Kubota or John Deere

[Threepoint]

In fairness.....my statement needs some clarity......the elk were separate....different days. We did have four guys and one elk on different days....still a lot of weight.

That's still an impressive amount of weight, and performance, for sure! Do you recall which model of Kubota it was? I just checked the specs on the RTV-X1120D, and it looks like the total payload is 1510 lbs, including 1102 lbs in the cargo bed. I'm sure you were well over that with 4 guys, gear, plus the elk.

 

[jerrybob]

That's still an impressive amount of weight, and performance, for sure! Do you recall which model of Kubota it was? I just checked the specs on the RTV-X1120D, and it looks like the total payload is 1510 lbs, including 1102 lbs in the cargo bed. I'm sure you were well over that with 4 guys, gear, plus the elk.

I believe it was a 2013 1140 with a diesel engine. The bull was a beauty......guessing in the 900 lb range. He was a 6x6 with eye guards. We quartered him out and kept the horns. Strapped the horns to the top....meat in the back.....2 big guys....2 ave. guys.....probably averaged about 200lbs per guy. We all had rifles and small day packs. Two days later I got a cow.....she was smaller.....probably around 450 to 500lbs. Same process but we had one less rifle with us. The guy who got the bull was our driver that day.....he was still gloating.

 

[ovrszd]

I have the hand throttle on an '08 RTV900. I use it in steep timber or when pulling very heavy loads.

When the hand throttle is activated the pedal simply becomes an HST pedal. Improves capability of the machine just the same as using the hand throttle on an HST tractor.

 

[ultrarunner]

Thanks ovrszd... I had heard it was a good option... especially for those comfortable with Kubota Hydro tractors.

So it sets engine rpm and movement/speed of movement is controlled by the pedal?

 

[ovrszd]

Thanks ovrszd... I had heard it was a good option... especially for those comfortable with Kubota Hydro tractors.

So it sets engine rpm and movement/speed of movement is controlled by the pedal?

Yep....

 

[DIXIEDOG]

A lot depends on your use....if you plan to offroad/trail ride with this I would definitely lean toward the Gator....Kubotas can work but then again so can the Gators. My 825i pushes snow unbelievably well with the Boss V plow. I've pulled trailers as well as loads of wood and have yet to run out of power or have all the belt slipping issues people claim you will when you have a CVT. My Gator is the gas model so it's not a direct comparison to the diesel you're wanting but they are close...the diesel doesn't have quite the grunt or high end the 825i does but it's pretty close.

 

[ovrszd]

A lot depends on your use....if you plan to offroad/trail ride with this I would definitely lean toward the Gator....Kubotas can work but then again so can the Gators. My 825i pushes snow unbelievably well with the Boss V plow. I've pulled trailers as well as loads of wood and have yet to run out of power or have all the belt slipping issues people claim you will when you have a CVT. My Gator is the gas model so it's not a direct comparison to the diesel you're wanting but they are close...the diesel doesn't have quite the grunt or high end the 825i does but it's pretty close.

What model was the Kubota you owned?

What diesel engine are you comparing your gas engine to when you say it doesn't have the "grunt"??

 

[burzynsr]

For long term durability go with the Kubota. If you want to go fast get the Deere. I don't know which diesel is in the Deere but the Kubota is bullet proof. Also the HST on the Kubota will for sure outlast the belt drive on the Deere. I have not priced either as of late, the money is your call.

 

[JESSE1]

I've had three Gators with the Yanmar diesel. The last one was an 855 diesel that I traded for my current Kubota RTV-X1100C. I wanted a cab with a/c and heat which Deere doesn't come close to building compared to the Kubota. So far I'm satisfied with the Kubota, a little slow but for me it doesn't matter because I use it mainly for checking the cows and pasture. When I bought the Kubota nearly two years ago I was able to get it for 48 months no interest. Price wise it was not much than the John Deere and much better equipped with just about everything standard on the Kubota.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

What model was the Kubota you owned?

What diesel engine are you comparing your gas engine to when you say it doesn't have the "grunt"??

The Kubota I owned was a gas 500....when I'm saying the diesel doesnt' have the grunt I'm going off the test drive only and comparing the JD gas/diesel options. When I test drove the RTV diesel it had the same lack of suspension travel and lousy hill climbing acceleration the 500 had so Kubota was ruled out quickly. I'm also not a huge fan of the let of the go pedal and get lurched forward feel the 900 I test drove had.



I think there's a reason all the snow groomers that use side by sides, power companies, and road crews are using Gators/Rangers and not the Kubotas...a lot of people claim that the CVT transmissions can't do any work but that's proven wrong on a daily basis. The Kubotas have a following but it's mainly in the residential side and then it's typically from people who use it on a relatively small property only....for recreational use they aren't close to the competition.

 

[ultrarunner]

Almost all the Kubota RTVs the closest dealer sells go the wineries in Napa and Sonoma... a few to hunters but they all go to people that have a job to do.

I would agree that very few are used for recreation... the newer X models have increased suspension travel and optimized the pedal...

 

[flynlow8740]

I have a RTV-X1100C. They come standard with a hand throttle. It will stay in a high idle position, but will not keep the engine in a high rpm. It's nice to give it some RPM to climb a steep hill without having to floor the hydro. The X models are MUCH better at decelerating than the older ones, you still don't use the brake much, but they don't slide to a stop anytime the pedal is released.

 

[Thall303]

Personally, I prefer the Kawasaki Mules over the John Deere or Kubota!

 

[brain55]

I have a RTV-X1100C. They come standard with a hand throttle. It will stay in a high idle position, but will not keep the engine in a high rpm. It's nice to give it some RPM to climb a steep hill without having to floor the hydro. The X models are MUCH better at decelerating than the older ones, you still don't use the brake much, but they don't slide to a stop anytime the pedal is released.

I prefer the X1100 to the X900 especially in hilly terrain, the extra power is a big plus. We sell a ton of the RTV's in all sizes and they're good machines.

Brian

 

[s219]

The Kubota I owned was a gas 500....when I'm saying the diesel doesnt' have the grunt I'm going off the test drive only and comparing the JD gas/diesel options. When I test drove the RTV diesel it had the same lack of suspension travel and lousy hill climbing acceleration the 500 had so Kubota was ruled out quickly. I'm also not a huge fan of the let of the go pedal and get lurched forward feel the 900 I test drove had.

I think there's a reason all the snow groomers that use side by sides, power companies, and road crews are using Gators/Rangers and not the Kubotas...a lot of people claim that the CVT transmissions can't do any work but that's proven wrong on a daily basis. The Kubotas have a following but it's mainly in the residential side and then it's typically from people who use it on a relatively small property only....for recreational use they aren't close to the competition.

Locally, I see a ton of Kubotas in use in construction and logging. Deeres mostly in landscaping, golf courses, property management, commercial real estate, etc.

I don't know about the older Deere and Kubota models, but when I was shopping at the end of 2015, it was no contest -- the new RTV-X diesel models (900, 1100, 1120) were significantly better than the Deeres in my experience. I am told they addressed a lot of the issues on the older RTV 500/900 models, but I never looked at those, so I can't say personally.

I like/shop/own both brands, so either Deere or Kubota would have been fine, but the RTV-X1120D popped to the top of the list with some big advantages, including build quality/construction, power/torque, suspension, and the transmission. There is really no comparison between the CVT and the HST, it's night and day difference.

Again, I don't know how the older models compared, but the newer RTV-X models are clear "working class" UTV leaders in my mind. The only disadvantage they have due to diesel/HST is top speed. But my RTV-X1120D hits 28 mph and that is plenty for my uses. I rarely get to go that fast except when traveling large distances on trails.

 

[ultrarunner]

I prefer the X1100 to the X900 especially in hilly terrain, the extra power is a big plus. We sell a ton of the RTV's in all sizes and they're good machines.

Brian

Hey Brian... do you guys keep stock of the RTV line at the Dealership?

Green Valley and the Oakland Kubota did not have a single one to Demo on my last several visits... both said they could order them.

What do you think of the 1120?

 

[brain55]

We usually sell them as quick as they come in and all of the rentals are out for harvest right now too

 

[ultrarunner]

Told my brother he could buy one in Washington and leave it a my place until he can come get it ;-) They always seem to have a lot in stock with one of the guys specializing in the them.

Kitsap Kubota said they would not sell him one or even quote price since he is not local... funny thing is Kitsap advertises Kubota Skid Steers in the San Francisco Bay Area...

I guess the worst thing for a Dealer can do to a customer is say we don't want your business.

 

[coobie]

Personally, I prefer the Kawasaki Mules over the John Deere or Kubota!

And why is that?I have owned both Kubota RTV 900 & Kawasaki 4010 mule gasser.Just curious..

 

[RoyJackson]

No personal experience with the Kubota, but Kubota product do have a good reputation.

That said, I have the Gator 855D (diesel version of the 825i). This has been a great UTV. It, IMHO, more of a work UTV than a play UTV. Plenty of torque at fairly low RPM (as compared to most gas powered UTVs...but my experience is only with Deere and Polaris).
It really depends on what you want to use it for...work mostly or lower speed (about 30 or so MPH is the max speed of the 855D) trail running, I'd go for the diesel.