Who makes the best overall Utility vehicle

[Robert_in_NY]

I agree, the lack of the locking front on the Kubota is one of my hangups right now. I may never need it but on this type of muck ground it would come in handy. I won't know for sure how I feel about it though until I demo them this fall.

It seems strange that Kubota would skip the locking front differential. I would have thought the RTV1100 would have had it.

 

[Dargo]

I agree, the lack of the locking front on the Kubota is one of my hangups right now. I may never need it but on this type of muck ground it would come in handy. I won't know for sure how I feel about it though until I demo them this fall.

It seems strange that Kubota would skip the locking front differential. I would have thought the RTV1100 would have had it.

I can tell you for a fact that it doesn't make any difference at all unless you are in a condition that is extremely slick, like snow or thin skimmed mud. With the Maxxis Bighorn tires on mine I run out of power way before I run out of traction. Only in snow have I been stuck where a locking front differential may have helped; even then it was doubtful. I say this after having an RTV since late February of 2004. It's a non-issue and that's why Kubota isn't in any hurry to add that to their UTV. Anyone who has convinced you that you need a locking front differential on an RTV either drives on a lot of ice and snow or they are simply mistaken. It would be like putting wheelie bars on the back of a Mack truck; it simply is not needed.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

That is why I will demo these machines.

My ground and my use will entail that this machine will be used on ice and in snow as well as dry hard ground and pure wet muck and clay. I have no loyalty to any of these brands so which ever works the best and has a good dealer will find itself in my barn.

From my experience though, four wheels turning is usually handy on my soil.

 

[milkman]

I can tell you for a fact that it doesn't make any difference at all unless you are in a condition that is extremely slick, like snow or thin skimmed mud. With the Maxxis Bighorn tires on mine I run out of power way before I run out of traction. Only in snow have I been stuck where a locking front differential may have helped; even then it was doubtful. I say this after having an RTV since late February of 2004. It's a non-issue and that's why Kubota isn't in any hurry to add that to their UTV. Anyone who has convinced you that you need a locking front differential on an RTV either drives on a lot of ice and snow or they are simply mistaken. It would be like putting wheelie bars on the back of a Mack truck; it simply is not needed.

Just you wait till you catch yourself on a platform of rollers and a big concrete block in front of your left front tire, whatcha gonna do then, you going to be stuck without that locking front differential that's what.
Obviously it's convinced some people.

 

[TWO GUNS]

~~~~ DARGO

I DO AGREE WITH YOU !!!!


~~~~ MILKMAN ~~~~
What did you do when you caught yourself on a platform of rollers and a big concrete block in front of your left front tire, ON YOUR KUBOTA RTV ?????
Also, what utility vehicles do you own that will do the concrete block & the "Platform of Roller" situation ?

I myself, will NEVER know that situation on MY RTV !!!!

 

[Robert_in_NY]

There are plenty of situations where a locking front dif will come in handy. Mud is one but creek crossing, navigating thru woods, climbing over rocks and the list goes on. It all depends on what the owner plans to use these machines for. I plan to use it for everything. The land I will use this on ranges from flat muck land on up to heavy clay and rocky hillsides. This machine will see trips thru new woods, timbered woods and non timbered woods. Plowed ground, corn fields, vineyards, orchards, hay fields and it will even find itself hauling animals in and around the farm thru various parts of the year and ground conditions.

A locking front differential may not be needed for a lot of things but neither is FWA on almost everyones tractors on this forumn but you guys still buy it. The reason being is there is always going to be a time where it might come in handy.

This doesn't need to be a big discussion like the hydro/gear debates. It is just an option that might be useful for some users and that is why people demo these machines to see if they need the different options these machines have.

 

[Dargo]

It's not big deal, but I'm just saying (dang, my fingers typed ..."I'm nuts" just then instead of "I'm saying" - that can't be good!) that in my 3 1/2 years of use on all sorts of terrain, the only place I can see where a locking front diff would possibly have helped was on ice and snow. Mud, hills, rocks, water etc. are no problem. The RTV will pull until it runs out of power. I guess I'm just saying that the RTV with the right tires hooks up so hard that it will literally run out of power - and it's not exactly weak - before it runs out of traction. But, if a guy is dead set on having a locking front differential, I'd say to buy a unit that has it. If I had not owned my RTV since early 2004, I too may have gone for the hard sell on a locking front differential. As Milkman says, I never know when I'll catch myself on a platform of rollers and a big concrete block in front of your left front tire.

My Yamaha Rhino had it. The only time it ever helped me was in snow as well. I promise you that it wouldn't climb any steeper of a hill with the front end locked. As a matter of fact, it hurt quite a bit since I lost almost all steering as I navigated up extremely steep hills if I had the front diff locked. But, again, I seriously would suggest to buy what you want. It you want a locking front differential, buy a UTV with a locking front differential. You won't be happy otherwise.

 

[darkday]

The question I ask you guys is do you use the rear locking differential ? If you can see the difference it makes there it's pretty obvious what a front locking differential would do. On my HPX I have spun 3 tires and then when I lock in the rear dif I can go (front is an LSD). I can see LOTS of times where it would have helped on my tractor, I have "4wd" but no locking front. Having extra traction is never a bad thing.

 

[Dargo]

Having extra traction is never a bad thing.

No, but having all four wheels locked can, at times, be a very bad thing. Again, I suggest for a person to buy what you want. However, you will never convince me it makes the difference you say on a particular unit I'm very familiar with. Maybe on other units in other applications than what I use, but not on an RTV. You forget, I've had locking front and rear lockers in tractors, UTVs, pickups, and several Jeeps. I have a Detroit locker and an air locker still sitting on my shelf from past Jeeps. It's NOT like you are talking about something that I've never experienced. If I wanted it and needed it, I'd have it on whatever I felt the need to have it on. Run an RTV with good aggressive tires for about 4 years and then get back with me on if it needs it or not.

 

[darkday]

Of course with agressive tires it's going to out perform something with full 4wd on less agressive. But you didn't answer my question. Do you use the rear locker ? I don't think I ever really said just "what" it can do I just said I have applications where it would benefit. Don't put words into my mouth.