Who makes the best overall Utility vehicle

[Bob_Skurka]

What I am looking for is either 4 or 6 wheel but I would lean more toward the 6 wheeled unit for added capacity and better stabilty. A dump box (either hydraulic or electric) is also high on the list of priorities. It needs to seat two people with easy access on and off. I do not need a cab but depending on price I would consider it. It also needs to be easy to drive so either something with an automatic transmission or a hydro tranny would be ideal as eventually my daughter will drive it and my girlfriend will also be using this as well as a couple other people so it needs to be easy to shift and drive. Also, it has to be able to cross a small stream (nothing too wide but at times it gets up to a couple feet deep and about 10 feet wide) I can go around if it gets too deep but it is a long way around.

I have to agree with pekabu!

Does it have to have wheels? The ASV Scout SC-50

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.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

If I worked for a gas line company or something similar where I needed a vehicle that could go anywhere and haul anything I would go for the ASV. But my task is running around the orchard, hauling tools as well as fruits and vegetables, running around hay fields, checking fence lines, and it will also be used during hunting and other various task where tracks would not really be a great advantage.

As for payload, I would think anything with a payload capacity of around 1k pounds will be more then sufficient as long as it can pull a trailer during harvest.

There have been times where I wish I had something like the ASV for when we are moving deer out of the deep mud in the pens but for the very few times it is a problem is hard to justify the two to three times hike in price over a UTV. I think for the most part the UTV with front and rear dif locks should be able to back down in the mud and walk back out without too much trouble and if I don't think it can then I will just bring the TN in to go thru the deeper mud.

 

[art]

Bob, we've been selling the RTV since they came out and with good success with reliability. They do bind up with a load against them and it is tough to change the range lever unless you use the release. We also sell the Cadet's and if you want something that is different they had a one of per dealer that is BRIGHT! The new Cadet comeswith the belt cover for the water problem.
It is hard to fault the Kubota for much if it comes to work, I have customers hauling round bales to pastures and dumping them where needed. They start well in the winter and unlike the Cat diesel they are a bit quiter even though they seem loud at an idle. The hydro relieves the brake load and they will tow way more then rated as we also have customers towing loaded hay wagons from time to time. Many of the shields come standard on the Kubota and they haev a great light packeage for turn and four ways.
Some of our commercial users have said that under daily use of the dump boxes the electric lifts only get about three years of use before they go bad and for the price, it's like buying a second lift.
Realistically I don't think that many people will ever wear out an RTV, normal good gas engines will last about 2500 hours and our high end farmers are over just 500 hours a year on the RTV's but for the bumps and bruises inflicted by help I'd place them at about 5 years on duty. Where they will go after that I don't know but they will still have life left although extremely cosmetically challaged. Good luck in your quest!

 

[CJ4]

Robert, i'm looking for near the same vehicle with nearly the same intentions as you are......thanks for the thread, i've learned alot. I'm intrigued by the Cub Cadet that you seem to be leaning toward. Keep me informed and keep giving the pro and cons gentlemen.....I've gotta make a decision fairly soon as well.....What about warranties??? Are they all about the same???

 

[Kahuna]

A note of caution: If the Cub Cadet utility vehicle is anything like their sub compact tractors, they are junk. They are a Wal Mart MTD in disguise. I have always been a Cub Cadet person owning many machines but they really took a quality hit when purchased from International Harvester by MTD and are only getting worse since then. My last Cub Cadet was the 5252 compact tractor which totally soured me on the company. I switched over to Exmark (zero turn) and John Deere. I have bought 3 new Gators in the last 3 years and plan on trading up to the new XUV as soon as the dealers get one in.

I look at a lot of utility vehicles before I buy. The RTV was in a distant second place and the others not even close to the Gator. The Kubota is a well built machine but not versatile enough. If you haul a lot of heavy loads and stay out of the mud (the RTV is too heavy) the Kubota is probably your machine. I do like the erganomics of the Gator better. I do not care for the bench seat of the RTV plus they have those handles on the edge of the seat you have to climb over.

I currently have an 06 HPX which is a good machine but I have higher expectations for the new XUV.

 

[Oleozz]

I use a Mule 3010 4wd for my bird dog training business and it is a tough machine. You do have to choke it a bit in the morning but that has not been a big deal. The ride is not the smoothest, that is my biggest complaint but if you want a machine with very little upkeep that is rugged than you might want to at least test drive a Mule.

 

[CJ4]

Kahuna,

Thanks for your comments. I was suspicious myself about the quality of the newer Cub Cadets and can understand what you're saying.

 

[RollTideRam]

I mow the grass where my wife works. Her boss has a Cub ztr. He has had problems with it since new (05). In the middle of the last mowing season he gave up on it, and gave me another mowing job. I know there are good and bad in all brands. I have had trouble with my deck on my tractor and deere is slowly working out the problems.
I just traded in my hpx, it was a very good machine. The xuv I just brought home is a notch or two above it though. Much better throttle response and ride. It even sounds better. You will do the best job of spending your money, so test them all, and buy what makes you happy. JC

 

[CWP37]

I've had a Mule 3010 4x4 for about 4 years and 500 hours. I've used it to hunt, pull trailers full of firewood, stretch fence, haul square bales, you name it. I've never had any problems or complaints. I take it in for service every 100 hours or so. I would have no reservations about getting another...

That said, I think there are some newer UTVs to look at. I talked to an outfitter down in San Antonio and he said he trickos out 10 Rangers to every 1 of any other model. Those are for hunting purposes, but I think that says something to their reliability. It also has to do with their top end speed.

From what I've read, I'd be looking between Kawasaki, Kubota, Polaris, and John Deere for your purposes.

 

[LCHunter]

I got to drive the new XUV today. I was very impressed with this unit. The throttle response was excellent and not having to choke the engine, especially in the winter time, would be nice. I just wished it had a bench seat. I have 3 kids, so a bench seat is a must. At least that is what my wife says. If you have not checked out the Bush Hog Trail Hand, then you should. That is what I am leaning towards buying. Althouth the the fuel injected engine and the the new independent suspension on the John Deere was nice.