Kubota RTV1100 Concerns

[Howell1244]

I recently bought a used 2008 Kubota RTV1100 with under 300 hours on it. It's in nearly excellent condition and has been garage kept. I love the machine, especially the enclosed A/C cab in this Texas heat. I use it for various work duties around my house (3 acres), and on two small ranches (family owned, parents' places), nearby. It is a handy piece of equipment with lots of power using it in dry weather for daily duties. I also plan to use it for hunting this fall on a 6000 acre ranch in west Texas. My two main concerns are; 1) the noise it makes. Is it too loud? My first thought when buying this machine was that the deer will get used to hearing it after a while (a few weeks of consistent driving around in it on the ranch), and 2) how well is this 2300 lb vehicle with only 11" of clearance going to do in muddy, hilly terrain? It does fine in this terrain in dry weather. I took it out there and it did great. But, I have not tried it in the mud yet. Can someone tell me about their experiences using it for hunting and using it in muddy terrain? Thanks,

 

[FTG-05]

I take my RTV 900 in 2wd up and down hills on my place that I won't take my L4330 in 4wd.

I did upgrade to 26x11-12 Blackwater Evolutions however; they look and work great!

RTV, BW Evo tires and the front hill I live on:

 

[art]

You do have to watch for the radiator from getting filled with mud although the water normally would just flow through. They do build winch kits and you will be riding in comfort.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I have a RTV1140 and have for over 5 years. Love it, wife loves it, Grandchildren love it but mud is not it's friend. Check different tires and or winch. I have work tires on mine. Snow is no issue as long as it isn't 2 feet deep.

 

[ovrszd]

I agree with everyone else. Get different tires. The RTV is not highly capable offroad. With that said, everyone's perspective/expectations are different.

In your case, definitely add a winch. Also invest in an accessory kit which should include a tree strap, snatch block and a couple clevis'. You will need them.

 

[ovrszd]

Welcome to TBN!!!

 

[ProjectKing]

Biggest issue with RTV in mud is weight and wheel speed. Due to hydro transmission it just can't sling the wheels fast enough to clean tires and keep up momentum.

Of course this is all relative. And depends on how much mud you are trying to go through.

 

[KubotaToy]

Welcome, and you have a nice looking, barely used RTV. I agree with FTG-05, you will need better tires for mud and as others said get a winch (never thought I would ever use one but I use it quite often). I have two sets of rims and tires. I like the work tires around the farm, the mud tires wear out too quick on the rocky ground and dirt roads I drive on.

I occasionally give in to my buds and hit the trails with them (none of them have RTVs), I hit bottom pretty often in real soft mud but can hold my own if choose my path carefully. The reason they ask for me to tag along is I can carry a lot in the bed and the RTV is pretty good at pulling others out of some really deep mud. But I do that in the comfort of my air conditioned cab.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Your tires look to be a bit like mine, GETTING A BIT LOW ON TREAD. My ATV tires like yours used to do well in mud but I now find that I have to switch to 4 WD to go thru places I used to go easily in 2 WD. Get yourself some really aggressive treads on your tires and you will be ok. A winch is good insurance to help you get out of those really bad situations.

SO a winch and some good tires should be on the RTV before you go out in the mud too much.

 

[Howell1244]

It does have the 3000 lb winch on it already, so I will expect to use it then. I will look into getting some mud tires later. Thank all of you guys for the advice and input!

Howell Williams - Lake Fork, Texas

 

[Howell1244]

I like those tires on your 900. I will check into some like those.

 

[rox]

I take my RTV 900 in 2wd up and down hills on my place that I won't take my L4330 in 4wd.

I did upgrade to 26x11-12 Blackwater Evolutions however; they look and work great!

RTV, BW Evo tires and the front hill I live on:

View attachment 477546View attachment 477547

REAL pretty view FTG, real pretty. That long concrete driveway cost you some.

 

[Paystar]

Good read. I have been thinking about buying an RTV 1100. Sounds like it should do well, since unlike a lot of people I have no expectation of mud bogging or doing high speed runs with it. I have my Polaris Sportsman's for that.
I have hundreds of miles of logging roads I ride here. Would be nice to have that cab on cold and rainy days.

Should I have any concerns about the hydro trans on longer trail rides....like 60 to 80 mile loops.

 

[ovrszd]

I don't think you have to worry bout the HVT overheating. It's basically a tractor HST system.

My 900 will run high engine temps if pulling a heavy load or long wide open runs. Almost gets in the red on the gauge. Never boils over. Might be the gauge not being accurate.

Just remember, 25mph is the max. You might try going for a cruise on the Sportsman and never exceed 25mph.

It's gonna take you 3 hours plus to run 80 miles at constant wide open speed.

 

[moriboy]

We have had an RTV on our place since 2008. It has more pluses than minuses overall. The things we don't like are mostly related to speed, and especially the lack of performance on hills. It's pretty heavy with relatively small tires so performance in mud is marginal. The other thing that stinks is the lack of door windows that can be opened.

One thing is for sure, they are very solid and reliable and ours has only needed general maintenance.

 

[Paystar]

Thanks Ovrszd and Moriboy. The new RTV1100 have roll down door windows now.

And I was just throwing a number Ovrszd. Probably wouldn't go that far. Anyway, I did try the speed on my Sportsman and it was about what I cruise with the kids anyway. I just want an all weather cruiser/worker.

 

[moriboy]

I recently purchased a Polaris General, for the long rides it's much more comfortable but not nearly as good in bad weather. I don't think there is a perfect machine for every condition.

 

[ovrszd]

Thanks Ovrszd and Moriboy. The new RTV1100 have roll down door windows now.

And I was just throwing a number Ovrszd. Probably wouldn't go that far. Anyway, I did try the speed on my Sportsman and it was about what I cruise with the kids anyway. I just want an all weather cruiser/worker.

And with those needs in mind, I believe the RTV is your best choice. The cab is first class. Wish they were a bit more versatile with easily removeable doors and windshield like a Jeep.

 

[Paystar]

That's how I'm looking at it. I already have the Sportsman and a CR500 motocrosser......so when looking for a cabbed workhorse/cruiser......those new Rangers and Generals cost as much as I can get a new RTV for. So why not have heat, AC and a stereo...and hydraulics!

 

[JESSE1]

I've had mine for two years now. Comfort level can't be beat with the a/c and heater. I use it around the pasture and cows so speed is not real important but be aware that they accelerate slow and unless you're going on a downgrade you're not going to hit 25mph. I've had mine to 24 and I had about run out of pasture by the time I got there.