My thoughts on the RTV 1100

[Robert_in_NY]

Robert, for your sake wish I lived back in Angola where I grew up, I'd bring down my JD XUV 850D to try out and compare. I bet you'd like it better than the Kubota, given your specific observations / complaints.
They are all a LOT of money, IMO, so you better love the one you get.
Good luck, back pain sucks.
I, too, own a Polaris Sportsman 500 and agree the ride is nice, but there isn't any comparison with the utility and reliability of the JD XUV.

I have ruled out the Gators as they only seat 2 and I want to be able to bring my daughter with me when I am with my girlfriend or father. The new XUVs do look nice though and if I didn't require a bench seat I would definitely look at them strongly.

 

[Dargo]

I was ready to dump my RTV900 several years ago because of the terrible setup with the go pedal and sticking in gear. Both are related. Once I purchased a coast valve it was like night and day. You still have dynamic engine braking to a degree but it will also coast and not jerk to a stop. For what it's worth, both Kubota dealers in my area told me that tampering with the factory valve would positively void my warranty. Even if I was out of warranty, they assured me that tampering with the spring on the factory valve would cause cavitation in the transmission and cook it. I don't know what parts they were, but one dealer showed me some pieces that had a blued, burnt look to them and said they came out of an RTV where someone had tampered with the spring trying to get rid of the sudden stop. A replacement transmission cost them several thousand. They told me that they have not had any such problem with the coast valve made correctly such as the aftermarket one I purchased as well as several other guys here. They stop like a regular ATV after installation.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I was ready to dump my RTV900 several years ago because of the terrible setup with the go pedal and sticking in gear. Both are related. Once I purchased a coast valve it was like night and day. You still have dynamic engine braking to a degree but it will also coast and not jerk to a stop. For what it's worth, both Kubota dealers in my area told me that tampering with the factory valve would positively void my warranty. Even if I was out of warranty, they assured me that tampering with the spring on the factory valve would cause cavitation in the transmission and cook it. I don't know what parts they were, but one dealer showed me some pieces that had a blued, burnt look to them and said they came out of an RTV where someone had tampered with the spring trying to get rid of the sudden stop. A replacement transmission cost them several thousand. They told me that they have not had any such problem with the coast valve made correctly such as the aftermarket one I purchased as well as several other guys here. They stop like a regular ATV after installation.

Do you have a link to the coast valve you bought? If not where did you buy it? Thanks

 

[milkman]

I just searched on ebay, searched "coast valve" and they came up with several.

 

[Solo]

If you really want a UTV go for the Bobcat Toolcat. Nothing else compares to it for ride, hauling ability,and comfort. I would even take a Gator over the Kubota.

Solo

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I just searched on ebay, searched "coast valve" and they came up with several.

I am not a big fan of buying parts on ebay and prefer to buy from reputable dealers or specific shops that deal with these things and not just someone who imports a bunch of things from China. Since I don't know a ton about them I have to trust the place I buy from.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

If you really want a UTV go for the Bobcat Toolcat. Nothing else compares to it for ride, hauling ability,and comfort. I would even take a Gator over the Kubota.

Solo

I like the Toolcat but for my own use I don't think it would be too realistic. If I recall it is very costly. I do not need a cab really and am afraid I would just break the windows in the orchard which was one of my main needs for it. I definitely do not need a loader on it as I have two loader tractors already and do not see much use for a loader on a utility vehicle when I already have loader tractors.

I thought about the tool cat with a 3pt hitch but I didn't see it available with a bed. Again, I really didn't need a 3pt hitch on a utility vehicle but it would be more useful to me then a loader on one. 75% of my use for a utility vehicle will be farm use between my hay farm, deer farm, row crop farming, vineyard and orchard with the deer, vineyard and orchard getting most of the use. The rest of the use would be playing around hunting and just driving around the properties. Maybe hauling firewood out of the wet areas when it dries out some. So the biggest requirements I will have is 4wd with bench seat and a good box on it (doesn't really need to dump but I will put it to use if I had it). The RTV seems to be quite capable and hopefully that valve will correct part of the pedal issues I have with her machine.

 

[whistlepig]

I think Toolcat's are about $30,000+.

 

[Dargo]

I'll have to look up and see if I can find the original manufacturer of the RTV coast valve. Believe it or not, they opted to use eBay as their way of selling their product. The beware part of that is that now there are knock-offs being sold on eBay as well. I have had mine for maybe 2 years now? You may want to PM 'Coobie' on here. He purchased one from the original manufacturer on eBay after I told him how pleased with the absolute and total transformation there is when driving an RTV. He made sure to get one of the high quality original valves too. I mention him because he may be able to still look up his transaction on eBay where I can't since it has been so long ago for me.

I was sort of sweating bullets when Coobie told me that he was buying one based on my recommendation. I sure would have hated to have him spend his money on something, based on what I said, and not be happy with it. I'm pretty certain that he's just as pleased with the complete transformation of the driving experience. I will admit that I'm definitely not the guy who first 'discovered' this valve. I'd read on some other forums where people were posting positive feedback about the valve they purchased from this particular manufacturer and how they'd heard of guys toasting their hydro tranny by tinkering with the original valve and voiding their factory warranty. As I said, my dealer gave his complete blessing to me installing the valve while I was still under warranty. As he expected and told me, I have not had any issue at all and it has had the added bonus of making shifting much easier if you have to stop on a hill and change gears.

Good luck! I just came in from about an hours worth of a relaxing ride in our RTV1100 with my wife. She really wouldn't even drive it before. Now it's a non-issue and there is no learning curve to driving it.

 

[forester2]

I'm hoping Kioti comes out with their UTV soon. What I've heard so far about pricing, larger bed than RTV and 1600# payload cap., it sounds like a good deal. Sure want to drive one first though.