The concept is not new. Its origins are rooted in the golf sector, with perhaps the golf-car being the original lightweight RTV.
This is certainly reflected among some of the biggest manufacturers who produce many different versions to cater for the golf, recreation and agricultural sectors. By far the largest producer of different brands of these products is North America, where even Japanese firm Kubota builds its range of RTVs.
In farming circles, this type of vehicle is becoming more popular for a number of reasons. Many offer the benefits of an ATV being a low ground pressure vehicle that can travel through a wet terrain leaving little or no tyre footprint.
The vast majority are four-wheel drive, but two- and six-wheel drive versions are also available from some manufacturers.
The price is not a million miles away from a top-of-the-range ATV. And if your bones are getting creaky, they are easier to use than an ATV with no leg swinging over the saddle required.
RTV access is more sedate with a low-level flat floor, plus a conventional seat and a passenger seat or bench seat for up to three. There are even ‘crew-cab’ versions to carry more passengers if required.
Driving a ‘side-by-side’ is also relatively easy, again influenced by the US (most are also left-hand drive).
The vast majority are equipped with just two pedals – a brake and accelerator – and are driven like an automatic car.
Press the gas pedal and it just accelerates away. Simple. Again, most offer two forward speeds and one reverse.
An RTV has another advantage over an ATV in that all are equipped with a rear tipping body of varying capacities. This is particularly useful around the farm for carrying meal or bales out to livestock, fencing or machinery repairs.
Some will have a manual tipping device, others will have electric tip and the high-end versions will be equipped with a hydraulic system for tipping and maybe a double-acting hydraulic service (Kubota and Kioti brands for example).
There is plenty to consider when purchasing an RTV, including price and manufacturer, and there are a surprising number of brands out there.
Choosing either petrol, diesel or electric will be one of the biggest decisions to make with diesel variants being more attractive for agricultural use but also that bit more expensive. And there are new electric-powered versions coming on the market.
The vast majority of manufacturers use a variable belt drive system similar to that of a combine harvester’s drum to provide a CVT-like driving experience.
The harder you give it the wellie, the faster it will go.
The couple of exceptions being the Kubota with hydrostatic drive and Honda with a full car-like automatic transmission.
The options list for most brands is quite extensive. It generally includes various forms of weather protection (most are open), electric load-bed tip, electric winch and ball hitch (if not already standard).
One more feature worth considering before purchasing is power-steering, which is increasingly being offered as an option/standard.
UTVs are relatively easy to steer, but, again for anyone with creaky bones, it does make driving that bit easier.
What’s available
Bobcat
Bobcat, famous for its skid-steer loaders, is one of the manufacturers listed in this article.
Montana Plant in Dublin acquired the Bobcat franchise about 12 months ago, according to general manager Garry Kehoe. Garry explains that Montana Plant is building its profile with the Bobcat product and this will include Bobcat UTVs as well.
Kawasaki Mule
The Kawasaki Mule, one of the easiest UTV names to remember, is not included on our list because it is not available in Ireland through the Kawasaki importers.
A spokesperson for the company said there were no plans to bring it in. It was seen here in the past, however, and some farmers may have bought versions in Britain.
Own brand
There are a large number of own brand UTVs available through agricultural dealers including Massey Ferguson, Kubota, JCB, New Holland and John Deere.
They are well placed to service agricultural customers who may already be doing business with them.
One of the group, John Deere, manufactures quite a range of these type of vehicles for all sectors of the industry in petrol, diesel and electric (we have only included the agri versions in our listing). Lely Ireland handles the Toro products through its Turfcare division.
Deere
Deere has invited both outdoor enthusiasts and professionals to enjoy a unique test drive experience this spring with the full range of John Deere Gator utility vehicles.
Around 50 John Deere dealers across Ireland and Britain will be hosting a series of Gator ‘experience days’ throughout the month of April, with some additional dates in March and May.
Potential customers will be invited to a one-day event where they will, not only be able to put the latest Gator models to the test in challenging off-road conditions, but also discover a range of John Deere solutions including parts availability, financing and PowerGard warranty extensions.
A special 0% finance offer will be available for customers who buy a Gator within 14 days of attending their local event.
Deere has created a dedicated website where customers can register which contains information about dates and locations for the various events that will be taking place – www.
JohnDeere.com/testdrivers
Honda
Honda is a bit of a late arrival to the ‘side-by-side’ market and Honda Ireland has just brought in some Honda MUV700s for stock and demonstration.
This is a 675cc petrol-powered machine with, as mentioned earlier, an automotive-style automatic transmission. Interested parties should contact Honda Ireland for more info.
Polaris
Polaris has introduced its new ‘side-by-side’ utility vehicle, the Ranger XP900, with new twin cylinder 875cc engine, all-new chassis and a redesigned cockpit with a three-person split bench seat that also flips up for easy access to under-seat storage.
If you want to add more creature comforts, there is the all-new ‘lock and ride’ PRO-FIT cab system, on which Polaris says full cab installation takes less than five minutes, with windshield, roof, rear panels and doors pre-designed for the frame and all locking tightly to keep out the weather.
Cushman
New to the agri-sector from Dublin firm Kevin Broderick Ltd is the Cushman 1600XD-R, a diesel utility vehicle from the USA.
Cushman produces all manner of ‘small’ vehicles for everything from the golf industry, to manufacturing, to farming.
Broderick’s, who specialise in products for the golf industry, now offers the Cushman 1600XD-R through its Dublin and Belfast branches.
Kioti
The latest model from Kioti is the 2210, a diesel UTV with belt-based CVT transmission.
According to John Callan from PJ Callan Ltd, Ardee, who import and distribute the 2210, it is fully homologated and it is the only UTV of its kind that can legally carry three people on the road.
Optional extras on the Kioti include hydraulic tipping, remote hydraulic kit and tow-bar kit.
Wolfhound
The Northern Ireland firm recently launched what it describes as a low cost diesel UTV to market.
Its ‘road legal’ machine is also unique in that it is right-hand drive.
Powering it is a three cylinder, 1,050cc oil-cooled Daihatsu engine and, according to the firm, it has a 910kg towing capacity and a 500kg payload. It is a 4x4 unit with belt-based CVT transmission and is capable of 55km/h.
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