Work ATV Question

[jcmseven]

Fellow Posters,

I am looking at a utility vehicle. At this point I am not looking that hard, but I may get one within the next few months. I know very little about these machines and have never owned one. The HPX Gators have a strong following locally. I own a JD tractor and like it, but I am not "brand blind" about an ATV/work UV. My needs would be as follows. I would do some light hauling and probably would want a snow plow or light grader blade for the front. I would want a trailer hitch to move my equipment trailer around. I need something not more than 55-60" wide (60" would push it) to fit in tight spots near my home. I strongly feel I would need MFWD, that is easily engaged and a good top speed for transport. I also need something with enough power to negotiate the steep hills around my home, on some occasion, pulling a 1000 pound or so trailer. I would also want something my 74 year old father could easily operate as he would also use it. What are my choices? Gas or diesel? Are any new models coming out that I need to consider? Thanks.

John M

 

[riptides]

Well, your in the right forum.

Hills and pulling power, plus ease of use are things I picked up on.

I'd look at diesel Mules, Gators and RTV's. I'd do some more reading in here about hills and these machines. The safety features of the base models and general model specifications.

Then, I'd go to a dealer and test drive each of them. Let possible users drive them too!

Good luck in your search!

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[bczoom]

John,

I would not use an ATV for pulling a 1000# trailer on hills. Going down hill, the trailer would push the ATV, most likely causing it to jack-knife (crash).

I'll second Mike's recommendations. I can't speak for the Mule or Gator but on hilly terrain you'll probably want something with engine braking capabilities. Personally, I considered getting a Polaris Ranger but it free-wheeled down hills and that generated too much "pucker" for me.

I would also get a demo version of each you're considering brought to your place so you can drive under your terms. The RTV's power steering may be a benefit for your dad.

The RTV & HPX Gator are just under 60" (the spec sheets lists them at 59+"). The 3010 Mule is 57.5"

Brian

 

[GeneD14]

Make sure you check out the top speed for each utility vehicle. I just bought the small model Mule 610 and it's top speed is 25 mph vs the small Gator's speed of 15 mph. That was the main deciding factor for me. It still seemed a little slow compared to our ATV's. I adjusted the govenor and it now goes up to about 35 mph. At that speed I'm glad that it has a seat belt and rollcage! I would also check out the Rhino. I believe it is quicker yet.

 

[Dargo]

I currently have a Rhino and an RTV, plus I've owned 3 different Gators in the past. About the only ones that are popular that I haven't owned are the Mule and the Ranger. I can't comment on those, but don't take my not commenting on them as anything negative about them.

The JD Gators are well built and rugged. They do provide engine braking as long as you have your foot on the throttle while going down hill. I know that sounds odd, but if you let off of the throttle going down hill, they free wheel and pick up speed. I've had both the gas and diesel versions of the Gator and prefer the diesel. The gas version is a little cold natured and didn't seem to quite have the pulling power of the diesel. I'd suggest the 4X4 HPX diesel if you go with a Gator. They are a very nice unit.

The Kubota RTV's are all diesel and 4X4. They shine in having a hydro transmission and power steering. I didn't think the power steering would make any difference until I tried it. It is nice. The RTV rides nice, has reasonable power, and is very thrifty on fuel. There are several different setups in the RTV, but I'd suggest getting the ATV type tires on one rather than the turf or worksite tires since you mentioned pulling and hills. Engine braking on the RTV is excellent. The bench seat is nice.

The Yamaha Rhino will meet your width requirement the best. The Gator and RTV are both about 6" wider than the Rhino. The Rhino is only available in gas, but it has by far the most power of the ones I've owned. Engine braking is very good, and with over 7" of wheel travel on each corner, it seems to ride the best. The bed in the Rhino is smaller than the Gator or RTV. Ground speed is factory set at 40 mph, where the Gator and RTV are 25 mph.

Any of these three models would pull your 1000 pound trailer with ease and I would expect excellent reliability from each. The Rhino is considerably faster than the other two, but it is not available in diesel. All would be easy for your father to operate, and all are easy to get into and out of. With width being an issue, that pretty well eliminates the Ranger from your consideration as it is well over 60" wide, but it can seat three on it's bench seat. If you need a power dump and a large bed, the Rhino may be out.

I'd recommend you drive each and see which you like. They are all similar, but yet different. Good luck!

 

[twinstackram]

we just bought a 05' Ranger the first of june,and so far we really like it,just like some of the other guys we thought about the mules,my ex-father-in-law has had a couple of gators and really likes them,but we wanted one that had more top speed,so went with the Ranger,the Ranger rides like a cadillac,and in low it pulls like a dream,and with the all wheel drive set up on it it don't kick in unless you need it,or you can just lock in the rear diff.

but I think if a guy was just going to putt around the farm and haul stuff or pull things that I probably would go with the Kubota,never drove one but you have to look at the rest of the Kubota line and the name says it all,but like anything else if cost is a factor then that will knock some of your choices out real quick.

but like they said earlier go out and talk to your different dealers drive a few different models a make a decision from that,a good dealer good make a deciding factor also.

all I can say is we love our Ranger, so good luck in figuring out what you want.

 

[Keith_B]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( John,

I would not use an ATV for pulling a 1000# trailer on hills. Going down hill, the trailer would push the ATV, most likely causing it to jack-knife (crash).

I'll second Mike's recommendations. I can't speak for the Mule or Gator but on hilly terrain you'll probably want something with engine braking capabilities. Personally, I considered getting a Polaris Ranger but it free-wheeled down hills and that generated too much "pucker" for me.

I would also get a demo version of each you're considering brought to your place so you can drive under your terms. The RTV's power steering may be a benefit for your dad.

The RTV & HPX Gator are just under 60" (the spec sheets lists them at 59+"). The 3010 Mule is 57.5"

Brian )</font>

My Honda Rubicon has excellent engine braking going down hills. It's tranny is basically a lot like a hydrostatic and it will pull anything I can get traction to pull, including a trailer loaded with about at least a 1000 lbs of manure. I can put the Rubicon in low and let off the gas and it will creep down a hill.

John would do well with one of these workhorses, as long as his dad can get on and off of it.

 

[bczoom]

Keith,

My reasoning on the hills was for traction, not engine braking.

I have steep hills with either stone, clay or leaves for a base. If his conditions are the same (or if the base is wet), he could loose traction and have the trailer push the ATV. If you can build speed (read, wide open area with a large run-away area) he could possibly build speed to try and regain control but otherwise bad things will most likely occur.

Brian

 

[avorancher]

I have a Kawasaki Prairie 650 (large) with engine braking. When empty, it climbs hills that my RTV won't begin to go. But after loading up a few rocks in a small trailer behind it, it can no longer go up hills because it loses traction. It can no longer go down hills because the trailer begins to push the ATV. It simply doesn't have enough weight to handle a loaded trailer on hills. Believe me... you don't want to be pushed down a steep hill by a trailer...I bought an RTV soon after experiencing this.

The RTV may have similar problems with a heavy tow-behind trailer, but putting a load into the RTV bed increases the weight on the tires and it can go up and down steeper hills with a 1000 lb load than it can when it is empty due to the increased traction.