DRIVING IMPRESSION: Although it was never the fastest, most comfortable nor the most able over rough ground, the Kubota RTV-900 nonetheless had enough good points to make it easy to recommend for ag UTV operation. With a new transmission, all-round independent suspension and better ground clearance, the latest RTV-X900 looks to have addressed its predecessor’s shortcomings. So, is this new model an ideal ag UTV buy?
Kubota has simplified its UTV lineup structure for the latest RTVX900, essentially dividing it into road-homologated and off-road machines with both sharing a Mauser ROPS frame system. This is a key simplification when compared to the outgoing RTV-900 that used a different ROPS set-up for on- and off-road models, making choosing the right model trickier than it needed to be.
Now it is all nice and simple. The company offers Orange Worksite and Recreational Camo variants, the only difference, apart from options fitted and colour, relating to the tyres: off-road Recreational units have cleated ATV-style tyres in place of a more general-purpose turf tread.
With an obvious nod to the US hunting fraternity, camo vinyl wrapped Recreational models look like a bit of North American woodland, and these will be the strongest sellers into ag largely due to the standard cleat tyres. If you prefer Kubota orange you will either have to make do with generalpurpose tyres or swap to a design better suited to more demanding terrain. Roadhomologated models have general-purpose tyres, road-legal lighting and a suspended driver’s seat but are otherwise the same as the off-road machines.
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