Buying Utility Vehicle Help

[photonsforever]

It's about time to look in to a Utility Vehicle. I haven't test drove anything yet but have been researching. We have a small 'Hobby Farm' and would like this UTV to help around the farm but also take in the woods. The trails are nothing crazy but I don't want to get stuck either. I don't really care much about speed or a ton of power. I will probably pull a trailer around some with it. I have looked in to the Mule 610, Kubota RTV400/500, Polaris 570, Honda 500/700 and Arctic Cat Prowler 500 HDX. All dealers are semi close by. I have a Kubota Tractor and have had good luck with the dealership. I haven't heard anything good or bad about the other dealers. I'm happy with my Kubota Tractor but the review on the RTV's seems like it is great for work but not so much in the woods. Any good or bad opinions on the ones listed? Thanks

I like the John Deere 825 but think it's out of my price range

 

[boblibido]

I just bought a Kubota 1120d. I run it around the woods and all over my property. It's not fast but it has been a real work hours.

What I really wanted was that all black Gator 825i. It looked very cool but when the deere dealers started inflating the price so they could show a discount, I immediately went back to Kubota.

Anything you've mentioned will be good for work, but it is hard to get one that will do both.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

If you have any mud in your trails I would avoid the Kubota. The RTV 500 I had did great the first several months I owned it but then the drought ended, we didn't have crazy mud but some soft areas...I spent most of my time winching it out. Then I figured it was my worksite tires so I purchased the Kubota "atv" tires and rims to give it another go....they weren't any better. Between the 3wd, very low ground clearance, weight and the hydro transmissions slow response the machine sucks in mud. A lot of guys will tell you how great they go in all conditions but mine sure didn't, Berretaman92 (??) purchased a 500 and put tracks on it...that one looked impressive because the tracks lifted it up several inches and he gained a ton of footprint but tracks are another over 1/2 the purchase price of the machine and make trailer a pain as well as slow you down even further.



Of the choices listed I would go with the Polaris 570 it's a great size and has good power as well as true 4wd. It will do both work and play, don't believe guys when they say you need a hydro to do any work. My Gator 825i is belt drive and is an animal pulling, hauling wood and plowing snow...the Boss V plow on it weighs over 400 lbs and hangs way out the front, I also put 600 lbs of ballast in the bed and my Gator doesn't notice any of it. Hauling firewood I filled the dump bed and then strapped two 40' x 10" logs to the back and proceeded to pull them through the trails to get them to the wood pile. I never wanted for more power, never slipped my belt and never came close to getting stuck....CVT transmissions work and that is why most every manufacturer is using them. The 825i is a great machine but it is very expensive...because the dealer is very close it was worth the cost to me but it really is very expensive. I am impressed that JD offers the extended warranty on their machine for an extra 2 yrs though...it shows they have good confidence in their product, I see a lot of Gators on the trail up here now because they can hang with the sport utvs....I've only seen 1 RTV in the woods ever up here and he was going extremely slow because the ride was hammering him on the rocky stuff.

 

[RoyJackson]

My Gator 825i is belt drive and is an animal pulling, hauling wood and plowing snow...t
....CVT transmissions work and that is why most every manufacturer is using them. The 825i is a great machine but it is very expensive...because the dealer is very close it was worth the cost to me but it really is very expensive. I am impressed that JD offers the extended warranty on their machine for an extra 2 yrs though...it shows they have good confidence in their product, I see a lot of Gators on the trail up here now because they can hang with the sport utvs....I've only seen 1 RTV in the woods ever up here and he was going extremely slow because the ride was hammering him on the rocky stuff.

I agree with DixieDog...and do consider the 825i's diesel version too...this is the 855D. Pretty much identical to the 825i except for the engine...maybe the CVT gearing to take best advantage of the differences between the gas and diesel engines' HP and torque curves.

 

[bucktaker]

I own a 2014 Polaris 570 midsize We bought it for traversing a steep lot carrying people and gear. It has excedded our expectations. We once had 5 adults piled on and it pulled the hill safely. We have since decided not to do that way but for a light work/trail rig its great. We did tke it in the tn mtns for s trail ride and it handled the trails/mud good as well.

 

[jpm1]

I have a Kubota 900 and its used for pulling my gang mowers and for hauling tools, saws, fuel ect. in the woods. I get into some really bad places in the woods carrying upwards of 200 gallon of fuel at a time for fuel ups on equipment. Mud's no real problem. I would'nt consider any other machine. This machine is no speed demon, it rides a little hard when empty but no different than any of our machines. As for a work horse, that's what it's made for, work. . . . . John

 

[photonsforever]

Thanks to everybody for their replies. GREAT info. After reading all above let me ask what would be your choice of vehicle with the price:

1. 2014 Polaris 570 - $10,000 with a top
2. 2014 Arctic Cat Prowler 500 HDX - $8500 with a top
3. 2015 Kawasaki Mule 610XC - $8500 with a top
4. 2014 John Deere 825i - $12000 with a top, power bed lift and front brushguard
5. 2014 Honda 700 - - $10,000 with a top

Thanks again to everybody!

 

[Xfaxman]

This is what I chose. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/atvs-utility-vehicles/287792-electric-polaris-ranger.html

Paid $6,000 plus trade in (the Bobcat 2200 diesel).

 

[photonsforever]

I may have to consider this one. Thanks!

 

[bucktaker]

not sure what top you are getting but I paid <8700 for my 570 midsize.

Im sure the EV is a good machine but batteries will need replacement.

 

[photonsforever]

Just a simple top. My local Polaris dealer has the 570 for $9,799.00. I haven't tried to deal them down yet. They only have 2015's in stock so I don't think they have any rebates yet.

 

[RollingsFarms]

The 2015's have 4 more hp and new styling, that's the only difference between the 2014. I was lucky to buy one of the last 2014 570's they had left and it was around $8700 and then I added a top, windshield and 2 year extended warranty. Don't let them charge you stupid fees like assembly and stuff like that.

 

[RJJR]

Thanks to everybody for their replies. GREAT info. After reading all above let me ask what would be your choice of vehicle with the price:

1. 2014 Polaris 570 - $10,000 with a top
2. 2014 Arctic Cat Prowler 500 HDX - $8500 with a top
3. 2015 Kawasaki Mule 610XC - $8500 with a top
4. 2014 John Deere 825i - $12000 with a top, power bed lift and front brushguard
5. 2014 Honda 700 - - $10,000 with a top

Thanks again to everybody!

What part of the country are you in? I'm being quoted 14,200 for a camo 825i with power lift, bighorn tires, roof, delux carg box and no scratch windshield. Plus they are asking $400 for freight.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

Thanks to everybody for their replies. GREAT info. After reading all above let me ask what would be your choice of vehicle with the price:

1. 2014 Polaris 570 - $10,000 with a top
2. 2014 Arctic Cat Prowler 500 HDX - $8500 with a top
3. 2015 Kawasaki Mule 610XC - $8500 with a top
4. 2014 John Deere 825i - $12000 with a top, power bed lift and front brushguard
5. 2014 Honda 700 - - $10,000 with a top

Thanks again to everybody!

I'd pick the Gator 825i but then again I did when I bought my last side by side too :laughing: That is a great price for the Gator if it has the Bighorn tire package on it....they are an excellent compromise of work and play, a lot of power and the ability to move a lot of weight. Everything I've hooked to my Gator has moved so far and I've plowed multiple 18"+ snowstorms with it in a single shot, I've never run out of power and it's been pretty dang reliable. I have had to replace a front CV shaft and a front driveshaft since new....they were both deemed manufacturer's defect and warrantied...the replacement parts have held up great. The only thing I would change on my Gator if I could is I would make it a hair narrower, otherwise it is perfect and as long as you understand the limitation of a wide UTV and don't get yourself in areas too narrow or water over 2' deep you can go about anywhere with ease.

 

[PapaPerk]

Just a simple top. My local Polaris dealer has the 570 for $9,799.00. I haven't tried to deal them down yet. They only have 2015's in stock so I don't think they have any rebates yet.

That price is too high! I have a Polaris Ranger 400 and it was around $7200 I think.. Maybe less. It's been awesome so far. Best part is an unlocking rear diff! That's a must in my book!!!

 

[myyaz33]

Have you checked with Abernathys in TN? They will get you about as good as deal as you can get if you are willing to travel a bit. --There is not much margin on the 570s though..

Personally I went with the new Mule Pro FXT after evaluating all other manufacturers. However in what you described, a smaller unit would fits your needs better. That 570 is a great choice!

 

[Keadog]

I have a '12 Ranger 500 EFI looking to trade for either a 570, 570 EPS or Northstar 900, with the 570s equipped like the 900 (cab, heater, etc), plus a plow package. I like my dealer and he has been great accommodating my needs for service, so I know I'll end up paying more than shopping around and I realize he needs to make money on the deal to stay in business.
But, I was astonished at how hard I found it to look up invoice pricing on these machines. The best I could do was '14 pricing. It seems like the margins are pretty thin - maybe $1k on the 570s and $1800 or so on the 900s.
Anyone know if I'm about right in the numbers?

 

[biffnh]

I maintain 40+ structures on over 100 acres and needed a good work vehicle. I purchased a Ranger 400 HO (2011) and put 900 hours on it in three years. It was a wonderful machine, but I the free wheeling going down hill and the need to keep up speed going up hill made it not work well when needing to creep drove me crazy. Also, the noise in the cabin was tiresome. I just upgraded to a Kubota RTV-X900 and it is perfect as a real work machine. It creeps when I need to move slowly, the HST breaking going down hill is fantastic and the cabin is soooo much quieter. On top of these features, the diesel engine sips fuel and the dump body can carry 1100 lbs. Driving position is fantastic and plowing snow is amazing in this machine. It is a workhorse.

 

[PapaPerk]

I maintain 40+ structures on over 100 acres and needed a good work vehicle. I purchased a Ranger 400 HO (2011) and put 900 hours on it in three years. It was a wonderful machine, but I the free wheeling going down hill and the need to keep up speed going up hill made it not work well when needing to creep drove me crazy. Also, the noise in the cabin was tiresome. I just upgraded to a Kubota RTV-X900 and it is perfect as a real work machine. It creeps when I need to move slowly, the HST breaking going down hill is fantastic and the cabin is soooo much quieter. On top of these features, the diesel engine sips fuel and the dump body can carry 1100 lbs. Driving position is fantastic and plowing snow is amazing in this machine. It is a workhorse.

Great info! Did you ever have any problems with the 400 ranger? I have 140 hours on my 2012 400... Hoping I can hit 900 hours with no problems!

 

[biffnh]

PapaPerk, I found the Ranger to be reliable. It did use fuel more than I expected, but it ran well. I did not do trail riding. It was strictly a mobile tool box with a roof rack for carrying lumber and ladders. It carried a lot of firewood, some stone and gravel. I hope yours gives you plenty of maintenance-free hours. Cheers.