RTV1100 vs RTV900

[The Gardener]

I am wondering if some of you can clarify the differences between the RTV1100 and the RTV900.

Does the RTV1100 have the rear hydraulic outputs?
It does not mention them anywhere.

The RTV900 offers a steel cab with windows with all of the lighting accessories if desired. The RTV1100 cab is integral. Interior noise dB is very close. Maximum speed is the same. Carrying capacity appears to be about the same. Suspension options seem to be similar. They both have the hydraulic dumping bed. Both offer a heated cab. The RTV1100 has A/C whereas the RTV900 does not appear to offer this as an option.

Is that the big trade off:

RTV900 has rear hydraulic outputs but no A/C
RTV1100 has no rear hydraulic outputs but has A/C

Thanks,
The Gardener

 

[KeithInSpace]

I'm fairly certain the RTV1100 is "loaded"...I'm 92% sure I recall seeing rear hydraulic connections on the units at my dealership.

Regarding the A/C, while I'm not sure about the factory option on the 900, I'm sure there are aftermarket units that would work just fine.

I believe the interior and cab on the 1100 is nicer than the 900. The one on the 900 is basically a sealed cab around a non-cabbed 900 while the entire interior of the 1100 is much nicer and more "car like".

And don't forget the 15% bump in horsepower.

Frankly, it is a serious premium to hop into the 1100. As nice as it is (can't fault anyone who purchases it or the 900...I like them both a lot), it would hurt that much more to drag my backhoe bucket across the rear gate the first time...

I currently own a POS Chinese ATV/dump bed thing (my brother gave it to me off a job site) that has shown me how much I enjoy having one of these things around. It sure is great. Though mine is junk, I still use the heck out of it.

I've pondered purchasing a replacement when the economy treats us a little better. I've looked at the JD Gator...nice, simple. I've looked really hard at a Polaris Ranger...very hard working, lighter, and capable of 50 MPH!!! Crazy!!!

I like the RTV and am sure it would deliver amazing results just like my tractor. But it sure is heavy. And I think I'd like something that would qualify as a "fun" vehicle as well as useful if I'm spending that much.

Just the thoughts that have gone through my brain...not worth much, really...

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

All but the 900 general purpose machines have hydraulic outlets for the bed dump and plow angle. What your noticing is the Utility valve kit for running hydraulic chainsaws, post pounders, etc which is not available for the 1100.

 

[The Gardener]

What your noticing is the Utility valve kit for running hydraulic chainsaws, post pounders, etc which is not available for the 1100.

I find that amazing. I'm sorry, but what type of thinking process went into that decision ?!? It makes no sense whatsoever. The Utility Valve Kit turns the RTV into a first class tool for larger acreages. Those accessories are terrific!

To leave this feature off of their top-of-the-line RTV1100 in lieu of creature comforts is simply hard to justify in my thinking. It redefines their credentials for top-of-the-line status to mean comfort [a fancier cab] vs utilitarian merits.

It ranks right up there with the F3680 cab not offering A/C as an option. Summer time cutting in a cab and they don't imagine some owners would desire A/C ?!?

I really think that Kubota should return to a much more legitimate "build your own policy" like they do with computers. Let the buyer determine what he/she needs and wants. They're making decisions based on some irrelevent surveys which do not represent the individual needs of each customer. These aren't toys, and they're certainly not priced as such. These are tools, tools are job specific, and all of our diverse properties and interests cannot be summed up in some generic questionnaire or survey; a questionnaire or survey designed, no less!, by the same minds that would choose to disregard A/C as a viable option in a cab for summer mowing or a Utility Valve Kit on an RTV. Were those two items part of the survey or questionnaire???? Doubtful.

:The Gardener

 

[art]

There are many reasons for the way a machine might be built or spec'd when bringing them to the market.

One of them is the cost vs the market.
To make all the options available might drive the base cost up even higher and make the potential market smaller in numbers.

I can understand your desire for a machine to be set up with the options that you have mentioned.
There is a cab company that builds a cab for the F-series with air conditioning.

The largest segment of purchasers for the RTV with the extra hydraulic capacity wouldn't want to see a cloth seat in their work machine. Many of the construction companies we work with would balk with the addition of air to a field use machine, who gets to sit in the cab today? We have pavers that won't buy a cab with air on a skid steer. Could you imagine taking the hydraulic drive pump out to clean out a plugged line and have someone with raw sewage on their pants getting back in on the cloth seat to drive back with?

 

[The Gardener]

Art,

You make great points.

To make all the options available might drive the base cost up ...

This is my only real question. Would the cost be that much higher if these were planned options from the outset?

Asking them to offer A/C in the F3680 cab might be a minor expense since they already have the A/C compressor that is used in the B3030 cab. I don't know. But, I would think that pre-planning could allow for this same compressor to be used in the F-series cab since the duct work already exists for heating. Maybe not.

The RTV900 includes a rear hydraulic valve. The RTV1100 cannot be that much different. Maybe it is.

I am just raising the questions to see if more pre-planning could include more options w/o raising the cost excessively.

 

[KeithInSpace]

To make all the options available might drive the base cost up even higher and make the potential market smaller in numbers.

You make wonderful points, Art, but I found humor in this one.

We're basically talking about a functional ATV that goes 25 MPH, can't go on-road, and costs about the same as A BASE FORD F150. The type of person purchasing this vehicle is doing it for the sheer heck of it or because it is a wonderfully incredible Swiss Army Knife to suit every possible need they could encounter.

Therefore, to not offer a particularly flexible part of the machine's utility seems odd. Not sure how the OPTION of having something would make much of a difference to the bottom line...especially considering the darn thing runs over $16k to start with...

All this said, I already own a chainsaw, a PHD, and probably most of the hydraulic attachments that probably cost a ton anyway. That is probably the case for 89.3% of the people purchasing the RTV. Another 8.8% are just buying the RTV as something to let their grandkids drive around the yard. That leaves 1.9% that would purchase the fluid-driven chainsaw, for example.

 

[Dargo]

I've had both machines. The RTV1100, even with it's extra weight and A/C on, will pull hills that I could never climb in the RTV900. The difference in torque is noticeable. Mainly though, I wanted the creature comforts when I'm out in the woods and rough areas. It's nice to not be all bug bitten, have to check all over for ticks, and be nice and cool in the summer and toasty warm in the winter. On a 95 degree day I only had to keep the A/C on the 2nd to lowest fan speed to stay plenty cool. Also, the guys riding with me had run into a bunch of those striped wing flies (you know, the kind that won't take "no" for an answer and bite you right on the top of your head) and were miserable.

The machine fits my needs and wants just fine. If it costs too much for what you are willing to spend, buy an old Jeep or something. Unfortunately, nothing is cheap anymore. I'm absolutely shocked at the price of the price on side by side utility vehicles sold at Rural King. To me, they are extremely primitive and almost crude yet cost over twice what a nice Jeep would cost you. Hey, buy what you like and will fit in your budget.

 

[KeithInSpace]

...buy what you like and will fit in your budget.

Not knocking the price or utility. I'd love to get a new side-by-side and it looks like the price of entry for a 4x4 is $10k.

Point was that they would choose to delete OPTIONAL equipment from an extremely expensive machine. Or have it as standard for another $300 on an already very expensive machine.

I have over $20k invested in a machine to take care of my lawn, for goodness sake. I'm not knocking anyone for purchasing an RTV.

Also not saying that I would CONSIDER the purchase of an F150 (or an old Jeep) over an RTV...they are totally and completely different vehicles. Just saying that $16k should buy you EVERYTHING the machine has to offer...the crux of the question posed by the OP.

 

[The Gardener]

The machine fits my needs and wants just fine.

Which is great. And your description of how you use it and why it fits is wonderful.

I just think this "fit" should be Kubota's ultimate objective vs their deciding what combination of features I would like. By simply offering more "options" to the buyer would allow every customer to design that perfect match you are enjoying with your RTV1100.

I really like the cab features of the RTV1100 and the additional hp. But, I also fit that small percentage of people who would look to add the 90" tree trimmer and the chainsaw and use the rear hydraulic valve offered on the RTV900 - but not on the RTV1100.

:The Gardener

 

[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.