I didn't know it then and you could have easily fooled me but I know better now.

I'm not bashing on anyone here and I don't want to see anyone getting all hissy about this post and coming back with some long defense on why I'm wrong. I'm merely providing food for thought.

No really, don't reply to this defensively.

 

[litework]

Skip, if I could get a diesel gator for $5700, I don't blame you, I'd be all over that thing too even if it doesn't have a belt cover, but the gators I've looked at have been gas and even they have been close to the price of the RTV.

When you choose to go diesel, as I did, the choices are much more limited...and much more expensive. When I made my purchase, I was not looking for speed or mud bogging. I was looking for something that was utilitarian and would compliment my farm tractor. Something I could actually pull into the barn with a cart if necessary. I actually thought about getting another smaller tractor, but opted for a UTV. After trying two different diesel UTVs (Kawasaki and Cub Cadet were not available locally) I made my selection-based on my very specific needs.

 

[TWO GUNS]

Skipholiday,
Don't know what you really ment by, " So its up to you " but, I know I don't have to prove a thing to anybody, I'm beyond that , Long as we are happy with our RTV, and your happy what ever you hunt or play with, everybody is a winner. DO YOU AGREE !!! Being you don't own a RTV, and I don't do video while I hunt. Looks like that is that >>
Like I said before, I'm not here to say I will never get stuck, I know it will happen, for everything you throw in them swamps get stuck, weather it's a RTV, Jeep, Sammy, Rhino etc, etc.. There is only two ways not to get stuck out there, one is the fly over in a Huey heli, the other is to stay out >>>>>>.

And by the way, that was a great video, one day we will all be there !
Might as well have fun while we are just stuck.... Yea ....

 

[Skipholiday]

Read the rtv 900 reviews from compacttractorreview.com

TWO GUNS I'm glad your happy.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I wish my back was better as our snow/mud season is fast approaching and I was looking forward to demoing the different UTV's. I like the RTV's color since I plan on using this along the road going from field to field so a bright orange machine would stand out better. I am worried about how the RTV will handle in the swamp which is why I planned on demoing the 6x6 Polaris.

One thing I have noticed is that the price of the RTV varies a lot around the country. Some of the quotes I was given on the RTV are a lot higher then what others have posted. If I ever get the chance to demo these machines I will post my personal reviews and pics of each. I know the swamp I travel thru to retrieve deer in would test my old Yamaha Big bear 4x4 with 27" Vampires so that is why I worry about the bigger and heavier UTV's.

 

[Double Orange]

I've had 2 gators. I traded my diesel trail gator for my RTV1100.
I've logged 109 hrs in less than 3 months.
I have a small, grain farm, and raise horses. I have 54 animals here. My equipment is for work. I'm very satisfied with my Orange Ranch Hand.
If your looking for a toy go to ..Toys R Us.
If your looking for a return on your investment go to Kubota!

 

[mikeyd]

Everybody knows, I love my 1100. I will say though that the stock worksite tires are useless in the mud. If you read my previous post I am either going with Mattracks or a 589 type tire for the fall through spring season. I think that the problem is the worksite tires and not the machine. In other words, put worksite tires on any brand machine and its not a mudder. I do like the worksite tires because they go easy of the lawn and give a comfortable ride, they are just not a mud tire.
I would hardly describe this machine as a dog. It is a torque monster, not a speed demon. If you want a work machine, it is an excellent choice. Believe me, I love speed, I race motocross and drag race cars. With that said, I have no desire to blast through the woods and fields at 50 mph in a 2500lb. machine and get tossed all over the cab. Honestly, about 15 mph is about comfortable. My friend has a Ranger that goes much faster than the 1100. When we go riding, he goes about 15 to 20 mph, not so I can keep up, but because thats whats comfortable. No doubt his machine is a more capable trail machine than mine. When he starts to brag about where he can go with his machine, I always say the same thing..."Get the chain"

 

[rutwad]

LITE WORK & TWO GUNS,

Do you both love your RTV's because it is the only one you have used? I am not picking on you guys, but you love them much more than I did, so I am wondering if it is the only brand you have used? If so, that would make a huge difference in opinion.

My opinion remains that the RTV will get stuck quicker than others. If you guys think they are great in mud, then you may be AMAZED at others.

My initial opinion of the RTV was AWESOME! My FIL has one, and it was the best thing ever. Then I drove others, and I told my wife it is certainly worth checking others before buying. Once I experience the others, my opinion of the RTV changed. Right now it remains at the bottom of my list between the Polaris Ranger
Yamaha Rhino,
Kawasaki Mule
Kubota RTV, in no specific order. I can't comment on the others. So I may change my opinion about all of these if I drove a Gator or something else.

I still say the Kubota is the loudest, heaviest, least responsive, awkward throttle/braking, and I like the power steering less than the others that seem to offer more steering feedback. Almost forgot, it also has the harshest ride.
And cost more. I am not bashing the brand, because we own a Kubota tractor and would love to own more. Just not the RTV.

Have you considered a mini-truck? I want to look at them before I make my next purchase.

 

[litework]

LITE WORK & TWO GUNS,

Do you both love your RTV's because it is the only one you have used? I am not picking on you guys, but you love them much more than I did, so I am wondering if it is the only brand you have used? If so, that would make a huge difference in opinion...

My opinion remains that the RTV will get stuck quicker than others. If you guys think they are great in mud, then you may be AMAZED at others...

Right now it remains at the bottom of my list between the Polaris Ranger
Yamaha Rhino,
Kawasaki Mule
Kubota RTV, in no specific order. I can't comment on the others. So I may change my opinion about all of these if I drove a Gator or something else.

I still say the Kubota is the loudest, heaviest, least responsive, awkward throttle/braking, and I like the power steering less than the others that seem to offer more steering feedback. Almost forgot, it also has the harshest ride.
And cost more. I am not bashing the brand, because we own a Kubota tractor and would love to own more. Just not the RTV.

I have owned and operated quads/UTVs in one form or another for 22 years. The UTV is the most utilitarian UTV I have ever driven. I never said the UTV wouldn't get stuck quicker than the others. I said that it was good enough to perform the OP's tasks without worrying about getting stuck. Simply put, the RTV does not get stuck easy. I think you, like many others, misinterpret the market Kubota is after with the RTV. This is evidenced by your listing of several very good sport side by sides, none of which have a diesel...except for the Mule; though I'm pretty sure the one you mentioned isn't the diesel version. The Kubota RTV is not a sport side by side.


Diesels are loud and expensive. Diesels are also meant to be driven all day long under load. The RTV is basically a tractor with a hydraulic bed. If you really want quiet, light and nimble and you want something to drive you to your barn or work vehicle...I think the EZ-Go electric is probably one of the better ones on the market.