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AbbasChild
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 72 Western Pennsylvania
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2013-08-20          187886

Hi All,

I am in the market for a UTV--where do I start? I will need it to haul a couple bales of hay and feed to some horse run-ins that are some distance away. It will also have to haul water (I have a 65 gallon tank) on small cart that it will need to tow. The biggest hill is our driveway but it is paved. This is something that will get used every day during the summer and fall months to feed the horses.

Thanks for your input!

AC


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kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2013-08-21          187890

First are you looking new or used or either? If new I would begin at local dealers for sooner or later they will need parts and service.

We have a 2 wheel drive Gator that is oh about 8 years old. We have had good service from it but for your needs would say stay away from it. The reasons are: the drive system on it does not have any gear or such selection to it. It is variable speed or such belt drive. This to me prevents it from having strong pulling power. The ground clearance is too low in soft dirt, spill a cup of water and it will bog down (ok little stretch but easy to bog and it does not have the standard tires ), rear axle has no suspension, brakes are a single disk for the unit not good for down hill stopping or with weight.

If you are going to be on soft dirt would look at four wheel drive. Good ground clearance. Would pay attention to the suspension system.

When we bought I also looked at two others thought were better machines but my bride wanted "GREEN" to prove a point. As i told salesman at the dealership it is for her not me and she is who uses it 75% or more of the time. For in our yard it works good.

I would look at dirt bike and atv brands; and Kubota and Bushog both have these units. Not saying do not look at JD but only telling the reason would not buy the model we have. JD did have a 6 wheel unit that might be what you want. Here used ones do show up but if the season for those units is at us here. Very popular with hunters.

One other reason do not recommend our unit, the engine to me is mounted very low and if you needed to cross a stream don't think you could.

Hopes that helps. kt ....

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AbbasChild
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 72 Western Pennsylvania
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2013-08-21          187894

Thanks for the feedback.

I started to look at different makes/models and was getting overwhelmed. I have not yet checked with the New Holland dealer in my area--I do not remember seeing them on the lot when I am there back I was not looking to buy one. We do have a JD dealer close by as well, but it is a new dealership (I was told to avoid it when it was under different management).

I do think 4x4 is the better choice as the fields can get wet and squishy. Are transmissions generally HST? What type of price should I be expecting for a basic unit (I know I can add a bunch of extras!) How much more important is a diesel unit better/worse than gosoline? Are there companies to stay away from? We have an Arctic Cat nearby as well. I would prefer to buy new.

Thanks again!
AC ....

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kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2013-08-21          187906

Why not look at "tractorhouse.com" to get some idea on prices of used machines and may be some new ones there. Just looked and they have a LOT listed of more brands than I even thought of. They had the Utility Vehicles on lower right of the screen. ....

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treeman
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 251 Wisconsin
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2013-08-22          187909

First off, be sure to test drive the units as you would use them on your farm. I use my Kubota RTV900 on hills all the time and with the Hydro trans, hills are very controllable. I also use it to position hay wagons next to the elevator so the creeping ability gives me the control I need. So, go out and drive them first! ....

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AbbasChild
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 72 Western Pennsylvania
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2013-08-22          187910

Thanks again, and as I look it to it, the transmission is one of my big questions. There is CVT (continuous variable) vs. VHT (variable hydrostatic). As I understand it, the VHT is more robust and durable. Is that correct? (Of course I think it on "higher end" models.)

AC ....

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hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 3583 iowa
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2013-09-09          187973

I'll have to take my stand for green. Ken is correct the earlier two wheel drive Gators with the lawn mower type tires will get stuck on almost anything wet, the tire tread fills with mud and you are done. We had one of those and we also had an HPX with the carbureted engine, stay away from the HPX unless it is a diesel. The last Gator we owned was an XUV 620i. That was a great machine, fuel injected like your car, it starts every time with just the turn of the key, no choke. Four wheel drive with a low range that we pulled loaded wagons with. Ours was a 2007 or 08 model, never an ounce of trouble. Another plus is we had a closing out sale on September second, the Gator brought every cent I paid for it new, I don't know about other brands but green seems to hold its resale.

Frank. ....

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Chief
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4297 Southwest MiddleTennessee
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2013-09-26          188036

You might want to consider looking at a Bad Boy UTV

http://utv.badboymowers.com/view/gas-powered

They are made in the USA.

Another low cost option is Tractor Supply Center's Massimo which is basically a knock off of the Yamaha Rhino.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/product__10151_-1_10051_4074

They are about half the price of the name brand but have been getting pretty good reviews. ....

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kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 5275 South Carolina
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2013-09-30          188054

To being with can only tell you about it, have no idea of brand name.

Was at my lawn mower dealer about three Saturdays back and they were testing what looked like a dune buggy is my best way to tell you. It had roll cage more like them and about same about of sheet metal. It was street legal with four wheel drive. Was told the price was about $15,000 with cost to dealer of about $12,000 to $13,000 with Chinese motor. Mechanic at dealership concern was the motor. Was built for off road and was suppose to be very hard to bog down. Oh well maybe on the hard to bog down. LOL Understood it was new import here and no idea of here was the US or this area only. This one only had two seats if memory is right and no bed. ....

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