Kubota RTV-X900 Diesel Utility Vehicles

Kubota RTV-X900-G {General Purpose} and RTV-X900 W {Worksite} Utility Vehicles.

The ALL “new” redesigned RTV X Series utility vehicles have significant updates for 2014. First and Foremast these are working vehicles, while not out of place on the trails these machines are at their best when they are loaded up, making your tasks at hand on the land easier.

Available in two model configurations – G – General Purpose with Manual Lift and ATV tyres and standard, or W – Worksite with Hydraulic lift and Worksite {Lug} Tyres as standard. The RTV X900 series are powered by a three-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 22hp Kubota diesel engine that offers 40.4 ft-lbs of torque.

New for 2014 is a 20% larger radiator now located where a radiator should be for the best cooling, Under the bonnet!! The radiator’s wide fin pitch design minimizes clogging and it’s placed up high in the front of the vehicle where the air is cleaner and there is more air flow.

Also new, transmission gearing now features just two forward speeds (High and Low), along with Neutral and Reverse, so users have to shift less.

Suspension is provided by independent dual A-arms front and rear, controlling eight inches of travel and 10.4 inches of ground clearance. CV joint protectors and skid plates will help protect the underside of the RTV X-Series should you misjudge the size of the debris in front of you.

Other features found across the RTV X-Series include Hydrostatic Transmission offering dynamic braking meaning this limits braking requirements, in board disc brakes, Front Limited slip diff, Rear diff lock operated by foot pedal, Roll Over Protection Structure, 60:40 bench seats, power steering, digital meters and a glove box. As well, the under seat storage is a great place to store your tools or anything else you don’t want rattling around on the floor.

You can tow 590kg out back and carry 755kg up the front. If that’s not enough utility for you, RTV X-Series UTVs Dumping the cargo box is as simple as flicking a lever and letting the hydraulic lift take over (RTV X900 General Purpose standard with manual cargo lift)

The RTV X900 is built on a high-rigidity steel frame, which is designed to lessen noise, vibration and harshness. 

Ride Impressions – Source www.atv.com {USA utility vehicle comparison test}

The RTV X 900 has a lap belt as Standard while the two larger models the 1120D and X1100C are equipped with three-point seatbelts. While the lap belt makes getting in and out easier, we prefer the security of a three-point harness.

All three units have a very similar feel inside. The first thing we noticed was how comfortable the throttle pedal felt. This may not sound like a big deal, but taller riders often feel cramped in a UTV. This was not the case with the RTV X-Series. Leg room was generous and it was easy to push down on the throttle to find a consistent speed without your foot/ankle being in an uncomfortable position.

Expect plenty of hard-pulling torque from any of the three diesel-powered RTV X-Series machines. These machines are designed to haul big loads and operate heavy implements.

As expected, neck-snapping throttle response isn’t on the menu. While the RTV X1120D boasts a top speed of 29 mph (46 kph), it doesn’t get there quickly. This is due in large part to the heavy-duty construction of the RTV X-Series. The RTV X900 General Purpose tips the scales at 865kg, while the cab-equipped X1100C weighs in at 1075kgs.

All that weight, however, isn’t a bad thing. The weight feels nice and low in the chassis, which makes the entire RTX X-Series feel very planted. This is a huge bonus for anybody who has to work around uneven terrain as the vehicles are exceptionally stable.

Speaking of dealing with uneven terrain, the power steering system in the RTV X-Series is about the lightest we’ve ever tested. Though we didn’t get to test out a unit loaded to its full capacity, turning the steering wheel could be easily done with one finger – even at low speeds. We generally prefer a little less power steering input for sporty trail UTVs, but for a work vehicle the lighter the steering the better. This system is really impressive and we can only imagine how much better your shoulders would feel after spending a day behind the wheel hauling loads on the most uneven terrain.

Another home run for Kubota is its dynamic engine braking. We pointed the RTV X1120D down some very steep hills, took our foot off the pedals and let the dynamic braking take over. The machine crawls slowly down the hill every time, allowing the user to concentrate on pointing the tires in the right direction. When combined with the vehicle’s low center of gravity, the dynamic braking makes descending even the nastiest hills simple and worry free.

While the diesel-powered RTV X-Series models have the torque to push up most any hill, we did have some trouble when the ground got a little muddy and we were operating a unit with Turf tires. If you think you’ll be working around muddy areas with big hills to climb, just opt for one of the more aggressive tire choices {Available as STD on the RTV X900 Worksite and the RTV X1120 models}.

As the mercury was hovering around freezing during the day of our test, we were excited to climb into the cozy confines of the cab-equipped RTV X1100C. The cab features both heating and air conditioning, so it’s comfortable no matter the season. It got warm enough in the cab where we were able to roll down the windows a crack to let in some fresh air. As an added bonus, the cab was also quiet. We expected more vibration and general noise, but the cab felt like part of the machine, rather than just an add-on. We came away very impressed.

Some the best Optional Attachments:

– 1815kg capacity winch – Tow Hitch – Hydraulic lift kit – Plastic tray liner – Rear vision mirror – Windscreen – Reverse Beeper