rtv hydraulic bed really worth it

[madvetos]

Just wondering what the rtv owners think if the hydraulic bed is really worth it seems to me to be about 1200 dollars difference. I just am an average user around the homestead. thx for any opinions.

 

[Jason537]

Depending on where you live, but in Canada you can buy the electric over hydraulic motor/pump kits for about $300 from Princess a\Auto. From there you just need to determine the correct ram length.

I have had customers do this in the past after they determined they needed the hyd bed lift.

 

[Hubjeep]

I have the hydro lift on my Cushman and use it often, it is nice to partially tilt the bed when raking woodchips out of it (fully dumped would just make big pile), also nice to just keep driving after a dump without stepping off the vehicle.

In addition, pretending to dump passengers riding in the back while driving gets some laughs.

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

you know if you could get your hands on a hydraulic ram all you really need is a very small air tank and a small 12 volt compressor and you can run the ram off air too. . if you was to run by a junk yard you could probably fnd a small ram and get the hoses at a auto parts store and if your handy with your hand you could have a dump bed setup for under 200.00.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

Just wondering what the rtv owners think if the hydraulic bed is really worth it seems to me to be about 1200 dollars difference. I just am an average user around the homestead. thx for any opinions.

I don't remember how much extra the lift option was for my HPX but I am sure glad I have it

 

[yankeerider]

The hydraulic dump was a big part of the reason we bought our HPX. My wife wanted something with serious capacity-including dumping-to upgrade from her golf cart. She didn't want to be driving the 755. She loves the Gator and has made extensive use of the power dump in the few months we've owned it.

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

yup when you got a load of dirt and your the only one to dump it it helps alot i bet even when there's two people it's alot easier on the back. i have a rear rops rack i built a few years ago and to help offset the weight of the bed i take some bungee cords and hook one end to the rack and one end to the bedrails . two cords on each side lift the bed up real easy i never tried it with a load of dirt in it though. maybe my next utv will have the auto dump bed . i would say that if your buying one new or if you have the chance to get one !GET IT! i'm sure there will be a day when you say to yourself man i'm glad i got this thing when i did!!

 

[art]

We've sold quite a few RTV's and less then one a year normally without it. Now one that has it on from the factory is far cheaper then to add one as a kit. I'd buy it with as it's really cheap if you need it later or you find that chore that you wish you had it!

 

[DennisArrow]

We run a wood stove instead of our heat pumps so we do a lot of wood hauling. When cutting it sure is nice to load up the bed with those big pieces and take them up to the splitter and just dump them right next to the splitter. When we cut, we often have the tractor bucket to roll them into and then just raise the bucket, run under with the RTV and and lower the bucket. This is for the really big 24-36 diameter hickory and oak pieces cut to 20 inches. They GET HEAVY by hand.

When we burn, we go down to the wood pile, load it on, and then drive up to the house. There we raise the bed, keeping the tailgate closed and the wood is just right there in front of you to get an armful and put on the stack by the front door.

We also clean out our goat sheds and use it as compost on the garden. Great to run the RTV into the shed fill it up and spread it by slowly raising the bed as you move forward a few feet.

We use a horse stall mat in the bottom of the bed. Really helps hold stuff in place and protects the bed quite a bit. Also dampens noise. I cut notches at the corners which totally keeps it in place. It's great to be able to raise the bed to easily wash it out, take out that very heavy mat by just lifting a bit a sliding it out. Be sure to do this pretty regularly cause stuff and moisture get under there and causes rust.

Anyway............get the factory installed dump......no question..........one can mickey mouse all day; but you will just be making excuses and kickin yourself for not doing it the right way...........Dennis

 

[GatorNT]

I have a Gator XUV with the hydraulic dump. It is well worth the money. We haul dirt, gravel, stones, hay, wood, manure with it. Without that dump, I don't think we would have much left of our backs.

 

[LBrown59]

rtv hydraulic bed really worth it

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Depends on your love hate relationship with a shovel.

 

[2fast2]

The hydraulic lift is essential for my wife to use the XUV for all her landscaping needs. Expensive and highly recommended.

 

[madvetos]

first thanks for the responses. I should have mentioned that I have a tractor with loader . Something tells me that I would be loading the bed most of the time with the loader. Seems to me I would be just dumping twice once with loader and once with hydraulic bed. Dont get me wrong It seems like a nice option, but for close to 1400 dollars difference just doesnt seem to make dollars or cents. Sorry if I seem a little frugal just tryin to watch my wallet. Thanks again for all the responses and this is a great community.

 

[2fast2]

Have tractor with loader, too. Find we use the XUV more, tractor less. Just another tool. Sometimes you grab the big hammer, sometimes the little one, but two hammers are better than one

 

[David_Kb7uns]

If you are trying to be frugal with your money there are a lot of cheaper options out there to zip around on your property such as golf carts or ATVs. But if you are buying an RTV to do work on your property I find it hard to believe that the hydraulic dump would not help and does not add much in cost overall. If you have a B or BX tractor then several bucket loads will fill the RTV bed and it is faster to move around with then the tractor. When it comes to wood a well stacked load of wood is probably more then two bucket loads for my L3130 and just takes seconds to unload at the wood shed.

David Kb7uns

 

[coobie]

Just wondering what the rtv owners think if the hydraulic bed is really worth it seems to me to be about 1200 dollars difference. I just am an average user around the homestead. thx for any opinions.

I had a 2002 Kawaski 3010 mule without the Hyd.lift and now I have a 2006 RTV 900 with it.Needless to say I would never go back.coobie

 

[madvetos]

does not add much in cost overall

$9500.00 to $10700.00 + $120.00 in tax = $1320.00

 

[David_Kb7uns]

Now if you really want to argue, try to decide if it worth the extra cost between the RTV900 and 1100, just think about having to go out and get wood or check on things in a storm when it is blowing rain and in the 40s. I know people back east have bad weather but sometimes the rain we get here is heavy and it is nice to get a chance to dry out after getting soaked plus the friends are impressed when they go out hunting with you.

David Kb7uns

 

[madvetos]

Now if you really want to argue, try to decide if it worth the extra cost between the RTV900 and 1100, just think about having to go out and get wood or check on things in a storm when it is blowing rain and in the 40s. I know people back east have bad weather but sometimes the rain we get here is heavy and it is nice to get a chance to dry out after getting soaked plus the friends are impressed when they go out hunting with you.

David Kb7uns

sorry if it seemed like I was argueing with you didnt want that. I was just trying to show the dollars difference $1320.00 which is a lot of money to me. I will say it does suprise me a little that no one is against your opinion. I will have to put more thought into this. thanks again.Ps. right about now I would kill for the forties last week here in indiana it was about 20 beloww zero farenheight today not too bad low was about 5 below lol