UTV for Snow Removal and Yard Work?

[Wiggles92]

I'm looking to get a UTV that would mainly be used for snow removal and yard work. It would be used for plowing my driveway and the parking lot of my warehouse. It's yard work duties would consist of hauling equipment as well as mulch & dirt. The terrain around my house is very hilly, so it must be able to cope with that.

It must have power steering and a bed/cargo box that can be dumped. Trailer hitch attachment points are a plus. I'd prefer to keep it under $15,000 including the winch & plow, if possible. Also, a decent top speed would be a nice bonus as well since I'd be able to drive it from my house to my warehouse (provided that it's legal to do so), but I have a trailer if that doesn't work out.

I know that there's a Yamaha dealer, an Arctic Cat dealer, and a Kubota dealer nearby, but there may be others as well.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Misfire]

Arctic Cat and Yamaha are unsuitable for yard work since they have permanently locked rear axles which will tear up the yard. Kubota has several models which are very safe on hills because of their hydrostatic transmission, all of which are governed at 25 mph. The smallest of those, the gas powered RTV500 does not offer power steering, so you are probably looking at something in the diesel powered RTV900 series or better. There are several owners of those models that post here regularly. I'm sure some of them will come along soon and respond with more information.

 

[PICK]

I run a Kabota RTV1100 and it is great for snow removal. The 1100 ticks all of the boxes that you listed on your wish list. The down side is the price. You will probably be in the 18k to 20k range. A big side benefit of the 1100 is the enclosed heated cab. Sure takes the misery out of plowing snow. Good luck on your rinal decision.

 

[PapaPerk]

Sounds like you want an RTV900.

 

[leongs]

Kubota RTV 400ci has the power steering, & it's very easy on tight turns.

 

[WilliamBos]

Look at the Polaris Rangers. You will be well within your budget. And the Polaris should have turf mode (unlock tne rear diff ) too.

Good luck.

 

[Misfire]

Kubota RTV 400ci has the power steering, & it's very easy on tight turns.

I have driven two different RTV400cis. It didn't seem like either one had power steering, although the steering wasn't particularly heavy. Since the 400ci is designed at a price point below the RTV500, which has the same chassis and no power steering, power steering would seem rather odd for the lowest end unit.

The 400 doesn't have the hydro advantage on hills, either.

RTV400/500 Specs

Misfire

 

[Misfire]

Look at the Polaris Rangers. You will be well within your budget. And the Polaris should have turf mode (unlock tne rear diff ) too.

Good luck.

Only works on flat ground. No Polaris model allows 4WD drive without a locked rear differential.

Misfire

 

[leongs]

I have driven two different RTV400cis. It didn't seem like either one had power steering, although the steering wasn't particularly heavy. Since the 400ci is designed at a price point below the RTV500, which has the same chassis and no power steering, power steering would seem rather odd for the lowest end unit.

The 400 doesn't have the hydro advantage on hills, either.




RTV400/500 Specs

Misfire

Thanks Misfire for the correction of my steering statement. My bad. I have tried all 3 of them 400, 500, & 900. 400 is the lightest IMO.

 

[Misfire]

Thanks Misfire for the correction of my steering statement. My bad. I have tried all 3 of them 400, 500, & 900. 400 is the lightest IMO.

I agree on the 400 being the lightest. I have not driven the 900. I drove a used 500 first, immediately followed by a new 400. I mentioned to the salesman, and a Kubota Rep that happened to be visiting, that I thought the 400 had lighter steering. They both seemed puzzled to hear that. I also made some comments about the vibration. The Rep was not particularly happy to hear what I had to say. Hopefully, yours isn't too bad.