darkday said:
They have a cab and a/c and everything, just not standard. I mean if it is priced at 11k or so you will be able to get the cab and a/c for less then a new RTV1100 if the rumors of it's prices are right. Power steering is the only thing it doesn't have. (unless of course you want a diesel with clutch enclosure..
)
Really, no kidding?! I've not heard where a JD cab with heat and A/C is even an option. Even though the power steering is far nicer than I ever expected (I first thought it was simply a marketing ploy, but it honestly is darn nice), I could live without it. However, being that I see the belt drive as the weakest point in the drivetrain, I don't think I could; no, I know I couldn't, do without at least a sealed clutch and belt enclosure. I don't know what JD is thinking (maybe not thinking) there.
Several years ago I decided that I wanted a factory cab with factory A/C in a 50 hp range CUT tractor. JD and CNH told me that there simply was no market for such. So, I went with Kubota. I do not regret that decision. Kubota makes tractors that do not have to take a back seat to anyone. However, I just have a slight preference for JD tractors. Well, imagine this; JD discovered that there is actually a
huge market for cab tractors now for us aging Baby Boomers. As in the picture, you can see that I own both now.
When I spoke with a JD regional manager a couple of years ago, they told me that there simply wasn't a market for a UTV that required the strength of a tractor's driveline. Well, along comes Kubota and does just that. As far as I know, they are the only UTV maker who does not use the 40 year old Salisbury clutch and belt assembly to transfer power to the wheels from the engine. He said that it would cost well over a thousand dollars per unit to use a actual hydrostatic transmission over the simple Salisbury clutch and belt system. Now people wanting a stronger drivetrain that is not affected by splashing water and will last longer are buying the Kubota RTV's. He also said that it would cost JD nearly $400 additional on each unit to add power steering, and he saw no market for that. I have to wonder when JD will realize that there obviously is a market for those items as well as an enclosed hard cab with A/C.
I do like the JD hydraulic lift system on their beds better than Kubota's. If memory serves me correctly, the JD system uses twin hydraulic rams. The RTV900 uses a single hydraulic ram. And, even though it only happens when I have more dirt in the bed than the limit calls for, I've had the RTV unable to dump a heaping load of heavy wet clay soil. The neighbor's HPX was able to dump that same load, but it didn't quite handle the load as well when travelling with the weight. Still, their dump power is superior.
Anyway, it seems as if the R&D people at JD are obviously good engineers. I just think the sales end of the organization catch up with Kubota's foresight to what will sell. Kubota was actually the leader in the 4X4 tractors as well. C'mon JD, what's wrong with a little scouting to find out what customers want and what sells! I'd like to have a new JD XUV to go with my new JD tractor, but at this point it looks like the Kubota RTV1100 is still ahead on what I need, well, okay, what I want. Us Baby Boomers now want not only reliability, power, strength, but also comfort.
