utility vehicle with auto dump bed

Soundguy · Jun 18, 2005

My wifes been wanting one of those overgrown 'golf cart' jobs with a dump bed.

Any sugestions. the only one we have seen are the ones at tractor supply.

Cheaper is better.. trying to buy on a bidget. pretty much only thing it needs is seating for two.. automatic dump bed, and a topper of some sort.. hard or soft... windshield is nice.. but could live without.. etc.

Soundguy

FL_Cracker · Jun 18, 2005

Try the Kawaski Mule.....

If you want a Diesel and are willing to let go of a few more $$$ then go with the Kubota RTV

Mule is around 8K and RTV is 10K

GOod Luck

bczoom · Jun 19, 2005

My dad has an EZ-Go cart that he likes and sounds like it may be similar to what you need.
Gas engine, power dump, windshield, roof...
Not as heavy duty as a Mule or RTV but good for chores around the house and stuff.

DarinRay · Jun 19, 2005

I say go for a MINI TRUCK. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I have a RTV900 and mini trucks and work wayyyyyyyyyyy more with my mini trucks than I do with the Kubota. I mean try loading material in these short bed UTV's with your loader and see where the product goes. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Well unless you have a shovel and don't use your loader. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Run down the road even in a drizzle rain or when it's buggy out in a open cab UTV and then jump in the truck. Not to mention travelling at 20mph compared to 60mph when you want to.

Darin

Gerald · Jun 19, 2005

Soundguy, I sure have enjoyed my ezgo workhorse.
It's about a year old and has about 160 hours on it now.
Not one problem with it and it uses very little gas.
You see where it gets to sleep at night, new F-250 outside!
Wife says I am crazy, she may be right.
Gerald

BlueToy1 · Jun 19, 2005

Both Yamaha and Kawasaki have thier own versions and pretty well have the bugs out of em, but their close to 10 grand.
I've never seen a mini-truck before. What do those cost & do you have a link?

bczoom · Jun 19, 2005

( I sure have enjoyed my ezgo workhorse.)

That's the one my dad has (although his is older) and really likes.

DarinRay · Jun 19, 2005

See my attachment for the picture of one. They are nice little machines and for $3750 you can have a truck that has a standard bed and $4750 you will haev one that dumps as well.

Darin

DarinRay · Jun 19, 2005

oops forgot the pic. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

BarryinMN · Jun 19, 2005

I bought a used diesel Gator w/power dump a couple of months ago from local dealer, after 2 days of running errands between house & barn, plus trail rides, rock picking, etc. - should have bought it 10 years ago. The diesel Gators have a 40 amp alternator which is handy for extra Winter lighting. Cost a grand total of $3700.

TOMMYHPX4X4 · Jun 20, 2005

get yourself a gator hpx . it goes through alot .my son puts it throuhg this trial and the rutt is wayy deeper then the clearense and it just goes right through it.i'll try and post some pics.

TOMMYHPX4X4 · Jun 20, 2005

TOMMYHPX4X4 · Jun 20, 2005

another

bczoom · Jun 20, 2005

Darin,

I see you've incorporated a security system with the truck. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gifAre you including in that price or is that an option?

DarinRay · Jun 20, 2005

LOL.. Yeah they like to take rides but dont' think I could part with them for any money. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Waiting to sell one of these babies to a TBN'er.

Darin

bczoom · Jun 20, 2005

( Waiting to sell one of these babies to a TBN'er.

Darin )

I'm still considering but I need to part with at least 3 or 4 more things first.

TBrown · Jun 20, 2005

I believe the ones at TSC are the same ones you find at Sam's Clubs- the Yerf-Dog. They were running somewhere between $4000-$4500. I looked at them and almost bought one, but I ended up with my Snapper Groundscruiser for almost the exact same money. The Snapper specs out a little better than the Yerf-Dog, but the biggest selling point for me was the Kawasaki motor. Parts are readily available for the Kawi but I'd never heard of the manufacturer of the Yerf-Dog motor before (don't remember the name but it was Korean, I believe). The Snapper also comes with a factory ROPS bar and seat belts, a big plus when you've got a nine-year-old driving it around. The dump option was another 250 bucks. I don't have the top nor have I priced one out.

John Deere is making a small gator now, the CS and CX series, and I looked at them as well. Nice machines. The CS lists for $3999 and specs out the same or better than the Yerf-Dog. Hard to go wrong with Deere.

These are all basic UTV's. I don't think any of them have rear suspension so the ride can be a little rough at high speeds. I bought mine because my wife hated trying to back up a lawn tractor and cart... in fact, she'd sooner struggle with a wheelbarrow. The UTV's are simple and operator-friendly like a golf cart. She has no qualms about using the Snapper, and it's helped turn her gardening back into the enjoyable hobby it should be and not a chore. Money well spent.

twinstackram · Jun 20, 2005

soundguy, we just traded our boat that we only used one last year for a polaris ranger,went with the ranger, one because we could trade our boat for it,second was it has a higher top speed not that we're speed demons just nice for the road,four wheel independent suspension,rides great,can haul a #1000 in the bed or pull #1500.

the list price was $9399,but there is a dealer in tenn. that sells them wholesale out the door $8177 that's for the 4x4,we love it,we've already put more hours on it than we did our boat last year,and we've had it a week and half.

one thing about any of these utv's is thatno matter what happens if you have just one wheel touching the ground you will not get stuck.

I posted a few months ago about getting rid of briars around my pond,well guess what I just found it,I go through first with the ranger and then turn the boys loose with there four wheelers,worked great.

twinstackram · Jun 21, 2005

the one thing that the polaris ranger don't have is the auto dump,you have to add that yourself,and it's pretty expensive,it comes from the factory with gas shocks for the dump.

but having visited my in-laws in southern florida,I would definately go with a water cooled machine for durability.

no matter what choice you make you and your wife will wonder how you did it with out one of these machines.

I just have to find a place on the trailer so we can take it to some of the tractor shows.

another thing I found out is if you want some of the extras for these machines,don't buy from the dealer unless you have to,the extra (creature comforts) are very pricey,thats why I will make my own windshield,found a soft top for $80,but I am buying a front brushguard from my dealer,just because I have some instore credit coming.

just do a search on the net,figure out what you are going to do with it exactly.

once your wife finds what she likes she will understand what we mean by seat time.

texbaylea · Jul 4, 2005

I found a EZ-GO workhorse 1200, 2wd. It has a ball cage meaning windshield, back window, hard top and metal mesh sides and doors. It came from a golf driving range. By the way my wife loves it as it solves her mobility problems about our place.

I am looking for an electric dump kit for it.

This rig cost me $2100 and will require some work in the future but it satisfies us.

Vernon