Need to buy a new UTV, wow there's alot!?

MilesToEmpty · May 25, 2009

Ive been floating around here for a month or so now and now have a need to post so, I registered!

We owe about 40 acres in WV. 2 Seperate locations... 20 is very rough rocks and never gets used but will one day build my own house on it.

We have about 19 acres on the bend of a creek. Its mixed between hilly, grass, rough terrain, creek, and lots of down trees to be moved, and rocks etc.

Anyway, we in the process of getting some new equipment. Replacing the Encore ZTurn mower with a Scag, and trying to repair our John Deere 420.

We have a Grand L3130 Kubota with the Heavy duty loader and backhoe, so that does all the heavy duty hauling.

For our UTV, we have a Cub Cadet Big Country 6x4. We've owned it since it was first released and bought it over the Deere because of the suspension.

Its really not good for hauling anything but people around the property and small equipment.

Looking for something to not necessarily replace the 6x4, atleast not yet, but to use along with it...

We like the Kubota, having 2 tractors with the hydrostatic we are familiar with the drivetrain.

I myself like the New Deere 620 XUV... but I have friends suggesting the Ranger and the Rhino.

Not clue where to really start. We need something with more clearance then the 6x4 has, more maneuverability, and still be able to throw a few heavy things in the bed.

Thanks,

Charles

And here's just a little view of the property

RollingsFarms · May 25, 2009

you're right, there are TONS of these things out there! do you have to have new? i was just reading my local trader paper the other day and counted at least 4 UTV's with very low hours selling for what seemed like good prices. there seem to be adds for these things every week lately. i too was deciding whether to purchase another atv or spring for a utv. the 3 that caught my interest the most when i was shopping were the John Deere XUV 850diesel, Kubota 900/1100 RTV worksite, and the Polaris Ranger. i mention the diesel for JD because it's not that much more money for the diesel over the 620i(good bit under $1,000 difference if i remember correctly). some people don't like the fact that the Deere is belt driven so they opt for the Kubota. i dont recall any complaints from those who own the JD however. the Kubota appears to have the best cab(if you decide to get one fully loaded with ac and all) and the transmission is great, although i have heard some complaints of it being jerky when taking off or not needing the brakes when coming to a stop due to the braking of the hydro tranny? i never got to drive any when i was entertaining the idea because i went ahead and bought a Honda Rubicon. there are times i wish i had bought a UTV but 95% of the time i'm happy i chose another atv for the work i use it for. experienced owners can give you better reviews then i can but those 3 would be a good starting point i think.

IXLR8 · May 25, 2009

MTE- Nice place.
If you can wait 2 months there will be another diesel UTV to choose from, a new Kioti. They are using the 22hp diesel engine from their small tractor.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kioti-buying-pricing/138092-25-order-who-wants-second.html

MilesToEmpty · May 25, 2009

My main concern with the Kubota is beat the crap out of it dependability.

Its going to be a great piece of equipment, but I feel its the tank, when you would need an ATV.

We were looking at ATV's, but that limited who could drive one and such. And getting up to the 6-7k on a serious ATV, leaves much to be desired for 10k to be have a dump bed, and carry 2 people.

The most imporant features for us would be:

Navigate to places our 6x4 cant get to due to the ground clearance.
Stability, cant have this thing toppling over on hills (driving with common sense)
A Winch, and hood rack compatibility.
A strong bed... Our CubCadet has a metal bed, and its rather large.
Towing/pulling. We yank alot of trees across 34 acres distance and it needs to be able to handle that, or atleast getting it to our tractor.
And my mother needs to be able to drive it.

Thats why we were looking away from ATV's. And we would like to sell the 6x4 down the road but dont think we could get to much for it.

Charles

MilesToEmpty · May 25, 2009

IXLR8 said:
MTE- Nice place.
If you can wait 2 months there will be another diesel UTV to choose from, a new Kioti. They are using the 22hp diesel engine from their small tractor.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kioti-buying-pricing/138092-25-order-who-wants-second.html

Looks like a complete RTV knock off lol.

Father looked at Kioti when buying our first tractor and something realy pushed him away.

Nelson Dairy · May 25, 2009

My grandfather has a kubota utv with the diesel engine in it. the only thing that we really do not like about it is that when you let off the throttle it will almost scoot the back tires and throw you into the steering wheel. i do not know if it is just the transmission in the diesel or in the gas also. i have driven a club car with the kubota diesel in it, and will not do that.

MilesToEmpty · May 25, 2009

Sounds like the normal hydo Kubota to me, but sounds like the weight is the problem there.

We had a Kubota dealer that would give us great prices, but they were jsut bought by Winchester equipment in VA and now they are required to follow the same prices.

Shame too, they gave us almost 5k off our Kubota, Upgraded us to the HD loader, gave us the grill guard, and the larger bucket on the backhoe. They would have given us a better price to on the RTV.

I think the Ranger XP looks like a blast and a heavy duty worker, but something about it looks chinsy compared to the new gator's.

farmboy12 · May 25, 2009

We have been looking at UTVs not so seriously here for a while as well. One thing we have, is a gas golf cart. They are great, you turn the key on, but it doesn't run til you press on the pedal. We have ours lifted just enough to get some tires under it, and it is about 10-12" off the ground to the floor, and my 64 year old grandma loves the thing. She's the main driver, but my 4yo niece can climb right up, too. It's lowest point is about 8". Most come already with canopies, and easily available windshield, they are all the same. But I have yet to see a real nice cab for one yet.

Also, when the time comes for our big party every year, we get two more from our local dealer. A gas one with a dump bed, and a 6 seater electric. The dump is absolutely great. Same easy drivetrain. I've had about 500lbs in the bed, and also towed a 1200lb trailer, a 100lb drag through some thick stuff, and a 400lb roller. All this with 2wd. They come available with 4wd. I would highly consider an EZ-GO, which is what we have, but EZ-GOs, Club Cars, and Yamahas are pretty much all the same.

Hope this helps,
Kyle

lungdoc · May 25, 2009

We recently got a Ranger 700 XP after strongly considering Kubota and Deere XUV. The bench seat on the Ranger is very comfortable, much more than Kubota in my opinion and the Kubota feels much more "agricultural". The XUV just isn't as practical with bucket seats - very nice to be able to take three people when you need to. The ride and clearance on the Ranger is excellent and the dump box is very well designed and balanced so you don't need a power dump. Very good system for mounting accessories and loads of storage spaces. Easy to use, especially like the "one wheel drive" (open diffs) mode where you won't chew up a lawn or gravel drive turning tight. Tons of accessories if you want to dress them up.

MilesToEmpty · May 25, 2009

farmboy12 said:
We have been looking at UTVs not so seriously here for a while as well. One thing we have, is a gas golf cart. They are great, you turn the key on, but it doesn't run til you press on the pedal. We have ours lifted just enough to get some tires under it, and it is about 10-12" off the ground to the floor, and my 64 year old grandma loves the thing. She's the main driver, but my 4yo niece can climb right up, too. It's lowest point is about 8". Most come already with canopies, and easily available windshield, they are all the same. But I have yet to see a real nice cab for one yet.

Also, when the time comes for our big party every year, we get two more from our local dealer. A gas one with a dump bed, and a 6 seater electric. The dump is absolutely great. Same easy drivetrain. I've had about 500lbs in the bed, and also towed a 1200lb trailer, a 100lb drag through some thick stuff, and a 400lb roller. All this with 2wd. They come available with 4wd. I would highly consider an EZ-GO, which is what we have, but EZ-GOs, Club Cars, and Yamahas are pretty much all the same.

Hope this helps,
Kyle

We looked at the EZ-Go before we bought our 6x4 back in the day, and it just wouldnt cut it. The fact that you need 4 wheel drive on the property is a must. Even to get up some of the roads we've setup you need 4wd.

lungdoc said:
We recently got a Ranger 700 XP after strongly considering Kubota and Deere XUV. The bench seat on the Ranger is very comfortable, much more than Kubota in my opinion and the Kubota feels much more "agricultural". The XUV just isn't as practical with bucket seats - very nice to be able to take three people when you need to. The ride and clearance on the Ranger is excellent and the dump box is very well designed and balanced so you don't need a power dump. Very good system for mounting accessories and loads of storage spaces. Easy to use, especially like the "one wheel drive" (open diffs) mode where you won't chew up a lawn or gravel drive turning tight. Tons of accessories if you want to dress them up.

Thats good to know. My mom actually mentioned the Ranger earlier when I was talking to her about them. Completely surprised my father and me.

Whats the bed made out of? They look like plastic...