Using Compact Tractor as UTV / RTV?

keeney · Nov 15, 2004

It occurs to me that a compact tractor can do a lot of the job a UTV (utility all-terrain vehical) does. Maybe not as comfortably, maybe not as fast, and only with one seat, but if the tractor makes a "good enough" UTV, maybe I can skip getting the UTV? Or to turn it around, is a UTV enough better at what it does to really need one if I already have a compact tractor?

How many CUT owners occasionally use their tractor like a UTV? Something to just transport themselves and maybe some tools and materials to a location?

How often? What kind of terrain? How far? What do you carry? How is it carried (FEL, carry-all, on lap?, etc). Is it to a worksite, or for recreation?

What features of a UTV would you want that the tractor is lacking? All-terrain capability? Comfort (suspension)? Speed? Cargo box?

What about the new combo units like the Bobcat Tool-cat?

- Rick

Bird · Nov 15, 2004

Rick, you'd have to understand that where I lived on a county road, there might only be 2 or 3 vehicles a day, and sometimes none, besides the postman, pass by our house; i.e., very little traffic. Even when I drove on the county road and the farm-to-market roads 7.75 miles to my brother's place, I might see 2 to 6 other vehicles on the road. So, yes, I used my little tractor to run around, carry tools, etc. in my pasture, to the nearest neighbor to visit, and to my brother's place. I've also been known to use it with my fishing gear in the FEL bucket to go fishing;one place less than half a mile down the road, but another place that was a couple of miles back through the woods where a pickup couldn't go.

familyman · Nov 15, 2004

Rick, I've owned several quads and often operate the Kawasaki Mule that my company owns and I'll answer your question -- no way would I substitute a huge, heavy, long, wide, tall, loud, awkward, high-centered, poor handling, unsuspended behemoth of a CUT for general off road transportation. The CUT and I are both too valuable to risk rolling over or getting stuck somewhere out in the woods. A proper utility quad (there are many excellent models out there) would be safer, quieter, more nimble, much more comfortable, less offensive, less destructive, more fun and cheaper to use for day to day off roading. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

MossRoad · Nov 15, 2004

My little PT425 does great as a UTV. It doesn't tear up the ground, has full time 4WD and has roll over protection. If the trail is blocked, I open it /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif. I was out blazing trails with it through our woods last weekend. It went places I couldn't walk through. I carry tools in the FEL bucket if needed. Sometimes I just drive it around the trails to inspect things. Lots of fun. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Henro · Nov 15, 2004

no way would I substitute a huge, heavy, long, wide, tall, loud, awkward, high-centered, poor handling, unsuspended behemoth of a CUT for general off road transportation. 

Me neither!

That's why I have a nice sized, not too heavy, not so long, not too wide, nimble, good ground clearance, who needs suspension anyway, beauty of a CUT! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

RalphVa · Nov 15, 2004

That was what I used my Gravely for about 50% of the time. About 40% was bush hogging. The other 10% was garden plowing, shredding or plowing/blowing snow.

The Gravely would only haul enough mulch for 1 garden row down the hill in its cart. On the JD 4010, I hope to haul mulch in the bucket, on carryall and in Gravely cart hitched behind the carryall. Hoping maybe I can get enough for at least 2 rows, maybe 3. Haven't gotten the carryall yet. Still sorting out what quick hitch I want to get to make dropping the bush hog and picking up the carryall fairly easy.

Ralph

zekeman · Nov 15, 2004

Not Practical For me, I have both, I use both, but for totally different needs. Example - I use the atv to feed the horses(hook up to a four wheeled cart), twice daily, under 1 hr, if I used the tractor it would take 2+ hrs to go field to field. The tractor does my heavy work ( Manure, post holes, etc.) The atv does the
finese work. They each have different uses. Its possible to use one if the other has broken down but I would not do it out of choice
Ron

keeney · Nov 15, 2004

familyman,

in regards to "...cheaper to use..."

Thats the part I am most interested in. If a utility ATV costs $5000 to $10,000 and I can use the tractor I already own (and need for other things), it seems to me that using the tractor would be cheaper overall than buying and maintaining another piece of equipment up until the additional fuel efficiency caught up.

I totally agree that a tractor is certainly not going to be competitive on comfort or nimbleness - I'm just wondering if its even usable at all for some of what a UTV gets used for.

As another poster has pointed out, not all compact tractors are huge, heavy, wide, or long. A small CUT like my JD 4100 weighs about the same as a Kawasaki Mule and I think it has a shorter and narrower wheelbase.

- Rick

OkeeDon · Nov 15, 2004

I used to walk all over my 5 acres when I wanted to check something or think about what I was going to do next or just to enjoy it, but then I got knocked hard with a heart thingie. So, now I ride. I don't have an ATV or UTV or such, not even a golf cart with knobby tires, yet. So, it's either my pickup or the tractor. The tractor works just fine. It's a little slow, and I wouldn't want it to go any faster because there is no suspension, but it's not as slow as walking.

Now, I hesitate to say this out loud with the safety nazis lurking, but when my son-in-law wants to go with me, he hops up on whatever implement is hooked up to the 3 point hitch, grabs on to the ROPS, and rides along.

Let me add that our land is flat, relatively open (about like a park) and that I wouldn't consider spending much on utulity transportation, anyway. I figure I will get a golf cart one of these days and dress it up with a lift kit and knobby tires, but I sure won't spend more than $1,000. The other thing I've considered is an old Suzuki Samurai or similar with the top and doors left off, if I could find one cheap enough.

bczoom · Nov 16, 2004

Rick,

I am fortunate enough to have all 3 (CUT, UTV and ATV's).

I got the CUT first and if you only can only have one machine, it's probably the way to go. It can do most of what a UTV or ATV can do but much more with FEL and 3PH accessories. It is significantly slower than either of the other machines but can carry about as much using the FEL and a carry-all off the 3PH. Speed and efficiency were some of my primary reasons for the other machines. Other reasons related to recreation and the limited use of the tractor in the lawn (I'm running R1 tires).

I purchased a UTV (the Kubota RTV) earlier this year. Since doing so, my ATV's are barely used. I use the RTV for almost all my firewood processing since it is a lot faster than a tractor and much safer than an ATV. (I have very hilly terrain). The RTV is also much better than an ATV when taking the kids out for a ride.

The ATV's are still used for recreational and some lawn chores. I use these for recreational riding, pulling sleds in the winter...
Pull behind lawn items (bagger, aerator...) are better suited for an ATV. I also use for hauling trailers around to pick up leaves, branches (although I could also use the RTV).

I believe the Toolcat Bobcat is most likely a great all-around machine (although possibly too heavy for yard work). Personally, if I had no equipment but did have the $45K cash to buy whatever, I think I would probably get a CUT, UTV and ATV instead. For my needs/uses I think having the options based on the project at hand is better suited.

Brian

zekeman · Nov 16, 2004

If price is your major concern Tractor Supply sells a ATV for $3200.00, and a UTV for $4200.00, both are 2WD but if your property is level and open you do not need 4wd, also you can look for a used one. My situation is different. My 31 acres are heavy rock and forest on a mountain, the upper portion of my property is the top of the Mountain-for me it would be dangerous to use my tractor to get to the top with the slopes I have. The fields I have for the horses are tiered, each one being higher up than the other. If the layout of my property was different, I probably would be asking the same question, it all depends on your situation.

Ron

P.S. forgot to mention- with a atv/utv after the work is done,the
fun begins- the kids and I have spent days exlporing the old
logging roads in this part of NY. ( and I still love my tractor too)

Michigan_Mike · Nov 16, 2004

For my purposes, it would depend on the tires on the RTV.
I used my CUT to get to the back part of the property just this past weekend. There is a lot of multi-flora roses, and each time I've taken my JD 445 yard tractor back there I ended up with a flat tire. I guess I should have learned after the second flat, but that's another story.

Riddler · Nov 16, 2004

If I hadn't read these posts, I would have guessed that an RTV would be virtually essential in most folks eyes. I have to deal with 32 acres, so speed and ease of handling are rather important. My Kawasaki Mule gets used much more often than the tractor. For an investment of $5K (I found the Mule used), it won't be long before I will likely save as much or more in wear and tear on the tractor, not to mention a huge savings of time getting around and completing light hauling chores. A week does not go by that I don't tell myself that the Mule is the most useful piece of equipment I have ever purchased. The tractor has the work power, but the Mule is running 10 times as often as the tractor. Can't imagine living without it.

jcp · Nov 16, 2004

Is it improper to ask a question in someone else's thread? If not, can I get some of your further thoughts on the UTV/RTV/ATV options? Currently I use 2 ATV's and a CUT. For example, I've been harvesting red maples killed by the gypsy moths about 12 years ago for firewood. We drop them, cut them to 6-8' lengths and drag them out to the blacktop with a 425 ATV. There they are loaded on a trailer and pulled by the CUT to the cutting/splitting area. The split wood is trailered by an ATV to the woodshed. Our smaller 2 stroke 4WD ATV just seized its engine, so I'm thinking of repairing it and trading it in the spring. Can anyone comment on comparing an ATV with a dump bed versus a UTV/RTV? Our 5 acres adjoin a wooded mountain of jeep and atv trails. Can the UTV/RTV's run the mountain trials or are they too bulky? Also, are used 4WD UTV's generally available and what do they typically run? The new dump bed ATV's seem about $7k.
By the way, if I only could have 1 it would be the CUT. I'd pull the logs out with pulleys and a long steel cable like I did with the dump truck in the early days.

familyman · Nov 17, 2004

With regard to operation costs, an ATV might use the same amount or more fuel than a CUT, but I'm talking about maintanence. A flat or damaged tire on an ATV is easier to repair/replace than for a CUT, and that goes for most any other part of the machine.
Do you have to spend your money on an ATV? Of course not! You could also travel everywhere on foot or drive your bulldozer into town to Christmas shop. Right now I don't even own an ATV, but if I had big property or a very rural lifestyle IF I HAD THE MONEY I'd have an ATV or UTV to do alot of my chores (or the Suzuki Samurai mentioned or the like). If it's not in your budget, run what you brung. Just be aware of the machines limitations, especially with regard to safety, and act accordingly.

bczoom · Nov 17, 2004

jcp -
In this case, I'd say it's not improper to ask a question. It is related.
It may be better to hop on over to the "ATV's and Utility Vehicles" section of this forum.
You can either re-post the same question or take a look at some of the more recent posts to compare vehicles. Based on your description of how you process wood, a UTV should expedite the process over an ATV.

sherpa · Nov 17, 2004

Henro,
What kind of tractor was you referring to, (That's why I have a nice sized, not too heavy, not so long, not too wide, nimble, good ground clearance)? Make, model, how many HP etc?
Sherpa

sherpa · Nov 17, 2004

I have used ATVs for years but when I want to run down the dirt road on the weekends I drive the tractor to avoid a ticket from the forest service or NC wildlife. During the week you can usually get by OK. I am back in the woods and only see about 5 cars all day during the week.
Sherpa

keeney · Nov 17, 2004

"What kind of tractor was you referring to, ...?"

For similar size/weight to a UTV, we are talking the smaller compact tractors like my JD 4100, or maybe even something smaller like a JD2210, or a BX2200, etc. Under 1500 lbs, under 20hp, less than 48" wide.

The big question in my mind is the dump-bed. Its such a pain to hook up the trailer/cart., so the convenience of a UTV would be that the cargo bed is always along to toss things in like tools, materials, and supplies, and haul away things like construction scraps, garbage, etc.

I end up carrying things in the FEL a lot, but many times the tractor is configured for mowing, so there is no good place to carry stuff without dragging a trailer along.

- Rick

bczoom · Nov 17, 2004

( "What kind of tractor was you referring to, ...?"

For similar size/weight to a UTV, we are talking the smaller compact tractors like my JD 4100, or maybe even something smaller like a JD2210, or a BX2200, etc. Under 1500 lbs, under 20hp, less than 48" wide.

The big question in my mind is the dump-bed. Its such a pain to hook up the trailer/cart., so the convenience of a UTV would be that the cargo bed is always along to toss things in like tools, materials, and supplies, and haul away things like construction scraps, garbage, etc.
- Rick )

Just for the heck of it, I just pulled up the mfgr specs on the BX2230 BX2230 specs and compared to the RTV RTV Specs

Matching these 2 Kubota's side by side, I was a bit surprised. They share the same engine but the RTV is a bit larger.

RTV weighs almost 600 # more, is 1' wider and 3' longer.

The dump bed is probably one of the biggest benefits to the RTV (UTV's in general).
To use jcp's example project (hope he doesn't mind):
"I've been harvesting red maples killed by the gypsy moths about 12 years ago for firewood. We drop them, cut them to 6-8' lengths and drag them out to the blacktop with a 425 ATV. There they are loaded on a trailer and pulled by the CUT to the cutting/splitting area. The split wood is trailered by an ATV to the woodshed. "

A RTV could make this more efficient.
Take saws and stuff, put in cargo box. Hook up splitter to the rear and head off to the woods. Empty tools and remove splitter.
Chunk & split wood, put in box of RTV and drive to wood shed. Dump it (using hyd. dump). Stack it later.
Repeat process until done.
Last trip, load up tools and splitter and come home.

If you had a few people, this project would go very fast.
1 person running the chainsaw
1 person splitting
1 person on RTV
1 person stacking.