Who makes the best overall Utility vehicle

[jcmseven]

My dealer has my XUV in the shop getting it "spruced up" with the niceties I wanted. I am hoping to get it next week. I have waited several months, because from all the research I have done, I think the XUV is the ticket. I really like the Kubota also, but the lack of a locking front diff was the killer there. The XUV diesel is about 1500#++ this year, making it almost as heavy as the Kubota. Both machines will be about the most beefy around. I would not hold my breath for the clutch enclosure on the diesel. The engine packaging is too tight, and major re-configuration would have to occur to make it work. I might go gas this time, as my dealer says he can get 5-10 more MPH out of the fuel injected gas motor. The diesel is a monster though, with 25 hp in diesel it would have lots of power.

John M

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Not being able to see it in person, would the lack of the clutch enclosure be a problem if I take it into water? Or better yet, what is the advantage of the clutch enclosure?

 

[darkday]

That is the only advantage really. If it gets run in really deep water the belt will slip. But I've driven in some relatively deep water with little to no slipping of the belt. This is of course driving up a steep bank on one end of a creek. When I start to have problems is when the water approaches the floorboards. This is on a HPX BTW.

There are things you can do to minimize this though. Easing into the water will help a lot. If you go fast hoping to keep momentum up it will backfire and splash water all over the belt. But easing it in will keep that to a min.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

That makes sense, I never fly into a creek crossing. You never know what rock or stick has found its way down to the crossing. I always go slow so I can see what is there and so I don't get soaked in the process.

 

[jcmseven]

Personally, I would want an enclosed clutch/belt if I could have it. Even the microscopic spray,etc. off of wet or salty (in winter) pavement cannot be good for the apparatus. I really wish the diesel XUV had one.

John M

 

[darkday]

it doesn't hurt it there's nothing to be harmed. The problem is just while it's wet the belt tends to slip on the pully. If tiny ammounts of water hurt it JD would have a problem on it's hands. You would have to avoid the slightest dew in the morning let alone mud, rain etc. Tommy has a clutch enclosure now but used to run through the mud all the time without one. Really it is just an inconvinience, one that many can't take though.

 

[Tractors4u]

I had a 6X4 without an enclosure and because they sat so slow, I couldn't cross anything deeper than 6 inches unless I got a running start. I have a Polaris Ranger 700XP with an enclosure and I can testify to how good they are. I ran off in a creek that put water to just below the seat. I backed right out without any problems.

That is the only advantage really. If it gets run in really deep water the belt will slip. But I've driven in some relatively deep water with little to no slipping of the belt. This is of course driving up a steep bank on one end of a creek. When I start to have problems is when the water approaches the floorboards. This is on a HPX BTW.

There are things you can do to minimize this though. Easing into the water will help a lot. If you go fast hoping to keep momentum up it will backfire and splash water all over the belt. But easing it in will keep that to a min.

 

[pegleg]

After reviewing the site, I don't believe I saw anything regarding the fantastic Yamaha Rhino 660 auto 4X4 Exploring Edition. I have one and think it is one heck of a machine. It is 660 cc liquid/oil cooled. It has a 12.1in clearance, however the weight factor is lower than most. The carrying weight is only 400#'s and the trailering weight is 1,212 #'s. I believe that weight is a total weight of both trailer weight and the load in the vehicle. I have a 3,000# winch that attaches both front or rear, a 6' snow plow, 4 wheel chain setup and a few other extras. Below is a picture that the manufacturer supplies, but it is identical including color as it is the only color they make unless you purchase the sport model. I also checked into the Kubota unit, but found out that almost everything one wanted on the unit was extra. That kinda turned me off. ya, I know, we pay for everything in the final cost no matter what.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I checked into the Rhino but that is more of a Sport utility. For my needs which is pure utility it did not fit in at all. I need a decent size box on the back and the ability to haul some weight in the box and to tow some weight behind the machine. If I wanted something for mostly hunting or playing around with then I would strongly look at the Rhino as I had good luck with Yamaha ATV's in the past.

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

i used to go through alot with my hpx without a enclosure . but now that i installed one i don't know what i did without it. but you can go through alot without it you just got to learn how to do it.some times you can go fast through it and sometimes you gotta go slow .lol but the stuff i go through now i would never make it without the enclosure sometimes i have to put ducktape over the vent hole on the rear of the enclosure . i plan on making a permanent fix for that one day .