Ranger 800HD vs. Kubota RTV900 - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

87YJ · 10-06-2009, 05:48 PM

Looking at a utility side by side to use around the farm. It's down to these two, kinda like the diesel of the 'bota, but the Ranger seems a little more offroad/field friendly.

Who has experience with one or both...looking for feedback on how the two compare -- durability, power, etc?

rugburn · 10-07-2009, 07:35 AM

I have the 900RTV on the farm and while it does tend to suck the fuel, it is a strong, dependable unit. Does not haul ass on the road in 2WD high range, but I can hit about 30mph, enough to get around well enough.

Offroad in 4WD low range, I can go just about anywhere, although off camber, it is very tippy.

For the money, it is a great work UTV, payload is great and my girls enjoy driving it almost as much as I do.

I can't compare the two, but I do like the Kubota....we went with the General Purpose model, glass windshield and hardtop.
About 250 hours on it now and still purrs.

TOY 2 · 10-08-2009, 08:50 AM

we use the kubota underground at work. I would not own one. 350 hours into them an we started replacing the rear u-joints. Then we started loosing the rear wheel bearings, after that the front sealed brakes started leaking, then front wheel bearings. They might work good in a better Environment but not ment for real wet conditons.

slosurfer · 10-08-2009, 06:02 PM

My dad has the kubota and loves it. I got him a winch for it and he uses it on their properties for all sorts of stuff. It definately doesn't haul ass, but it's pretty fun to drive around in 4wd low range.

Crowdog · 10-08-2009, 09:55 PM

Got to play with a 2009 RANGER HD for several months. Very flexible vehicle. Off-road capable and can haul a bunch with the self-leveling suspension. The Kubota is much more work oriented.

http://www.utvguide.net/polaris_rang...erm_review.htm

landjunky · 11-16-2009, 12:20 PM

Both have their plusses, personally think the RTV has a better place on the farm. Hauls more and gets better mileage. Speak from experience. Oh yeah, no belt slippage.

weldrup · 11-16-2009, 03:14 PM

Love it over load every day now for three years and climb the steepest ski mt in the northeast! No major probs broken swybar thats it! Plus it will do 50 mph when empty!

weldrup · 11-16-2009, 03:17 PM

Ranger

82F100SWB · 11-16-2009, 04:10 PM

We have a few of the RTV's at work... Everything about maintenance on them is expensive, I've been through u-joints, CV boots and a bunch of little crap on one of them, everything is expensive and mostly only avalable from Kubota.

MossMan · 11-16-2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weldrup

the steepest ski mt in the northeast!

Which would that be? Pics look familiar.

mandalynn06 · 11-21-2009, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rugburn

I have the 900RTV on the farm and while it does tend to suck the fuel, it is a strong, dependable unit. Does not haul ass on the road in 2WD high range, but I can hit about 30mph, enough to get around well enough.

Offroad in 4WD low range, I can go just about anywhere, although off camber, it is very tippy.

For the money, it is a great work UTV, payload is great and my girls enjoy driving it almost as much as I do.

I can't compare the two, but I do like the Kubota....we went with the General Purpose model, glass windshield and hardtop.
About 250 hours on it now and still purrs.

i knew dali was the man

74huggerorange · 11-24-2009, 05:54 AM

My neighbor has the Kubota...has around 750hrs with just normal maintance and 1 broken rear axle shaft. It mostly just gets cruised around the farm, with the occasional use of the hydraulic dump bed. The hydraulic power steering is nice also and the fact that the rear locker is selectable (although a pain to keep your foot on it) so it doesn't tear up your yard. It is relatively gutless and will only do like 25 tops and the transmission range is very particular to the terrain and speed. I have the smallest little hump in my yard and it would start out in high range on it. For work, I would go with the Kubota.

budgetxj · 11-24-2009, 10:07 PM

Im in the bush up in Alaska and have both the ranger and RTV. Like every one said, the kubota has lots of torque and is a good work horse. The ranger is a lot faster and softer ride being that its independent suspension on all 4 corners. If i was gonna just have one for personal recreation i would do the ranger because it is pretty versitile and mine has a heater so its warm and the kubota isnt

If i was using it to tow or haul stuff around the farm or job site i would take the kubota, lots of torque, hydraulic dump bed. I havent had any problems with either one yet, the ranger is a year old and the Kubota was bought in 07 and i use them everyday up here so plenty of hours on both. Hope this helps

87YJ · 11-25-2009, 06:37 AM

Thanks for all of the comments. Ende up going with the ranger, mainly because of the better ride across rough ground, ground clearance and pricing. Quite happy with it. I've been amazed at how much we've used it. It's the miniature pickup that can go anywhere and allows us to have the needed tools and parts in the bed.

Now time to get a front windshield, rear view mirror ans possibly enclosure. Suggestions for good sources?

10-06-2009, 05:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
87YJ Lost Join Date: Aug 2001 Member # 6426 Location: Midwest Posts: 579	Ranger 800HD vs. Kubota RTV900 Looking at a utility side by side to use around the farm. It's down to these two, kinda like the diesel of the 'bota, but the Ranger seems a little more offroad/field friendly. Who has experience with one or both...looking for feedback on how the two compare -- durability, power, etc? __________________ Couple of YJ's without leafs.

10-07-2009, 07:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
rugburn 45 Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 45 Location: close to my girls Posts: 2,567	I have the 900RTV on the farm and while it does tend to suck the fuel, it is a strong, dependable unit. Does not haul ass on the road in 2WD high range, but I can hit about 30mph, enough to get around well enough. Offroad in 4WD low range, I can go just about anywhere, although off camber, it is very tippy. For the money, it is a great work UTV, payload is great and my girls enjoy driving it almost as much as I do. I can't compare the two, but I do like the Kubota....we went with the General Purpose model, glass windshield and hardtop. About 250 hours on it now and still purrs. __________________ John Runberg

10-08-2009, 08:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
TOY 2 Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Jul 2002 Member # 12800 Location: winnemucca NV Posts: 2,709	we use the kubota underground at work. I would not own one. 350 hours into them an we started replacing the rear u-joints. Then we started loosing the rear wheel bearings, after that the front sealed brakes started leaking, then front wheel bearings. They might work good in a better Environment but not ment for real wet conditons. __________________ Need custom UTV parts TURNKEY UTV has you covered!!! http://www.turnkeyutv.com/ Contact: (775) 283-9950

10-08-2009, 06:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
slosurfer Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Member # 69719 Location: Los Osos, CA Posts: 187	My dad has the kubota and loves it. I got him a winch for it and he uses it on their properties for all sorts of stuff. It definately doesn't haul ass, but it's pretty fun to drive around in 4wd low range. __________________ [COLOR="Red"][SIZE="1"]"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem." Ronald Reagan[/SIZE][/COLOR] [url=http://stovertileanddesign.com]Stover Tile and Design[/url] Rally post #857

10-08-2009, 09:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
Crowdog Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Member # 2787 Location: Shingle Springs, CA Posts: 2,422	Got to play with a 2009 RANGER HD for several months. Very flexible vehicle. Off-road capable and can haul a bunch with the self-leveling suspension. The Kubota is much more work oriented. http://www.utvguide.net/polaris_rang...erm_review.htm __________________ UTVGuide.net

11-16-2009, 12:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
landjunky Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Member # 134899 Location: Deep South, Texas Posts: 19	Both have their plusses, personally think the RTV has a better place on the farm. Hauls more and gets better mileage. Speak from experience. Oh yeah, no belt slippage.

11-16-2009, 03:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
weldrup Wheeler Join Date: Nov 2009 Member # 146379 Location: ROCHESTER NH Posts: 284	Ranger Love it over load every day now for three years and climb the steepest ski mt in the northeast! No major probs broken swybar thats it! Plus it will do 50 mph when empty!

11-16-2009, 03:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
weldrup Wheeler Join Date: Nov 2009 Member # 146379 Location: ROCHESTER NH Posts: 284	pics Ranger Attached Images

11-16-2009, 04:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
82F100SWB Fawkin Fordhead Join Date: Nov 2002 Member # 15263 Location: Winterpeg, Canada Posts: 2,048	We have a few of the RTV's at work... Everything about maintenance on them is expensive, I've been through u-joints, CV boots and a bunch of little crap on one of them, everything is expensive and mostly only avalable from Kubota. __________________ 96 F350 XL CC PSD/5 speed 4x4... New Tow pig in the making 96 F250 XLT Ex Cab PSD/5 speed 4x4... DD/Tow Pig 92 W250 LE, CTD/5 speed 4x4, tow pig/DD/snow pushin pig 86 F250... 460/T19/1345/D60/welded 10.25, 44 Boggers, reg cab, some junk... Build

11-24-2009, 05:54 AM	#12 (permalink)
74huggerorange Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Member # 99403 Posts: 38	My neighbor has the Kubota...has around 750hrs with just normal maintance and 1 broken rear axle shaft. It mostly just gets cruised around the farm, with the occasional use of the hydraulic dump bed. The hydraulic power steering is nice also and the fact that the rear locker is selectable (although a pain to keep your foot on it) so it doesn't tear up your yard. It is relatively gutless and will only do like 25 tops and the transmission range is very particular to the terrain and speed. I have the smallest little hump in my yard and it would start out in high range on it. For work, I would go with the Kubota. __________________ Tow rig:Trailblazer SS......Wheeling rig: 09 Polaris RZR Alt. tow/recovery rig: 74 Chevy K10

11-24-2009, 10:07 PM	#13 (permalink)
budgetxj Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Member # 49487 Location: kirkland wa Posts: 62	Im in the bush up in Alaska and have both the ranger and RTV. Like every one said, the kubota has lots of torque and is a good work horse. The ranger is a lot faster and softer ride being that its independent suspension on all 4 corners. If i was gonna just have one for personal recreation i would do the ranger because it is pretty versitile and mine has a heater so its warm and the kubota isnt If i was using it to tow or haul stuff around the farm or job site i would take the kubota, lots of torque, hydraulic dump bed. I havent had any problems with either one yet, the ranger is a year old and the Kubota was bought in 07 and i use them everyday up here so plenty of hours on both. Hope this helps

11-25-2009, 06:37 AM	#14 (permalink)
87YJ Lost Join Date: Aug 2001 Member # 6426 Location: Midwest Posts: 579	Thanks for all of the comments. Ende up going with the ranger, mainly because of the better ride across rough ground, ground clearance and pricing. Quite happy with it. I've been amazed at how much we've used it. It's the miniature pickup that can go anywhere and allows us to have the needed tools and parts in the bed. Now time to get a front windshield, rear view mirror ans possibly enclosure. Suggestions for good sources? __________________ Couple of YJ's without leafs.

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