Farm buggy buyers guide 2014

New additions to the selection of side-by-side ATVs are at opposite ends of the performance scale – Kubota’s RTV400Ci and RTV500 have modest 404cc petrol engines developing just 16hp while the John Deere XUV 825i Gator gets a three-cylinder engine twice that size pumping out 50hp for extra-rapid climbs to tend sheep on the hill.

Performance and specification of the two Kubota machines are broadly similar except that the RTV400Ci has an air-cooled engine driving through a ‘belt and pulley’ continuously variable transmission, while the RTV500 comes with a liquid-cooled motor and hydrostatic drive as used on the manufacturer’s diesel-engine RTVs.

The 404cc single-cylinder petrol engine in the RTV400Ci is a new unit with electronic fuel injection to avoid manual choke and cold starting issues. It drives through the CVT Plus inertia transmission.

Kubota’s RTV500 has a 456cc two-cylinder petrol engine with liquid cooling, which makes it a bit quieter; it also generates a bit less vibration, says Kubota, which contributes to a more comfortable, relaxed and less tiring ride for the operator. Easy driving characteristics come with the VHT Plus hydrostatic drive.

Both transmissions have high and low ratios to give a choice of speeds appropriate to different situations, and both are geared for a top speed of 40kph.

There is selectable four-wheel drive with a manually-operated differential lock, and independent Macpherson strut front suspension and semi-independent multi-link rear suspension compensate for rough terrain and uneven ground.

Operators who want a decidedly lively drive from their side-by-side ATV should get it with the John Deere XUV 825i Gator – it is engineered to be faster, more powerful and more agile than the current line-up.

Equipped with an 812cc, three-cylinder petrol engine with liquid cooling, the 825i has 50hp and a top speed of 44mph, with electronic fuel injection for easy starting.

A locking four-wheel drive system and fully independent, double wishbone suspension are also part of the package, with 203mm (8in) of wheel travel and up to 267mm (11in) of ground clearance helping the vehicle tackle uneven terrain. Power steering with anti-kickback is standard.

Instead of steel, the cargo box is made of a composite material – so it will not rust or dent; load capacity is 454kg.

Farm buggy buyers guide

Make & model Engine/power Driven wheels Gears Weight Payload Road legal? List price ex VAT
DIESEL              
New Holland Rustler 120 719cc / 20hp 2/4wd 1f 1r CVT 724kg 476kg yes £13,101
JCB Workmax 6×4 768cc / 21hp 4wd 1f 1r CVT 654kg 500kg yes £14,012
JCB Workmax 800 D 784cc / 20hp 2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 710kg 400kg No £9,973
JCB Workmax 800 D (Type approved) 784cc / 20hp 2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 710kg 400kg Yes £10,276
John Deere Gator XUV 855D 854cc / 25hp 2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 788kg 454kg £1,082 £12,563
John Deere Gator XUV 855D S4* 854cc / 25hp 2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 946kg 454kg £1,082 £14,593
John Deere Gator HPX Diesel 854cc / 20hp 2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 757kg 454kg £1,313 £11,520
Cub Cadet Big Country 854cc / 21hp 4wd 2f 1r CVT 630kg 409kg yes £11,399
Massey Ferguson MF20 MD 854cc / 21hp 4wd 2f 1r CVT 726kg 409kg yes £11,249
Kubota RTV900 898cc / 22hp 2/4wd 3spd Hydro 830-925kg 500kg option £11,200
Bobcat 3400D 904cc / 24hp 2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 730kg 500kg n/a POA
Polaris Ranger Diesel 904cc / 24hp a2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 652kg 453kg no £11,399
Polaris Ranger Diesel Crew * 904cc / 24hp a2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 652kg 453kg no £12,399
Polaris Brutus 904cc / 24hp a2/4wd 2f 2r Hydro 745kg 567kg no poa
Polaris Brutus HD Front Lift 904cc / 24hp a2/4wd 2f 2r Hydro 745kg 567kg no poa
Polaris Brutus HD Front Lift PTO 904cc / 24hp a2/4wd 2f 2r Hydro 745kg 567kg no poa
Kawasaki Mule 4010 Diesel 953cc / 24hp 2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 725kg 499kg no £10,529
Kawasaki Mule 4010 Trans Diesel* 953cc / 24hp 2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 788kg 499kg no £11,729
JCB Workmax 1000 D 1000cc / 26hp 2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 850kg 500kg yes £12,045
Cushman 1600XD-R 1007cc / 22hp 2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 740kg 500kg yes £10,790
Kioti Mechron 2200 1007cc / 22hp 2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 740kg 500kg no £10,900
Kioti Mechron 2210 1007cc / 22hp 2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 840kg 500kg yes £12,950
Ausa Task M 50D 1028cc / 26hp 2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 650kg 500kg yes £12,950
Kubota RTV1140 * 1123cc / 26hp 2/4wd 3spd Hydro 1075kg 530kg no £14,260
ELECTRIC              
Polaris Ranger EV 22kW a2/4wd EM 770kg 227kg no £10,999
PETROL              
Aeon Cube 350 349cc / 20hp 2wd 1f 1r CVT 400kg 216kg Yes £4,999
Farr LH 400 UTV 352cc / 28hp 2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 498kg n/a Yes £5,799
Aeon Cube 400 400cc / 25hp 2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 423kg n/akg Yes £5,832
Kawasaki Mule 600 401cc / 13hp 2wd 1f 1r CVT 429kg n/a no £5,829
Kawasaki Mule 610 4×4 401cc / 13hp 2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 458kg n/a no £6,529
Kubota RTV400 CI 404cc / 16hp 2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 565kg 200kg no £7,800
Polaris Ranger 400 455cc / 29hp a2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 476kg 227kg no £6,899
Kubota RTV500 456cc / 16hp 2/4wd 2f 1r Hydro 615kg 200kg no £8,800
John Deere Gator XUV 550 570cc / 16hp 2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 553kg 181kg £1,620 £7,594
John Deere Gator XUV 550 S4 * 570cc / 16hp 2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 660kg 181kg £1,620 £8,649
Farr 700 EFI UTV 686cc / 33hp 2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 524kg 524kg yes £6,799
Yamaha Viking 700 686cc / na 2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 623kg 267kg no poa
Polaris Ranger 6×6 800 760cc / 40hp a4/6wd 2f 1r CVT 704kg 567kg no £11,599
Farr HS 800 UTV 800cc / 55hp 2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 529kg na yes £7,899
Quadzilla Tracker 800SBS 800cc / n/a 2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 560kg n/a yes £7,599
John Deere Gator XUV 825i 812cc / 50hp 2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 788kg 454kg no £13,088
Polaris Ranger XP 900 875cc / 50hp a2/4wd 2f 1r CVT 562kg 454kg no £11,199

KEY – Transmission: CVT – continuously variable transmission (variator + belts); Hydro – hydrostatic drive; EM – electric motor(s); 4wd – permanent four-wheel drive; 2/4wd – selectable two- and four-wheel drive; a2/4wd – automatic two- and four-wheel drive; n/a = information not available. Note: * These models have extra seating when the cargo box is shortened; ** cargo load allows for driver and passenger weighing 100kg each.


More buyers guides:

Farm buggies 2013

Combines

Telehandlers

Combination drills

Fence post drivers

Second-hand loader tractors

Chaser bins

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