Which one to buy?

[coobie]

I have a 2006 kubota RTV 900 with almost 400 hours on the clock.If you want a stout farm utility machine look no further than the RTV.coobie.

 

[DT86]

Another RTV 900 owner. I've got around 600 hours on her and couldn't / wouldn't be with out.

 

[Storm56]

I have the Honda Big Red. I too did not want a belt transmission. I was looking for a machine that offered better suspension than the RTV as my uses included about 50/50 between work and pleasure. It has done everything I have asked with ease and not any problems so far. Worth a look.

 

[texasjohn]

I have a RTV 1140 and run cattle. Nearing 200 hrs, no problems. Use it daily. Turn off switch to keep hour meter from advancing even when engine not running.
I love it. So does wife. The power steering is a plus unavailable on most other such vehicles. HST transmission has been updated to resolve the abrupt deceleration found on older versions. No problem now. It drives very smooth, shifting high/medium/low/reverse is a little tricky but solid when you get used to it. Going to and from work site, I use HIGH. At work site, most often M. If pulling or need speed control, L.
4 wheel drive seldom used unless wet muddy conditions, extreme terrain, pulling hard. Nevertheless, you NEED 4wd...you take these vehicles out when you NEED to and go places you NEED to go, thus weather and terrain are not always of your choosing...and 4wd will get you BACK when otherwise you would WALK back...I think it is a MUST for a WORK vehicle taken everywhere on a ranch.
Diesel engine is very strong, maybe a bit more noisy than would like, but doesn't seem to scare cows, deer, can still talk while driving. The 1140 engine has a few more horsepower than other models. I put rubber bed in rear, helps with noise some. Diesel starts immediately, even in cold weather, and it does get into the teens in Texas, occasionally:thumbdown:

Things I would like to see improved...lighted gauges, different key location. Plastic windshield gets small scratches easily. MUST add a high rise air intake to keep air intake out of dust trail else must clean filter every 10 hrs or so.
be aware, rear receiver hitch insert dead ends into rear axle and is kinda short. I had to cut about 1.5 inches off of receiver hitch and drill new pin hole.
turning radius is wide, occasionally need to back up once in tight space.

Things I like
The two seats are more handy than I imagined. Not only can visitors jump in and be shown around, but it makes a great place to put all kinds of tools, use as temporary work place, etc.
It's lowish to the ground...easy to get into...but since is a longer wheel base, it doesn't go over big rocks very well without bottoming out sometimes.
It will PULL....I have 1000 gallon, 2 axle (steering and rear) metal water tank...pulls it filled...going SLOW...no weight down on pin hitch.
Very stable on hills if you use a little sense...have never felt it "tippy" and have been on some steep inclines.
Also handles 18 foot dual axle flatbed on ranch...for brush, lumber, lighter loads, can't take over 150 lbs pressure on hitch so no vehicles loaded on it.
Actually MUCH smoother riding over ranch terrain than you would think...somehow, springs and longer wheel base smooth out ride exceptionally well over smaller irregularities, of course, slow down for easily seen holes, bumps, cattle trails, etc.


The vehicle is just that, a vehicle...it's the additions that make such a difference..things I added.

Hood rack
use front receiver hitch for a carry all (like you see behind cars), use riser hitch to raise it up some, add plastic truck box for carrying project specific tools
added lights on roof, front, side, rear...can't have too much light when out checking cattle at night.
winch...never have needed, but it's there.
gun racks...on hood rack, overhead under roof( 2 ), in rear opening...hold not only guns, but shovels, cattle prod sticks, ropes
inside dome light
fan to move air in summer
rear mirrors, each side
convex Mirror on post in bed so can see rear trailer hitch from driver's seat
eye bolts on dump to attach things to.
110 inverter...sooooo handy when you need to run power equipment out in the pasture...drill, electric chain saw, etc...battery will not support constant inverter use, but for short time uses, just great.
small 2 wheel trailer, bumper hitch, for all those fencing supplies, wire, tools, posts, etc....extra, extra handy.
5 gallon trash bucket in rear bed....you find trash EVERYWHERE...helps keep place clean
tool box in rear bed...can't have too much rain proof storage space
a strip across front dash with numerous pouches for all the small stuff...pencils, paper, bug spray, sunblock, cell phone, electric fence tester, gun oil,
Same strip on rear seat, same reason...always things to stow, gloves, camera, binoculars, etc.
an extra tire and rim...you CAN run over stuff, puncture tire such it cannot be repaired, thus need spare to avoid work stoppage/emergency fix...note replacement tires are not always available in small towns...I know.
extra hand holds, passenger side, rear...handy for mobility impaired folks...gives passengers comfort since it is open sided and they are not used to watching the terrain roll by so close

Overall, an excellent work vehicle when set up for your particular needs, a work horse, not a play thing...the rear seat is WAY more handy than I ever thought it would be. It's the customizations I mention above that put this vehicle in the "pleasurable work horse" category for me. I did them pretty much all at once just after getting the vehicle...and use each and every feature, except winch, almost every day. I got the camo version...glad I did since I hunt with it too.

I contacted about 6 dealers in a several hundred mile radius...some were willing to deal, some others were stuck on the MSRP.
Beware of Craig's List...these are often scam listings...unless you see it with your own eyes and talk personally to the owner.

Yes, it takes $ to get a new one with the features you want, but it has replaced my pickup on the ranch and is way more useful because I leave it set up with tools/supplies which are far more accessible than the bed of a pickup. It works with you and for you and doesn't get in your way.

Can you tell....I'm sold on my RTV 1140 with my customizations:2cents:

 

[FamilyFarm]

RTV 1140 here as well. Over 400 hours in less than 3 years. All work, no play. No problems at all. As mentioned by texasjohn, it replaces the need for a farm truck for the daily chores. We have the Kubota factory metal top & glass w/s. Those have been extremely durable. Suspension and ride excellent. The second seat great when other goat breeders come to our farm to take a look at our operation or purchase goats.
Terry

 

[Mistyridgefarm]

I've had a RTV and currently a Ranger 800 HD.

Loved the diesel and transmission in the Kubota. It is a slow and heavy machine. If work is all you do with it, then about the best choice in my opinion.

The Polaris is fast and rides great. Power steering is good and load capacity on the HD is awesome. You can fill the bed with rocks and haul just fine. Mine runs every day on the farm. I wish it had the diesel and trans of the Kubota but so far, only one belt change and I have kids that refuse to use low range when pulling trees or trailers.

I was worried about the plastic bed but it holds up well, is quiet, and the holes along the sides give a lot of tool options. The tailgate is weak so my big butt has to be careful sitting on it. Wide and stable, has handled the TN hills with no issues. I took it to ride the mountains in Utah this summer and it did great. The 40mph speed is useful when getting out in front of stubborn cows and for the recreational use.

One thing I saw on the new kubotas was a rear SCV. To be honest, that would be an awesome feature to use the V rake! I sure wish they could put a 3 pt hitch and PTO on these to justify the large expense. That being said, I don't know how I could live without theUTV on the farm.

I can get the Polaris with a diesel now, but not sure how a belt will hold up under the torque of a diesel. If I get another one, it will be a tough choice between the RTV and the Ranger.

 

[crazyal]

I got a Honda. I didn't need a full work only UTV or the price, I didn't want something that was built for play, and I've had snow machines with belts and didn't really want to deal with them. The Honda is a good compromise. Plus Honda is second to none when it comes to engines. This time of year I'll often fill the bed and a trailer with about a 1/2 cord of green firewood and it handles it great.

 

[jcmseven]

Kubota RTV is a great farm-oriented vehicle. There are others as have been noted. Polaris Ranger has come a long way in quality over the past 2-3 years especially but has always had performance on its side. JD offers the XUV Gator, which has a diesel option. It is also a stout vehicle. I personally also like the Bobcat machine, but it is expensive and locally at least does not have the same vigorous dealer support as the other three brands I mention. There are also some other players as noted besides these four but these four are among the "big" ones for sales and reputation and which one sees most often in your similar application. For my end, if you want a purely work-oriented machine the Kubota is going to be tough to beat. They are slow, but high on torque and made for work. They have power steering (as do Polaris and JD now) and a hydraulic dump bed (which JD offers as an option). Most diesel UTV's are going to hover in the 22-25 HP range, which is fairly marginal power for a machine as heavy as the Kubota (well over 2,000 pounds) but it has a true hydrostatic transmission with three ranges for appropriate work applications. The Kubota takes a PR beating by JD and Polaris in their ads secondary to both companies UTV's offering more speed and performance v. the RTV off road. My opinion is that this is misleading: the Kubota is more like a fast tractor than a performance UTV. It has mainly tractor-type features, making it very well-suited to farm use and work. I have no doubt as to the Kubota's durability and as others have said, it is a very good choice for the duty you mention. Though it is hilly in parts of MS, the hills are not long in most cases, so the lack of HP relative to weight in the Kubota will not be as problematic as where I live, for example. I should note two areas of concern to consider with the Kubota that some I know who bought them did not realize until after purchase. These may or may not matter to you. First, the Kubota has very little suspension travel and ground clearance. Second, it is not true four wheel drive (though the dealer--and actual label on the machine--would likely beg otherwise). It has an open front differential. The only time I seeing this matter is in rough off road situations or in extremely slippery conditions where perhaps one front wheel was in a bad traction spot or in the air and the operator really needs all four pulling. The Polaris and JD would keep going, the Kubota would not that likely rare case. These are not machines for off-roading (though some people still use them for that purpose) due to their weight and propensity to "high-center". Of the four brands mentioned, only the Gator is true four wheel drive. The Polaris and Bobcat, though different systems, are technically ALL wheel drive, routing power around to the wheels with most traction but with an opportunity to lock the rear diff. As for power plant, I have have had a JD Gator in diesel and in gas (actually 2 and 3 of each). My most recent UTV is an 825 Gator. It has a ton of power, will really pull, but burns fuel like a drunken sailor which to me would make it a less-good choice for farm work. The performance of the top gas engines in the JD and Polaris are far above the diesel engines in those brands and likely also in the Kubota, but the fuel economy, low end grunt, and longevity of the diesel equalizes things somewhat in the proper application such as yours. I felt my prior Polaris Ranger was the better on fuel of the gas powered UTV's I have owned. I know others have had experience (more than I) with other brands other than those I mentioned, but in your case I would lean toward these three to test: An RTV 1100, a JD Gator 855D, or a Polaris Ranger 800 or 900 with EPS. All are good machines, it is mainly at that point which you prefer and where you have the best deal. Dealer support is important, but these machines are pretty trouble free if they are maintained well by the owner. I did not recommend the Polaris diesel because it has essentially the same engine as the JD Gator 855 and is not as heavily-made machine, so I would see no advantage in looking at that specifically with the others I mention. Please note I am not recommending for you what I own (as contradictory to some initial postings) because though a great machine, its strengths are not in areas where I perceive your expressed greatest needs to be. Perhaps I could be wrong there. Hope this helps.

John M

 

[jcmseven]

I should reiterate that on some brands: Honda, Kawasaki Mule, etc. I would have to defer to others with more experience with those brands to offer opinion on those. I have operated a Mule (but have not owned one) but this was several years ago when the Mule was a big player in the UTV market. I did not like it too much, but have not operated one since and I am sure they have improved due to the increased competition in the segment. All of the others I noted I have either owned or operated to some degree recently and enough to form a reasonable opinion of the relative strengths and weaknesses of each, especially with the Polaris Ranger and the JD Gator and to a lesser degree the Kubota.

John M

 

[jcmseven]

One more thing, note Kubota 1140 and that power steering on the JD 825I and 855D is OPTIONAL but available. Make sure when you do test that you drive like products for each of your choices, especially when it comes to the Power Steering.

John M