Dargo
Like a bad penny...
Yes, at long last, I broke down yesterday and bought a new Kubota RTV1100 in RealTree Camo. (I never was overly keen on the orange RTVs) I just wanted to give some "first" impressions of ownership as well as first impressions as compared to the RTV900. For better or worse, I feel that I am relatively fair in giving the info straight the way I feel. I won't build up something just because I bought it (think iPhone review) or slam anything unless without reason. Now, please remember, this first review is being made after only 4.2 hours.
The first, and most obvious difference between the RTV900 I've owned for 3 1/2 years is the factory cab. I've been in 3 different RTV900s that have had high quality (expensive anyway) Curtis cabs and heaters, but no A/C. The initial impression was that the factory cab on the RTV1100 (for convenience will be referred to as 1100 from here on) is that it has had considerable R&D go into it's development. If is far more "automotive" in style than the RTV900. Also, it's impossible to not notice how air tight the cab is. The doors seal extremely well. Further, I was pleasantly surprised at the amazingly quietness of the cab. Other than a not unpleasant sound from the diesel engine, all else is extremely quiet for a vehicle in it's class. The only noticable distraction is that you can definitely hear the power steering pump. After opening the front hood (which is heavily insulated and has gas lift rods that open it) I found that the power steering pump is located just behind the steering wheel and the steering shaft has a total length of maybe a foot to the pump. Anyway, you hear it, but it's not a big distraction.
There is much better storage under the seat and the storage tray is easily removed. Also, the bench seat and head rests are cloth. I have an industrial quality "Scotch Guard" type product my company carries that I will apply today before any stains appear. Next, I was pleasantly surprised that an antenna and speakers are pre-installed in the 1100 even if you don't opt for the (overpriced) Kubota radio. I'm sure I have one laying around that I'll install. Also, under the floor mat, there is again more heavy insulation. This eliminates the need to have Line-X applied to the floor inside the cab as I did with the 900; which made a huge difference in sound deadning. There are also two convenient beverage holders in the dash; nice touch.
On our 100 degree days, the A/C was given a good workout. I'm happy to report that after about 15 minutes, my son actually said he was cold and turned the A/C down a bit.
Air flow and air flow options are good. I have not tried the heater at this point, but I have no reason to think it would be any less impressive. There is also a hand throttle control that can be used a a sort of cruise control or, most likely, used to keep RPM's up to allow you to use the rear remotes for powered items like a PHD or splitter. If you've ever heard any long term complaints about the 900, it mostly centers around the inability to get it out of gear after being under a load on on the side of a hill. To be honest, I learned to always shut the 900 off to get it out of gear. The new pressure release know on the 1100 really works!
Also, one of my firm assertions about the 900 was, that with aggressive tires, I ran out of power before I ran out of traction when I attempted rather extreme hills. I can report, without any qualifications, that the 1100 (even with A/C on) never suffered from that lack of power. It would easily spin the aggressive tires where the 900 would just grunt. However, the 900 had more "punch" to it when driving it. I don't know if this is due to it weighing 700 or so pounds less or from the fact that I upped the injector pump on it. The 900 would rather easily cruise at 30 mph on paved roads. The 1100, as of now, sits exactly on 25 mph; as advertised.
More later. It's a weekend and I need to get my 80 hours of yard work done today and tomorrow. So far, I have to rate my 1100 as a pleasant surprise with no issues discovered yet. That's a good thing considering I am a rather brutal and blunt person when doing product reviews.
The first, and most obvious difference between the RTV900 I've owned for 3 1/2 years is the factory cab. I've been in 3 different RTV900s that have had high quality (expensive anyway) Curtis cabs and heaters, but no A/C. The initial impression was that the factory cab on the RTV1100 (for convenience will be referred to as 1100 from here on) is that it has had considerable R&D go into it's development. If is far more "automotive" in style than the RTV900. Also, it's impossible to not notice how air tight the cab is. The doors seal extremely well. Further, I was pleasantly surprised at the amazingly quietness of the cab. Other than a not unpleasant sound from the diesel engine, all else is extremely quiet for a vehicle in it's class. The only noticable distraction is that you can definitely hear the power steering pump. After opening the front hood (which is heavily insulated and has gas lift rods that open it) I found that the power steering pump is located just behind the steering wheel and the steering shaft has a total length of maybe a foot to the pump. Anyway, you hear it, but it's not a big distraction.
There is much better storage under the seat and the storage tray is easily removed. Also, the bench seat and head rests are cloth. I have an industrial quality "Scotch Guard" type product my company carries that I will apply today before any stains appear. Next, I was pleasantly surprised that an antenna and speakers are pre-installed in the 1100 even if you don't opt for the (overpriced) Kubota radio. I'm sure I have one laying around that I'll install. Also, under the floor mat, there is again more heavy insulation. This eliminates the need to have Line-X applied to the floor inside the cab as I did with the 900; which made a huge difference in sound deadning. There are also two convenient beverage holders in the dash; nice touch.
On our 100 degree days, the A/C was given a good workout. I'm happy to report that after about 15 minutes, my son actually said he was cold and turned the A/C down a bit.
Air flow and air flow options are good. I have not tried the heater at this point, but I have no reason to think it would be any less impressive. There is also a hand throttle control that can be used a a sort of cruise control or, most likely, used to keep RPM's up to allow you to use the rear remotes for powered items like a PHD or splitter. If you've ever heard any long term complaints about the 900, it mostly centers around the inability to get it out of gear after being under a load on on the side of a hill. To be honest, I learned to always shut the 900 off to get it out of gear. The new pressure release know on the 1100 really works!Also, one of my firm assertions about the 900 was, that with aggressive tires, I ran out of power before I ran out of traction when I attempted rather extreme hills. I can report, without any qualifications, that the 1100 (even with A/C on) never suffered from that lack of power. It would easily spin the aggressive tires where the 900 would just grunt. However, the 900 had more "punch" to it when driving it. I don't know if this is due to it weighing 700 or so pounds less or from the fact that I upped the injector pump on it. The 900 would rather easily cruise at 30 mph on paved roads. The 1100, as of now, sits exactly on 25 mph; as advertised.
More later. It's a weekend and I need to get my 80 hours of yard work done today and tomorrow. So far, I have to rate my 1100 as a pleasant surprise with no issues discovered yet. That's a good thing considering I am a rather brutal and blunt person when doing product reviews.
told me, to tell you, that you voided your warranty.
