Using Compact Tractor as UTV / RTV?

keeney · Nov 17, 2004

RE " the BX2230 BX2230 specs and compared to the RTV specs"

The Kubota RTV is one of the larger, heavier UTV's with cargo bed payloads of 800 to 1000 lbs.

There is also a smaller, lighter class of UTV's like the Kawasaki Mule 550, Yamaha Rhino 660, and JD Compact that have cargo bed payloads closer to 400 lbs.

The smaller machines are going to be much more nimble than most tractors, but as you go to the larger UTV's, the difference starts to narrow down to four factors:

1. No cargo bed on the tractor - must use trailer, loader bucket, or carry-all

2. 1 seat vs 2.

3. Suspension

4. Top-end speed for flat, level portions of the trail.

- Rick

bczoom · Nov 17, 2004

Rick,

I just picked the 2 Kubota's as a start because you listed the BX2200 in your post ("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.")

I'm sorry, but I don't think I'm correctly getting your point of view on the ATV's and UTV's. Are you trying to talk yourself into or out of getting one?

There are several UTV's out there (and even more ATV's). Which type would be based on your needs. On one end of the spectrum are the RTV's and Bobcat's. Primarily work machines. The other end is the Rhino which is more of a recreational machine.

Brian

keeney · Nov 17, 2004

I am trying to talk myself into the right decision. Long term, we are thinking about buying some more land, and I am doing some thinking on budget and tools (toys) required to maintain it.

I am also trying to figure out what mods/attachments would make the tractor more useful as a replacement for the UTV. Along these lines, I was hoping for people to respond with "I use this-and-that carry-all attachment on my CUT and it works great" kind of comments. Maybe I learn that there is the perfect dump-bed or tires or suspension mods or something for a tractor that makes it much better at these types of tasks.

In the immediate future, ice-fishing season is approaching, and I would love to have one of the smaller units to buzz around the lake on. A 2-seater would allow the whole family to go fishing together.

If I do decide to go with a UTV, I will be browsing and asking more quesitons in the more appropriate forums, but in this forum, it is clearly appropriate to slant towards the topic of tractors being used for tasks UTV's would normally be used for.

- Rick

jinman · Nov 18, 2004

( It occurs to me that a compact tractor can do a lot of the job a UTV (utility all-terrain vehical) does. )

Rick, I think you are exactly right for those with small acreages of 5-7 acres or less. I have 33 acres that is split between two tracts (one - 22 acres, one - 11 acres). To get to the 11 acre tract, I have to drive about 1/4 mile down a county road.

With two tracts and a 5,000 lb tractor, the UTV makes a lot of sense to me. I think the tractor and UTV actually complement each other for a lot of tasks. I'm one of those folks who had a UTV before UTVs were cool.

The attached photo was taken back in '93 when I was building fence and putting in crosstie corner posts. My old Ford didn't have a FEL and it was a pain to haul my fence building equipment and posts around with the tractor while also using it to dig post holes. I rigged my boompole on the UTV's hydraulic bed and it was perfect for hauling heavy crossties and lifting them to drop into the holes I drilled with the PHD. I also hauled barbed wire, posts, fence clips, and tools in the bed of the UTV.

If you look at this old 3-wheeler, you'll notice just how easy it is to get on and off from either side. My tractor is nowhere near that convenient and the bed is always at the right height to lift things into and out of.

Last Christmas I bought my girlfriend a Kawasaki Mule and it has allowed her a whole new freedom to go around her 25+ acres and trim limbs, check and repair fence, and just take joyrides for fun along her and my nature trails thru the woods and around our lake. She has arthritis and long shopping trips to WalMart are very hard on her. She says the Mule has given her a whole new feel of freedom because it's so easy to get into, drive around, and use for so many little hauling tasks.

So, I think a person with a small acreage and a small tractor will be fine without a UTV. It would be hard to justify for anything but recreation. Those of us with more acreage, larger tractors, and many hauling jobs will find a UTV ideal. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Riddler · Nov 18, 2004

Rick, I would say that Jim's post sums it up for me. With parcels the size that he mentions, a UTV or RTV opens the whole place up to another level of enjoyment. The ablility to simply throw stuff in the bed, fire it up and speed off to where you want to be makes short trips and spur of the moment tasks entirely possible. If you have to hook things up, carefully drive out of the garage and crawl to where you need to go, worrying all the while about anywhere that is a little steep, you will think twice about alot of those short trips and spur of the moment tasks. The value and enjoyment of having help or a loved one jump into the seat next you for the ride shouldn't be underestimated either. Don't get me wrong, I love my tractor to death, but for traveling and a heck of a lot of tasks (like the wood cutting/splitting you describe), a UTV/RTV is just unbeatable.

RobertN · Nov 18, 2004

I use my tractor for everything, when it is just me. Otherwise I use the truck. My property is somewhat open though.

I have read the many messages in this thread, and seen some on the RTV forum. The thing that comes to mind for me very often, is for the price of a UTV/RTV, you could get an old jeep or 4x4 mini-truck.Aint many places you could take an RTV that I could not take an old Jeep. Only thing is no dump bed... I grew up in Flat fender Willy's and early CJ5's. They are small and manuever about anywhere.

Moon · Nov 19, 2004

I have used my tractor for ATV chores when I didn't want to get the trailer and hook it up to carry some item somewhere on the property. Sure it's slower, but it works.
Like others I would not be without my ATV. Makes getting around our 50 acres much easier.
However, RobertN has about the same thoughts as I do as far as UTV's go. Before I would spend 6 or 7k on a UTV I'd get a used CJ / Wranger type jeep. I would have more use for that.
On the other hand Jinman gave very good reasons for having a UTV for someone with mobility problems. Seems each fits a particular niche.

Moon of Ohio

MossRoad · Nov 20, 2004

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. 

I'd drag them out of the woods with my PT4225, load them on the trailer with the PT425, tow the trailer to the cutting/splitting area with my PT425 and haul the split wood to the woodshed with my PT425. Only one piece of equipment to purchase, store and maintain. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

jcp · Nov 20, 2004

MossRoad - I agree that using the B7500 for everything would be the easiest. However, the 100-200' from the trees to the blacktop is varying 30-40% grades of hardwood forest with occasional rocky sections and lots of mountain laurel. The tractor does the long hauling with ease. But no tractor could do the first part. I appreciate being pointed to the ATV section. Hadn't previously looked past these interesting tractor lists. It will have to be a good year in business though before the UTV pricing can be justified.