ATV vs UTV for Vineyards

[LightheartCellars]

Looking for something a little faster than the BX2660 to do vineyard irritation/ fruit inspections and trellis maintenance, as well as help with harvest, when we'd need 4WD to haul bin trailers.

Have 6 vineyards in a 5 mile radius, so "slow ag vehicle" on road is a possibility, but more likely trailered between. All current vineyards are flat, but bid on a hillside and likely to get them later.

I'm 55, 5'10, 240lbs, wife a bit older, shorter and lighter.

Currently leaning towards the Deere XUV 625i for 1000lbs hauling (full pick bin of grapes) while towing 1500 lbs (trailer with another full pick bin).

UTV Alternatives are:
Kubota RTV 900XXT for Diesel and Hydro with Hydraulic opt
Club Car XRT1550

ATV alternatives are Honda Rancher/Foreman series

Anybody using these in similar terrain/work load?

 

[Robert_in_NY]

What are your row spacings? Type of trellis? Around here I am more worried about the width being able to fit down the row without damaging any vines or knocking fruit on the ground. I know the RTV1100 is tight in a 9' row of concords with a single top wire, the doors are nice for keeping it warm or cool in the cab but are a pain in a vineyard.

I definitely would look at the UTV and not an ATV as the ATV is too limited and not as comfortable or easy to get on and off of multiple times a day.

For me I have narrowed my choices down to an XUV, RTV or Ranger. I am leaning towards the RTV1100 just because it has more uses for me then just the vineyard and its something my daughter can drive without getting injured as easily. The Ranger is attractive because of its ride and speed for going between vineyards but flying down the road in 30 degree weater in an open station vehicle just isn't any fun. Since I will use the UTV mainly in the cooler weather I am really thinking the RTV1100 is my best option. I will check to see how hard it is to remove the door and if its a simple task I will just remove the door for when its in the way.

I have never used a UTV for harvesting so I would be concerned with the hillside farm you bid on. I could see having trouble stopping that load going down a hill.

 

[Clark3461]

We have a Farmers Market and plant 12 acres, including sweet corn, tomatoes and Pumpkins. We have a kubota 900 and 1100 and a Cushman 1600 (which is the same as the Kioti Mechron and BadBoy Buggie). We use the UTV's to Till, Plant and Harvest. And we use them to plow snow in the winter. When there is snow, that is.

I'm not going to push a specific make, But I would strongly recommend a machine with Hydraulics. A Diesel engine is a plus too.

Full Disclosure: I manufacture a 3-point hitch system for UTV's that uses Cat. 1 implements. You can check out how we use the UTVs on our website at 3-Point Hitch - Farmboy | UTV Hitchworks Maineville, Ohio.

If you have any questions you can email me at darren@utvhitchworks.com

 

[LightheartCellars]

We have a variety of spacings from 8-10', single or double wire moving to VSP, (estate is VSP at 6' but only 0.4 acres).

Its coming to full size or mid size UTV, conversations with the wife suggest that she's not interested in climbing on/off an ATV.

basically midsizes from $7-10k, fullsizes from $9 up

Concerned about reliability of CVT with belts when hauling, which gives points to the Kuboota's

 

[foreman Etexas]

I would go with the UTV.The UTV would just handle trailer so much better, the side by side seating(getting on and off),and the beds a big plus for hauling stuff in. I did go and look at them the other day the JD550 was really nice but havent road anything but my artic cat prowler and the in-laws polaris ranger.

 

[LightheartCellars]

We're converging on the Kubota RTV900XT for these reasons:

its a side by side, easy to get in / out and holds 2 people, allows one or more old folks to travel the vineyard and give G kid rides. When G kids start driving, its got ROPS, seat belts and isn't a big heavy "toy" like an ATV, with associated speed and roll risk.

Ease of driving for aforementioned, with simple shift into range, and press on foot "accelerator" to engage hydro flow, coupled with power steering.

Diesel for longevity and torque
Non belt transmission for durability and confident engine braking
Hauls a grape bin on the back, and tows another.

Down the road possible to add hydraulic Aux output and bed lift

Matches tractor brand so consistent dealer, and colors match for consistent appearance as "professional" organization

 

[prehm]

Sheldon, I support your basis and your decision. I purchased a 2011 RTV 900XT last July. I'm confident that you will be impressed. If I may provide a suggestion, if you believe the future would require the hydraulic bed lift, by all means get it with the original purchase, meaning to at least get the work site model. If you see the need for the extra hydraulics, purchase the utility version. By all means do not use the wroksite hydraulics for other tools. The hydraulic fluid will get hot enough to melt the plastic reservoir on the work site version. The utility comes with a separate alloy reservoir for the repetative tool usage.

Philip
angus cattle

 

[Robert_in_NY]

We're converging on the Kubota RTV900XT for these reasons:

its a side by side, easy to get in / out and holds 2 people, allows one or more old folks to travel the vineyard and give G kid rides. When G kids start driving, its got ROPS, seat belts and isn't a big heavy "toy" like an ATV, with associated speed and roll risk.

Ease of driving for aforementioned, with simple shift into range, and press on foot "accelerator" to engage hydro flow, coupled with power steering.

Diesel for longevity and torque
Non belt transmission for durability and confident engine braking
Hauls a grape bin on the back, and tows another.

Down the road possible to add hydraulic Aux output and bed lift

Matches tractor brand so consistent dealer, and colors match for consistent appearance as "professional" organization

Have you asked the dealer about being able to stop that rig with two bins of grapes on a hill? I don't know if they have an option to equip the trailer with brakes which would eliminate my concern if I was doing what your planning. Our vineyard farming is a little different, we use tractors for everything, the wineries that do pick by hand have trailers behind their tractors and load them up. We use utility vehicles for vineyard maintenance and scouting, things where we have to get in and out of the machine often and still have tools (fixing wires and such) easily available.

 

[LightheartCellars]

Appreciate the inputs above, was helpful.

Test drove the RTV900 yesterday at dealer (C & N Tractor, Watsonville) on some mud/pavement & hard dirt ruts.

Can see why at speed the solid rear axle will beat up passengers, but not going to be an issue for utility use. It took some getting used to not lifting off the "accelerator" (proportional hydrostatic valve) too quickly, as the de-exceleration was substantial due to engine braking through the hydrostatic and 3 cyl diesel. Didn't need to use the brakes, other than to de-pressure the transmission for ease of shifting. Having to shift ranges & 2-4WD while stopped won't be an issue, we're not using this at speed on trails, but mainly for running up and down rows in vineyards looking at irrigation, or slow speed strip spraying under the wire.

Very pleased with general performance, we decided to buy the Worksite model with the hydraulic bed lift, to allow ease of both harvest hauling and crush pad disposal of stems and pomace (we'll have about 12 tons this year to spread in our vineyard)


For harvest:
We have a 4x8' 2 wheel trailer that we can pull behind either tractor/RTV,
and with the RTV's bed height matching the pickup's we can skid a full macro pick bin (48x48x12") across when backed up tail to tail using UHMV plastic strips.

Since it's about 8 labor hrs/ton for a 4 man pick crew, that's about a pick bin an hour, with pickers working both sides of two rows, with the bin in the middle, then drop the trailer for them to work into while cycling full bins to truck to go to winery. We'll have to borrow/rent a 2nd pickup to keep the crushpad fed and the pick crew running.

We're also building small "vanity" Vineyards in the area (< 5 Acres)

With the BX2660 FEL and the dump bed on the RTV900, its a micro loader/dumptruck combo as well, allowing effective movement of dirt/brush etc with two people. We'll probably get the utv 3pt hitch and diverter valves, to allow a "3pt" equivalent on either end, with cylinder hydraulic capability for light tool carrying.

With the McMillen D450 auger running on the tractor, RTV can be hauling trailer with compost in buckets for planting, or hauling line posts for installation with the Rohrer pneumatic post pounder running off the compressor/generator sitting on the bed.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

The Ranger is attractive because of its ride and speed for going between vineyards but flying down the road in 30 degree weater in an open station vehicle just isn't any fun. Since I will use the UTV mainly in the cooler weather

Thought about a Ranger with an aftermarket cab?

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Thought about a Ranger with an aftermarket cab?

By the time you buy a Ranger and after market cab or even the Polaris cabs they offer and a few other options you start getting to the same price as the RTV1100. At that point it comes down to the Ranger having the speed and ride advantage but the RTV having a much nicer cab. I'm leaning towards the diesel option in all of them anyway so the speed advantage isn't that great.

If I go with a Ranger or XUV it will just be a roof and windshield and just make due with it. That will cut a lot of the wind down. I'm in no real hurry at this point since I'm just about at all tractor work now but I am going to start talking to the dealers and see what the prices and financing looks like as well as see if there are any good used units around here worth considering.

 

[2fast2]

Robert, I strongly suggest you consider roof, windshield, and rear "windshield" as well. It makes the XUV we have much nicer than when we just had the roof and front windshield (whether it was opened or closed.)
It blocks a lot more weather, makes it a little quieter, gives better ventilation when the front windshield is opened by blocking the back pressure, and it blocks the exhaust from coming into the cab when driving without the front windshield opened.
I could also buy the doors and have an enclosed cab, but I have no interest in that for my personal use. What I have now is great, and keeps me fairly dry in rain, too. (Depending on how heavy, crosswind, etc.)

BTW, I'm originally from Angola. Still have family there.

 

[foreman Etexas]

Robert, I strongly suggest you consider roof, windshield, and rear "windshield" as well. It makes the XUV we have much nicer than when we just had the roof and front windshield (whether it was opened or closed.)
It blocks a lot more weather, makes it a little quieter, gives better ventilation when the front windshield is opened by blocking the back pressure, and it blocks the exhaust from coming into the cab when driving without the front windshield opened.
I could also buy the doors and have an enclosed cab, but I have no interest in that for my personal use. What I have now is great, and keeps me fairly dry in rain, too. (Depending on how heavy, crosswind, etc.)

BTW, I'm originally from Angola. Still have family there.

Im going add alittle about the front windshield,my in-laws have the fixed windshield on there ranger and it gets hot setting in seat,look for the ones that you can fold down without having to just un-bolt the whole thing and take it off.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Robert, I strongly suggest you consider roof, windshield, and rear "windshield" as well. It makes the XUV we have much nicer than when we just had the roof and front windshield (whether it was opened or closed.)
It blocks a lot more weather, makes it a little quieter, gives better ventilation when the front windshield is opened by blocking the back pressure, and it blocks the exhaust from coming into the cab when driving without the front windshield opened.
I could also buy the doors and have an enclosed cab, but I have no interest in that for my personal use. What I have now is great, and keeps me fairly dry in rain, too. (Depending on how heavy, crosswind, etc.)

BTW, I'm originally from Angola. Still have family there.

I have been considering the rear glass also. Of course I also started weighing out if I wanted to buy the UTV before or after I purchase the mini excavator. I guess its going to come down to which ever deal comes up first as I am leaning towards used so its a case of watching for a great deal on a well cared for machine.

I can get a very low houred RTV1100 for the price of a Ranger or XUV with front windshield and roof and a couple other small options to bring it to where I need it so thats where I am sitting right now, I can't justify new price on the 1100 but if I can get one with only a couple hundred easy hours on it for the price of a new Ranger or XUV then I am leaning towards the 1100. So its just going to come down to which ever unit shows up first that I like on the used market will most likely be added to my farm:laughing:

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Im going add alittle about the front windshield,my in-laws have the fixed windshield on there ranger and it gets hot setting in seat,look for the ones that you can fold down without having to just un-bolt the whole thing and take it off.

I was looking at the front window options for the Ranger and they have the split windows for ventilation. What I have actually been looking for though was actual glass and not a plastic based window. Running in the vineyards where the vines will be hitting the front window is what concerns me. I can see glass handling the abuse a lot better then any plastic on the market currently.

 

[cdaigle430]

Looking for something a little faster than the BX2660 to do vineyard irritation/ fruit inspections and trellis maintenance, as well as help with harvest, when we'd need 4WD to haul bin trailers.

Have 6 vineyards in a 5 mile radius, so "slow ag vehicle" on road is a possibility, but more likely trailered between. All current vineyards are flat, but bid on a hillside and likely to get them later.

I'm 55, 5'10, 240lbs, wife a bit older, shorter and lighter.

Currently leaning towards the Deere XUV 625i for 1000lbs hauling (full pick bin of grapes) while towing 1500 lbs (trailer with another full pick bin).

UTV Alternatives are:
Kubota RTV 900XXT for Diesel and Hydro with Hydraulic opt
Club Car XRT1550

ATV alternatives are Honda Rancher/Foreman series

Anybody using these in similar terrain/work load?

If you decide on the ATV, my recommendation would be the Honda Rubicon-excellent choice as a work horse and fun to play with as well.

 

[LightheartCellars]

the RTV 900 gets delivered Thursday, with the Turn & Hazards and Hydraulic dump bed.

What are the "must have" accessories for using as described above?

thinking we need to figure out sun/rain protection, which can be fabric/plastic/metal top, and probably some sort of windshield as well. See a lot of choices, but no clear idea of what would be best.

Some type of toolbox for small hand tools, perhaps under front hood and gear grippers for Weedwhacker etc, which may be best mounted on front hood rack.

Will put on work lights when we figure out windshield/top for night operations in vineyard including picking and getting on/off trailer.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I would want a glass front window and if your going to use it in your vineyard I am afraid the vines will scratch up any poly based window.

If I was to buy an RTV 900 I would just buy it with the roof and window direct from Kubota. Storage is one thing I would definitely want lots of, I think Kubota had a storage compartment you can buy to put in under the hood to make it into a useable storage spot. There are also small tool boxes for the beds like you would put in a regular truck if you have a lot of small tools you plan to carry often.

What I do is use a small grape box and keep tools in them for particular tasks. That way if I need to fix wires I have everything in one box, to put up posted signs are in another box and so on so forth. This way if I am using my truck, tractor or even a future utility vehicle I can just load what I need very easily. As far as in the machine I would have a few staples, fence pliers, tie string and good gloves.

 

[LightheartCellars]

Wow...

Wife has really taken to the RTV900, I may never get to drive it again

Thinking I'll fabricate a Pressure Treated Plywood bed insert that has front/side extensions to enable more lightweight stuff to be piled in bed, with a dump gate so we can move stems and pomace (residual grapes after pressing) out to the vineyard for re-incorporation.

Looking at where to mount an inverter to provide < 10A 110V power for occasional usage (rather not have one sliding around on seat) enabling use of "real" tools rather than cordless on bigger jobs.

 

[dfkrug]

the RTV 900 gets delivered Thursday, with the Turn & Hazards and Hydraulic dump bed.

Good luck with the new Kubota, Sheldon. Everyone seems to like the
hydraulic dump bed. Kubota also now has a CVT for the RTV.

As you may already know, most of the grape harvesting in the Bay Area
is done with tractors (mostly Kubotas) pulling trailers. Many utilize the
harvest rental programs where they use new machines and return them
to the dealers after harvest.

Recently, I repaired an ATV for a company that manages small vinyards
in the Saratoga & Los Gatos area of the Santa Cruz Mtn foothills, and
I was surprised by their use of a mid-size 4x4 280cc Suzuki King Quad.
They said that the narrow vine spacing and hillsides made it a better
tool than a tractor. It had super-low ranges and switchable 4x4.