Which one to buy?

[texasjohn]

Just to be clear, the Kubota 1140 comes with power steering standard.

 

[jcmseven]

Yes, they do. I did not say otherwise, though I can see the reason for confusion. I was trying to add that kudos had both an 1100 and an 1140 model; and that the other brands also offered power steering for equal comparison between units.

John M

 

[R_Walter]

If you ever get up to northwestern New Mexico look me up and I'll let you take my RTV 900 for a test drive. I'm in some of the roughest terrain in the southern Rocky Mountains and it beats up equipment like you wouldn't believe. My 2006 RTV has stood up well in my small ranching operation. I use it every day for animal feeding, fence repairs, firewooding and on my BLM lease in the forest chasing after sick and missing cows. I even take it down and up the Chama box which is a 2,500 vertical foot drop down a canyon to the Chama River over a rock ledge road carved out of the side of the canyon. I've never had it up to the San Juans in southern Colorado, that's what I have a fuel-injected ATV for, but I'm sure it'd get around fine up in that higher country.

 

[jimgerken]

I think you better go shopping. I am shopping now and there are several brand new designs that are game-changers. The new Polaris XP 900 for instance, has a new chassis, a new engine, power steering, more ergonomic adjustment for the operator, more storage than any one I have seen, two shock mounting positions in back for you to tailor how you are going to use it for more or less load and good ride, very slick roll bar design which accepts accesories like top and windshield and doors in seconds. This new Polaris looks awesome, but it is not even my favorite. There is a new JD which is more sport than work, the RSX 850. There are very few features on the machine I am not impressed with, but I am unsure it meets my mission, which is play AND work. Lastly I will mention the XUV 825i JD which is now available with power steering and Fox shocks. This, FOR ME, may be the sweet spot of work/play balance. It is said to ride great, has the lowest center of gravity, is set up well in stock form (with the optional shocks and PS), has a big box (16+ cubic feet) that converts to a flat bed, has the three cylinder inline dual overhead cam automotive style engine for very long life, can be purchased with a choice of three or four different seat options, and has the potential, I feel, to last the longest of any of the "crossovers" which try to compromise work and play.
I am undecided and not trying to sway you, but have shopped a bit so far and plan to shop a bit more yet. This weekend in fact the loacl dealerships are offering a gator test ride day at the local moto cross track. And I have several friends with Polaris models which I hope to test ride with them.

There is such a range in this product now, from the pure-work models (RTV) to the pure sport models, led by the Arctic cat Wildcat. We need to nail down our mission and then test drive and make sure the model we like can do what we want done. My own list of mission requirements includes the need for power steering becasue I hope to put the machine on snow tracks and I know it will steer very hard with the steering wheel on tracks. Also it has to haul and pull, so the box size and dump and strength are important. Also, it has to ride well in rough terrain, and have comfortable seats 'casue we plan to cruise the gravel roads with it. And of course at least a bit of style would be nice.
JCMSEVEN above really nailed it with his experience and insight. Thanks!