UTV - Trying to Decide

[ovrszd]

I never got the “dump bed” thing

Had a gator, neighbor has an RTV1100

A POS rolled 18ga sheet metal or molded plastic “dump bed” functioning mostly as storage is not what a utv makes, for me

Loaded the neighbor’s rtv bed up once with boulders-rocks

1)definitely would never “machine” drop load it
2) bent the living crap out of it, despite being under capacity
3) seemed fine for mulch/sand/firewood or your saws

(And that was a “good” bed.)

I would only consider toolcat or greater (own a tracked dumper for real work)

Too much$ for a wheelbarrow vs a trailer. There is plenty of room to stuff all your tools in many similar vehicles. Imho the “dump bed” is about as valuable as my 3pt tool carrier and not a selling point.

An absolute workhorse on the farm. Have no idea how many loads of material I've hauled and unloaded with a lever pull.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

@ovrszd
VERY convincing pics! Makes me want one even more!!

 

[crashz]

Exactly a year ago, I bought my father a Cat UTV. I had rented it on a jobsite, it was brand new then and after the job was offered it at a very good price by the Cat Dealer.

It really is pretty awesome. Goes way faster than I'm comfortable with, has a nice heavy built bed, 4x4 with electronic lockers front and rear and runs so smooth. Cat yellow too, so that is pretty cool.

The bad is this: Not all dealers carry them and the ones who don't, won't support them. I've been having a heck of a time just sourcing a battery (Dad wants the original Cat battery). What happens when we need hard parts?

 

[ovrszd]

@ovrszd
VERY convincing pics! Makes me want one even more!!

An RTV is a miniature 4wd ton truck w/dump bed that only goes 25mph. Ours never leaves the farm so the speed isn't an issue. I "stole" this one used with 150hrs for $5,500.

But I still "want" a Can-Am Defender. I'd look good cruising country back roads in one. Leaving the heavy work to the RTV.

 

[ovrszd]

Exactly a year ago, I bought my father a Cat UTV. I had rented it on a jobsite, it was brand new then and after the job was offered it at a very good price by the Cat Dealer.

It really is pretty awesome. Goes way faster than I'm comfortable with, has a nice heavy built bed, 4x4 with electronic lockers front and rear and runs so smooth. Cat yellow too, so that is pretty cool.

The bad is this: Not all dealers carry them and the ones who don't, won't support them. I've been having a heck of a time just sourcing a battery (Dad wants the original Cat battery). What happens when we need hard parts?

I've never saw one!!!! I'll have to research that. Got any pics?

 

[HawkinsHollow]

An RTV is a miniature 4wd ton truck w/dump bed that only goes 25mph. Ours never leaves the farm so the speed isn't an issue. I "stole" this one used with 150hrs for $5,500.

But I still "want" a Can-Am Defender. I'd look good cruising country back roads in one. Leaving the heavy work to the RTV.

That is a steal! I would love a RTV, but they are pretty high right now, understandably they are well built.

 

[slckeys]

Exactly a year ago, I bought my father a Cat UTV. I had rented it on a jobsite, it was brand new then and after the job was offered it at a very good price by the Cat Dealer.

It really is pretty awesome. Goes way faster than I'm comfortable with, has a nice heavy built bed, 4x4 with electronic lockers front and rear and runs so smooth. Cat yellow too, so that is pretty cool.

The bad is this: Not all dealers carry them and the ones who don't, won't support them. I've been having a heck of a time just sourcing a battery (Dad wants the original Cat battery). What happens when we need hard parts?

I looked hard at the diesel version of the CAT UTV last spring, but our dealer didn't even know it existed. They did think it was neat though and then they wanted one. Lol. As far as parts, I swear I read they were made by another company.. Arctic cat maybe? Had a lot of similarities if I recall.

 

[crashz]

Picture of the Cat as requested! This was before we cleaned it up and gave it to my Dad. It was brand new last year, and has about 250 hours on it now.

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[crashz]

Yes - the Cats are built by Textron who owns Artic Cat. The front differential actually has Artic Cat and their logo embossed on the case. I'm pretty sure the only Cat specific item on the whole rig is the key switch!

 

[plastikosmd]

Yep, Neighbor’s rtv was good for wood and loose soil (hauling it not necessarily getting though it)
Great pics!

 

[rgr33]

My RTV 900 is the most used tool I have.
use it far more than tractor, truck, lawnmower, or any individual tool in the shop.
I don’t know why it took me so long to get around to buying one.

 

[groundcover]

RTV makes an awesome mini off road dumper !

 

[ovrszd]

I looked hard at the diesel version of the CAT UTV last spring, but our dealer didn't even know it existed. They did think it was neat though and then they wanted one. Lol. As far as parts, I swear I read they were made by another company.. Arctic cat maybe? Had a lot of similarities if I recall.

They are definitely made by someone else. Have no idea who. Don't see Arctic Cat features in them though.

 

[ovrszd]

Yes - the Cats are built by Textron who owns Artic Cat. The front differential actually has Artic Cat and their logo embossed on the case. I'm pretty sure the only Cat specific item on the whole rig is the key switch!

Good stuff, I should have read down....

 

[IXLR8]

An absolute workhorse on the farm. Have no idea how many loads of material I've hauled and unloaded with a lever pull.

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My wife just bought a new RTV 900, we are waiting for delivery. I showed her your pictures and she now even more excited to get it.

 

[Bearsixty7]

I will repeat what I've said before. It all depends on how you want to use your UTV.

The below roads can easily be driven in a Jeep. But you'll drive them at crawling speeds, bouncing and tossing around, and after a few miles you'll feel like you've been beat with a stick. A UTV, with its 4-wheel independent soft suspension and tires that are inflated to only 10 psi, will cover these roads at a faster pace and the ride will be very smooth and comfortable.




I've been a Jeep owner for most of my life - and I'll be 80 soon. My current Jeep is a 2006 Wrangler Rubicon. I've been a UTV owner (Can-am Defender) for only a couple years but the difference in ride on rough roads between Jeep and Defender is still startling.

Depends on the Jeep!

I only run 6-8PSI in my Jeep tires and it will ride way smoother over that than a SxS or UTV and go places a SxS or UTV can't.

 

[ArlyA]

We're not getting a SUV for trail work and we run less PSI than that..

 

[ovrszd]

My wife just bought a new RTV 900, we are waiting for delivery. I showed her your pictures and she now even more excited to get it.

It will serve her well. If she has any questions about it let me know. I've got a WSM electronically if you need it.

 

[ovrszd]

Depends on the Jeep!

I only run 6-8PSI in my Jeep tires and it will ride way smoother over that than a SxS or UTV and go places a SxS or UTV can't.

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Careful now. Better stick to the big differences. Such as roadability.

 

[Fishin-4-a-Livin]

Here is mine. Does everything I have asked of it so far.