UTV Roominess for Elderly

[yooperdave]

If you were to provide someone in their 80's a UTV so they could get around hilly property in the Midwest all 12 months of the year, what would you get?

A golf car would be somewhat acceptable for 6-7 months of the year, and would be easy to get into and out of, but the intent is to have mobility in the snow, mud, etc. for most of the year.

Which UTV's are the easiest to get into and out of, and provide the most room in the seating area?

TIA

Yooper Dave

 

[coobie]

If you were to provide someone in their 80's a UTV so they could get around hilly property in the Midwest all 12 months of the year, what would you get?

A golf car would be somewhat acceptable for 6-7 months of the year, and would be easy to get into and out of, but the intent is to have mobility in the snow, mud, etc. for most of the year.

Which UTV's are the easiest to get into and out of, and provide the most room in the seating area?

TIA

Yooper Dave

Kubota RTV and kawaski mule 3010.We have owned both and find them roomy.coobie.

 

[smstonypoint]

Yooper Dave,

I have the Kubota RTV 900 and find it roomy for two adults. However, I can see how it (and other UTVs) could present entry and exit problems for the elderly. It would make sense to me to have the seniors check out all of the competition (Kubota, Ranger, Mule, Gator, Rhino, etc.) for ease of entry and exit.

Steve

 

[farmboy12]

I hate to just keep on saying this, but I would go Polaris Ranger. They have a lot of room in the cab, and do one of the best jobs off road. The only thing is is that they are a little taller than a few others, and that 2(or so)" difference, could mean the inability for them to get in easy.

We have two golf carts, one about 2002 (+/-) EZ-GO gas, and a 2009 EZ-GO electric. Both standard one forward, one backward seat. We have about a mile and a half of trails, and go through mud. All we have is some more agressive tires on them, and just enough lift to make them fit. When we bought the gas in summer of 2007, it was $4500 after all the accessories (windsheild/lift/tires). And our brand new electric that we bought this summer ran around $7500 with those accesories, plus horn and lights. Both nice machines and we take them through a lot, and never had them stuck after a lift. I am actually looking into a front blade so I can clear snow on the electric.


Kyle

 

[timswi]

The farmer up the road bought his dad a Mule for tooling around the pastures. I believe that he is in his 80's. He's always out running around on that thing.

 

[DraftHorse]

I have a RTV 900 that my FIL uses regularly. He is 87 and walks with a cane. He has no problem getting in on the drivers side. I added a set of rifle racks inside for him to put his cane and a strap on handle on the passenger side for him to get in and out when I am driving. He is a little over 6'.

Hope this helps.

Peter

 

[DraftHorse]

I forgot to mention that I added a hard cab and heater for the colder days. He keeps complaining that the heater sometimes makes it too hot in the cab.

 

[Joe_R]

Great minds think alike. I just ordered a Polaris Ranger 400 for my 80+ year old inlaws. They live on their own on 40 hilly / wooded acres, with a long, steep gravel driveway in ski country south of Buffalo. She has a bum hip, that limits her ability to walk; he has to plow the driveway with a large PTO mounted snowblower.

I picked the Ranger 400 for a few reasons: (1) small, so it wouldn't intimidate her. In the summer she drives her car 300 yards to the farm pond for her daily swim because she can't walk that distance - this is to be her summer car. (2) narrow, so he can take it down some narrow, steep logging roads to gather firewood and do creek maintenance. (3) Ranger, because of a ground clearance that looks to be at least a few inches more than the competitors.

I outfitted it with the stock Polaris winch and 60 inch Glacier II plow so he'll have an alternative to the big John Deere / snowblower combination when the snow is less than a foot or so. I put the canvas cab enclosure on it (but with a hard plexi windshield) so they can park it outside the house overnite without worrying about it being exposed to the weather.

I'll report back after Christmas Eve to let you know how it worked out. If it allows them to stay in their house an extra year or two, it will be money well spent. If not - I'll get a Ranger 400 sooner than I planned.

 

[DaveOmak]

Yooper Dave, Google "electric Utility vehicle"

There are tax credits for buying an electric vehicle. You may get it for almost nothing. There are 4wd models etc. No maintenance, Quiet. They are pretty cool. Dave

 

[Dargo]

I'd certainly have to strongly suggest the Kubota RTV lineup. I have pictures somewhere of taking my grandparents around to remote parts of my property in either my RTV900 or RTV1100. They were in their upper 90's when I took them around to places they'd never been and would never be able to get there again. If you are looking to have them drive the machine, I'd definitely advise installing a coast valve in the RTV for them.

Otherwise, the RTV900 and RTV1100 have about the perfect seat height for ingress and egress when it comes to elderly riders. They really aren't a step up nor a step down and they have easily accessible grab handles. Acceleration is mild on both units which means there's no way you're going to snap their necks back by accident like you certainly could with faster units such as a Rhino or Ranger. With it's full factory cab and climate control system for all seasons, it would be a "no brainer" choice for me to go with an RTV1100. If a cab isn't needed to keep out bugs, keep the occupants warm/cool and out of the wind, I'd certainly also look at the Mule offerings or a diesel JD. Having gone through quite a few units myself and having driven most every other model out there, I can't see even a remote thought of getting a Ranger, Rhino, Rzr or Teryx. Great machines, but definitely the wrong tool for the described job.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I'd certainly have to strongly suggest the Kubota RTV lineup. I have pictures somewhere of taking my grandparents around to remote parts of my property in either my RTV900 or RTV1100. They were in their upper 90's when I took them around to places they'd never been and would never be able to get there again. If you are looking to have them drive the machine, I'd definitely advise installing a coast valve in the RTV for them.

Otherwise, the RTV900 and RTV1100 have about the perfect seat height for ingress and egress when it comes to elderly riders. They really aren't a step up nor a step down and they have easily accessible grab handles. Acceleration is mild on both units which means there's no way you're going to snap their necks back by accident like you certainly could with faster units such as a Rhino or Ranger. With it's full factory cab and climate control system for all seasons, it would be a "no brainer" choice for me to go with an RTV1100. If a cab isn't needed to keep out bugs, keep the occupants warm/cool and out of the wind, I'd certainly also look at the Mule offerings or a diesel JD. Having gone through quite a few units myself and having driven most every other model out there, I can't see even a remote thought of getting a Ranger, Rhino, Rzr or Teryx. Great machines, but definitely the wrong tool for the described job.

Ride quality would be one reason to consider a UTV like the Ranger or XUV over a Mule or RTV

 

[Dargo]

Ride quality would be one reason to consider a UTV like the Ranger or XUV over a Mule or RTV

Not at all in my opinion. A Mule, RTV or XUV weighs considerably more than a Ranger and, accordingly, has a softer ride since they are not designed to take jumps and bumps at high speed. Unless granny wants to go blazing through rough trails, I'd strongly give the advantage to the slower and heavier side by sides I mentioned.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Not at all in my opinion. A Mule, RTV or XUV weighs considerably more than a Ranger and, accordingly, has a softer ride since they are not designed to take jumps and bumps at high speed. Unless granny wants to go blazing through rough trails, I'd strongly give the advantage to the slower and heavier side by sides I mentioned.

So if you pull the Ranger out of consideration wouldn't a UTV with independent suspension of equal weight still ride better then one without? Without going back and researching everything the XUV and Landprides Trekker both had IRS and were both equal in weight and capability of the Mule/RTV without IRS.

 

[radman1]

I would consider the Polaris Ranger. Much better/softer suspension than the RTV or Mule. Both the RTV and Mule use a Dion (sp) type rear axle. Basically a spring rear axle. My brother has a Mule and I have driven an RTV and Polaris Ranger xp. Ranger has much smoother suspension. No hassle of adding a coast valve to an RTV to stop the whiplash stops. All 3 are fairly easy to get in and out with bench style seat. Newer styles with EFI gas engines are easy to start regardless of temp.

 

[zzvyb6]

I'd still keep the golf cart in mind. My Yamaha only needed an ag tire in the right rear (traction) and one on the right front (steering) to go over the river and thru the woods to Grandma's house. Easy start and stop. No special shifting. Folks are already familiar with the BAS (belt / alternator / starter) drivetrain. Easy to trailer, parks in the garage, windscreen, easy on and off, not likely to roll over, sips gas...

Good one is about $2000 around here. Makes a good mailbox-run vehicle for us. Even My dog Jake with some joint issues loves to go with us on it. He's been known to step on the pedal, too and take it for a spin all by himself...

 

[yooperdave]

I'd still keep the golf cart in mind. My Yamaha only needed an ag tire in the right rear (traction) and one on the right front (steering) to go over the river and thru the woods to Grandma's house. Easy start and stop. No special shifting. Folks are already familiar with the BAS (belt / alternator / starter) drivetrain. Easy to trailer, parks in the garage, windscreen, easy on and off, not likely to roll over, sips gas...

Good one is about $2000 around here. Makes a good mailbox-run vehicle for us. Even My dog Jake with some joint issues loves to go with us on it. He's been known to step on the pedal, too and take it for a spin all by himself...

Hi Bill,

What kind of luck do you have in the snow and hills with a golf car?

My family has owned a golf course for over 30 years in the UP, and have a fleet of Yamaha gas golf cars. I can't imagine they would climb snow covered hills even if I put on R1 or R3 tires, and lifted the body a few inches. Golf car would probably be the cheapest way to go though. I just do not want someone to get stuck far away and have trouble getting home.

Regards,

Yooper Dave

 

[hebren]

I test drove rtv 900 and 500 and mule 610 along wirh polaris ranger , ended up buying used polaris ranger with 44 hrs was easiest riding of all test. Have had my back fractured and it woukd hurt after test driving all others except ranger. I would have purchased new kubota if could have withstood ride with my back injury

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I test drove rtv 900 and 500 and mule 610 along wirh polaris ranger , ended up buying used polaris ranger with 44 hrs was easiest riding of all test. Have had my back fractured and it woukd hurt after test driving all others except ranger. I would have purchased new kubota if could have withstood ride with my back injury

The RTV1100 is tough to drive as far as I am concerned. On smooth trails the ride is fine but if you go over rough ground you better let it crawl or else it will bounce you. What was hurting my back the most was holding the hydro pedal non stop as there is no cruise control on it and it takes constant pressure to keep it moving and that strain is what hurts my back. 5 mile drives between farms was terribly painful in that thing just from holding the hydro pedal forward. I was on smooth asphalt roads so the ride wasn't bad just the hydro pedal.

I really do wish Kubota would refine the RTV's more as they are good machines but could be great machines with just a few minor modifications at the factory

 

[tharmas]

Well I am 85 years young and have given up my Yamaha big bear SE.and bought myself a Kawasaki Mule .I am using it to blow snow with chains on the rear wheels and a Kimpex snowblower attached .In the summer, I shall use it to tow my Alamo flail mower to keep the brush down on my hilly 2 acre plot . I have only just got the UTV but I am already finding it much more comfortable to drive than the ATV .With the ATV which I had for 10 years I found the steering very heavy ,and my elderly carcus protested too much .
Geoffrey

 

[timswi]

Well I am 85 years young and have given up my Yamaha big bear SE.and bought myself a Kawasaki Mule .I am using it to blow snow with chains on the rear wheels and a Kimpex snowblower attached .In the summer, I shall use it to tow my Alamo flail mower to keep the brush down on my hilly 2 acre plot . I have only just got the UTV but I am already finding it much more comfortable to drive than the ATV .With the ATV which I had for 10 years I found the steering very heavy ,and my elderly carcus protested too much .
Geoffrey

You sure don't sound elderly to me...Riding an ATV up to a year ago...WOW!!!

Good for you, sir...