Which one to buy?

[daveandlo]

I am looking to purchase an utility vehicle for my farm. We raise cattle and hay on hilly terrain in south MS. Looking for input on which one would be the best for this. Also some input on diesel or gas. 4x4 or 4x2. Not wanting the back seats as this will be used mainly for work and not so much for pleasure, but working is a pleasure if you know what I mean. Any help in this matter would be appriciated. Thanks

 

[Reyer Farms]

I have a kubota rtv ? It's diesel with hydraulic dump. It was wore pretty good when I got but it just keeps on. I like it because it is strong and it works. It is heavy, but it will walk. The transmission takes some getting use to. If you let of the gas fast you will be slung forward.
My neighbor has kubota, John Deere, and Kawasaki. He hates the jd, loves the kubota , and says for the money the mule is great. They run cows in two counties so he has a lot of seat time in each.
Hope it helps
Jody

 

[Reyer Farms]

I forgot all of them are four wheel pull. I also love the metal beds. Who knows when you need to add a little something extra welding faster than bolting! Maybe a winch for pulling calves in the middle of cold wet nights. Where abouts in the land mass are you? I'm in Lena just outside of Carthage.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have to second the Kubota RTV. I have the 900 diesel with winch on the front, hydraulic dump bed and glass windshield which I highly recommend as it doesnt scratch up like the plastic ones. I have had the bed loaded up with rocks as much as I could put on as they were started to roll off and it dumped them at idle with no problem. The hydrostatic 3 speed transmission is strong and reliable. I have used mine for stretching fence wire, moving dirt and rocks, hauling all kinds of tools to worksite, etc. Today I used it to haul off 7 big loads of limbs from trimming up all the trees so I can drive under them with the tractor. I stood up in back and had my brother in law drive up to the trees so I could use the chainsaw to cut them off. I worked pretty good. We also do the same thing with a pole saw when we need to get higher branches cut (it seems the trees limbs here grow towards the ground more than up). The diesel engine is fuel efficient and powerful enough to spin all four tires in M range. Not so much power in H but produces a top speed of about 25 MPH. Not as fast as the Mules, but fast enough for travelling in rough pastures etc. It has a good suspension but it is firm. It isnt built for Cadillac comfort, but as a work vehicle. The cost is higher than a mule but I think it will be running when the mule is dead. I have a little over 200 hours on mine and its time for a little servicing since I have touched it since the 50 hour oil and filter change, still running the same fuel filters too. A tank of diesel last so long that I forget when I filled it last.

 

[patcopaul]

I am looking to purchase an utility vehicle for my farm.

What you are going to get here, for the most part, are folks justifying their personal choices.There are some thoughtful folks here but... you've been warned.
IMveryHO... Deep pockets... Kobota
Best value... Kioti
Beyond that I have no opinion.
My suggestion is to go out and look at the units that interest you, closely, and make you own choice. It's fun!
I think most UTVs will do light duty well. Only a few will handle the heavy stuff.

 

[smstonypoint]

Another endorsement of the RTV 900. I have had mine for three years and just topped 250 hours. My wife has rheumatoid arthritis and couldn't handle a UTV without power steering -- the RTV's power steering allows her to enjoy driving it.

Steve

 

[daveandlo]

We are located in Lucedale,MS. Bought a heifer from Broadlawn Farms in Lena just last spring, I think it was. Pretty country up there. We have a JD gator that is about six or seven years old. Need something with a little more ump. What are your thoughts about a Bobcat?

 

[Reyer Farms]

I think the bobcats are polaris made. I have never been a big fan of Polaris. They might be better now. The rangers I drove had no ps and just seemed dinky. I might be wrong though but think its a white ranger. I know they offer some attachments and that would be handy. Kioti is making one also I looked at it the other day while at my dealer.

 

[PoorPlowboy]

I like Kawasaki. They pioneered the concept and even today, all others are playing catch-up. They are simple, durable machines.

 

[prehm]

Dave, first of all I must say I have a 2011 Kubota RTV 900 XT and I do love it. I use it one my cattle farm in Arkansas. Here's a few cons: Ignition key is positioned beneath the steering wheel and my knee will hit it when dismounting; vibration from the diesel engine, restricted leg room (I'm 6" 1"), poor quality guages, terrible location for air intake, and stiff suspension which also is an advantage for capacity. Pros: Powerful, love the hydrostatic transmission, power steering, and true hydraulic dump although I don't use it much but wouldn't do without, robust built. The intake can be route up with conduit of flex hose to correct the dust bowl location of the OEM intake or you can purchase the high price hi-rise hi-capacity air intake like I did.

If you don't like the belt drive trans, you stuck with either the Kubota or Honda. I am one that doesn't like the belt drive. Honda is pretty nice with a 3-speed automatic trans and a single cylinder gas engine. I just didn't like all of the plastic on the Honda and it's not too robust built relative to the Kawasaki and Kubota. It does have a great suspension.

Kawasaki has great ideas like using the ROPs to raise the air intake location up high out of the dust area. Kawasaki has a stiff suspension very similar to the Kubota.

Today, I would still by the Kubota RTV 900 XT. I probably would have had the Kubota glass windshield installed if I bought it today just to save some cash. I high recommend gettting the ATV style tires. They clean out well whereas the worksite tires do not cleanout, so I'm told.

I think you're doing the correct thing in asking for experience; however, as one has said, you'll get biased opinions asking other UTV owners. Go drive all that make your wish list. Please don't forget to buy from a reputable service oriented dealer.