Utility vehicle questions

[Martian]

Obviously our personal biases are coming out. As mentioned, any of these mentioned will work out great.

My only experience is with the Polaris Ranger 700. I've really liked the 2 across seating, as someone else said that has turned into a major big big plus for it. The extra width also gives it more stability. With that comes the negative of needing a trailer 6 feet wide to haul the thing - many small utility trailers are 5 feet wide so if you need to haul it at times, consider that too.

But, the few times I'm a passenger on any other UTV, I feel terribly cramped for foot room or seating on the other brands.....

In a cold climate like you & I have, the gas engines seem to work well. My Ranger starts at below zero temps just great - think fuel injection is the key for that.

I remember Gators as the rather slow, practically no suspension machines they used to be. I think the newer breed of Gator will serve you well, they have really ramped up their offerings.

--->Paul

Unfortunately I know those Gators way to well. Between the 6x4 and the 4x2, they don't handle, drive or operate very well. Really wouldn't recommend those unless your doing serious work. My HPX that I have now is worlds better than the old ones and the XUV's are even better. As you mention that's my personal bias. Get whatever you want. There's a lot of difference in these UTV's so you have to find what fits you both.

Springs not here yet I still have some time to think and I'm not sure if I'm going to go new or late model used

I wouldn't get a used UTV unless you are very comfortable with it. UTV's can be abused a lot easier than tractors, buy with caution. I'd go new, but if you find a really good deal on a like new one from a farm, then a used would be nice.

 

[countryboy8]

Strongly agreed

 

[Gary Fowler]

For work, I dont think you can beat the ability of the Kubota's, however, lots of buyers shy away from them when they see the prices. $12-16K is a lot to pay for a utility vehicle. I bought my RTV900 used with 68 very gently used hours on it in 3 years which is why the guy sold it. It was perfect in everyway, just like off the showroom with a full tank of diesel for $8500 which I thought was a bargain for a now $12K machine. You really have to have a need for pulling and hauling capacity to justify the cost of the Kubota RTV, but I wouldnt trade mine for 2 of anything else especially in gasoline models. I expect my engine to be purring away long after I am gone and I just dont think a gasoline engine will do that in the other competitors models. As for starting, just a second or two of glowplugs and it fires right up, although 25F is about the limit I have tried it since it doesnt get really cold in Arkansas. With block heaters though I wouldnt expect anything different in -40F. I love the true tractor type transmission in my RTV900 and the braking I get. I expect the brakes to last me a lifetime as I hardly ever use them. IT does take a bit of getting used to to drive them as you cant just take your foot off the pedal and slow to a stop, it is more like screech to a stop if you do that, but once you learn to feather the throttle to stop, you will love it and the diesel consumption is miniscule. As for pulling, it will turn all the tires in 4 WD which is all one can expect. I cant say the belt drives will do that but my only experience is with my brother-in-laws gator. His 4 year old gator wont spin the tires with out burning the belt and it is just 2 WD. We tried to use it to drag my 6' boxblade out of the shed and it wouldnt move it, the RTV pulled it out easily in Med range, 2 WD.

 

[Boeing]

Anyone try the LANDMASTER LM-650?
I was looking for the most AFFORDABLE UTV available in 4 WD. Made in Indiana, (USA) which is a nice departure from the norm....
Info...?:thumbsup:

 

[countryboy8]

I dont doubt that the kubota Is a work horse but I'm looking for recreation/work and I don't know if I can justify that type of expense for the amount of work involved plus it can be 25 degrees here in sept/oct. November can be -25 and there will be too much snow to use it anyway so I'm looking for some thing from about April 15 to November 15 If I'm lucky then factor the two types of fuel and potential starting problem and question heavy work factor and I just keep coming back to gator

 

[countryboy8]

And boeing I'm with you on buying from north America I'm just not familiar with that type of machine

 

[Gary Fowler]

The selections are numerous and depends on your use. If you arent looking for something that will still be running after 2500 hours then go with gas. As I said, unless you really need a long lasting multi-purpose workhorse, it is hard to justify the cost of a Kubota RTV. The RTV 1100 with cab and AC/heat will run as much as a small compact car ($14K at least) and for many folks, that dont need the versatility, they can buy at least 2 UTV for that money. I wouldnt be afraid to buy used though if it looks taken care off.

 

[Rod in Forfar]

Countryboy:

Your original post suggested that you need a UTV to haul grandkids around, drive trails, and do light maintenance work on your property. The ideal vehicle for that would be a Polaris Ranger TM, the low-buck UTV Polaris produced from 2004 to 2006. These machines are wide, durable and cheap in comparison to the 4WD models. The differential lock enables the TM to do a significant amount of off-road work, but it's not shielded for deep water and mud adventures.

The dump box works well for strategic deliveries on lawns and turf sensitive to tractor tires. During spring thaw it can work on soil a tractor will tear up because of its weight and aggressive treads.

Our Ranger is used primarily as a people and tool mover on our 107 acre property. The three-across seating is particularly useful.

The simple drive system, good suspension and excellent brakes make the TM a good vehicle for the inexperienced driver.

We've put 500 hours on my 2004 TM and posted a series of reviews of it on my blog at Walnut Diary .

 

[countryboy8]

Thanks for the suggestions but I'm still leaning towards the gator but I don't know which one would be right for me the xuv 620i or the 825i

 

[EddieWalker]

I went with the Kawasaki Mule and I don't have any regrets. It's tons of fun for trail riding, mudding and driving around friends. The dump bed is big enough to haul just about anything that I need, and it's super comfortable and easy to drive. My 70 year old Mom drives it all the time!!!

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/atvs-utility-vehicles/181191-barebones-mule-your-suggestions.html

Eddie

 

[Martian]

Thanks for the suggestions but I'm still leaning towards the gator but I don't know which one would be right for me the xuv 620i or the 825i

They are nearly the same in what they will do, in terms of cargo capacity, but the 825i is over double the horsepower for about $1000 list price more. If you really don't think that the extra 27.5HP and 14MPH extra will ever do you any good, save your money and invest in snow plow or a cab. But, if that extra thousand dollars is really going to hold you that far back, may want to hold off the purchase. If it's me, I see the clear choice between those two as the 825i, I wouldn't need (would like) the speed, but would love the power of a 50HP automotive engine.

 

[Wnc3]

The 825 is soooo much quieter than 625 and a much smoother running engine.

I almost bought one, bought Suzuki samurai instead.

 

[countryboy8]

Thanks for the help Im Not going to get it until the snow is gone (6-7 weeks) still thinking

 

[Martian]

Thanks for the help Im Not going to get it until the snow is gone (6-7 weeks) still thinking

I understand your wanting to wait, but you may want to consider a blade for next year. My HPX has handled 3' of snow with ease. May be a nice thing to have.

 

[countryboy8]

This year has bin a funny one but we live in The hills northeast of thunder bay Ontario Canada and we can get 3 inches of snow in the first period of a hockey game. having a plow would be of limited value here

 

[sunnyside360]

I stopped by one of the larger John Deere dealers yesterday to snoop. I noticed they had two 2011 Gator 825i machines reduced about $1500 and may even deal down from there. I suspect they will move quickly. You may want to check them out in your area if you would like to save some dough --- not sure much if anything changed between 2011 and 2012 models.

 

[countryboy8]

The 2011 would be good to me

 

[crazyal]

I got my BR about this time of year two years ago. It was last years model and a demo so I got it for $7500. You may want to check around and see if any dealers have a demo they want to sell. The dealer I got mine from was in the middle of a city so the knobs on the tires were rounded over and some of the paint was scratched off from people getting into it but it came with a full warranty and they did the first oil change for free.

 

[countryboy8]

A couple scratches and the nobs off the tires to me that would happen in the first two days you found a good deal

 

[countryboy8]

If I was to get a plow for a gator which plow would you suggest also on the gator bench seats can you get a third seatbelt