As I have indicated in another thread, after doing a lot of research
into what would be the best machine to meet my needs here in the Yukon
bush, with almost 1.5 miles of narrow road to keep clear of snow and
lots of firewood to keep coming all year and the odd hunting excursion,
the RTV900 came to be the obvious choice--especially after working
through this forum. So I made the leap on a 2008 worksite utility
model that was sitting in the dealer's yard and got (for this neck of
the woods, at least) what I considered a quite good deal. Extras
include glass windshield, plastic roof, front and rear worklights, 3k
Warn winch, 72" Curtis plow with electric lift, and a 'winter package'
that includes two block heaters (one on the block and one under the oil
pan), a transmission heater, and a battery blanket. Oh yeah--they threw in the Kubota hat.
</p>
But the most interesting and I think unusual add-on is the
snowblower. It is a two-stage, 60" wide blower with its own 31hp
Vanguard (Briggs and Stratton) gas engine. It rides on its own
pneumatic caster wheels, pushed by a long tongue which runs under the
RTV and hitches to the trailer hitch. It is a bit hard to explain, but
you can check them out at:
http://www.jimsrepairjimstractors.com/utility-vehicle-snow-blower.htm.</p>
Setting it up was pretty straightforward, the only issue being
needing to add about 18" to the length of the tongue. It also has a
control box that mounts in the cab and from which you can control the
various functions of the blower, including a kill switch.</p>
So after doing the tinkering yesterday, I was able to put her to the
test today. It was lovely. This morning it was -5F. I plugged it in
for an hour and then it started up on the first turn of the key, eager
to get to work!</p>
This year we have had record snowfalls and there is just nowhere to
put the snow. But no need to worry with the snowblower--it just
motored through and sent the snow flying through the trees. The only
downer was going through two sheer bolts--someone had lost a 5/8" pin
on the road, apparently, and naturally the snowblower found it. Lesson
learned is to keep a bag of sheer bolts in the 'bota with wrenches. I
am going to love this machine! Up until now I had been dreading more
snow--but now I can't wait! Bring it on!</p>
I am also eager to get into the woods and see how the 'bota does with hauling firewood. But next week. </p>
One thing I will say is that the stock HDWS tires are marginal at
best in deep snow. They will be fine for my summer work, but either I
will need to put on chains or find a more suitable tire. I know
several have recommended the ATV tires, but they can be even worse on
icy conditions.</p>
So the final need is to come up with a name for her. Will let you
know after I get a better sense of her personality. Have posted a
photo below. Recommendations and advice welcome! (Hoping to add a set
of Tommy's boot guards when he is able to knock them out.)/cs/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.36.14/RTV900-and-Snowblower.jpg</p>
into what would be the best machine to meet my needs here in the Yukon
bush, with almost 1.5 miles of narrow road to keep clear of snow and
lots of firewood to keep coming all year and the odd hunting excursion,
the RTV900 came to be the obvious choice--especially after working
through this forum. So I made the leap on a 2008 worksite utility
model that was sitting in the dealer's yard and got (for this neck of
the woods, at least) what I considered a quite good deal. Extras
include glass windshield, plastic roof, front and rear worklights, 3k
Warn winch, 72" Curtis plow with electric lift, and a 'winter package'
that includes two block heaters (one on the block and one under the oil
pan), a transmission heater, and a battery blanket. Oh yeah--they threw in the Kubota hat.
</p>But the most interesting and I think unusual add-on is the
snowblower. It is a two-stage, 60" wide blower with its own 31hp
Vanguard (Briggs and Stratton) gas engine. It rides on its own
pneumatic caster wheels, pushed by a long tongue which runs under the
RTV and hitches to the trailer hitch. It is a bit hard to explain, but
you can check them out at:
http://www.jimsrepairjimstractors.com/utility-vehicle-snow-blower.htm.</p>
Setting it up was pretty straightforward, the only issue being
needing to add about 18" to the length of the tongue. It also has a
control box that mounts in the cab and from which you can control the
various functions of the blower, including a kill switch.</p>
So after doing the tinkering yesterday, I was able to put her to the
test today. It was lovely. This morning it was -5F. I plugged it in
for an hour and then it started up on the first turn of the key, eager
to get to work!</p>
This year we have had record snowfalls and there is just nowhere to
put the snow. But no need to worry with the snowblower--it just
motored through and sent the snow flying through the trees. The only
downer was going through two sheer bolts--someone had lost a 5/8" pin
on the road, apparently, and naturally the snowblower found it. Lesson
learned is to keep a bag of sheer bolts in the 'bota with wrenches. I
am going to love this machine! Up until now I had been dreading more
snow--but now I can't wait! Bring it on!</p>
I am also eager to get into the woods and see how the 'bota does with hauling firewood. But next week. </p>
One thing I will say is that the stock HDWS tires are marginal at
best in deep snow. They will be fine for my summer work, but either I
will need to put on chains or find a more suitable tire. I know
several have recommended the ATV tires, but they can be even worse on
icy conditions.</p>
So the final need is to come up with a name for her. Will let you
know after I get a better sense of her personality. Have posted a
photo below. Recommendations and advice welcome! (Hoping to add a set
of Tommy's boot guards when he is able to knock them out.)/cs/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.36.14/RTV900-and-Snowblower.jpg</p>
