UTV questions, RTV500, Mule 610, Ranger, etc.?

[Powersports4life]

I use my machine for pretty much the for the same things you do except I do plow. I purchased a 2009 ranger efi 700 2 years ago and think it's a pretty good machine but at the end of the day it's more of a toy. I sold it recently and just purchased a diesel rtv. I did this for several reasons. The durability and longevity of diesel motors are a great advantage. These things are beasts! I have two kids 10 and 11 and they love it. Speed was also not an issue for me because now my kids can drive it and not go 50 mph!! I am extremely happy with my choice to go with a machine more geared toward work yet joy riding with the kids is still a blast. So far no issues in the mud for me. That being said I only had the tires on for a few days and then put on mattracks. I did go through some fairly decent mud holes in those few days. My only advice for what it's worth is take your time and buy something that's going to last you (diesel, decent low hour machines in your price range) I have made impulse purchases to many times due to cool factor etc. only to regret it later on. Good luck with whatever you decide and I'm sure you and your family will enjoy it either way.. Cause thats what it's all about right. Cheers

 

[DCTCJT]

For strictly work... the RTV. For lighter work and some "fun"... the UTV.

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

if your in the need to haul alot of weight like more than 400lbs the rhino isn't the one for you but the rhino will get you into and out of just about anyplace you could think of and a few that you thought you couldn't go through. it's narrow has great ground clearance and is a joy to ride in because of the suspention. if you live in a hilly area try to get an 08 or newer model because they have the efi wich is way better than the carb when it come to starting and hills. i have pulled a 7k lb forklift with my 700 rhino and i thought it would never be able to do that i also pulled my friends daully 1 ton dodge that was stuck and it done that too the only thing i don't like about them is the cargo weight haulling capacity but if you get a small trailer to pull behind it it will do the job.the trv's and mules are nice and they will haul just about anything you can fit into the bed but they are not to offraod friendly they are heavy and have very little ground clearance . the rtv's are very heavy and have very little shock travel to the ride is going to be rough .if you get into some mud where there is no hard bottom i think your gonna need a good winch for them because you will sink and keep sinking .

 

[BoneDigger]

Right now I'm keeping my eyes on the Craigslist classifieds, but I'm leaning towards the Mule 610XC. I just wish it were an EFI. The RTV is nice but the seats worry me since I would like to carry my two girls. The Ranger is great but way expensive. Even used ones are exorbitantly expensive.

The Yamaha is nice but I gather they don't have an unlocking rear differential. My yard is very sandy and I don't want to tear it up.

I'm not too hip on joy riding but it's nice to cruise around the deer lease and look for pigs. I usually do that at a slow clip anyway so the 25mph governor doesn't really bother me.

I just want a dependable UTV with a bench seat for 3 (2 children) that cranks easily and can do light mud. Shouldn't be too hard right???

Todd

 

[grnspot110]

I bought my 550 Mule (predecessor of the 610) 12-1/2 years ago. It's served me well, overloaded many times! Only 2WD, but I've only been stuck with it a couple of times that I couldn't get out with the differential lock. Very little repairs, one exhaust pipe, brake cables & new seat cover. It's the size I need & I'm not after speed (18 mph). If I were going to replace it, I would go with the 610 4WD. ~~ grnspot

 

[Powersports4life]

Right now I'm keeping my eyes on the Craigslist classifieds, but I'm leaning towards the Mule 610XC. I just wish it were an EFI. The RTV is nice but the seats worry me since I would like to carry my two girls. The Ranger is great but way expensive. Even used ones are exorbitantly expensive.

The Yamaha is nice but I gather they don't have an unlocking rear differential. My yard is very sandy and I don't want to tear it up.

I'm not too hip on joy riding but it's nice to cruise around the deer lease and look for pigs. I usually do that at a slow clip anyway so the 25mph governor doesn't really bother me.

I just want a dependable UTV with a bench seat for 3 (2 children) that cranks easily and can do light mud. Shouldn't be too hard right???

Todd

The seats worry you on the rtv? They all have a bench seat that I'm aware of. Me and my two kids fit great on mine. I was just looking at the mule. Looks like a nice machine as well.

 

[BoneDigger]

Yes, on the rtv500 the seat is cutout in the center with the parking break mounted below the seat. That makes it a little uncomfortable for the middle rider. The larger units would be different but I would only be interested in the 500.

Todd

 

[Powersports4life]

Oh ok.. Yes that Was also a must for for me having three seats.

 

[BoneDigger]

Thanks guys. Any other comments?

Todd

 

[timswi]

.if you get into some mud where there is no hard bottom i think your gonna need a good winch for them because you will sink and keep sinking .

Ain't that the truth...Got stuck in an open field once (very deep fill dirt) and I had to build a deck under it to get out...i tried to forget that ever happened, now you rememind me...Thanks