UTV madness... more than my F350 dually diesel.

[Dadnatron]

I have been thinking about a UTV for around our 85ac. We are building a horse farm and could use it many times over.

However, at this point, the only compelling reason I can come up with, which makes sense, is because it won't leave as deep of ruts in the field in comparison to my farm pickup, an F350 dually diesel 4 door.

I cannot believe the cost of these machines. I've driven and would like the Kubota 1140 however, priced out with a windshield, mudflaps, tail-light protectors, and a auxillary hydro pump, costs just shy of $20K!

I know these machines are different animals and perform a different function, but holy cow! Is the demand that high that they can command this sort of price? I guess it must be, because I see them scattered around all the time.

My basis is for person (1-2) transport around the farm as well as the ability to haul a few bales of hay, some dirt (tilt bed), air compressor etc. I know in choosing the RTV-1140, I am looking at the top end big boy, but still, it is far more than it seems to be reasonable. I figured it would give me the most 'Utility' around the place.

I have a Land Pride seeder which in all actuality is crap. It was a new purchase last fall, and I would NOT purchase it again. My thinking was to trade it in and get a UTV. However, it would likely only cover a little over 1/2 the cost.

Anyway... enough of my crotchety-ness.

How do you guys come to grips with the cost of these things?
Do you have any good quality alternatives?
What are your recommendations on used vs new?

 

[MossRoad]

Find yourself a used Suzuki Samuri for well under $10,000.

Suzuki Samurai for Sale in Louisville, KY 4292 - Autotrader

 

[Turbys_1700]

I personally could not justify the cost of a new side by side. I found a well used Toro Workman for $1800. It has 3000 hours but is solid and can haul 1200#. I have been well pleased with it's performance considering what I have tied up in it.

 

[MossRoad]

Or a used Jeep.

 

[Rustyiron]

A small used (Tacoma, Ranger, S10) pickup makes much more sense dollar wise. Even if you bought some wide tires & wheels for a similar footprint of a UTV. If you got anywhere near the price of a UTV, you'd have a nice used truck that would take you to the feed store as well. I have a big place and my F-450 does those UTV chores while my wife uses the Kaw. Mule to play in the yard.

 

[Industrial Toys]

You think the price is high for starters, just start repairing them.

People don't seem to realize, our currency is going to S%#T.

If someone in China would build a very basic high quality UTV (No Flames or Wild Plastic), Diesel Engine, manual tranny and BIG wheels, at a good price, I don't see how they could go wrong. But this is not the world we live in, and the buying public is just too daft and buys into the fansy, expensive, poor value garbage instead.

 

[ovrszd]

I bought an '08 RTV900 with 180 hrs for $5500. That was hard to swallow. But I figured I was under market value enough that I could get out from under it if I didn't like it. That was two years ago. Still have it. Fills a definite niche. I treat it like a mini Diesel 4x4 dump truck. It don't complain.

No way I could do $20K.

 

[ultrarunner]

We bought a used RTV900 for 7k two years ago... not a single issue around the Christmas Tree farm... the hydrostatic is a great safety feature on the steep hills...

I have a Samurai that I paid $1050 for with a bad transmission and worn out top... cost $80 for the transmission bearing and $200 for the top... that was in 1998... only thing spent since is on second battery, oil change and gas... it really gets around and hauls very well...

The RTV has a tight 3 across seating and hydraulic dump... plus no clutch...

 

[nybirdman]

You should be able to purchase a Yamaha Viking for about $12,000(new).They have the best CTV system by far.On another note Kubota just came out with a gas motor/ctv transmission unit;don't know the cost.
We have had good luck with our Yamaha machines.

 

[Old Red]

I have been thinking about a UTV for around our 85ac. We are building a horse farm and could use it many times over.

However, at this point, the only compelling reason I can come up with, which makes sense, is because it won't leave as deep of ruts in the field in comparison to my farm pickup, an F350 dually diesel 4 door.

I cannot believe the cost of these machines. I've driven and would like the Kubota 1140 however, priced out with a windshield, mudflaps, tail-light protectors, and a auxillary hydro pump, costs just shy of $20K!

I know these machines are different animals and perform a different function, but holy cow! Is the demand that high that they can command this sort of price? I guess it must be, because I see them scattered around all the time.

My basis is for person (1-2) transport around the farm as well as the ability to haul a few bales of hay, some dirt (tilt bed), air compressor etc. I know in choosing the RTV-1140, I am looking at the top end big boy, but still, it is far more than it seems to be reasonable. I figured it would give me the most 'Utility' around the place.

I have a Land Pride seeder which in all actuality is crap. It was a new purchase last fall, and I would NOT purchase it again. My thinking was to trade it in and get a UTV. However, it would likely only cover a little over 1/2 the cost.

Anyway... enough of my crotchety-ness.

How do you guys come to grips with the cost of these things?
Do you have any good quality alternatives?
What are your recommendations on used vs new?

View attachment 542108

Oh, hello again...from another fellow Kentuckian. I paid 10,000 for my Polaris Ranger HD in August 2010. I have since added a ton of stuff to it like a full cab and heater...but that wasn't necessary. When you talk about spending 20K you are talking about the highest end on the spectrum you can buy...sort of like me saying all trucks are $75,000 because the one I priced and looked at was a Denali 3500 Duramax.....

I LOVE my Polaris Ranger to death. Out of all my stuff (I have LOTS of stuff) this is hands down my favorite. You won't be disappointed. My ranger will probably bring about 8 grand right now and it is loaded down with all sorts of goodies I added on it and it has TONS of life left in it...So check out the used market. The used market in Kentucky is fantastic. After that check out the full size Polaris Ranger 570. That is a nice low cost Ranger that will haul and do EVERYTHINNG and I mean EVERTHING you throw at it.

Lastly, I have a friend in Somerset not too farm from you who is about to trade his gator. Let me know if you are interested in it.

 

[timswi]

I still don't know how I justified the nearly 20K for my 09 RTV1100 but don't regret it. It does everything I ask of it. Guess starting with an RTV500 that was paid for and getting good money on trade helped some.

 

[s219]

I paid about $13K for my RTV-X1120D in late 2015, plus a couple hundred for windshield and roof, then another couple hundred for winch and lights (did the accessories myself). It did seem pricey at the time, but I use the heck out of it, and use it in ways that wouldn't make sense with other vehicles or tractors. I probably wouldn't have wanted to spend more than that though.

By the way, you seem to be looking at MSRP from the website. I'd expect a typical dealer to knock at least 15-20% off that.

Unless you absolutely need 4 seats, you can save a few grand with the 1120 and even more with the 900.

 

[newbury]

<snip>
My basis is for person (1-2) transport around the farm as well as the ability to haul a few bales of hay, some dirt (tilt bed), air compressor etc. I know in choosing the RTV-1140, I am looking at the top end big boy, but still, it is far more than it seems to be reasonable. I figured it would give me the most 'Utility' around the place.
<snip>

OK, you are running a HORSE farm.
Get a HORSE.
You should have all the maintenance setup.
Get a cart for the few bales of hay, use your tractor for the dirt.

 

[rustyshakelford]

These things are worth the money. We bought an x1100c kubota in the fall and use the thing almost every day I知 home. The heat and a/c might seem silly to some but the cab is so tight you almost need to roll the window down so the doors will close. It has a hyd dump bed and will to just about anywhere you need to go. We added a 2 lift, 4500 lb winch and 27 tires to make it look less 登ld man buggy as my wife says (no offense to those that resemble that remake). I think I paid just a little north of 20k out the door with KTAC and all the accessories. I see the argument to buy a Jeep or Sami but these get would be used much more.

Brett

 

[Wakey]

Find yourself a used Suzuki Samuri for well under $10,000.

Suzuki Samurai for Sale in Louisville, KY 4292 - Autotrader

Bingo..

And I love golf carts (quiet!) for going from the house to the barn. Having 2 rows of seats is even better.

 

[Peter 315]

You can get a honda pioneer 700 for about 11k

 

[Oleozz]

I've owned Kawasaki Mules since 2005. They have been an essential and necessary part of my training of bird dogs. Even without the bird dogs I would probably still own a UTV. They are fun!!

 

[oosik]

You think its UTV madness - I would guess you haven't priced a 2018 Ford F350 dually diesel lately.

 

[ericm979]

We got a Pioneer 700. The new ones have power steering but I saved a bit by buying a left over 2016 without it and adding it myself. PS makes it easier for my wife to drive, especially since it gets operated in tight quarters at times. It's really handy. We resisted getting one for 19 years. With it I can haul two saws and all the accessories close to my work area instead of humping them back and forth on foot. The effort I save lets me get more work done.

 

[yanmars]

Sometimes one gets lucky. I bought a used Kawasaki Mule UTV that was lightly used but had an engine "issue". Shops said it needed a new one. I bought it for around $1200 as I recall thinking even if I put a replacement engine in it I would not have huge money in it. Took it to a local high school ag shop, they determined it had a bad intake gasket. Repair was under $100, have used it frequently, without anything more, for about 5 years. A great deal as it turned out. I used it at least 10 times more than my Honda Rubicon ATV.