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Spudm

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Are they worth the money?
I look at these things, like a John Deere Gator and think, yea, they're pretty, but are they worth the money?
To me they are not. Your thoughts?
 
I have a 2005 Kawasaki Mule and love it. I wish that I would have bought one sooner. Much better than an ATV if you have the space to get it around and it is a work horse
 
i have a couple 4 wheelers and yamaha gas golf cart. i use the cart to spray fruit trees and general cleanup and transport around the farm. for the most part, the cart works well. if its muddy, forget it. i think a gator with a dump bed would really be handy.
 
I have a Kawasaki Mule also and use it nearly every day. For carrying buckets of feed, hauling firewood out of the timber, spraying weeds, etc, it's handier than a larger tractor.
 
Realize the source when you read this.. I have been a Kubota dealer for 28 years. First John Deer had the gator and Kubota did not offer a utility vehicle , for years dealers ask for one. Kubota finally developed the RTV 900 . Early predictions were for US sales of about 6,000 units a year . From day one sales have always been strong. I hear it ever day "I do not know what I did without this thing" or I will never be without one again" . Can you get by without one , yes. Will you enjoy it and find uses you never thought off, yes. No comparison in a four wheel drive diesel rtv and a gold cart.
 
I have a Yamaha gas golf cart that I use quite a bit in the summer. I really like the John Deere Gator, especially the XUV550, but they're expensive.
 
I guess what it comes down to is that anyone who sinks 5 figures into a brand new UV is unlikely to admit that it is not worth the money. I put it into the perspective of what else can you buy with that money. I do not see the value in what they charge for the new ones. Seems like when I looked at them a pretty basic JD or similar was over $10K. Price went up really quick when you started adding the more desirable features. I have my little Ford 1520 with a loader, 3pt hitch, and 4 WD. It's not real fast, but it gets the job done. Goes in the woods, you name it.
 
You're right! You can have 10-15,000 tied up in one of these real quick. I guess it depends how big your farm is and what you be needing it for.
 
Not worth the $$$ to me my Simplicity Sunstar hooked to a trailer gets me all around my farm and I can go places those utility vehicles can't go plus if I do tear it up I only have around $500 in the Sunstar.Also have a GMC Sonoma to run around the farm in it has a Cab,heater,AC,4WD,radio and I have less than $1000 in it.
 
I look at what an ATV or UTV costs and then look at the price of a good used Jeep. The Jeep will do a lot more. Will be buying a used Jeep instead.
 
I bought mine new in 2004 and I ended up paying around 7500 for it. I had an ATV which I still have but I use the mule more. I added a hyd dump to my box which I made. Thats the results to being a machinst for 25 years. I did not buy one sooner because of the cost and I bought a new tractor in 1988 for less money but it was no comparison to the mule
 
"Are they worth the money?"

That truly is a question only you can answer.

When we had cattle we had Honda three wheelers and then a foreman. Indespensible at calving time.

Cattle are gone and so are the Honda's.

Did have a Cushman Truckster and now have a EzGo tuffone (golf cart chassis w pickup box. I use it some around the farm and would miss it if it was gone.

I have run some of the UTV's and the Cushman's and ezgo don't even come close as to where they will go. Pulling anything with the ezgo really taxes the transmission, the Cushman is rock solid in this department.

All that said if you are dealing with much mud or want to pull a yard drag and need a cargo type box I would recommend a full on UTV if the budget allows. If deep mud isn't a issue a golfcart variant would be a good option.

I do have another cushman that I will go through someday and the ezgo will go away when that happens.

Bar tires are available in golf cart sizes and make a huge difference in greasy conditions.

hth

jt
 
I have a 2011 825i Gator. It is a piece! I've replaced things on it I have have never replaced on a vehicle. It wasn't used when I bought it so I know it's history. It has needed two fuel pumps (and regulators), a set of injectors, all of the CV joints inclised in the frame to the front, a water pump, and I am sure about 40 things I can't think of. If it wasn't so handy that thing would be gone. When the injectors were giving me fits and it was starting to get cold I got mad enough to go out and buy one of those Japanese mini-trucks. Now THAT is a utility vehicle. I wasn't sure how much I would use it so I bought a fairly old one. My only requirement was 4x4. It has heat, wipers, basically a real vehicle with a Gator wheel base and a bed twice as long. Mine it a Mitsubishi and there are lots of dealers if I ever need parts. They even make dump bed ones although one isn't.

I can't believe what it can do. The other day I pulled a hay wagon with five round bales on it down the road and through the muddy lot and pasture. I don't think the Gator would have done it. It is legal on everything but interstates in KS (for farm use). I can't say enough good things about it. You should really look on YouTube and watch some videos. Half the price of a Gator used, same price if you buy a brand new one. I didn't want a new one - if they are sold new here they have to be governed at 25 miles an hour. Mine will run 60 (but I am not that gutsy with the atv tires it has unbalanced on it).

I like the Gator's agility for things like chasing cattle, but it will sit all winter and whenever it rains.
 
J.D. 825I on the farms, got 9 farms rented every sunday I haul the gator to all farms and check on my crops well worth the 15,000.. got a 620I gator at the campground for my wife and I to ride around on think it was 12,000 both have less than 100 hrs on them
 
Had a RTV900 for years, but let it go with the sale of Ranch. Miss it and will get another UTV if and when I get the money. Yes $8K + Using a ATV and trailer now. Works but no as good as a UTV. I Drive several different ones and the Rhino seems to be the best for what we need. The RTV900 was great but slow speed with any kind of grade.
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Only you can answer that. You should know what is profitable for your use or what is not practicle.
I wood much rather be in a pickup that has heater and 4 veel drive. It takes me all day to cover my acreage, with what I got.
 
I am with NOTJUSTAIR on this one. I work at an ethanol plant and we have had several UTV's. The Yamaha Rhinos didn't make it much past 1000 hrs before they were toast. We have a 4010 Kawasaki Mule that has about 3200hrs on it and is in the shop about 4 times a year for everything from u joints, shafts, drive belts and injection problems. We just got a Bobcat 3400 (made by Polaris) that has been in the shop twice already and doesn't have 200 hrs on it. The one that has been there through it all, and has had the crap run out if it? A Mitsubushi mini truck. The guys have beat on it without mercy, and our repairs in 6 years have only been maintenance items. I would definitely buy one of those if I had the need for one.
 
I guess i just have to envy anyone who can justify $ 27,000.00 on two toys that still have to be trailered to their point of use. I say "envy" because I couldn't bring myself to do it even if I won the lottery. Glad you can do it.
 
I bought a used gator last year. It's one of the more basic TX models. I would like to have a 4wd machine but they are more expensive and overall much more complex with more things to go wrong. I use it a lot to get around the farm and would rather run it than a pickup for doing chores. I can get a lot more places and not tear up the grass. It was used a lot last summer as a portable workbench, toolbox and sawhorse.
 
On my farm my gator is the first thing started in the morning and the last thing put away at night. I started with a golf cart and thought that was something until I got my gator. It is handier than a pocket in a shirt. I don't get extravagant, its just a plain two wheel drive and it did not cost me an arm and a leg, its gas and the wheels are yellow. Any thing past that in my opinion is a waste. That is my honest opinion... what I save in fuel not using the pickup has more than paid for my gator. Let us know what you decide...
 
The JD 550 & 825i are nice, but expensive. Lots of different opinions here on the forums, and I really appreciate them all!
 
Harvey2 - I remember a joke about 2 guys talking. One was a rather wealthy guy and the other was a guy of rather simple means. The wealthy guy says (to borrow your statement), "it takes me all day to cover my acreage with my pickup", to which the man of simple means says, "Yeah, I owned a pickup like that once".
 
I would love one, but ended up buying a very used suv (1990 range rover to be exact) paid $600 for it, and everything except the sun roof works! The plan is to remove the rear seat and make a pickup style bed and take all the body panels off that i don't need (fenders etc|) and add some slightly bigger tires...

There are lots of old suvs out there, find one with a decent frame/motor and away you go. That's my 2 cents...
 
Is it the high cost of living or the cost of living high? We will see how many new gators are purchased after a couple of years of $3.50 corn and $9.00 soybeans!
 
We have a deee xuv 550 18hp briggs 4x4 bench seat use it every day utv is way better than a four wheeler... Mini truck is a cool idea I dont know how it would do in our woods though..
 
My friend bought a side by side from Tractor Supply and really likes it. Hand dump body, Subaru gas engine, made in US. I think he paid about 7K 3 years ago.
 
I got a bobcat 2400 4wd I bought it really cheap not running not thinkig I would use it much but I tell you what, now that I've had it for 5 years I don't know what I'd do with out one...
 
If they made one of those for $7500 that was 4WD, dump bed, maybe a few other extras I would consider one. Need a name behind it too. I looked at NH and CaseIH...a couple of close dealers. Started at around $10,500 is my memory. Added what I wanted and I was at $15K before I could blink. My last car cost less.
 
Well, if you think they are not worth the money, then nothing we can say will change your mind.

BUT, you have to own one before you'll ever know the answer to that question.

I bought one new, and like others have said, once you own one you'll never wanna be without it.

They are easy to get in and out of, will go places your 4wd tractor won't go and pack a load doing it, and do it in half the time. I have both and will take the Gator every chance I get.

NOW keep in mind I am in hill country, no flat land anywhere around here so it's all up or down and creek crossings.

My son always thought they were too slow and made fun of my "old geezer's" vehicle....but 4 years later he now owns one himself.
a184527.jpg

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We have an EZGO electric golf cart with utility bed. Knobby tires on the rear and it goes right through mud. Our use is around the yard and basically pasture with some low spots that hold water. Use it most everyday for hauling stuff, visiting neighbors, taking garbage cans to road, checking mail, etc. Like has been said, I can't imagine not having it. Only have around $1800 in it.
 
I have two JD Gators. The older 4x2 one I bought when it was two years old and had 125 hours on it. I gave $2700 for it. It now has 3870 hours on it. I have replaced the drive belt twice and the clutch weights ones. Only fuel and oil besides that. It is run every single day. It is much faster doing chores with it in use.

I also have a JD 825I with the full cab. I found it wrecked and repaired it. I only have around $6000 in it. It is much nicer in the winter as you have a cab with heat. The 4x4 is nice for the spring time mud checking cows and calves.

So I think mine are well worth the money. Now is a new one that is all decked out what I would want on the farm??? No. They are too high of priced. It is the extras that cost you the big money.
 
I got one 2 years ago and love it. No longer take the pick up out the farm lane, in the fields etc etc. Makes checking and fixing fence real nice. If I had one big flat farm I wouldnt have near the use for one. But with hills, mud, 3 creeks and 80 acres of fence to check it really keeps my pickup from getting beat up...
 
The thing is to shop around for the deals. Back in 2012, I bought 2011 Polaris Ranger 400, 4x4, dump bed, full windshield, roof, back windshield and new Maxis Big Horn tires, 154 hrs, for $5100. The thing will go anywhere you want to go and places you don't want to go. I couldn't put a value on it for fencing and just running around the place. Plus, it has the bench seat in it and my wife and 5 year old son for in it perfectly. Now when he gets bigger I'll have to make other arrangements, but for now, it works hard, and when I do have a little down time, it's fun to take back in the woods, and camp, hunt, and fish out of it. Mines been well worth the $5100. So far just oil changes and one battery. Would I buy a $15k Razr?? No.
 
Sounds to me you have already made up your mind, they are not worth it, so what's your point asking a question you already answered???

It's like everything, if you want one a gator, you pay for a gator. If you want Kubota, you pay for one. If you are cheap, get a golf cart.

I'm happy with my Kawasaki mule. Bought it new in 2012. Just wish I could buy a hard shell cab like I've seen on Kubota. It's cold in an open air UTV.
 
We have a 2009 EZGO 2 plus 2 golf cart. It is electric. Has big tires with tractor tread. So will go almost anywhere. It is great to take to tractor shows and pulls. Will pull my puller and start it. or pull it back to the trailer. With options cost 6200. My son has a diesel 900 Kubota. 4X4. Will pull and haul a lot more. His has over 5000 hrs. Can you get by without one YES!
 
Back in about 82 I stripped down a 70 VW with the Auto stick shift, shortened the back seat out of it, build a roll cage and built a box over the engine big enough for tools etc, big float tires, you can drive right across young beans or corn and pick any rock you can lift with one hand and toss in the box with out ever leaving the seat, still use it, never spend another dime on it except seat covers and the kids beat the snot out of it. We also have a trailer behind the 4 wheeler, I would love to have a UTV but can't bring myself to part with the $$$$$. Some day though I will pop for one with cab and dump and the whole works.
 
Used S-10 blazer 4x4. Doesnt have to take up valuable shed space, heater works, seats fold flat, not as compact as a "gator" type vehicle, but it is alot more anti-theft than one! :)
 
(quoted from post at 23:43:30 02/26/15) Used S-10 blazer 4x4. Doesnt have to take up valuable shed space, heater works, seats fold flat, not as compact as a "gator" type vehicle, but it is alot more anti-theft than one! :)
Click to expand...
nless one just wants to "show", there is a lot more utility per dollar in those such as your S-10, Suzuki Samurai, Geo Tracker, etc. Have both a Tracker & Mule & 9 out of 10, I use the Tracker. Enclosed, heat, dry, easy ride, comfortable seat, quieter, & on & on.........and price? NO CONTEST!!!!
 
They are fun to run. It seems everybody wants one. Everyone but me and maybe you. Depends what you want it for. I have an old $800 car I jump in to go places I don't want to walk. A lot of guys use them for cattle but my pastures are unnavigable with one. I have to use a horse.
 
I'm with racsan - at the price you pay for one
of those things can buy a whole lot of used
truck instead.

Of course it depends on your exact needs, and
there's a job for every tool...

...but overall I'd be willing to bet most
people would get more bang for their buck out
of a beater pickup with a much larger bed than
a brand new gator.
 

They are handy, but stay away from the cheap ones with the Chinese GY6 engine. I bought a Yerf Dog with one many years ago and it hasn't run right after the first couple of years. I've had it about 11 years and and only put 30 hrs. on it, mostly in the early years. I'm considering somehow putting another engine transmission in it (the GY6 is a combo single cyl. engine and trans unit). The vehicle is good and strong with a steel dump bed, but 2WD only.
 
I got a Ranger 570 last fall. Love it for tagging calves fixing fence moving new born calves, & cruising around with the wife.(When we first married I liked her hanging on behind me on the four wheeler better!) The ranger rides smoother than my 4wd pickup. I love it. The only down size is it came with a worthless battery that won't crack it over below 30. I'm too cheap to buy a bigger battery.
If I didn't have cattle I probably wouldn't have one though.
 
What does an old Jeep sell for on Craigslist in your area?. I get a kick out of al the hunters coming up driving diesel pickups pulling UTV's on trailers when they could do it all with one Jeep.
 
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