Help on picking and pricing UTV

Slippy · Jul 16, 2004

I'm in the market for a UTV and have read many of the posts in this fourm. It seems to be the general opinion that the RTV is by far the best bet if your looking for a true UTV that can go just about anywhere and be a work horse. I have also looked at some of the less expensive models such as the Yurf dog, and for about 4k I think you end up with a glorified golf cart or go cart. Once again, looks like you get what you pay for.

I do have some questions though. Interested in those folks that have now had a chance to really use the RTV if it has done as well as people expected. Does it really do well going up hills and holding going down? Is it true that it is the only UTV that can stop and start on a hill? What about maintanace and durability, has it held up?

I have some pretty step hills on my farm and need something that can dig in and get going. My atv's crawl up most of my hills (at least the ones I want to go up) without any problem. Could I expect the RTV to do the same?

I will be using it for farm and trail maintanace and generally runing to different places on my farm. Does it have a PTO in the rear? Are there different models? Is the drive train all hydraulic like a 0 turn mower?

Also, what is the price on one of these bad boys?

I have read all the reviews that have been posted, but some were done before the RTV came out. Anyone have any links to a recent head to head comparison of the performance of the RTV and say the Polaris or Kawasaki?

Your help is appriciated.

flyingn · Jul 16, 2004

( I do have some questions though. Interested in those folks that have now had a chance to really use the RTV if it has done as well as people expected. Does it really do well going up hills and holding going down?

** Yes it does, stops without brakes most of the time. Id recommend agressive tires thugh if you really want to climb with an RTV**

Is it true that it is the only UTV that can stop and start on a hill?

**Yes*

What about maintanace and durability, has it held up?

**so far so good. But im a new owner**

I have some pretty step hills on my farm and need something that can dig in and get going. My atv's crawl up most of my hills (at least the ones I want to go up) without any problem. Could I expect the RTV to do the same?

**with a tire change, absolutly**

I will be using it for farm and trail maintanace and generally runing to different places on my farm. Does it have a PTO in the rear?

**it has an aux hydraulic control valve on the back**

Are there different models?

**Yes, 4 different(slightly) models.**

Is the drive train all hydraulic like a 0 turn mower?

**yes**

Also, what is the price on one of these bad boys?

**around $10.5 without options**

I have read all the reviews that have been posted, but some were done before the RTV came out. Anyone have any links to a recent head to head comparison of the performance of the RTV and say the Polaris or Kawasaki?

**have not seen one yet but check out the may ATV Illustrated magazine for a test on an RTV**

Frank

Your help is appriciated. )

flyingn · Jul 16, 2004

actually its NOT the May issue. Its the latest issue. I believe its july issue..

Frank

bczoom · Jul 16, 2004

Slippy,
I have the worksite RTV and concur with all of Frank's answers.
I'm north of Pitt in a very hilly area.
So far, I've had no problems with traction with the tires on the worksite model on my hills although the trails are relatively dry. Actually, they brought the turf version for a demo before I bought and it did fine on dry hill trails. If you have mud, I'd definitely go with more agressive tires. I'm getting another set myself for mud and winter use.
Brian

MessickFarmEqu · Jul 16, 2004

You can also get factory ATV tires. I agree that there is not much tread on the general light duty tires.

bczoom · Jul 16, 2004

I've found Kubota is a little behind on accessories.
Do you think anyone may have a spare set of OEM rims? I want to keep the tires that are on it now for summer and dry use. If I plan on spending a weekend in the mud and for the winter season, I want to have a full set of tires/rims with more agressive tires (probably ITP 589's or Mud Lites).

OrangeGuy · Jul 16, 2004

Make sure you check out the Polaris Ranger Series of UTVs. I purchased a Ranger 6x6 back in 1998. It has met my expectations and more. I wanted something that would traverse the steepest of hills and plow through our river bottom swamps. This machine is impossible to get stuck. Whatever you can drive into, you can back out of. It has loads of carrying and pulling capacity. It's also quite fast. It's the perfect companion to the hunter and work vehicle on the farm.

In 6 years I've done nothing to it other than routine maintenance. I looked at the JD Gator when I purchased the Ranger, but found too many shortcomings when comparing spec for spec. Features like: a suspension, roll cage, power (30HP vs 18), speed, enclosed drive system, drive shaft vs chain drive, 6 wheel drive, and heh, I even have cup holders.

The Kubota RTV was not out when I purchased the Ranger. It appears to be quite a machine. IMO, more of a worksite machine than an all purpose work and pleasure machine.

I paid $9200 plus tax back in 1998.

OrangeGuy

rubber · Jul 16, 2004

I purchased the first worksite model that was not pre-ordered from my dealer. Timing is everything. All the accessories that I added were in stock. The accessories were roof, winch and mount, rear hitch, and bed liner. The base price for my model was $9,995 . The dealer said that he could get more, but he was not going to gouge his customers. The deal was sealed with a handshake and no money. Of course he had nothing to loose since they are selling so well.

jinman · Jul 16, 2004

Slippy, I don't know who told you that the RTV is the only UTV that can "stop and start" on a hill, but that is not accurate. I'm sure the RTV can do it, but I'm also sure I've done it many times with my girlfriend's Kawasaki Mule. I think the Polaris Ranger and the Yamaha would easily do the same as well as most of the Gators.

I am not going to tell you that the RTV is not all it's advertised to be. Quite the contrary, I think it's an excellent choice. Like cars, trucks, and tractors, I sometimes make decisions based on what you get for my money rather than just buying top-of-the-line no matter what cost.

I think you can find lots of UTVs to do comparisons with. The best judge of what you need is the seat of your pants. You have to sit on them and drive them. Also ask about all accessories and look at available 3rd party add-ons. I think you will find the Kawasaki Mule to be really well supported. Companies like Essex have a full line of add-ons and their prices are pretty good. I think it will be several years before the market expands this much for the RTV. Cost of a fully featured Mule 3010, 4WD is about $8,400. The 2WD version is about $1,000 less, but all you give up is 4WD and the 2-speed transmission. Even the 2WD Mule 3000 has a differential lock that will easily get you up some very steep hills.

The Gators also offer one of the widest choices of models and it seems those who have them really like them. You can't beat the support available directly through John Deere.

I don't know as much about the Polaris and Yamaha, but I do know they have a loyal following and must make excellent UTVs.

I'd suggest treating this like an adventure of discovery and just go look, look, and re-look until you are satisfied with your findings. In the end you'll be much happier with your choice.

flyingn · Jul 16, 2004

thats what i did. Bought a set of factory wheels from a local Kubota dealer and IPT mud lites to mount on 4 the winter..

Frank

( I've found Kubota is a little behind on accessories.
Do you think anyone may have a spare set of OEM rims? I want to keep the tires that are on it now for summer and dry use. If I plan on spending a weekend in the mud and for the winter season, I want to have a full set of tires/rims with more agressive tires (probably ITP 589's or Mud Lites). )

Slippy · Jul 17, 2004

I stopped by my local Kubota dealer today and checked out the RTV. It is a beast. The only thing I did not care for is when you let off the gas, the thing comes to a very quick stop. There is no roll at all, due to the hydrostat transmission. Would probably be ok once you get used to it. The base price is 10,500. No dealing though. They are selling quick. Its that old supply and demand concept at work. I was amazed at the price of the accessories. The list price for some of the add ons is high from Kubota. The dealer is willing to work on the extras. For example, the windshield is $600 list price.
I think I can get the worksite which comes with dump & front guard for $10,500. Anyone done any better? Did find another unit, dealer will add canopy, bed linner and swap out tires for the atv type that comes on the recreational unit for $10,400. Unit has 15 hours on it. Is that a good price?

flyingn · Jul 17, 2004

not a bad price. The trans will loosten up a little over time. Its like a tractor. Hydrostatic trannys are like that. You will get used to it..
I paid $13,700 delivered with full hard cab, wiper, bu beeper, aux lights, cab heater, heavy duty front springs, rear hitch.. all installed and delivered.. Thats over $15k list..

Frank

MessickFarmEqu · Jul 17, 2004

( Slippy, I don't know who told you that the RTV is the only UTV that can "stop and start" on a hill, but that is not accurate. )

This comes from a Demo that was done at the Kubota dealer meeting (I did not see this). They lined up the RTV, Gator, Muel and a 4th model. Drove them all up the same slope, stopped, then continued to drive up again. The RTV was the only one that did it successfuly. On the others either the brakes would not hold it on the slope or they did not have enough torque to continue up further. Granted, it was an extreme example, but thats where this comes from.

MessickFarmEqu · Jul 17, 2004

(
I think I can get the worksite which comes with dump & front guard for $10,500. Anyone done any better? Did find another unit, dealer will add canopy, bed linner and swap out tires for the atv type that comes on the recreational unit for $10,400. Unit has 15 hours on it. Is that a good price? )

These seem to be the going prices. As you said, its supply and demand right now. As inventories catch up the price will fall. They are selling at full list right now and no one seems to care. I have been discounting the units that I have comming in 3-4 months from now, but asking just under list for the stock ones.

lloyd123 · Jul 17, 2004

( I paid $13,700 delivered with full hard cab, wiper, bu beeper, aux lights, cab heater, heavy duty front springs, rear hitch.. all installed and delivered.. Thats over $15k list..

Frank )

Didn't you also get the plow included in that price? I thought I read that in an earlier post.

rmorgan · Jul 17, 2004

Slippy--

I coveted a Ranger for years and ended up with an RTV. The three most important factors for me were the Kubota diesel; the certified ROPS; and the full hydro. In a review of everything but the RTV back in the May '04 issue, ATV Illustrated magazine writers found none of the other machines were fully capable of stopping on a slope with a load on; the RTV is remarkable at this. The ROPS just makes me feel safter (and unfortulately, the ROPS on the Ranger is faux, unless you go to the "professional" models). That said, I drove a Ranger several times and liked lots about it; the Mule has a venerable heritage, excellent capabilities both for terrain and load, and aftermarket support; and the Gators have many fans on this board and elsewhere. One machine that has not gotten attention here but is very cool if you're not planning to haul a bunch is the Yamaha Rhino, which looks like a downsized jeep and of all these vehicles is most like a true ATV--the most fun to use and the least "work friendly" in the category. Everybody's making a UTV now and so it's pretty much a buyer's market--so you might as well try 'em all!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

lloyd123 · Jul 17, 2004

Attached is a photo that was on the web that looks like it was taken during the hill climb demo

Dargo · Jul 17, 2004

Yup, what I thought. I couldn't imagine the RTV with "worksite" tires on it outclimbing anything. Since the ramp is not dirt or mud, that explains it. I like my RTV, but my 6X4 Gator was much better at climbing the dirt hills in my area. I assume that a tire change on the RTV would help loads. I'm waiting for some guys on here who have ordered more agressive tires for their RTV's to post the results of the tire change. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Slippy · Jul 17, 2004

Well, I am continuing my search and have found that eveyone right now is within a couple of hundred dollars of each other. I read in another post that a rep had indicated that the price would be going up. Better to buy now and beat the increas, or wait and get it cheaper? My guess is that if they do increase in price, it will be a higher increase than the drop in price that could be expected.

Also, anyone added a winch to the front of the RTV? I looked at the front of one and there is a flat steel plate right behind the grill. Is this where it would mount, or do you need a special mounting kit?

Dargo · Jul 17, 2004

I have a great winch mounted on my RTV. I've used it several times for various things. Jippy and Dozernut on here were kind enough to actually install mine. At the time I was recovering from some surgery and only had one arm. It has a wireless remote on the winch. After using that, I'll never consider anything else. I got my mower hung up in the mud and was able to winch myself out without anybody else to help. Usually I'd have to get one person on the mower assisting, and one on the winch vehicle. Not now! Heck, my wife has buried the mower twice for me since then. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif