Decision Time: Kubota RTV. Need advice

[TNcowboy1]

Hi Guys,
Well I've been doing some research on adding a piece of equipment to the farm. Now I am hoping to lean on a little good advice from those in the know (you all).
I've narrowed it down to either a Kubota rtv 900 or a 1100. Both have their advantages.

First let me say that I am looking for a used unit. There are quite a few of both with low hours within a few hours drive. Actually the 1100 are not that much higher than the 900 with similar hour tallies.

Now comes the need for the experts to chime in.
What is your experience with both?
What are the strength/ weakness of each?
What should I look for in terms of typical issues seeing that it will be a used unit?
Should I have a dealer look at this prior to buying?

I guess my biggest concern is the functionality of the four wheel drive as it will be more difficult to be sure it operates properly. most everything else is pretty easy to assess.

Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.
Michael

 

[rustyshakelford]

I like the 1100 diesel. It takes a while to get used to the throttle but it has plenty of power. They won't be very fast so know that before hand. Don't really know how to recommend testing the 4wd next to locking it in on pavement and turning. You'll feel it bind. Don't get wild with it or it can damage the cv joints.

Brett

 

[TNcowboy1]

Thanks Rusty,
Since the idea is an added workhorse to the farm fleet, speed is not at the top of my priorities, so we're good there. That might be a good way to test the 4x4 function, since I'll be looking at these on different farms (for the most part) terrain will vary so testing might be limited to that.
Michael

 

[628pm]

While you don't want a new rtv I was in the same position as you several months ago. I ended up buying a new rtv x900 though. The prices I found used wasn't that must different to a new vehicle. The new vehicles have upgrades you might like. There has been problems listed on sites about play in the "control arms" on the wheels, but I haven't had any problems. Mine has been everything I wanted.

 

[texasjohn]

I've had an 1140 for several years...the 2nd seat has been wonderful for me. It's been solid except the radiator fan went bad. I took one off of a junker car I had and mounted it with just a couple of adjustments and rewiring of plugs. Love it...

all other comments already made are realistic and true. the diesel on the 1140 is slightly stronger, I think than the ones you are looking at...it has pulled huge trailer weights for me, the low range is awesome if you can maintain traction.

 

[Ken45101]

900 vs 1100? What weather will you be operating in? When I'm out plowing snow and slush in heavy freezing rain, I wish I had an 1100 instead of the 900. Likewise when it's 10 degrees and the wind is howling, LOL. OTOH, most of the time I'm happy with the openness and ease of in and out with the 900.

We have had the RTV900 for 6 years and love it. Good, reliable machine that goes through about anything and is plenty fast for farm use. I don't really understand the people who say it's too slow. How fast do you need to go on an off road vehicle?

 

[TNcowboy1]

Thanks ken. Have to agree with your view on the "lack of speed" issue. I've only taken the four wheeler over 20 mph once....and I was only trying to stay ahead of the yellow jackets whose nest I had just tried to kill

 

[cre10]

I think they are too slow. I would be a lot more content if they topped out at 40mph. People with larger acreages and farms here and there would benefit much more with higher ground speeds.

How are these units in mud? I had someone tell me they're underpowered and terrible in mud. The guy said he can't hardly spin his wheels to get out of mud?

 

[Gary Fowler]

I just got back from a tour of some wetland in my RTV 900. I had to put it in 4 WD to get thru a particularly muddy and wet spot. No problem spinning all four. I have never had any problem with power. Folks that say they wont spin the tires likely don't know how to operate them. If you push the pedal to the metal, you wont have power to spin the wheels but just about half throttle and it will spin all four on hard ground. Many folks do the same with HST on tractors and complain that they don't have hill climbing power when all they have to do is back off the go pedal a bit so it provides more torque and less speed.
Every 1100 I have seen has doors and AC but I don't know if that is standard equipment on them or not. My recommendation is that you get one with a glass windshield rather than the polycarbonate as it will not scratch up like the plastic. I have a winch on the front of mine and it is handy for stretching wire, dragging out logs that you cant get close enough to for a chain pull. In Low range it will pull as much as you have traction for, M is pretty strong but for real lugging you need to be in low range. H is strictly for road travel.
I got the plastic canopy on mine and I think it is better than the metal one because it doesn't dent. I use mine a lot cutting limbs off trees and do have the occasional one that falls on the roof, so far no damage. I also think that the hydraulic dump bed is an option and a necessity to have.
1100 with full cab and AC or 900 with open cab. It all depends on how much you plan to use it in the winter. I use mine all summer and it is not too hot but if it had doors it would be a sauna without the AC. If I lived in frigid north land with lots of snow, I might go for the 1100 with cab and AC otherwise I would stick with the 900. I have never compared them side to side in performance, but I would suspect that performance would be similar. 1100 has a bigger engine but it is much bigger and heavier so acceleration and speed is going to be the same. Pulling power is likely superior on the 1100 due to larger engine, tires and weight so if you plan to use it to pull a heavy load, go with the 1100. The 900 would be a little more maneuverable.

 

[coobie]

I think they are too slow. I would be a lot more content if they topped out at 40mph. People with larger acreages and farms here and there would benefit much more with higher ground speeds.

How are these units in mud? I had someone tell me they're underpowered and terrible in mud. The guy said he can't hardly spin his wheels to get out of mud?

You must be young.LOL.Yes the Kubota 900-1100 RTV are slower but you will NOT find a better workhorse.I put a set (4)of GBC 8 ply grimreapers on my 2006 RTV 900 and it handles the mud & snow very well.Low range gear is your friend in the mud.