Who makes the best overall Utility vehicle

[Robert_in_NY]

I wasn't trying to argue with Dargo. He does make a valid point in that his experience he has only really needed the locking front dif maybe one time in the snow. For all his other riding he has done fine. The RTV is a very capable machine from what all the owners tell me but weight is not always a good thing. I fear the RTV weight will be a liabilty on my muck ground to take advantage of the tractive forces Dargo is talking about. There are times I will only use the 1920 on this property as the TN will just sink and rut things up like crazy.

The RTV weighs around 1800 pounds but does have a nice bench seat and is a diesel. But the Kubota dealers are not the friendliest around here. They really do like their products which is fine but they kind of show an attitude about it.

The Treker weighs around 1k pounds and has a bench seat but no front locking differential, but it is sold by one of my favorite dealers, Rogers and Sons in Cherry Creek, NY.

The Woods Mav 4x4 is sold by another one of my favorite dealers, Larry Romance and Sons in Sheridan, NY and is the closest and main dealer I use for just about everything. It also has a bench seat but is much more basic and weighs 1250 pounds but has a front and rear locking dif.

Now the XUV and the Ranger are sold by the local John Deere dealer. Like the Kubota dealers, this JD dealer has an attitude and prices his machines on the high side. The XUV is a great looking machine and from all the reviews would be towards the top of my list except for the dealer. The JD dealer I do like and use is 90 minutes away in Avon, NY (Lakeland John Deere). What I like about the XUV is the suspension system, what I don't like are the bucket seats. They would be nice but I usually take my father and my daughter when we go out to work/scout/play. Right now we have to take two vehicles down (usually a tractor and a ATV which isn't all bad but not always needed).

The Cub Cadet dealer is a good dealership (LaPorte Case-IH in Westfield, NY) and I have dealt with them in the past on equipment and parts. The Cub has front and rear dif locks, 4 wheel independent suspension and weighs 1600 pounds. However, like the XUV it is a two seater.

The Mule is 1300 pounds and has a decent suspension and a bucket seat. The dealer is a decent dealership but tend to be a little expensive on parts and repair work if I don't want to do something myself.

The Ranger can be had in a 6x6 configuration and weighs 1400 pounds like that. It has a great bench seat and a great top speed if I want to get somewhere fast (bouncing from field to field). I just need to find a good Polaris dealer.

There are plenty of options to consider but the main things I look at are seating, suspension, traction/weight and price in that order. This machine will be used by myself, my father, step mother (Our farms border each other and our houses are about 150 yards apart) and eventually my daughter will use this machine. So ease of use will also be a consideration.

With all the different aspects I am looking at there is no way I can just decide on paper which machine to get. I need to demo a few of them to see how they handle and if I am rating these machines properly. This fall will be a fun time.

 

[jcmseven]

I see Dargo's point on the RTV. I suppose my reason for mentioning this is that Kubota makes a nice machine that is quite expensive. The "standard" among the UTV's these days SEEMS to be front AND rear locking differentials (aka true four wheel drive). Polaris advertises its "true" four wheel drive in its ads, Yamaha (which is really a different type of machine) does also. JD stamps it on the tailgate and writes it all over its literature. It IS an important selling point whether we really need it or not. As stated by several posters, it depends on the terrain. Where I live and with the type terrain and gullies and ditches and wheel-raising areas I really find the locking front quite handy and very helpful in daily use. We jest about the concrete block and roller sales pitch, but it actually does have some practical merit. I have had a Gator HPX which did not have the locking front, and I could not perform some things I can now with it on my XUV, especially when climbing steep rutted hills with loads in the bed, when at times wheels end up in the air. It is helpful for snow and mud also, but not only. I suppose my opinion is that the Kubota would be well-served in sales to at least offer such an option. Using myself as an example, I would have SERIOUSLY considered the Kubota as a viable option to the XUV I purchased (especially the 1100) if it would have had this available to me. To some it might not matter, to others, it might. This issue also might not be as noticable with more aggressive tires, as they might overcome the lack of a locking front in some situations. I am though quite anxious to see truly how much of a difference it will make in the winter on my steep hills when plowing. It has already helped me some on some of my steep trails and through deep ruts. I am not wanting to steer our original poster away from a high quality machine like the RTV for this one reason. I did want to bring up that I think it is something that would be a welcomed addition to an otherwise really nice machine.

John M

 

[riptides]

Change the title of the thread from "Best" to "Good enuf" and the tone will come down.

I too don't see how a stock RTV will benefit from locking front diff. Heck, in close to 3.5 years of heavy off road "work" use, I used diff ONCE. And I don't think that really made any diff'erence.

I know my terrain, my limitations and my machines limits. Although any given moment, one tends to stretch the points.

If you can get a demo unit, that is YOUR best option.

-Mike Z.

 

[bigdeer2000]

i think the ranger or xuv gator probably do the best job of combining true sport utv attributes with work machine capabilities. with that said i recently purchased my second rtv. the 1100 had the features that were most important to me. air conditioning, power steering, diesel, hydro tranny. i can tell you that an rtv 900 will rut up wet ground and 1100 will surely be worse. never had it stuck in the mud but have left some deep ruts. i will say that the rtv is not a machine for rough or rocky trails.suspension is too stiff and will beat you to death at speed on a rocky trail. only did it once. good luck in your search. for me half of the fun is looking at all the new models.

 

[mazurrj]

I have to agree with pekabu!

If you want to do REAL WORK, carry 2 tons of payload (yes, I said 4000#), have something that is stable, easy to drive, and durable then look at the ASV Scout. I have not driven one, but I know an engineer who does work for ASV and he is very high on this vehicle. After talking with him, so am I. It is a true work vehicle. This is not a trail running toy with a 500 to 700 pound payload capacity.

Perkins 50HP diesel for plenty of power and your choice of the various ASV tracks that give under 2.5 psi so soil compaction is not an issue.

Prices run $25K to $35K

You can get a cab or not, you can also get hydraulic remotes front and/or rear.

He told me they started their production runs this past week.

Link to specs. Scout SC-50 Specifications

A couple photos below are from the ASV Scout page, he took the other two of test vehicles in the Minnesota snow last week.

Bob,

I see the picture of it in snow, do you know if they have any plans of snow tacks for these, to pull 600lb groomer in year or so?
Will be looking for vehicail to do a lot of hauling dirt/ gravel on trails and would be a bonus if could use same vehical with snow tracks for grooming in the winter. I like the payload on this vehicial since we have a ways to take the gravel and dirt to areas that need it.

 

[jcmseven]

I should have, and neglected to, mention that the Kubota has power steering. This is a NICE option that my JD does not have, and wish it did. With the aftermarket wheel and tire combo I have it would help at slower speeds. This is an area where Kubota really scored big. Dargo, I wanted to know how you modified your RTV 900 to go 31?? Is it mainly the larger tires or did you also do something to the engine? I would be interested in seeing if I could do a similar mod to my Gator. Although I have not timed it, I suspect with the larger tires mine will go mid 30's. The gas one I had for a while would go over 40 on flat ground as my dealer tweaked it, but it did not have as much power and torque for the hills, so I still prefer the diesel. He says not much to do to the diesel to make it faster. This is of secondary importance to me, but a little more speed is always a nice thing.

John M

 

[jcmseven]

Riptides,

I found your post insightful. I think you are right about the demo. We all have so many different uses for our machines, not one machine is ever going the be "the best" of the choices for all. I am actually looking at an XP Polaris for my dad, as his needs are different from mine and that would be a nice machine for him. If one is looking to jump and race and trail ride a Kubota RTV they probably are not going to like it much. But for hard work, dumping material, pulling, etc. they are great. Much the same with a Rhino. Don't try putting 2000 pounds of dirt on it, it would disappear, but for sport riding, an excellent choice. This is why I like the Gator. It is more sporty than the Kubota and goes a little faster, yet is still heavy duty enough to do some serious work, too. Each machine has its merits and demerits.

John M

 

[jeffinsgf]

Responding to Robert's originally stated goals and reading his follow-up posts, I am going to throw in my 2 cents and suggest a completely different route.

I have an E-Z-GO electric golf cart with a 3 inch suspension lift, flotation tires, and a non-dumping cargo box.

No, it is not 4WD, but I have yet to get it stuck in normal use. No, it isn't fast, but it is fast enough to get pretty bumpy in an open field -- I wouldn't want to go faster. What it is is functional, cheap, and light. I think it would be ideal for Roberts boggy conditions. It will float across muck that a heavier machine is going to sink into.

You can get a really clean late model golf course lease return for around $2,000 and do the lift, tires, and cargo box yourself. Or you can get it already converted for around $3,000. E-Z-GO now has a very nice all plastic dumping box that I would get today, if I were doing it over. The other option is a "flip-flop" seat that converts from a flat-bed for cargo to two rear seats. At any rate, you could get 4 of these rigs for the price of a XUV/RTV/Ranger/Rhino whatever.

I love the silence of the electric, but if you're requirements tend toward trips in excess of three miles and your terrain is very steep, a smoker might be a better choice.

Okay, now all you guys with your $12,000 rigs can line up to tell me how stupid I am.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Your not stupid at all, but my trips will tend to be at least one mile on up to 7-8 miles if I am bouncing from field to field (maybe more if we keep expanding). The other issue is 2wd vehicles don't like the clay that is around here. It will fill the tires right up (regardless of what type) and then you have big slicks. I won't even start to think about driving my 7710 out back until mid to late march. However, I need the utility vehicle to be a year round machine. Our snow doesn't usually get over 12" for the most part but we usually do have a deep snow around January which will be the only time it will be parked. The local grape co-op gave a bunch of grape farmers electric carts like you have to use in the vineyards and not one of the farmers kept them after the trial period was over. The limited range they have is the biggest drawback for a farm vehicle. But it would be nice to have a quiet vehicle when you are riding thru the woods.

 

[mikeyd]

Been reading this post for a while. I just got an RTV1100. Before getting it I was a bit worried that it might not have enough speed at 25 mph. I have tweaked it and now it's about 28-29 mph on the top end. Other than going up or down my 1000' driveway, I never see the top end. Going thru the woods or a field at most 15 mph is the comfort level. Otherwise I would be banging into trees or bouncing through the roof.

I love this machine and it has exceeded my expectations. If your intent is to use it for work around your farm test drive it and you will buy it. It is capable in the woods, in mud and on the trails. I use mine in the woods all the time, will haul a load of firewood and tow a 800lbs. splitter, like its not even there. However, if you want a machine that will perform as well as a 4 wheeler on the trails, over 12' logs, in long straights of deep rutted greasy mud, this is not the machine for you, buy a ranger or a rhino or something similar. You are not going to take an RTV to the sand pit and scale the walls. It's too big and heavy. Think of it as more closely related to a tractor than a 4 wheeler where a rhino or ranger are closer to a 4 wheeler. Although all considered utv's, really that are not even in the same class.

In terms of operator comfort, what can I say, quiet rattle-free factory cab, automotive style dash, heat , a/c, stereo, power steering, hydraulic dump.