RTV1100 vs RTV900

[Dargo]

Nah, keithinspace, I definitely didn't take your comments as negative at all. I was only posting my personal impressions after owning both. Heck yeah they are expensive! Unfortunately it seems that most other similar units are darned expensive as well. Where I live a cab without A/C is known as a greenhouse. Since I am too old to thrive in a greenhouse and wanted a cab, the RTV1100 was about my only option.

Yeah Gardner, I see where other small options would make it fit you needs a bit better. I had a custom toolbox made for the bed much like the ones in the beds of pickups. I carry around all sorts of tools and other items with me all the time. For me it's great to not have everything I need out of the weather rolling around in the floor. Unfortunately I give up a bit of bed space with the toolbox in. If I'm only going to haul material and not go work on stuff, I take the toolbox out. It's just held in with the "J" hooks. I'm surprised Kubota doesn't offer a nice aluminum toolbox like that. So, I'm like you in that I have a bit of a different need that Kubota doesn't have an answer for. I haven't looked or asked around, but I'd bet a hydraulic shop could make some outlets for you at the back of one. It would need a different valve setup to provide constant power and a way to up the engine RPM; but the 1100 does have a small throttle increase lever anyway.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

While the RTV 1100 is totaly reengineered and has a better hydraulic system and has other improvements that fixed bugs and complaints in the 900 it does lack the option of the hydraulic utility circuit. I liked the idea of the hydraulic tools but after pricing them and thinking about being teathered and having to run the RTV to power them, decided that they were not worth the cost. Most of the hyraulic tools are well into the over $1000 range if not pushing $2000. Now I can get a very nice chainsaw for $500 and I picked up the Echo Power Pruner with telescoping boom for less then $400 and they do not weigh much more if you consider the drag of the hyraulic lines you have to pull. I think the hyraulic tools are well suited for a confined area or a bucket on a boom truck but to drag the hoses and RTV through the woods is not something that I want. Make your choice on the cab and other features but I would not hang up on the lack of the valve. Kubota was able to start with a clean sheet on the 1100 and I think they moved things around with a better layout and plumbed them much better then on the 900.

David Kb7uns

RTV1100 almost a year old and 105hrs

 

[The Gardener]

I liked the idea of the hydraulic tools but after pricing them and thinking about being teathered and having to run the RTV to power them, decided that they were not worth the cost ...

Thank You!!!

You and the others have helped me to fully rationalize this choice. You're absolutely correct. The RTV1100 integrated cab is a huge plus. We also have brutal summer heat and brutal winter cold. A cab with heat and A/C plus complete protection from the elements and biting bugs were the reasons I targeted the RTV1100 from the outset.

:The Gardener

 

[Riptide23]

Totally off-topic, but Dargo, I love your signature lines. Any man who publically admits that he owns a Murray mower and Harbor Freight tools, yet zips around in an RTV 1100 is OK in my book...

 

[thunderworks]

You and the others have helped me to fully rationalize this choice. You're absolutely correct. The RTV1100 integrated cab is a huge plus. We also have brutal summer heat and brutal winter cold. A cab with heat and A/C plus complete protection from the elements and biting bugs were the reasons I targeted the RTV1100 from the outset.

:The Gardener[/QUOTE]

I'll concede the winter cold, but are you kidding . . . "brutal summer heat"? . . . If you want to really experience summer heat, move away from New England . . .

 

[KeithInSpace]

...brutal summer heat...

Ummm...it'll get up to 85 on Sunday...ya...brutal. If we came over and stayed at your house, my wife would pack jackets for the kids.

Alternatively, you could bring the parkas down here and enjoy the occasional 101 degrees with 100% humidity. Only 92 degrees right now...almost feels like spring...

Sorry. Had to poke fun. If I got an RTV with a cab, A/C would be a required purchase. And I'd probably spring for the 1100.

 

[Dargo]

It is 93 degrees here today with 70% humidity and I just got back from taking two of my kids riding around our property for the last 3 hours. We had to alternate between the lowest fan setting and the second to lowest fan setting or we got cold. Also, we enjoyed seeing the hundreds and hundreds of bugs trying to figure out how to get through the glass to us.

I didn't get my camera out fast enough, but how big do wild turkeys get?? We came up on a group of 5 of them by one of our lakes and these things were the biggest things I've ever seen. We were almost looking eye to eye at them sitting in the RTV! I know they are mostly feathers, but they sure looked like they'd weigh in over 40 pounds. The kids got a big kick out of seeing them and sort of chasing them through the brush. I sort of wanted to see if something that big could fly myself. None seemed the least interested in flying and they sure ran smack dab right into all sorts of things only to bounce off and keep running.

 

[The Gardener]

I think all of you would be surprised by the summer heat in NH. Each summer, we usually get a few pockets [4 +/- days each] of heat that'll hit or exceed 100 degrees with humidity that is pushing the upper limits as well.

We just went through one such pocket this past week. The outside thermometer read between 98 and 102 for three straight days. I don't have a humidity readout, but I am fairly sure it was very high. I drip with sweat on those types of days.

I realize that a dozen +/- might be a small total in comparison, but on those days whose counting. It's brutal as far as I'm concerned. Our A/C is running in the house and in the cars.

I could not live where you live if these types of temps happen more often. My tolerance for heat seems to be diminishing with age.

The Gardener

 

[Dargo]

My tolerance for heat seems to be diminishing with age.

The Gardener

Hey, I'm totally with you on that one!

 

[BrianW]

We also have brutal summer heat and brutal winter cold.
:The Gardener[/QUOTE]

Gee, I go to NH every summer for vacation to escape the MD brutal summer heat! I guess it is all relative to what you are used to. Of course I go in an air conditioned fifth wheel. I do have to feel sorry for those who spend their beautiful vacation at the Mount Washington Hotel when you get a heat wave though. No A/C there.