Farm use UTV's

Steamboat · Mar 5, 2019

I know I will get a lot of different replies, but I am jus curious as to your preference for a side-by-side (2 passenger) UTV for hard farm use. I am nearly 80 and will certainly not be racing or hard trail driving, just farm use. Oh, and I have to keep budget under $9K.

4520BW · Mar 5, 2019

Polaris ranger.

rustyfarmall · Mar 5, 2019

A neighbor of mine is about your age, if not older. He had a Kawasaki Mule for many years. When it finally bit the dust, he went with a Kubota. I don't know what he paid for it, but I do know he is very frugal with his money.

danofarming · Mar 5, 2019

We have a Kubota RTV 1100 now, Diesel with cab, heat and A/C. I bought it at auction for $8000.00. I have spent about a $1000 on it, still do not have the heat and A/C control motors replaced (they are $400 each at the dealer) but I am very pleased with it 4 wheel drive, 3 speed, it came with new tires and a cracked head. Got a used head from grainfarmer and fixed it right up. Prior to the kubby we had a Deere CX Gator it had a 8 horse Kawasaki gas engine. I liked it for what it was, 2 wheel drive w differential lock. It was smaller than the kubota, but was an excellent machine, sort of a Heavy Duty Golf Cart. I sold it for $4000 to offset the cost of the kubby. I might add that a New Kubby like we have is about $19000.00. The Kawasaki Mules are tough, there are several around the county that have been running for years.

DeltaRed · Mar 5, 2019

Kawasaki Mule and Polaris Ranger are popular ones here(western Colorado). shop around at local dealers fot the best deal.compare.

MJMJ · Mar 5, 2019

You need to define "hard farm work". Only ones I know offhand you can find under $9k would be the smaller Rangers and Mules. But they aren't powerful enough for what most would call hard farm work. They still get a lot done, but not what Bobcat could do.

Vicinalvictor · Mar 5, 2019

Dealer prices are going to be high no matter where you buy. I have seen some really nice machines sell "reasonable" at farm equipment consignment auctions within your price range.

Bob Bancroft · Mar 5, 2019

I bought our first one not quite a year ago. I buy American made as much as possible. A good local Polaris dealer wouldn't take my trade in. JD dealer did, so I got a Gator. There are a ridiculous number of models. This is a smaller, basic one. Extras I got were the cab enclosures. They jack the price way up!

MtMan · Mar 5, 2019

I'm about the same age as You. I am 81 years old. I don't know how much farm work You can still do. I can't do much. I have 6 acres of property and do as much trimming brush and such that I can, and what I have is a used golf cart. I had a metal box put on the back and you won't believe how much I can do and where it will go. I only have about $2000.00 tied up in it. A friend uses his in the winter with chains on the rear. He goes places I wouldn't believe he could. He loads about 6 small square bales of hay and feeds his beef cows. Just my 2 accents worth.

rustyfarmall · Mar 5, 2019

My best advice is to find a brand that is represented by a reputable dealer in your area. Around here, the Kubota's are pretty much all sold and serviced by farm machinery dealers.

dzc3 · Mar 5, 2019

Old Toyota 4 wheel drive pickup, or any brand you get air, heat Radio for a fraction of the cost of a side by side

Rick Kr · Mar 5, 2019

I used a Yamaha golf cart for 19 years. Put a small lift kit on it and all terrain tires to get through the fields easier.
It did 95% of what I needed. Downside: limited space in the box, not a lot of pulling power.
I cant begin to tell you the amount of fence posts, concrete blocks and mulch it hauled over the years.

I replaced it with a Gator 825 4x4. It does everything I need, but may be overkill for my 80 acres.
It goes 44mph, I don't think I've been over 30mph twice. I can haul a lot more in the bed which is a huge time saver.

You need to look at what you really plan on using it for, then buy accordingly.

544hydro · Mar 5, 2019

I’m looking at the Honda Pioneer for mine but like others have said dealer support may be important.

GEO-TH, In · Mar 5, 2019

I have a 4010 mule. Bought it at ATV and More at end of 2012. The 2013 were out. So I got it for about 75% of list. Close to your budget.

Things I like about it, electric powerstearing, 2 cylinder fuel injection, 4x4, carry over 1000#, bigger bed than most, brakes all 4 wheels.

Things I dislike
Dealer in Terre haute doesn't know squat
Dealer wants over $150 to change engine oil and oils in front and rear axles. Dealer wants a fortune $250+ just to check values. I can do it in 30 minutes. Oil change, 2 qts on engine and 2.5 qts for axles. About a 30 minute job.

Had idle issues from day one. Dealer had no clue about how to properly set up Throttle positioning sensors. I ordered shop manual to get it to run properly.

4010 mule is something I'll never be without. No cab , no heater, no AC.

Only WARNING you may want to buy a more basic 710 mule that has no electronics, no power steering, smaller. Carburetor, single cylinder. Simpler to work on.

4010 and 710 are gasoline engines.

What ever you buy, dealers think nothing of charging a lot for service. May want to buy something you can do your own service work.

Kansas4010 · Mar 5, 2019

I have a Kubota rtv 900 and it's been really good machine. You won't be able to buy a new one for your $9,000 budget unless you look into a good used one.

Jim Phelps · Mar 5, 2019

Question does your kubota steer hard or not at all when the temp drops, we have one at work and once it drops to below 30 degrees our hydraulics are stop working and you can't steer it??????

Kansas4010 · Mar 5, 2019

Never had any problems with the steering. It sits in an unheated shed. Just used it this morning to check cattle and the temps were in the teens.

Brown Dirt Cowboy · Mar 5, 2019

Kansas4010, my 2008 Kubota rtv 900 looks like yours except mine is camouflaged. I paid as much for it in 2014 as I could have gotten a new Kawasaki Mule for. The mule did not have 3 cylinder diesel or power steering or the hydraulic dump bed. It is a 3 speed hydro and will run about 30 mph and at 67 yrs old I don't need the speed. Has 1500 hrs on it and has been trouble free.

jm. · Mar 5, 2019

Jim that is a ten minute fix,, you need to change both the transmission hydraulic oil and the power steering oil to Kubota SUPPER UDT it flows at any temp. Your machine came with regular UDt which is temperature affected.

Andy Martin · Mar 5, 2019

(quoted from post at 13:21:56 03/05/19) Old Toyota 4 wheel drive pickup, or any brand you get air, heat Radio for a fraction of the cost of a side by side

I'm with you. I just don't understand the little all terrain vehicles. I use a tractor if I have to go through rough country. I've ridden in the neighbors and wasn't impressed.

Dean · Mar 5, 2019

I bought a Kubota RTVX-1100C about 18 months ago.

It's diesel, hydrostatic, 4X4 with cab, AC, etc. It's also heavy and slow, maybe 25 MPH on a good day.

It will do just about anything that you could possibly want to with a 2 passenger UTV but it's anything but inexpensive.

Dean

fred goodrich · Mar 5, 2019

No question buy a Kubota 900 very popular, operator friendly and good resale.

504 · Mar 5, 2019

Just make sure you put a few miles on the one lt before you pay for it. The kids have a gator and love it ,I can hardly get ln and out of it

KJF470 · Mar 5, 2019

I see 2019 Kawasaki mule SX 4X4 XC Model KAF400 SKF/S as low as $8200 around the Midwest. It may be worth looking into for you.

Philip d · Mar 5, 2019

My father in law has an old 2wd Kawasaki Muel and loves it.

Lamont in NC · Mar 5, 2019

Have you considered one of those used Japanese mini-trucks? All of them are enclosed cabs with heat and some even have A/C and hey why not spoil yourself some. Some have dump beds, 4X4, locking rear differentials, and other goodies. Some places allow them to be used on-road some don't--so I understand. Lots of places selling them. Only down side as I see it is they are right hand drive. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kei_truck

steel · Mar 5, 2019

For the money it's hard to beat a smaller engine Ranger mid-size. Plenty of guts, I tow a 1000# trailer when I need to. It turns sharper than most and will run 40 if you need to between fields. Goes up serious hills in the woods. Easy to get in and out of.

jddrawbar · Mar 5, 2019

second that....Polaris Ranger

hadley · Mar 5, 2019

We bought an arctic cat last fall it was an 18 model when the 19's were coming out. Was interested in a polaris first but the only dealer around with an 18 left was all but impossible to talk to whether it was phone or email so we chose arctic cat based on the dealer.

Kansas4010 · Mar 5, 2019

Mines a 2010 model. I don't think mine
will get much over 20 mph but I'm ok with
that. It's easily the most used and
important pieces of equipment on the farm.
It just turned 1,500 hours and the only
complaint I've ever had was the floorboard
rusted out.

jm. · Mar 5, 2019

Well well Mr Fred I know you are pretty smart now I really know. Fact is since their introduction the KUBOTA RTV 900 has taken the market. Some states Kubota reported sales show KUBOTA having better than 50% of the market. Durability is the strongest asset, they are just plain tough. Hydraulic power steering, full hydraulic dump (neither electric) and renown Kubota hydrostatic transmission where others run a belt. All of that has led to what you comment the resale is very high. I have two here on the farm and never will be without one. These folks bragging on golf carts just have never been in a real machine , and yes I know some of them do get buy. Going to cost a little more but well worth ever penny.

stonerock · Mar 5, 2019

have three 825I gators they all do there job real well BUT you wont buy one for nine G

ditchwitch · Mar 5, 2019

My stepson just bought one of those its actually here at my house. Its a Honda pioneer 1000, Dont no what he paid for it but im sure over 10k
. I know its scary fast.

roy prins · Mar 5, 2019

Hey Steamboat -- I got Myself a 1997 Kawasaki Mule a few years back and it is the most wonderful thing ever ! fencing = pickup sticks = or just go fishing at the local ponds -- 4 wheel drive -- high or low -- lock the differentials -- its got it all -- just add your dog and go -- By the way I gave 2500 for it with new tires - belt - and a seat -- love it -- good luck in Your search -- Roy

ben brown · Mar 5, 2019

i had two kubota one rtv900 good machine just top windshield about 4 years back when the rtv1100 came out i decided i need a new ride so call my local dealerand talked to the young man that sold me my first one and i told him to figer me up a new one like the one i had as he sold me the first one any way couple weeks he call said drop on down next day so your in town i show you what we can do so i go down he has a rtv1100c camo all price out i look at him said that not what i ask you to do,,now he just look at me said Old man this what you need has a/c heat cab every thing you need to keep your ol a comfortable.. now dont get up set i know this young man scene he was in grade school him calling me old was ok with me... and it wads that much more any way so took it sold me rtv900 on private deal .. i had no problem with it except if you take it to colorado in the mountains now its a problem real lack of power ,,place i go meeker is like 6000 ft plus easy fix i trubo charged mine made all the difference in how it runs at high elevation and lot more get up go he in ky also

Bonnan · Mar 5, 2019

I'm 83 and my use is identical to yours. Bought a Kubota RTV 900 new (more than 9K) however shortly thereafter I have seen two used go at auction for under 10K. Both were in very good shape. If one has patience one can have the the best a good value.
Good Luck
Jim B

notjustair · Mar 5, 2019

I?ve got two Gators and a Mitsubishi mini truck. I?d take the mini truck any day. Far more reliable and powerful. I can pull a hay rack with five round bales on it in four low and it has never once been stuck. I?ve about worn mine out and will be buying a new one. I only paid $2000 for this one well used but wasn?t sure how I would like it so I went cheap. It has heat and radio, wipers and headlights. The bed is very long and low enough to be able to lift things on it easy.

paul · Mar 5, 2019

My 2010 Polaris Ranger has done well, and is really comfortable for foot room and all. It was right around your price when I bought it, so a few years used likely would hit your budget.

Of late Polaris has had much more mixed reviews, so I don?t know how newer machines fair in reviews? Sounds like they cut some corners on engineering of late to focus on cool stuff and maybe not the quality they used to be.

Paul

Goneranchin · Mar 6, 2019

Have a kubota 900 bought it new in 2014. I did a lot of research tested several for the money it was the best equipped. Love that it?s diesel I run off road fuel which is a lot cheaper. At that time that was one of two machines that actually had a real transmission. Belt drives did not impress me. Kubota been making tractors a long time. The other machine that was very similar was a Kiota almost exactly like the kubota but was couple thousand more. I use it almost every day it has been absolutely trouble free. I do have other tractors I could use but this just works so well so easy to get in and out of easy to drive let of the gas a it just stops very little to no brakes easy to keep clean just a all around great machine.

Jim Phelps · Mar 6, 2019

Thanks, I will have to check with our maintenance department and see if I can get some, right now I can't steer it period, the steering wheel just turns and turns. This happens every time the temp drops down to around 25 or lower.

Bret4207 · Mar 6, 2019

(quoted from post at 17:21:56 03/05/19) Old Toyota 4 wheel drive pickup, or any brand you get air, heat Radio for a fraction of the cost of a side by side

BINGO! Other options include old Jeeps, Rangers, S10's, etc. My $400 1959 CJ5 is still running and I can stand on the hood to pound in fence posts. $9K is over twice what I paid for my F350 crew cab. I don't know how folks spend like that and stay farming.

bmack95hd · Mar 6, 2019

Kind of late in posting but I run a Polaris 700XP. The tilt bed comes in handy, I have a front plow for light snow, pull a small sprayer and can run around to neighbors properties when needed. Works out great and The Wife can drive it.

sotxbill · Mar 6, 2019

I have 4 kawasaki mules and 2 kubotas. The kawasaki diesel mules are the most reliable things ever made.

One kubota has a/c and both ride very smooth at higher speeds.

Good and Bad..

When monsoon season comes, the kubotas will bury themselves as they are too heavy. The kawsaki's are the only things that will make through the ranch. All else is either stuck or buried cept the caterpiller.

The kawasakis have a stiff suspension and carry heavy loads very well. But you only want to run at half throttle as they are bumpy. The Kubotas have long travel, soft suspension and you can run wide open across the ranch.

Diesel vrs gas... the diesels are almost fool proof. Only needs a battery every 5 years or so. The gas are a pain as the carbs are always plugged up on the older ones. SO>>>> we run a boat tank on the gas and simply unplug it and run the carbs dry so that we dont have carb problems. The factory tanks would also get water in them??? probably from condensation, so the plastic boat tanks are easy to take back and forth and get filled similar to a gas can. One tank on the vehicle, the other tank for a spare and your good on gas problems. Same tanks also run the generators, welders and about everything else and they dont rust out.

Tires are full of slime as we have tons of thorns. Every ten years or so, the tires eventually will split from too many thorns and will need to be replaced.

SO... if its for cadillac ride the kubotas. If its for heavy loads or mud, its the kawasaki's. For almost no mantainance/problems, its the diesels over gas.

We dont use polaris due to the sectional cranksafts slipping.

Jim Phelps · Mar 6, 2019

I have the 1100 model at work, steering is all hydraulic, and she won't steer nor will the bed come up when it is down below 25, you can start her and let her run for an hour but no go on the steering or bed.

ben brown · Mar 6, 2019

(quoted from post at 12:48:54 03/06/19) I have the 1100 model at work, steering is all hydraulic, and she won't steer nor will the bed come up when it is down below 25, you can start her and let her run for an hour but no go on the steering or bed.

yuu do know that the hyd transmission steering fluid on the rtvx 1100 has it on steering tank under the passenger seat

Traditional Farmer · Mar 6, 2019

I don't think they do sometimes,went to a foreclosure auction and the equipment was run down,beat up etc but they had 3 of those fancy rigs to ride around in.
Sort of like when we ran the store no matter what people could always come up with cigarette and beer money and when the kids would ask for a 25 cent bar of candy back then they tell
the kid they didn't have anymore money.

Farm use UTV's

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