New UTV

[JeffandTamara]

I am shopping for a UTV. Mostly to haul firewood, Secondarily for cleanup around the house, Thirdly, run some trails for fun w/the grandkids.

I am looking at the Bushhog Trail hand, CubCadet, and Husqvarna so far.
The Bushhog is by far the least expensive. In some ways it seems it might be easier to maintain. But I thought before I commit, and shell out the dough, I would ask if anyone has much experience with any of these brands... Or if someone would suggest a better machine, I would try to see if I could find one close... Thanks for any ideas...

 

[EAGLE1PAR3]

I bought us the Polaris Ranger back in March of 2007, never a regret, this machine does all i wanted it to and some, bought the after market roof/windshield and back window for four season fun, just under 10 grand new

Greg from Pa.

 

[whistlepig]

I am shopping for a UTV. Mostly to haul firewood, Secondarily for cleanup around the house, Thirdly, run some trails for fun w/the grandkids.

I am looking at the Bushhog Trail hand, CubCadet, and Husqvarna so far.
The Bushhog is by far the least expensive. In some ways it seems it might be easier to maintain. But I thought before I commit, and shell out the dough, I would ask if anyone has much experience with any of these brands... Or if someone would suggest a better machine, I would try to see if I could find one close... Thanks for any ideas...

My neighbor is a full time farmer and he has a Kawasaki Mule he uses hard that he has never had problems with. It's 2WD and he says it's easy to get stuck. He has a tow hitch on the front of the mule that he can hook to a ball on the back of his tractors or combine. When he takes the combine to the field he pulls the mule behind. When it's time for lunch or he needs something from home he rides the mule home instead of running the combine down the road. I don't have any experience with UTV's but I do have a Honda Rancher and a Polaris Sportsman ATV. I can say that both the Honda and Polaris is about as reliable as any piece of equipment that I have ever owned. If I were to buy an UTV I would buy one made by one of the major ATV makers and not a maker that specializes in lawn equipment.

 

[coobie]

I am shopping for a UTV. Mostly to haul firewood, Secondarily for cleanup around the house, Thirdly, run some trails for fun w/the grandkids.

I am looking at the Bushhog Trail hand, CubCadet, and Husqvarna so far.
The Bushhog is by far the least expensive. In some ways it seems it might be easier to maintain. But I thought before I commit, and shell out the dough, I would ask if anyone has much experience with any of these brands... Or if someone would suggest a better machine, I would try to see if I could find one close... Thanks for any ideas...

Kubota RTV 900-1100 and kawaski mule 610-3010 models.coobie

 

[Avondale]

I have a 2008 Ranger 700 cc, it works very well. Drive system allows for normal (1 wheel driven) which is easier on the lawn to locked rear wheels for decent traction or 4 wheel drive which has not left me stuck (yet).

The box is quite large for a UTV and it has a completely flat bottom, no wheel/fender bumps. There is a dump latch but be advised, if you use it, ensure the heaviest part of load is more to the rear of box.

There is a 2" reciever hitch front and rear. The winch "plugs" in at either end, I did not think I'd ever use it but now that I have it, seems like everyone should have it. I pull logs out of bush with no problem but sometimes use front winch position to apply a steady pull on something (hung up tree) that I need to watch closely. Winch has a remote control cable so you can use while outside of cab but I think there should be a manual throttle to increase revs while using this way.

OEM lighting is not the best.

Throttle response is much different than my ATV's, very sudden engagement in both acceleration and deceleration which takes some getting use to. Can be difficult to back up to a trailer.

Outside of required maintenance, no problems or warranty issues so far.

 

[737pilot]

If you need speed and heavy duty mudding performance get the Polaris. If you just neeed a really good Utility Vehicle for Work and basic transportation then the Kubota RTV 500 is great. I use mine for pulling a drag harrow to stepping in the bed to trim tall bushes. Its a great $10000 wheell barrow.

 

[Ed1C]

I am shopping for a UTV. Mostly to haul firewood, Secondarily for cleanup around the house, Thirdly, run some trails for fun w/the grandkids.

I'm in the market too, but my wife/nephews/in-laws priorities are 1) trails with dog 2) work around house 3) haul wood, use winch to pull garbage out of creek. I understand the Kubota is more of a solid work horse, but this UTV will be more of my wife's toy. So I'm looking at the 2010 Ranger 800 Crew with new dual A-arms for easier steering and engine with more HP.

They have only been out a few weeks - just wondering if anyone has done more than a test drive yet?

 

[204saskman]

I got the Kawasaki Teryx 750 EFI. I got 1200km on it so far and use it for everything around my acreage. I added some extras to it like intake and exhaust and rims and tires. But im young and like those things. I have alot of buddies with the yamaha`s but i think the kawi is a better unit. I had over 5000km on my old kawi brute force quad and never did anywork to it at all. So i went with a name i could trust. If your lookin for a straight work horse, Id say kubota or the Kawi mule. You wont be disapointed in either.

 

[Stonehaller]

I looked at both the Kawasaki 610 Mule and the Kubota RTV 500. I need the small size due to narrow trails. I bought the Kobota. It starts easier with the fuel injection and is quieter (plus the wife liked it better). It is more money than the Kawasaki, but 0% financing helped. Kubota accessories are also expensive. There are tons of after market stuff for the Kawasaki and limited for the Kubota. I did get an after market windshield and soft top.

 

[LBrown59]

My neighbor is a full time farmer and he has a Kawasaki Mule he uses hard that he has never had problems with. It's 2WD and he says it's easy to get stuck. He has a tow hitch on the front of the mule that he can hook to a ball on the back of his tractors or combine. When he takes the combine to the field he pulls the mule behind. When it's time for lunch or he needs something from home he rides the mule home instead of running the combine down the road. I don't have any experience with UTV's but I do have a Honda Rancher and a Polaris Sportsman ATV. I can say that both the Honda and Polaris is about as reliable as any piece of equipment that I have ever owned. If I were to buy an UTV I would buy one made by one of the major ATV makers and not a maker that specializes in lawn equipment.

Isn't it illegal to operate these things on the highway???

 

[jimgerken]

Yea, they can drive them on the road. I understand they are supposed to have an SMV sign on the back, and claim to be using them for farming. My buddy says it is also legal to have a bottle of beer open while operating on the road, as long as you are not over the blood alcohol limit.

What I can't figure out, is why are these AVTs legal, with no signal lights, no doors, no windhshield and wipers, brakes lights, etc. But you can't license an imported mini truck which has a cab, all the safety gear (even airbags on some). I guess our congresmen havent discovered the mini truck yet. When they do, it will become legal for road use somehow. And at half the price of a UTV, they seem like a real bargain.

 

[TWO GUNS]

From what I gather, I've talked to the Louisiana State Police about this, and it is all about the " Certificate of Orgin "
And they said that they cannot be titled properly by some state codes .
I know in Mississippi, you can get a tag on them, but then again, all you have to have in Mississippi is a bill of sale to tag anything. They are still a zillion years behind things. To prove a point about Mississippi, Bars, Lounges, Liquor Stores still have to purchase their liquor from the state. It's in the whoven web on the prohibition days somehow.

 

[SuperDuty335]

I have ridden in some of the cheaper models like the Yerf Dog and whatever TSC sells and they seemed extremely loud and too much like a lawn mower with an extra seat. I would suggest something from one of the major ATV manufacturers like Polaris, Kawasaki or even the new Big Red by Honda. The Ranger and Kubota RTV are my favorites.

 

[Stonehaller]

Isn't it illegal to operate these things on the highway???

In order to use a slow moving vehicle sign and drive a UTV on the road in most states the vehicle must not be capable of going more than 25 MPH which excludes a lot of UTVs. Also it supposed to be farm use meaning you are going from one field to another. Also remember that if you put your UTV or tractor on a trailer and haul it down the road you need to take the SMV sign off. You can get ticketed for that.

 

[LBrown59]

Yea, they can drive them on the road. I understand they are supposed to have an SMV sign on the back, and claim to be using them for farming. My buddy says it is also legal to have a bottle of beer open while operating on the road, as long as you are not over the blood alcohol limit.

What I can't figure out, is why are these AVTs legal, with no signal lights, no doors, no windhshield and wipers, brakes lights, etc. But you can't license an imported mini truck which has a cab, all the safety gear (even airbags on some). I guess our congresmen havent discovered the mini truck yet. When they do, it will become legal for road use somehow. And at half the price of a UTV, they seem like a real bargain.

They hain't legal here.

 

[JeffandTamara]

Thanks for everyone's input...Very interesting. I was hoping to hear from someone who has owned the bush hog or the Cub Cadet. I think the bigger more establihed names would be fine, at least I have read a lot of reviews that people post that say they are good and well liked.

The Bush hog which is about $6500 seems to have as much cargo capacity and towing capacity as most of the big names. Which are the primary Features I need to look at. But some downfalls as well. For nearly Twice the money, about $10,000 you can have your pick.

Anyway... I don't plan on doing a lot of high stress recreational riding. But will be more work oriented. So speed and suspension travel are probably not that important to me.

I have looked for some used machines as well...but that is really a gamble, unless you know where they came from and who has been using them.

Again thanks alot for the input and ideas.

 

[KentT]

Thanks for everyone's input...Very interesting. I was hoping to hear from someone who has owned the bush hog or the Cub Cadet. I think the bigger more establihed names would be fine, at least I have read a lot of reviews that people post that say they are good and well liked.

The Bush hog which is about $6500 seems to have as much cargo capacity and towing capacity as most of the big names. Which are the primary Features I need to look at. But some downfalls as well. For nearly Twice the money, about $10,000 you can have your pick.

Anyway... I don't plan on doing a lot of high stress recreational riding. But will be more work oriented. So speed and suspension travel are probably not that important to me.

I have looked for some used machines as well...but that is really a gamble, unless you know where they came from and who has been using them.

Again thanks alot for the input and ideas.

At roughly the $7000 point, if you'll shop around, you can have your choice of the Kawasaki Mule 610 or Yamaha Rhino 450. Either one can carry around 400 lbs in the bed (like a truck, that's just what it is RATED for -- lot's of people overload them and take their chances), or tow about 1200 lbs. Is that enough for your needs?

Both are reliable, brand name products with wide dealer and aftermarket support. Either one will hold its value much, much better than the names you've been mentioning...

I looked at 4WD golf carts, Kei trucks, the Mule 610 and ended up with holdover Rhino 450 at a great price. I'm well pleased, for my purposes...

 

[farmboy12]

At roughly the $7000 point, if you'll shop around, you can have your choice of the Kawasaki Mule 610 or Yamaha Rhino 450. Either one can carry around 400 lbs in the bed (like a truck, that's just what it is RATED for -- lot's of people overload them and take their chances), or tow about 1200 lbs. Is that enough for your needs?

Both are reliable, brand name products with wide dealer and aftermarket support. Either one will hold its value much, much better than the names you've been mentioning...

I looked at 4WD golf carts, Kei trucks, the Mule 610 and ended up with holdover Rhino 450 at a great price. I'm well pleased, for my purposes...

Or the new Ranger 400 or Electric Midsize. Slightly smaller than the 500-800. Eletric will be nice, but if they're anything like the price difference between gas and electric golf carts, then they'll be pretty expensive. Also, an RTV 500 would be nice if you could dish out the cash.


Kyle

 

[KentT]

Or the new Ranger 400 or Electric Midsize. Slightly smaller than the 500-800. Eletric will be nice, but if they're anything like the price difference between gas and electric golf carts, then they'll be pretty expensive. Also, an RTV 500 would be nice if you could dish out the cash.


Kyle

I didn't know the price of the new little Rangers. I knew the 500 was certainly more than $7K when I was looking. I'm surprised if they can sell an electric at that price -- if they can.

 

[Brokermike]

I just bought a 2002 Rolaris Ranger with 300 hours for 3500 cash. I've put 200 on it in tires and about 100 for a complete tuneup. best money I've ever spent. Check craigslist regulalry and you'll stumble on a deal, just have the cash handy and don't delay in going to see it. You'll know if it's a bargain as a soon as you get there