Author Topic: UTV Suggestion? (Read 4229 times)

Star1pup · « **on:** January 15, 2009, 01:27:57 PM »

I am considering selling my Arctic Cat 250 and buying a UTV. I just use the Cat to plow out my driveway and want a UTV to haul firewood up the hill to the house. We are not allowed to use the ATV on the roads here at the lake where we now live, but could use the UTV. It would have to have a plow and my drive is very steep. Actually, everything here is a steep hill. Looking for something stable that I can use. Speed limit here is 25 mph on everything, including UTVs and Golf carts.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #1 on:** January 18, 2009, 02:34:57 PM »

I love my polaris rzr but its probably not what you want. Id look at a rhino or maybe that new honda.

glockman55 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 23, 2009, 07:55:48 AM »

My Mule is a work horse, not real fast but will out haul most any other UTV. It has low and high range, 2 and 4 wheel drive, a locking differential, with a 617 cc twin four stroke engine. If you want the best and money isn't a issue, look at the Kubota, my brother has one with the snow plow, the hydraulics make this thing a dream. the box is a hydraulic lift as well.. Good Luck

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #3 on:** January 23, 2009, 08:29:22 AM »

I have a Polaris Ranger, 6 wheel that I like. Sounds like overkill for your needs, but one of the 4 wheel units might work for you. They also have the longer version that seats 4. DP

dougk · « **Reply #4 on:** January 23, 2009, 04:36:21 PM »

You should look at the Kubota RTV900. I have been very pleased.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #5 on:** January 25, 2009, 05:38:47 AM »

When it comes to a work UTV, i'm with Doug on this one...

My brother has a diesel Mule that he uses for heavy work, and although he does like it, he said the next one will be a Kubota...

DM

glockman55 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 19, 2009, 12:29:34 PM »

The Kubota's are nice, heavy but lots of power. I don't care for the ground clearance they have and they can be a bit pricey..My brother has one as well and with the snow blade, full cab, stereo, turn signals, etc. he had around $18,000. into his..

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #7 on:** March 20, 2009, 01:52:59 AM »

heck ive got close to hat much into my rzr with all the add ons.

Quote from: glockman55 on March 19, 2009, 12:29:34 PM

The Kubota's are nice, heavy but lots of power. I don't care for the ground clearance they have and they can be a bit pricey..My brother has one as well and with the snow blade, full cab, stereo, turn signals, etc. he had around $18,000. into his..

glockman55 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 20, 2009, 02:23:27 AM »

He got every option available at the time, glass windshield, wipers, power steering, heater, stereo system, hydrolic snow blade. full steel cab, two years ago. except air conditioning. which came out the next year. Too rich for my blood. I spent under $7,000 for my Mule.

deerhuntertyler · « **Reply #9 on:** March 24, 2009, 09:23:31 AM »

If you are willing to spend some money, I would look into the bob cat UTVs. Those are some real work horses. Especialy the bob cat tool-cats.

double R · « **Reply #10 on:** March 29, 2009, 05:02:20 AM »

have you tryed tractor supply they have utv's that are very reasonable priced. i got one a couple years ago to use on the farm. haul hay and feed.up to 800 lbs at a time.it's a 265cc flat bed w/subaru motor.motor has 3 year warranty.honda powered utv has 1yr.

2zuks · « **Reply #11 on:** April 15, 2009, 10:50:07 AM »

I have the Kawasaki Teryx and have been very happy with it. It is wide and very stable. It will get up to about 60 if you need to. I have had a lot of firewood in the back of it. It has the locking differential and excellent suspension and ground clearance. It will go absolutely anywhere. It has the 750cc v-twin that made the Kawasaki Prarie the best 4x4 quad out there for years. It has been a great machine. I paid $9500 out the door with a warn winch. I also threw a top on it and it has been great. There are some great UTV's out there. I just found this one to be a great mix of off-road capeable, tough, fast, and also has good recreational abilities if you find yourself in that situation.

Star1pup · « **Reply #12 on:** May 18, 2009, 02:52:06 AM »

I was just looking at the Gator on the Internet, but not sure if they are 4x4. I held off this year as the economy hit my retirement hard, but I'm still thinking about it.

I will need a snow blade and at least a windshield for next winter.

John Y Cannuck · « **Reply #13 on:** May 18, 2009, 03:53:36 AM »

I work for a Kubota Dealership.
I think you had best compare the machines side by side. The Kubota is a heavily built machine. It's slow, and for that reason, many jurisdictions north of your border don't require a license, just an SMV. By slow, I mean about 30 KPH.
In comparison, most other two person machines are much faster.
However, the Kubota is very, very strong. It pushes snow with ease.
There are all kinds of accessories available too, including a set of remote valves, allowing hydraulic functions.
The transmission is Hydrostatic, like a small tractor, it's not a belt drive.

Star1pup · « **Reply #14 on:** May 18, 2009, 06:50:11 AM »

I'll check the Kubota. I have been doing some work with a friend who has a Kubota tractor and it works great. I guess my only concern would be the higher price of fuel for a diesel. I don't need speed as the top speed would be limited here in this lake development.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #15 on:** May 19, 2009, 03:52:10 PM »

Diesel fuel may be higher in price at times, but a diesel UTV uses much LESS fuel, to MORE than make up for it... Right now in my area, diesel fuel is cheaper than gas...

DM

Star1pup · « **Reply #16 on:** May 24, 2009, 02:22:57 AM »

Thanks, guys, for all the input. We spent a day looking at a bunch of UTVs and there are some really nice ones out there. We finally decided that a Mule would be best for our use and will order one next week. The Honda Big Red is really nice and we also looked at a CUB. The Cub looks like a very solid vehicle, but it is big because of the ground clearance. This should be great for use off-road, but I did some measurements and it will not fit into my workshop. Since we will be working in our backyard, we also thought the smaller Mule would fit our use better. The price of the Cub & Mule are about the same. The Honda is about $2,000 higher for the base price and the Gator is about the same as the Honda.

I thought you might be interested in what we learned while shopping.

BTW: That pic of the Mule with the sideboards and big load of firewood made us feel pretty good about our choice.

glockman55 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 25, 2009, 03:22:07 AM »

Quote from: Star1pup on May 24, 2009, 02:22:57 AM

Thanks, guys, for all the input. We spent a day looking at a bunch of UTVs and there are some really nice ones out there. We finally decided that a Mule would be best for our use and will order one next week. The Honda Big Red is really nice and we also looked at a CUB. The Cub looks like a very solid vehicle, but it is big because of the ground clearance. This should be great for use off-road, but I did some measurements and it will not fit into my workshop. Since we will be working in our backyard, we also thought the smaller Mule would fit our use better. The price of the Cub & Mule are about the same. The Honda is about $2,000 higher for the base price and the Gator is about the same as the Honda.

I thought you might be interested in what we learned while shopping.

BTW: That pic of the Mule with the sideboards and big load of firewood made us feel pretty good about our choice.

That's Cool...I use mine a lot, and haul a bunch of fire wood in Deer camp every year. I plan on putting on a soft topper on it, I have a piece of army tent canvas and my sister has a commercial sewing machine, I'll make an aluminum frame to fit over the box and have Her fit the cover to it, kinda like an Army canvas covered truck..Enjoy your new Mule..

trkyman1 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 29, 2009, 01:09:00 AM »

I have an 05 Polaris ranger and I work the ba**s off this machine hauling wood,rock,etc. through the woods. It has been a great machine for me.

WD242 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 29, 2009, 05:06:09 PM »

Had a Polaris 500 Sportsman. I sold it and bought a Cub Cadet 624,Volunteer. Fully encolsed cab, plow with a lift kit. Live in the DACKS and this year first winter plowing with it. 300+ foot driveway and no problem. Here in NYS, its considered a UTV no registration, just insurance and slow moving triangle on rear. Not fast on 27mph.

markc · « **Reply #20 on:** June 01, 2009, 02:59:19 PM »

I think you made a wise choice. THe Kawasaki Mule is a proven vehicle, there are plenty of accessories for them, and with basic maintanence, they will last many years. Post some pics when you can.

Star1pup · « **Reply #21 on:** June 02, 2009, 01:33:25 AM »

Quote from: markc on June 01, 2009, 02:59:19 PM

I think you made a wise choice. THe Kawasaki Mule is a proven vehicle, there are plenty of accessories for them, and with basic maintanence, they will last many years. Post some pics when you can.

We need a strobe light on top if we want to legally ride around the lake here at night. So far I haven't found just what I want. The ones Kawasaki sells are for a different model. I found an amber light at Harbor Freight, but it attaches magnetically and the Mule's roof is fiberglass.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #22 on:** June 02, 2009, 03:18:41 AM »

Quote from: Star1pup on June 02, 2009, 01:33:25 AM

Quote from: markc on June 01, 2009, 02:59:19 PM
I think you made a wise choice. THe Kawasaki Mule is a proven vehicle, there are plenty of accessories for them, and with basic maintanence, they will last many years. Post some pics when you can.

We need a strobe light on top if we want to legally ride around the lake here at night. So far I haven't found just what I want. The ones Kawasaki sells are for a different model. I found an amber light at Harbor Freight, but it attaches magnetically and the Mule's roof is fiberglass.

Can you put a small piece of sheet metal on the inside of the roof, for the magnet to pull to?? The metal could be double faced taped to the roof.

DM

Star1pup · « **Reply #23 on:** June 02, 2009, 07:19:03 AM »

I had planned to bolt a piece of metal on the top of the roof, but I'll bet the magnet would hold if the metal was on the inside. Either way, I'll use some marine caulking around the bolts, or whatever. The Mule hasn't been delivered yet so I'll make the decision when it gets here and I can look closer at the situation. I notice that the cord on the flasher is short and won't reach the 12V outlet. I wonder if Radio Shack has an easy extension before I start cutting & splicing?

I'm sure getting a lot of good use out of this thread. Thank you all!

glockman55 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 02, 2010, 02:47:47 PM »

I got a different UTV this year, It's not the work horse my Mule was but I can get there a lot faster..

markc · « **Reply #25 on:** February 03, 2010, 04:16:17 AM »

glockman55, that is a very nice vehicle. What's your impression so far?

glockman55 · « **Reply #26 on:** February 03, 2010, 07:45:17 AM »

So far it's everything I expected it would be, I haven't had it in the trails too much yet. Looks like you've got yours set up nice, the full cab would be nice in our winters, I'll get it out ice fishing this winter yet, and I'll get it up to the U.P. this summer for some fun. One thing I like a lot is the get up and go this thing has..

markc · « **Reply #27 on:** February 03, 2010, 09:30:26 AM »

Yes that flip up Essex windshield is very nice, open in the hot weather, down when it gets cold. The doors were a must in the country we ride in, to keep the thorns and cactus off our hids.The steel roof was important to me since I stand on it at times. If kawasaki would have had that Terryx out when I was selling my little Mule 550, I would have bought one, but at the time the only choices were the Rhino or Ranger.