Farm UTV/RTV Purchase

[paulsharvey]

Honda makes nice stuff (I own 3 Honda's myself). It was a while ago when I compared (may have changed) but things I didn't care for on the Pioneer 700 was no rear differential (skidding around turns in grass, gravel, dirt trails, etc.) and only 3 gears with no high/low range.

In my sandy soiled grass, it does tear it up pretty good, and I'm sure the tire wear is drastically increased on asphalt.

 

[kenmac]

I'll be buying a faster UTV next time. This Kawsaki mule just doesn't have the speed to keep up with them.
Other than a speed issue, it's a great machine

 

[ArlyA]

I'll be buying a faster UTV next time. This Kawsaki mule just doesn't have the speed to keep up with them.
Other than a speed issue, it's a great machine

The 1000cc defender we used had a governor which limited its speed to about 45 as I recall. This was a purely a work machine and occasionally when going to job site X, we hit that governors limit. It was still a fine machine, just annoying to have limited your top end.

 

[lc12]

The delineation line today is speed. The Polaris/can-am/Yamaha use belt driven chassis. The Kubota uses HST transmissions.

The Kubota can do more work, but is painfully slow. Any hills you have basically neuter's the machine. The others can go much faster and are more nimble, but may suffer in pure work type activities.

Honestly, the belt driven machines have so much power, they really don't suffer in the work realm anymore. They are not a purpose built machine like the Kubota.

To say the Kubotas are "neutered" on hills is not a true statement.
I own the RTV 1140X and yes, it is NOT a race machine, but it is WORK HORSE!
And yes, it is slow going up hills, but it pulls a trailer uphill with no problems.
Top speed is about 23 mph in 2wd and one person.
But that is fine for us.
Keeps my grandson out of trouble! lol
You have to decide if you want one for fun or work.
You can have both, but may have to give up something to do so.
I have 72 acres of hills, woods, pastures, and creek crossings, and have yet to be disappointed.

 

[ruffdog]

Yep...it is all up to the purchaser and what their expectations and priorities are as there are options to cover all of them.

 

[JRH02]

I didn't go through all the pages but here was my first thought: What's available locally and is it from a full service dealer? When you need a part fast or need to get the rig in for repair do you want to spend half a day on the road?

 

[Milo]

In my sandy soiled grass, it does tear it up pretty good, and I'm sure the tire wear is drastically increased on asphalt.

My Pioneer 520 does the same. I like the little SxS but I can't understand why in the world Honda doesn't put a (locking) dif in the rear?

I'll be buying a faster UTV next time. This Kawsaki mule just doesn't have the speed to keep up with them.
Other than a speed issue, it's a great machine

My neighbor had an old diesel, work Mule for 15 years that worked fine but was noisy, slow, and rough riding. He recently replaced it with a new Mule Pro FX and LOVES it.

 

[deserteagle71]

The 1000cc defender we used had a governor which limited its speed to about 45 as I recall. This was a purely a work machine and occasionally when going to job site X, we hit that governors limit. It was still a fine machine, just annoying to have limited your top end.

I have a 2020 cab model Can-am Defender HD10 (1000cc). There is NO governor on it, and on the Defender forums I frequent no one has mentioned one. They have mentioned that the stock Defender will do about 62 mph. So if yours has a governor it is not OEM.

 

[LouNY]

One point that has not been mentioned much is ride quality,
the old mules and even the new 4010s and such and the kubotas and gators are good hard working utility vehicles,
they also do not have the long travel suspension and comfortable ride of the other side by sides

 

[Milo]

Good point Lou. I didn't realize how rough my old Mule 610 rode until I got a Polaris Ranger, night and day. The Mule Pro MX rides even better. The little Honda P520 rides much better than the old Mule but no where near as smooth as the MX.

 

[kenmac]

The 1000cc defender we used had a governor which limited its speed to about 45 as I recall. This was a purely a work machine and occasionally when going to job site X, we hit that governors limit. It was still a fine machine, just annoying to have limited your top end.

yeah, This mule is governed at 25. A cow is much faster and quicker LOL

 

[jwmorris]

Did the OP ever state the intended use on his 22 acres?

 

[Torvy]

Not that I recall. This type of thread is useful for many considering similar purchases.

I would like something in the 'middle'. No need for a fast UTV, but I'd like about 45 MPH when needed. I don't live near mountains, and only have one hill (my Outback can make that climb). Shooting for a 3 seat model. Maybe a Kioti? Still very open on brand, especially since nearly anything will be order and wait...

 

[Milo]

I would like something in the 'middle'. No need for a fast UTV, but I'd like about 45 MPH when needed. I don't live near mountains, and only have one hill (my Outback can make that climb). Shooting for a 3 seat model. Maybe a Kioti? Still very open on brand, especially since nearly anything will be order and wait...

Other than the current shortages your timing is good because most manufacturers have been bringing out SxS models marketed in between work and sport. My 60" Mule Pro MX is just such one, governed to 45 mph, although it fits 3 adults across (snuggly) it's classified as a two seater since there's only 2 seatbelts. The Mule 66" FX or FXR are 3 seaters. Also Yamaha Wolverine, Honda Pioneer 1000, various Polaris'. And of course the tractor brand versions, Gators, Mectron, RTV.

 

[Rdrcr]

Something like this would be my choice…JDM

This example isn’t 4x4 but, they are available.

Mike

 

[Milo]

Something like this would be my choice…JDM


....This example isn’t 4x4 but, they are available.

Mike

A 30 year old mini truck? I guess if you have access to parts to keep one running..... I rode in one of those (I believe it was a Nissan) on a paved road and the thing rode like a buckboard, I couldn't imaging pounding down a rocky road or even across a field, much less a trail on one.

 

[Like2read!]

The delineation line today is speed. The Polaris/can-am/Yamaha use belt driven chassis. The Kubota uses HST transmissions.

The Kubota can do more work, but is painfully slow. Any hills you have basically neuter's the machine. The others can go much faster and are more nimble, but may suffer in pure work type activities.

Honestly, the belt driven machines have so much power, they really don't suffer in the work realm anymore. They are not a purpose built machine like the Kubota.

I am leaning towards a Roxor, parts are a lot cheaper (at present).

 

[paulsharvey]

I am leaning towards a Roxor, parts are a lot cheaper (at present).

Can the Roxor be tagged for on road use? Depending on where you are, and local laws, as well as how the sheriffs office enforce them, if you can get it tagged for on road, that is a nice bonus.

 

[finn1]

Perhaps some states have loopholes, but the Roxor doesn’t meet EPA on road emissions standards or DOT safety standards, so the general answer is no.

Some states, Arizona being one I am familiar with, have oddball exceptions allowing home brew modifications like adding turn signals and wipers so that side by sides can be driven in the roads.

 

[paulsharvey]

In FLA, each county can choose if they allow ATVs/UTVs on roads with post speeds of 35mph or less; our county specifically does NOT, however, they don't enforce it. I want to say Tenn allows you to basically tag them as a motorcycle, I think.

Where we live, there are hundreds of miles of dirt and sand roads, probably 70% of them are not maintained at all, so it gives a lot of places to just ride, and if your dropping 15k to 30k+; having fun is a nice bonus to a utility purchase.