Work UTV ... narrow down some choices please

TSO · Mar 22, 2015

Hello ... Looking for a work machine for my wife. Something to truck around feed, water, straw, garden supplies, rocks, firewood, etc.

I'm not really familiar with all of the offerings, and hoping someone can narrow down some contenders ... And rank them as well.

Here's the requirements:

4x4
2 seater.
Open station.
Dump bed.
Good payload & towing.
Slow ... Not looking for speed.
Price (low) and good financing (cash poor at the moment).
Reliability.
Ease of maintenance.
Easy to operate.

I'm most familiar with the JD units, and was leaning towards the Gator HDX. JD website says it's around $9500 msrp, but not sure on retail price. Was gonna go look today at my local dealer but they're closed Sunday's.

Which machines would compare directly with the Gator so I know which to look for? And what are some of the prices I should expect to see?

Thanks in advance!

biffnh · Mar 22, 2015

I am not experienced with all the options, but from your criteria ( exactly the criteria list I had) I suggest you look at the Kubota RTV's. Perhaps a bit more than your price range, but everything else matches. Diesel, sips fuel, great payload (1100 lbs), hydraulic dump, not fast, but great power, HST with fantastic engine/ transmission braking, creeping capable, great pulling power, 60/40 seating, independent suspension all around, etc. etc. I have the RTV-X900 and love it. Easy maintenance, great engineering and fairly quiet!

C4Ranch · Mar 22, 2015

Do you care if gas or diesel?
I have a Ranger but Wouldnt recommend for your application.

My BIL has a Mule.. Might be the ticket for you.

Industrial Toys · Mar 22, 2015

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.

truckdiagnostics · Mar 22, 2015

Gravely makes a UTV now. Designed just for work?, they are not cheap. Supposed to have a higher towing and payload capacity. They are made here locally, so everybody around here thinks they are the best thing since sliced bread.
Utility Vechicles

ovrszd · Mar 22, 2015

Whatever you buy, you'll get what you paid for. Not sure your idea of a good price will coincide with a good work UTV. I'm not even sure you are ready to commit the kind of money it'll take to buy something worthwhile. We'll see.

Will_C · Mar 22, 2015

That Gravely looks a nice unit. I always recommend a Kubota or a Mule for someone looking for a work UTV. I have a RTV and my brother has a Mule. We have both been very happy with them- they have handled more than the listed capacities many times. The Mule is 13 years old and the RTV is 2. Neither has and any needs besides routine maintenance.

Will

TSO · Mar 22, 2015

ovrszd said:
Whatever you buy, you'll get what you paid for. Not sure your idea of a good price will coincide with a good work UTV. I'm not even sure you are ready to commit the kind of money it'll take to buy something worthwhile. We'll see.

What is that supposed to mean? I've added about $75k in new bills in the last 14 months building up my equipment inventory for my business ... The well is getting a bit dry!

coolreinfarm · Mar 22, 2015

I have a 2009 Kubota RTV500 with 350 hours on it i bought for my wife, it is a two seater open, gas engine. I paid 8200 for it new and have had no problems with it. It starts in 0 degree weather just fine, it has a steel bed that i wanted, not sold on plastic, i plow snow with it. Its not big and not a diesel and thats what i wanted. Worth a look, i do not like the RTV400 , looks like a lawn motor with a belt but its cheaper.

TSO · Mar 22, 2015

coolreinfarm said:
I have a 2009 Kubota RTV500 with 350 hours on it i bought for my wife, it is a two seater open, gas engine. I paid 8200 for it new and have had no problems with it. It starts in 0 degree weather just fine, it has a steel bed that i wanted, not sold on plastic, i plow snow with it. Its not big and not a diesel and thats what i wanted. Worth a look, i do not like the RTV400 , looks like a lawn motor with a belt but its cheaper.

I looked at the RTV500 today. The bed seemed really small. I think the specs show the payload at only 441 lbs. Looked like a nice machine, but I'd want a bigger bed and more payload.

Code54 · Mar 22, 2015

The smaller mules are pretty reasonably priced and very solid machines. They are not made for speed, or hardcore 4 wheeling but great workers that are known to last!
If you could come across a lightly used Kubota you maybe able to get a decent price on a solid machine.

aczlan · Mar 22, 2015

TSO said:
I looked at the RTV500 today. The bed seemed really small. I think the specs show the payload at only 441 lbs. Looked like a nice machine, but I'd want a bigger bed and more payload.

No, its 430kg, 949 pounds (per: https://www.kubota.com/product/rtv500/pdf/rtv400_500_spec.pdf ).
We have a RTV500 and aside from the small bed, it has been a great machine. It doesn't have much ground clearance, but that also makes for a low floor height and bed height.

Aaron Z

Texas Dawg · Mar 22, 2015

The Intimidators are made by the same company that makes Bad Boy Mowers in Arkansas. They are making the soon to be available Mahindra line of UTVs. I have never used one but the reviews so far have been favorable. The size of them is almost like the Japanese mini trucks (which a 4 wheel drive version may also be an option). Anyway, back to the UTV's, the diesel Truck Series UTV will tow 2100 lbs and the bed will hold 1200 lbs. Don't know if this is what you had in mind, but it is another option to consider. Classic series also comes with a large towing capacity and with that one, you can get the dump bed.
Truck Series - Intimidator 4x4 UTVs

MinnesotaEric · Mar 22, 2015

TSO said:
Hello ... Looking for a work machine for my wife. Something to truck around feed, water, straw, garden supplies, rocks, firewood, etc.

I'm not really familiar with all of the offerings, and hoping someone can narrow down some contenders ... And rank them as well.

Here's the requirements:

4x4
2 seater.
Open station.
Dump bed.
Good payload & towing.
Slow ... Not looking for speed.
Price (low) and good financing (cash poor at the moment).
Reliability.
Ease of maintenance.
Easy to operate.

I'm most familiar with the JD units, and was leaning towards the Gator HDX. JD website says it's around $9500 msrp, but not sure on retail price. Was gonna go look today at my local dealer but they're closed Sunday's.

Which machines would compare directly with the Gator so I know which to look for? And what are some of the prices I should expect to see?

Thanks in advance!

The Yamaha Viking looked better than Deere's offerings. Curtis also makes a hard cab for it too and the entire package is lass then the Deere.

Yamaha ad copy. No matter what you get, I hear that electric power steering for work UTVs is pretty much required for ease of slow speed maneuvering.

aczlan · Mar 22, 2015

EricTheOracle said:
No matter what you get, I hear that electric power steering for work UTVs is pretty much required for ease of slow speed maneuvering.

Not sure I agree, we haven't had any issues steering our RTV500 (granted, we don't have a plow on the front, just a winch and brushguard). Yes, its a little harder to turn than the BX, but its not bad.

Aaron Z

Industrial Toys · Mar 22, 2015

Yes, as far as my 2000 era mule is concerned, power steering would have been a really nice plus. However, I am so afraid of what this thing could cost to repair, that I am not sure I would want that added complexity.

Green Power · Mar 22, 2015

Ive been thinking these look pretty great... Prowler HDX » Arctic Cat

TSO · Mar 23, 2015

aczlan said:
No, its 430kg, 949 pounds (per: https://www.kubota.com/product/rtv500/pdf/rtv400_500_spec.pdf ).
We have a RTV500 and aside from the small bed, it has been a great machine. It doesn't have much ground clearance, but that also makes for a low floor height and bed height.

Aaron Z

You're right, 1058 for the RTV400, 948 for the RTV500. Do you know pricing?

aczlan · Mar 23, 2015

TSO said:
You're right, 1058 for the RTV400, 948 for the RTV500. Do you know pricing?

We got our RTV500 in 2009 and I think it was in the neighborhood of $11k with the plastic canopy, glass windshield, winch and front brush guard.
We have had it loaded to the gills and it has handled everything we can throw at it.
Ours needs the throttle cable to be adjusted (pushing on the gas pedal moves the throttle cable and the transmission "shifter" lever, need to have it get a few more RPMs for a given transmission position) and I need to get a wireless remote for the winch, but otherwise, we have been happy with it.
Looking at: http://www.dms.myflorida.com/conten...2 LINE 7 KUBOTA UTILITY VEHICLE, OFF ROAD.pdf it looks like prices have gone up somewhat so one like ours would now run 12-13k (depending on how much of a discount we get off of list).

Aaron Z