Rodeo Drive

Oct 1, 2007 10:16 AM, By Karen McMahon

On a sunny summer day, Team FIN farmers gathered to test-drive nine utility vehicles in our third UV Rodeo. Once again, the UV field improved and our test-drivers encountered several surprises

Arctic Cat Prowler 650Hi XT
The drivers were impressed with the Prowler — Arctic Cat’s entry into the UV market. Many of them liked its sleek design and high power, while others considered it too much for the farm. “The Prowler is kind of like a Corvette; it’s just a little too fancy and fast for a farmer like me,” Gary Appleby remarked.

Other drivers considered the Prowler among the best in the test. “I thought it was the most powerful of the whole bunch,” Clark McPheeters reported. “It didn’t have the smoothest power delivery, probably because it is a single-cylinder engine. The styling was really nice, and it is probably the most capable off road because of its high ground clearance.”

The Arctic Cat 641cc engine powers the vehicle to 50 mph. Its composite cargo box drew excellent reviews, while its parking brake did not.

Suggested price: $10,199
Engine: 641cc, single-cylinder, liquid cooled
Cargo box: 600 lbs.
218/681-8558
www.arcticcat.com
Score: 4.08

Bobcat 2200D
Drivers liked Bobcat’s new 2200D UV powered with a 3-cyl., 20-hp Kubota diesel engine. “I liked the quiet diesel engine,” Clark McPheeters reported. “It is a high-quality machine that seems very durable and will give many years of trouble-free service.” Its top speed is 25 mph, and it features an automatic, on-demand 4-wd system.

The aluminum frame earned praise, but not the aluminum in the cargo bed where a load would rattle. One persistent complaint was the difficulty getting in and out of the seat due to the vehicle’s high ground clearance and tight space between the steering wheel and armrest. The steering wheel does tilt, and other drivers noted that the high clearance helps the vehicle clear trail obstacles.

Overall, the drivers gave Bobcat a thumbs-up. “I would put the Bobcat in a work category because it is a big, strong vehicle, probably one of the best performing of the diesels,” Brown concluded.

Suggested price: $12,187
Engine: 20 hp, 3 cyl., diesel, liquid cooled
Cargo box: 800 lbs.
701/280-8700
www.bobcat.com
Score: 4.0

Kawasaki Mule 3010 Trans 4x4
The Kawasaki Mule powered with a 953cc, 3-cyl. diesel engine received a good review. “Kawasaki has been in the business a long time and the Mule is well put together,” Lock reported. “The vehicle has the softest footprint of the UVs in the test so it won’t tear up my pastures. I love the power steering.”

What caught the most attention was the second bench seat that easily folds back into the cargo bed. Drivers admitted they hadn’t thought about multiple seating, but after seeing it, they figured they would really like having it.

One complaint that surfaced was a rougher ride. Clark McPheeters suggested the “suspension needs more travel to make it more capable and comfortable in off-road conditions.”

Bakken added, “I think the Mule is a good machine, but it has some older technology. The vehicle had a lever to switch into differential and 4-wd. Why not make the differential automatic and 4-wd a rocker switch?”

Suggested price: $10,899
Engine: 953cc, 24 hp, 3 cyl., liquid cooled
Cargo box: 1,100 lbs.
949/770-0400
www.kawasaki.com
Score: 4.0

Next page: More individual ratings - Cub Cadet, Bush Hog, PUG Frontier