Utility Vehicles?

Roadbuilder6 · Mar 21, 2015

Hey guys, my neighbor is looking to get a utility vehicle and has given the project of finding one to me LOL. Since she has already made that first mistake

, I want to get her the best possible utility vehicle for the money. I have a 610 Kawasaki, and love it but that is a little too small for her needs. I have driven gators, and loved them but they are out of the price range (she wants to buy new). Have also driven other mules and the kubotas, once again nice machines, but not what she wants. We have been looking at the JCB Workmax 800D, New Holland Rustler 120, and the Honda 700. All look like nice machines, and from the dealerships can get them for the right price about. We have a good JCB dealership and New Holland Dealer which I have dealed with. Our honda dealer is good as well, and I buy parts from them. My issue with the honda is it looks more like a playtoy then a work vehicle. She needs it to work on their trails, move hay, feed etc. Does anyone have any experience with any of these machines? Thanks, John

hoho · Mar 21, 2015

Roadbuilder6 said:
Hey guys, my neighbor is looking to get a utility vehicle and has given the project of finding one to me LOL. Since she has already made that first mistake , I want to get her the best possible utility vehicle for the money. I have a 610 Kawasaki, and love it but that is a little too small for her needs. I have driven gators, and loved them but they are out of the price range (she wants to buy new). Have also driven other mules and the kubotas, once again nice machines, but not what she wants. We have been looking at the JCB Workmax 800D, New Holland Rustler 120, and the Honda 700. All look like nice machines, and from the dealerships can get them for the right price about. We have a good JCB dealership and New Holland Dealer which I have dealed with. Our honda dealer is good as well, and I buy parts from them. My issue with the honda is it looks more like a playtoy then a work vehicle. She needs it to work on their trails, move hay, feed etc. Does anyone have any experience with any of these machines? Thanks, John

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i wil tell what i bought a gator for and then found out after owning one.frist was for snow plowing the day after snow when wind blows 30 mph in iowa as it always does.it plows snow better than i would have guessed.got all the bells and equipment on it cab skid plates,doors,lights,dump ,tool carriers,saw carriers and heat.it was also to take hours off my tractor.it is used now more than jd 850 and used as work table wood hauler,run around farm,and to other farms with hay wood and parts.of get the best one she can use .use the dealer 0%financing if you can i did .

RoyJackson · Mar 21, 2015

Nothing wrong with buying a used UTV...if she is willing to go with a diesel engine, it's more likely she'll get a good work machine rather then a toy. IMHO, work UTVs are less likely to be abused then the gasoline equivalent.
Also, all those neat bells and whistles some folks want don't add much to the price of a used UTV.

As hoho wrote, UTVs do a good job snow plowing too...but like any snow plow in a snow belt area, eventually one does run out of room to put the snow.

Xfaxman · Mar 21, 2015

Roadbuilder6 said:
Hey guys, my neighbor is looking to get a utility vehicle and has given the project of finding one to me LOL. Since she has already made that first mistake , I want to get her the best possible utility vehicle for the money. ---

We have been looking at the JCB Workmax 800D, New Holland Rustler 120, and the Honda 700. All look like nice machines, and from the dealerships can get them for the right price about. We have a good JCB dealership and New Holland Dealer which I have dealed with. Our honda dealer is good as well, and I buy parts from them. My issue with the honda is it looks more like a playtoy then a work vehicle. She needs it to work on their trails, move hay, feed etc. Does anyone have any experience with any of these machines? Thanks, John

The Rustler is made for New Holland by Club Car. Let her drive it, she will want it. Only one lever for forward, neutral, reverse. 4WD is automatic, it runs open differential, switches to 4WD if needed, and locks either or both differentials it if needed.

I have experience with the old Bobcat version. First one was gasoline powered, note the aluminum frame showing at the front wheel. Put 163 hours on it, then traded it in on the diesel

Second one was diesel. Put 145 hours on it.

Liked them both! They never got stuck and pulled my TORO out several times. :thumbsup:

jeff9366 · Mar 21, 2015

Roadbuilder6 said:
She needs it to work on trails, move hay, feed etc. Does anyone have any experience with any of these machines?

I have been highly satisfied with my gas (16-hp) Kubota RTV500 / $10,000. When you buy a Kubota utility vehicle you are buying the HST transmission, which makes the Kubotas WORKING machines. Carefully consider whether other brands can pull a trailer with 1,000 pounds in it. Most of the other brand's transmissions cannot take it.

My bed is always loaded with tools. The all terrain trailer is for cargo.

pat32rf · Mar 21, 2015

Don't own one yet but friends are happiest with Kubotas. For sand, mud or snow they all like 4wd and they all say to stay clear of Chinese makes.. These are work vehicles, not the fastest but well designed. I tried to climb into one make and found that the roll bar combined with bad hips made it impossible.

DK35vince · Mar 21, 2015

jeff9366 said:
Carefully consider whether other brands can pull a trailer with 1,000 pounds in it. Most of the other brand's transmissions cannot take it.

Where are you seeing that the other brands transmissions cannot take it ??
Most utv's have a over a 1,000 pound tow rating

KiotiKowboy · Mar 21, 2015

My Cub Cadet Volunteer EFI 748cc has a bed capacity of 1000lbs and a tow capacity of 1400lbs. Top speed of low 30s is more than enough to zing across the pastures and have a little fun. It was a little pricey at $10,500 but it is well made and runs great.
Cub Cadet Volunteer 748cc EFI V-Twin 4x4 | UTV Guide

TSO · Mar 21, 2015

I'm glad this thread is coming up ... I'm shopping for one for my wife. She needs one to help move feed, straw, gardening supplies, and water around. We're looking for a work one, not a "racer." I'd actually like something that I can govern speed on, so that my kids can drive it.

Just started checking on Craigslist. I'm seeing a brand called "Odes" which apparently has something to do with KTM. Anybody heard of them? Seems like a good value. Here's one of the listings.

2014 ODES 800 DOMINATOR PRO UTV ##FREE HD SNOW PLOW- MARCH SPECIAL#

Will_C · Mar 21, 2015

I realize that the OP stated that his wife is not a fan of the RTV's or the Mules, but when I did my homework about a utility vehicle, with much the same criteria, these were the 2 leading choices.

Will

crazyal · Mar 22, 2015

I have a Honda Big Red, it's the previous version to the Pioneer. Over all it's been real good for me. I'll load the bed heaping full of green split firewood and it doesn't seam to bother it a bit. I often will haul about 1/4 cord of blocked up wood down to the house (both in the bed and on a trailer). My land is pretty steep yet it has no problems what so ever. It's kind of a balance between work and play. I will say this, don't get one stuck. I've underestimated snow twice now only to find it was a lot deeper that I thought. I went with the Honda because I was never a fan of belts. Had too many snow machines over the years and replaced too many belts. The 3 speed transmission works well. I would buy another if I ever replace it. I did find that because it's fuel injected when it's cold it starts much easier if you wait for the fuel pump to reach pressure (couple of seconds) before turning it over. Also the battery was kind of undersized. I replaced mine with a car battery.

I would look at the Kioti Mechron as a possible diesel option. I thought I saw a new one for sale at a dealer for a really good price. I can't remember the price or even where it was but it just stuck in my head that it was cheap.

MinnesotaEric · Mar 22, 2015

As I understand it, the Bobcats UTVs are made by Club Car for Bobcat.

I've been looking a Yamaha's Viking.

Roadbuilder6 · Mar 22, 2015

Will_C said:
I realize that the OP stated that his wife
Will

Lol, she isn't my wife, literally my neighbor haha. But yes, her main needs are using around their horse farm, and for going on very rugged trails. This took the JCB out after I looked more into it. The kubota and the mules are great machines, but not the off road capabilities we need. I wanted her to get a gator, but we will see what she says about the money.

DK35vince · Mar 22, 2015

Roadbuilder6 said:
The kubota and the mules are great machines, but not the off road capabilities we need.

Have you looked at the new Mule PRO FXT ?
Error
More power, more speed, better suspension than the standard Mule.

Code54 · Mar 22, 2015

DK35vince said:
Have you looked at the new Mule PRO FXT ?
Error
More power, more speed, better suspension than the standard Mule.

You are not kidding - I think the should have renamed it as it is nothing like the old Mules.

Xfaxman · Mar 22, 2015

EricTheOracle said:
As I understand it, the Bobcats UTVs are made by Club Car for Bobcat.
---------------

The 2xxx models that I had were made by Club Car. Now the 3xxx models are made by Polaris: UTV Models - Bobcat Company - Bobcat Company

3650 HST

3200

3400XL

Polaris Brutus. Polaris Brutus Utility Vehicles

jeff9366 · Mar 22, 2015

Roadbuilder6 said:
Her main needs are using around their horse farm, and for going on very rugged trails. The kubota and the mules are great machines, but not the off road capabilities we need.

The advantage of HST transmission over all others is max torque at minimum speed; the reason HST is selected by 90% of people buying 18 horsepower - 40 horsepower TRACTORS. An HST equipped utility vehicle will creep out of and over about anything.

I have had my RTV500 four years. I have never been stuck even though I pull a loaded trailer most of the time. I rarely use 4-WD and have only used 4-WD and had to engage the differential lock perhaps five times.

Roadbuilder6 · Mar 22, 2015

Thanks guys for the responses, when I mean off road capabilities, I don't mean power, the Kubota is an incredibly powerful machine as well is the mule. What I mean is the Kubota and the regular mule don't have the suspension or lift to go over the rocks, stumps etc that they need it too. Great machines, but looking for something with the ground clearance needed. Also since they will also be using it to use on horse farm, they need a work vehicle. Need a large rear bed, made out of metal! lol, but it looks like the New Holland and the Gator, and the Honda are the top runners.