Whether you’re working on a farm, large estate, or across any outdoor area, having the right vehicle makes a huge difference to your day. Not only can it save you valuable time and energy, but having an RTV or other all-terrain vehicle can keep you safe as you work.
But what is an RTV, and what should you be looking out for when you’re buying one? In this guide, the team at Hughie Willett Machinery will walk you through the main qualities to look out for to pick the best RTV for your needs.
What is an RTV?
Let’s start simple – what is an RTV?
Standing for ‘Rough’ or ‘Rugged Terrain Vehicle’, RTVs are Kubota’s answer to the utility vehicle industry. Designed for travelling across rough or uneven terrain, a Kubota RTV has plenty of additional features to help you transport goods or equipment off-road. This all means that investing in an RTV is an excellent idea for agricultural or industrial workers.
Even though RTVs tend to fall under the wider umbrella of off-road utility vehicles, they’re not the same as other models. Unique design, shape, and size all help to make a Kubota RTV stand out from the rest. Interested in learning more? Check out our guide on RTV vs UTV vs ATV: What's the Difference?
Buying an RTV
As we’ve mentioned, RTVs are an investment piece of machinery – so you want to make sure you’re buying the right one first time. In this section, we’ll explore some of the main aspects you’ll want to consider before committing to buying an RTV.
Usage
First things first, you need to think about how you’re planning on using your RTV, as this will affect which model and design is right for you. Before you buy your next RTV, think about the following areas to narrow the field and help you choose.
Passengers
How many people are going to be riding around on the job? Many off-road vehicles are designed for two passengers because this leaves more room in the back for transporting equipment. On the other hand, you may want to travel with up to four people – for example, if you’re on a game shoot, passengers take priority over bed capacity. Some Kubota RTVs are specifically designed to adapt to your needs – easily changing from a two to four person vehicle.
Terrain
As a rough terrain vehicle, RTVs are designed to handle bumpy, uneven, and inclement conditions. This makes them perfect for agricultural, commercial, or large residential estates where you need to move at speed, transport heavy goods, or require the superior traction of an off-road vehicle. However, if you’re planning on towing heavier machinery like scarifiers and aerators, a small tractor may be more suitable to your needs.
Towing and bed capacity
Another thing to consider when you’re buying a RTV is the towing and bed capacity. Kubota RTVs are known for being able to tow heavy loads – in fact, the average tow capacity ranges from 1,168 to 2000 lbs (or roughly 530 to 900kg!). This is ideal when you need to bring a trailer or other machinery with you to the job site.
Alongside towing, RTVs come with durable storage beds that will help you get the most out of your model. Whether you’re moving hay or animal feed around a farm, or need to get heavy-duty groundcare machinery like chainsaws and strimmers into hard-to-reach areas, having the right bed capacity will save you time and wasted trips to get everything into place.
Top tip: some RTVs have hydraulic tipping beds. This allows you to deposit heavy materials like soil and gravel into place in one smooth movement – saving you time and money.
RTV design features
Before buying your new RTV, you should also explore what design features are most important for your task, and how your off-road vehicle can incorporate these to make your life easier.
Cab
Unlike off-road vehicles for one user (i.e. quad bikes), RTVs tend to have a roll bar or cab around the passenger area. At its most basic, this is just a simple structure of support bars – but these provide a foundation to include more features like windscreens, windows, and a roof to keep you covered all year round.
Not only is this more comfortable for all involved, a roof and window helps to protect you from the weather, trees, and kicked-up dirt during the drive.
Top tip: having a ROPS (Rollover Protective Structure) also makes your RTV much safer in case the worst happens, and your vehicle rolls during an accident.
Engine
Kubota RTVs are typically faster than other utility vehicles, and have a powerful engine to optimise performance wherever you are. But, that's not all. Kubota RTVs also have a range of innovative engine features that help them stand out within the off-road vehicle market, including:
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Dynamic braking and accelerating to improve safety.
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Unique VHT, or Variable Hydrostatic Transmission, which provides excellent traction and hill control and allows for safer and more responsive towing.
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Rapid accelerating and gripping traction to stop and start without needing to brake.
Top tip: be on the lookout for power steering too, to make driving your RTV more enjoyable.
Suspension
Designed for durability, RTVs have excellent suspension to not only traverse difficult terrain, but to make that journey as comfortable as possible for you as a passenger. The four-wheel independent suspension allows each wheel to move vertically according to the terrain, absorbing the shock and providing a more cushioned off-road experience.
Wheel drive
The drivetrain delivers power from the engine to the wheels, and usually dictates how well a vehicle can steer around obstacles. Thanks to the unique drivetrain found in several Kubota RTVs, you can maximise the area you can cover comfortably – with enhanced manoeuvrability allowing you to tackle more treacherous terrains safely.
Looking for the ideal RTV for you?
Then you’ve come to the right place. Here at Hughie Willett Machinery, we have a fantastic range of new and used Kubota RTVs for sale to suit your needs. Explore the collection online today to find two and four seater RTVs, each with a variety of designs and bed capacities.
Not sure which one is right for you? Contact our team online, or give us a call on 0121 308 1262 for helpful advice throughout your purchasing journey.
Shop from our range of RTVs at Hughie Willett Machinery
For more information, groundcare machinery advice, and useful buying guides, explore the Hughie Willett Machinery blog…
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