How much UTV do you need?

[MutzFarm]

We tried to decide for a long time on our small farm what would we get? Had a four wheeler atv that the carb would gum up every time we turned around and that was so annoying. One day a guy said I'll trade you my golf cart with new batteries and charger for your four wheeler. Well we spent $2k buying it and when we couldnt fix carb it was a shop bill. I said sure. Its been love ever since. We used this electric golf cart more in 3 months than we did that four wheeler in 3 years. It really needs some tlc now. The right rear passanger spring has actaully started to reverse arc from the abuse we put this thing through. Almost all the bushings are gone. Only thing we ever did to it was break off the roof, replace an occasional corroded wire, and charge it.

I will say it cost us about $2k. Still way cheaper than one of those $15,000 dollar new UTVs that I really want. Or even a good used one at $6k+. We have had this thing in ditches, mud, water over the floor board, etc. Never stops. When the it is time to replace it and that time is coming sooner than later I really think we will get another, but maybe with a lift kit.

 

[M5farms]

I ran a golf cart for yrs and bought a Kubota rtv 2 yrs ago. Best decision I've ever made for a piece of equipment. It is used every day

 

[Teachu2]

In my area, a decent used golf cart runs $3000+. I bought a Rhino 660 with 184 hrs on it for $4800. Much more capable machine.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Golf cart would be stuck all the time on my place...pretty much useless here...

Don't want carb problems? Quit using E fuel!!

SR

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Lmao that's a lot of feed on a golf cart, truck couldn't get back there?

I'm a fan of quads, I think there about as universal as it gets on utility, I could see where a UTV could be too big.

I can see where a golf cart would be handy for lighter jobs and travel.

But as far as gumming up a carb goes, that's why most quads have fuel shut offs when it's not in use, and after about the second time fooling with the carb you could have just bought a new one for not much money but that's in the past now.

So your in the market for a new golf cart or UTV? Or just showing off your cart?

I could use one of those carts you see a HS football coach driving around with the bed on the back, that's what I need lol.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

But as far as gumming up a carb goes, that's why most quads have fuel shut offs when it's not in use, and after about the second time fooling with the carb you could have just bought a new one for not much money but that's in the past now.

That's NOT a complete fix! I always shut the fuel off on my 4-wheeler and run it out of gas, over time E10 fuel STILL ate the rubber that's in the carb...twice!

I no longer put E fuel in it and all the carb problems have went away!

SR

 

[MutzFarm]

I ran a golf cart for yrs and bought a Kubota rtv 2 yrs ago. Best decision I've ever made for a piece of equipment. It is used every day

I am thinking of patching this golf cart up for the kids and getting me and the wife an RTV.

 

[MutzFarm]

In my area, a decent used golf cart runs $3000+. I bought a Rhino 660 with 184 hrs on it for $4800. Much more capable machine.

Can you get a rhino with a diesel motor?

 

[MutzFarm]

Lmao that's a lot of feed on a golf cart, truck couldn't get back there?

I'm a fan of quads, I think there about as universal as it gets on utility, I could see where a UTV could be too big.

I can see where a golf cart would be handy for lighter jobs and travel.

But as far as gumming up a carb goes, that's why most quads have fuel shut offs when it's not in use, and after about the second time fooling with the carb you could have just bought a new one for not much money but that's in the past now.

So your in the market for a new golf cart or UTV? Or just showing off your cart?

I could use one of those carts you see a HS football coach driving around with the bed on the back, that's what I need lol.

It is a lot of feed. We have had more with me and my son on it.

We do take a pick up in there at times, but we was unloading the feed off a trailer this time and the tractor key was in the house so the golf cart was the next tool of choice.

I like quads they are fast!

In the market or showing off? BOTH....

 

[MutzFarm]

That's NOT a complete fix! I always shut the fuel off on my 4-wheeler and run it out of gas, over time E10 fuel STILL ate the rubber that's in the carb...twice!

I no longer put E fuel in it and all the carb problems have went away!

SR

Agreed. Our was giving us problems. Fixing it every 3 weeks and then one time wasnt a week. Thats when I gave up.

 

[EddieWalker]

I completely agree with the golf cart. I went from having a Honda ATV to getting a used battery golf cart and being amazed at how much more I could do with it. Just having a passenger next to me made me realize its the way to go. Over time, it slowly fell apart and I decided it wasn't worth the money buying new batteries for it when so many other things where wrong with it too. I started my search for another golf cart, but eventually went for a Kawasaki 4x4 Transmule. I'm glad I did, but I still might get another golf cart just for running to the mail box or from barn to barn type stuff.

 

[aczlan]

I would swap out the springs ($75 on Amazon will get you a set of heavy duty springs with bushings), replace the rear tires with some larger ones (say a 20x10-8 vs the stock 18x8-8) and if needed, replace the rear leaf spring shackles with some that are a little longer and it should be good for a few more years.

Aaron Z

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

It is a lot of feed. We have had more with me and my son on it.

We do take a pick up in there at times, but we was unloading the feed off a trailer this time and the tractor key was in the house so the golf cart was the next tool of choice.

I like quads they are fast!

In the market or showing off? BOTH....

Nothing wrong with showing off lol, how much is a gas powered golf cart in your area?

 

[JRobyn]

I started off wanting a golf cart, mostly because of the quiet. Main use would be running back and forth to in-laws and up the road to the mailbox. But when I realized that we'd occasionally take it out in steep pasture areas or woods trails, the 48vdc electric Polaris Ranger EV made a lot more sense -

 

[Industrial Toys]

I think the Electric Gator is a GREAT alternative. Quiet and great for stop and go service like a Golf Cart, but with a tilting Cargo Bed that can carry a lot and a trailer hitch. I prefer it to my Diesel Mule for most tasks.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

How long does the battery last? That would be great, I do a lot of my work at night, I feel bad running a quad or something when the neighbors are sleeping so I end up not doing the task I needed to do.

What's the life expectancy on the battery's?

How much to replace the batteries and lastly was the electric version more money?

 

[Industrial Toys]

Battery questions are hard to answer. Mine are on their last legs and I can play around for most of the day. We have a large hill separating our property and this is where the battery gives up the ghost. The "Curtis" fuel gauge suddenly stopped functioning and I must address that.

How long batteries last depends on usage and maintenance.

I bought the Electric Gator at an auction cheap, but bought new plastic and OEM seats.

The downside is that JD thinks they have a license to STEAL on all things TURF! I just paid $30.00 for a $3.00 Motor Bearing, not knowing it wasn't anything special.

An electric Motor is a few grand, as is the tranny. Same for the controller.

Yesterday, I think I broke an axle shaft. Electric vehicles have tremendous torque and at 4000 something hours, I guess the shaft just had enough. Fortunately, I had bought an entire used drivetrain and controller for $500.00 some time ago. I will just switch out the whole motor/axle assembly. I really, really miss that machine when it's not in service.

The E-Gator is really just an Electric Golf Cart, with the guts made by the same people (Curtis) as make the guts for the golf carts, but built as a Utility Vehicle.

 

[Oldoak]

It all boils down to individual choices based on "needs", "wants" and "finances". Although "needs" is debatable. While they are very handy, none of us "need" a UTV or electric cart. We all got along without them until they became popular and corporate advertising wanted us to feel like we "needed" their product.

Me, my choice was a JD XUV 855D.

 

[Industrial Toys]

View attachment 510578View attachment 510579

Bed removed, waiting for the transplant.

I had what they called a "side by side" back in 2001 long before they became popular. Never had any desire for a machine with handlebars and a bicycle seat! As a kid, I didn't have a bicycle, I had a go cart. Not everyone follows societies norms.

 

[MutzFarm]

I completely agree with the golf cart. I went from having a Honda ATV to getting a used battery golf cart and being amazed at how much more I could do with it. Just having a passenger next to me made me realize its the way to go. Over time, it slowly fell apart and I decided it wasn't worth the money buying new batteries for it when so many other things where wrong with it too. I started my search for another golf cart, but eventually went for a Kawasaki 4x4 Transmule. I'm glad I did, but I still might get another golf cart just for running to the mail box or from barn to barn type stuff.

Having a passenger or help with you was one of the first things we realized also. Major difference. Sure is quiet also.