Hi, I'm looking for opinions from owners of the Kubota RTV x1100c. I've done about as much research as possible however I highly value the opinion of others with experience. My purpose for purchasing this unit is mainly as a toy however I own a Bobcat Toolcat 5600 and will attempt to do many of the lighter tasks such as snowblowing, plowing my private drive as well as general cleanup around my properties. I'm not into off-roading, mud holes or trails so speed is not an issue but the required power to properly operate the attachments is a major concern. I'm not looking at comparing the 1100 to the Toolcat as I realize the Bobcat is a dedicated work machine however if the 1100 is as described by Kubota I just might be able to downsize somewhat. Thanks in advance for your input.
Interesting question.
I bought an RTV-X1100C this past September. I have never owned a quad of any sort as I could not determine any significant need for such. I have an EXCEPTIONAL 1952 Ford 8N (1,100 original hours) with Sherman combination transmission and very good carry-all on the three point that is never removed. I keep hand tools, chain saws, gas cans, chains, etc. in the carry-all, and the unit serves very well as my quad. Indeed, it will probably drag any of the gasoline powered quads into the next county.
For whatever reason, I decided to buy the RTV last year, knowing that I did not really need it and, aside from plowing snow, wondering what I would do with it once here. I bought it with just about all of the options, including a snow plow. Currently, I plow snow on my two nearly 1/4 mile asphalt driveways with my 1994 B1750HST Bi-Speed Turn (the best purchase that I have made in my life) and 6' back blade. Plowing significant snow with the B requires F & R chains but the set up works well and has never failed me. That said, I'm getting up there and neither the 8N (obviously) nor the
B1750 have cabs, whereas the 1100C does.
Like you, my RTV-X1100C is a toy. After delivery in September, I fussed with it in the barn, e.g., polish, wax, minor adjustments, programming the radio, installing the snow plow (bought separately), charging the battery, etc., but the RTV never left the barn for 3 months, as I continued to use the 8N as my utility vehicle. At this point, I was considering trying to sell or trade it unusued (knowing that I would take a very cold bath) for something more useful. I am currently shopping for a HD 15' bat wing and a large B or small L series tractor to replace a different 51 8N that I use with a 5' rotary cutter.
The weather turned very cold just before Christmas. I know how to start my 8N in very cold weather and continued to use it until making a stupid mistake, requiring me to remove the hood for refinishing and repainting (Did I mention that I'm ****?). Because the gasoline tank is mounted to the hood on Ford 9/2/8N tractors, this left my 8N out of service.
The Duke energy tree trimming sub contractors started trimming a power line right of way on my property at about this time on very steep ground well away from the house. Because I've had bad experiences with other tree trimming sub contractors in the past, I supervise closely. With the 8N out of service, I started using the RTV for the first time to drive to the work site, sometimes on snow covered ground, sometimes with chainsaws, etc., in the bed.
I have learned newfound respect for the RTV. The heat and air of the cab, is obvious, but the RTV is heavy, perhaps as heavy as my 52 8N (only air in the tires), and the RTV work-site tires are much better in snow covered ground that are R series tractor tires (either R1 or R4). I found that I could take the RTV where I would not even consider taking my 8N (old style industrial tires, long since unavailable) on snow covered ground. Moreover, I easily navigated terrain where the tree trimmers Kubota rubber tracked skid steer machines slid down the hill requiring winches to retrieve and areas where my M9960 with FEL could not negotiate without FWA engaged. Did I mention that the heated cab is better appreciated now?
We have not had enough snow here to require plowing my driveways but I hope to be able to plow both (both steep, one very) with the RTV without tire chains. I'm getting up there and installing/removing tire chains is no longer a fun chore. If I find that I need chains on the RTV, chains for the small RTV tires are much lighter and easier to handle than rear chains for my
B1750. Time will tell.
Finally, though I have not yet tried, I expect that the RTV will drag trees (I regularly cut trees and drag such to various fire sites before cutting, stacking and burning.) nearly as well as my 8N, likely better if the ground is wet, and certainly better if snow covered. Again, time will tell.
The bad news: The RTV-X1100C is expensive. It is also slow when compared to gasoline powered utility vehicles. My Sherman combination equipped 8Ns will top out a bit over 20 MPH. I think it would be a close race between my 8Ns and the RTV on pavement. This is not an issue for me as I will never take it from my property but it may be an issue for some of you.
The rest of the bad news: Only after buying the RTV did I learn that the equipment rider that I carry on my farm insurance policy DOES NOT cover the RTV, though it covers all of my other farm equipment. Apparently, insurance companies consider utility vehicles similar to automobiles because they can be driven on public roads. It makes no difference whether one is licensed or not. They are not covered. Consequently, one must buy a separate policy for an RTV. Such policy for mine costs about $300/yr. Since mine is a toy, I would NEVER have considered buying it had I known this. Currently, mine is self-insured but fire and theft makes me nervous.
Did I mention that the heat and air is nice, especially for an old guy?
SDT
