Work UTV ... narrow down some choices please

johncar · Oct 3, 2015

I just took delivery of a Kubota RTV-X1120D a couple of days ago and I decided for what I do with it, to go that way amongst all the competition mainly due to the HST. I traded my Polaris Ranger Diesel because the stock transmission I found to not like hours of slow constant travel as in when I am spraying weeds or similar around my property as it would get hot and cause problems. I figured that other brands using similar systems may not be too happy either so I kept away from belt drives this time around.
But like everything there is no one answer and it very much depends on what you do with it, type of terrain and how you need to operate it. The Polaris for example was great for various other tasks and a very capable buggy for general transport.
I am on very hilly ground with lots of slow to creep travelling needed up and down hill and I want reasonable load carrying capacity and stability and after a lot of sleepless nights tossing brands and models around, that was my decision, so I hope it doesn't disappoint. The RTV-X1120D does not come cheap but I can see the value in them being fairly heavy duty looking compared to some others in a similar price range.
I also wanted something that was easy for my wife and family to feel safe diving around with full engine braking, power steering and good fuel economy.
The ground clearance of this Kubota is around 10 1/2" (265mm) front and rear and about 11" (280mm) under centre and about 8" of suspension travel, a relatively heavy unit at 2061 lb (935KG) with good wide track keeps it fairly well planted, good ride and certainly hilly rough terrain capable.
This unit does have full front to rear steel belly protection as well.
Hydraulic lift dump bed will be handy also and I believe that one could attach a miriad of hydraulic attachments or portable tools if desired.

Anyhow time will tell. First impressions are great especially with the rock solid slow travelling speeds more like a little tractor but plenty fast enough for me too opening it in high range. Quieter and smoother to what I was used to.

To me it very much fits the bill as a UTV work vehicle and seems that is designed from the ground up for that purpose. If it is reliable I should be very happy with it.

Hermio · Oct 4, 2015

I know what you mean about the need for slow speed while spraying. We could use the ability to creep more slowly when we spray. We end up doing a lot of starting and stopping, which will increase wear on the clutch and maybe the belt also. High speed capability is overrated. Though our Intimidator is rated to 33 mph, we generally use it at 1-5 mph in the woods. When crossing fields, 15 mph is plenty fast enough, though we have had it above 20 mph, but never up to 30. Anyway, I hope you enjoy your RTV for years to come. We used the savings to help pay for a new Mahindra 5035 HST tractor. We also wanted 6 passenger capability for the UTV. That left us with 3 choices: Intimidator Crew, Viking Crew and Kawasaki Mule. At the time, Polaris and Kubota did not have 6 passenger models.

johncar · Oct 4, 2015

Thank Hermio,
Yeah it really boils down to a lot of personal things when choosing a good work vehicle. Your Intimidator does not seem to be available here in Australia or I would have been sure to check them out. I thought I saw they will be building them for Mahindra so perhaps down the track Mahindra Australia may bring them in if they think they can market them here.
The extra seating is great and something I will miss, I seriously considered the convertible 6/3 seater Kawasaki Mule and possibly would have went that way but got talked into the HST in the end and that was more to do with my Ranger Diesel clutch over heating worries. The Kawasaki may have been just fine and not like the Ranger design but it was very similar price to the Kubota so time will tell whether we make the best decisions.
I would have liked to have saved some cash too because I would really like to get into a lighter and easier to drive, tractor because I am getting old and weak, lots of clutching and heavy braking take it out of me at the end of a day, so the RTV purchase has set those plans back somewhat unless I can convince the manager for finance otherwise..

MinnesotaEric · Nov 2, 2015

With my ailing back so far the only UTV I can sit in without pain is the Yamaha Viking. What I don't like about the Viking is the single thumper engine's vibration and noise, the power steering that doesn't offer enough assist at stop to low speed, and lower fit and finish, or I should say "polish" insofar as thinking things out in comparison to the Ranger. However, while out tire kicking Ferris mowers (I'm thinking about purchasing an i700 with maybe the Vangard engine), that same dealer shared with me that Can-Am is coming out with a new UTV called the Defender.

Having Driven the new Pioneer 1000 from Honda (it hurt me, and was a little fiddly to get in like the Ranger, and Gator), the Polaris 900 (it too hurt me, and I wanted to like it), I'm hoping the Defender will pan out!

Here is some info on the Defender. Can-Am Defender Review | UTV Guide

Hermio · Nov 2, 2015

I do like the bucket seats in my Intimidator. It is only 25 Hp but it will go as fast as I ever would want it to on my property. 30 MPH in the fields and 5 mph in the woods is about the limit I will go to. It is amazing how many manufacturers there are in this segment.

petebert · Nov 2, 2015

I'm looking into a UTV for basic farm stuff, some hunting, that's about it. Oh I'd like to plow a long driveway with it too.

Right now these are the ones I'm looking at. A brand new Mule 610, around $7000. A local dealer has a 2009 Rhino 700 that's been dealer owned this whole time. Already includes a plow, less than 100 hours, $9000 out the door. Just found a 2013 Kubota RTV-X900 for around $4000, I'm waiting to hear back from the seller about how many hours it has.

Hermio · Nov 2, 2015

An RTV for $4000 sounds like a steal. It might be worthwhile for readers to share their experiences using a UTV with a snow plow. I have heard some say the suspension and drive train are not really adequate for this task. The light weight of a UTV is an issue, too. But if you do not let the snow get more than 3" or so deep before plowing, that might be OK. I do like the idea of being in a cab while plowing. I have always plowed with an open tractor. It gets pretty cold doing that!

petebert · Nov 2, 2015

Those were my exact thoughts. I also currently plow with an open cab tractor. Sounds a lot nicer to have a closed cab UTV with electric heater sitting in my garage that I could get into in the morning. I also wondering about their capability to do so, you've got a 1000lb vehicle and figure a single load of snow is easily 500lbs.

Even if I can't plow with it I still look forward to not having to walk through the snow to the barn, carrying feed bags over my shoulder in the snow, etc...

DIXIEDOG · Nov 2, 2015

Hermio said:
An RTV for $4000 sounds like a steal. It might be worthwhile for readers to share their experiences using a UTV with a snow plow. I have heard some say the suspension and drive train are not really adequate for this task. The light weight of a UTV is an issue, too. But if you do not let the snow get more than 3" or so deep before plowing, that might be OK. I do like the idea of being in a cab while plowing. I have always plowed with an open tractor. It gets pretty cold doing that!

This couldn't be further from the truth, UTV's work excellent for plowing snow. I prefer my Gator 825i over the fullsize plow trucks I have owned and over using my International 2544 or Kubota BX tractors.

The 825i is very fast at snow removal, it's easy to get in close to things and still see....it's also much more maneuverable than a truck or large tractor. My Gator weight 1700 lbs....the Boss V plow is over 400 and then I have 600 lbs of sand bags in the bed....at pretty close to 3k lbs with driver, fluids and gear it's not a lightweight...compared to the BX weighing under 2k it's a heavyweight. I plow snow when the storm is done most of the time, I have plowed 18" storms in a single shot and although it takes longer due to spillage out the sides of the plow the 825i still does it with ease.

Hermio · Nov 2, 2015

I hope others will share their experiences also. I opted not to get a plow for my Intimidator because, whereas it is among the beefiest UTVs on the market, its axle size and front end are puny compared to the Kubota B7100 HST I just got rid of. (And it was only 16 Hp!). Also, though my Kubota weighed in at about 2300 lb as equipped, it was insufficient at times to push the heavy wet snow we get in Ohio. I bought a new Mahindra 5035 HST, and it weighs 9000lb with nothing on the back, due to the liquid in the tires and the heavy FEL with combo dozer/snow blade. The snow blade was actually cheaper for this than a good one would be for my UTV. (I paid just over $2000 for it. The blade weighs about 800 lb.) The Mahindra actually has a smaller turning radius than the UTV. It is about 10' for the tractor, 14 for the UTV. This will be my first winter plowing with this set-up, but I am pretty confident it will move snow on my 2000 foot driveway easily. If we get 3 blizzards back to back I may have to put the bucket back on and shovel it out, but that would be an extreme rarity.