Work UTV ... narrow down some choices please

[Hermio]

When I bought my Mule, back in the early 2000s there were scant choices in this market. Now everybody and his brother makes something like this. I am sure, they are all not created equal. But how do you weed out the good from the bad? A warning though. Repairs on these things are astronomical! They are a very usefull, fun and friendly means of getting around and performing chores. But heaven help you, if you abuse the thing or worse use it to move snow. The hydrostats are obviously better in the heavier use category, but there is still the issue of the front driveline.

Although I have a Diesel Mule, I am kind of sniffing around for an Electric Gator in addition to. The Mule (Diesel) is kind of Noisy, and after a day of listening to various Diesel Engines, it might be nice to have a nice quiet drive and sneak up on some turtles sunbathing.

Yeah, that is why I chose the Kohler gas engine on my Intimidator. That, plus a $3000 higher price tag on the diesel, and the fact that the diesel is liquid cooled instead of air cooled. That means more maintenance. For $3000, I can get the Kohler gas engine replaced when it wears out.

 

[biffnh]

I love my RTV X900. I've had it for nine months. 240 hours and 1200 miles. Use it every day. Hauling tools, lumber, ladders, firewood, gravel and plowing snow. Nice ride, great hauling capacity, fairly quiet, and sips fuel.

 

[ultrarunner]

^^^ Any glitches or warranty work?

 

[Hermio]

I love my RTV X900. I've had it for nine months. 240 hours and 1200 miles. Use it every day. Hauling tools, lumber, ladders, firewood, gravel and plowing snow. Nice ride, great hauling capacity, fairly quiet, and sips fuel.

Based on my experience with a Kubota B7100 HST tractor, I imagine the HST drive on the RTV X900 is probably more reliable than any of the belt-type CVT drives on just about all other UTVs, including my Intimidator. It is pretty bulletproof, and it is smoother, especially at creeping speeds. But I had several reasons for preferring the Intimidator: 1) price; 2) Ground clearance (11" vs. 7.5"); 3) suspension travel (10.5" vs about 4"); towing capacity (2100# vs. 1300#); 5) full-length armored underbelly for use off road; 6)Tire size (27" vs 25") and, finally, 6-passenger capacity vs. 2 or 4. In short, the Intimidator can meet my needs better. But I do expect its maintenance costs to be higher than the Kubota product.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I have a Kubota RTV500, my brother has both, a RTV900 and a Kawasaki Mule... We use them for hunting and work...

I really like my 500, it's a bit smaller than the 900 and I like that. My brother likes his Kubota much better than the Kawasaki, I don't think he would buy another Mule.

For hard work, the drive line is MUCH better/HD in the Kubota's and although the RTV's aren't cheep, I think they are worth the extra to get the better drive line.

IF I was buying one with more "playing" in mind, I'd without a doubt buy the Yamaha...

DM

 

[Hermio]

The way I use my Intimidator, the Kubota product just would not work. In particular, I would worry about how vulnerable the underside is to stumps and sharp objects.

 

[kwbretired]

I also have an Intimidator diesel. Haven't gotten to ride it too much though but will makeup for it in a couple of months when I retire again. I'm currently dabbing/installing guard rails all the way around. All I have left is the front then most all the plastic will be protected. I was blown away on how well the intimidator is built & the comfortable seating. Can't wait to get it up into Arkansas to break it in. I wish I could get solid half doors for it though but they aren't available yet, mat end up making my own.

 

[Hermio]

I also have an Intimidator diesel. Haven't gotten to ride it too much though but will makeup for it in a couple of months when I retire again. I'm currently dabbing/installing guard rails all the way around. All I have left is the front then most all the plastic will be protected. I was blown away on how well the intimidator is built & the comfortable seating. Can't wait to get it up into Arkansas to break it in. I wish I could get solid half doors for it though but they aren't available yet, mat end up making my own.

If you make your own doors, you have to show us pix!

 

[biffnh]

I find the ground clearance is significant on my RTV X900 and the entire underside is belly pan protected. I can't see that rough terrain would cause a problem. The only problem I have had with mine (1,500 miles and 260 hours since November 2014) is the muffler "weld" at the manifold cracked. As a result the increased vibration caused the forward muffler bracket to break. Kubota made good on it after a bit of a hassle. It sips fuel and the HST is fantastic - good engine breaking and creeping up hills is easy. It is a workhorse of a machine, as much a tractor as it is transportation. Love it.

 

[Hermio]

I have no doubt about its ruggedness. I had a Kubota tractor with HST for many years. But the price was too high for me, and the ground clearance too little. (The Intimidator has 11") I did not know the RTV had full belly protection.