| Click to Post a New Message!
Page [ 1 ] | | | |
|
|
|
Big Red has arrived
It's BIG.
And it certainly is RED.
Note: It is in a 6x10 dump trailer.... and there is no spare space!
|
|
 Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Big Red has arrived
And another view....... This critter isn't going to fit in the bed of your pick-up........
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Big Red has arrived
I can't quite make out the brand, is that a Honda?
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Big Red has arrived
Yup, a Honda indeed, and Mark is of course correct, it's a BIG one at that.
I'll be interested to know what you think of it, I've been looking at them myself.
My problem is the 'farmer' in me says that for something that weighs 1500 pounds it needs a bigger engine than a 675 one-lunger, and that if I'm going to have something that big I might as well just carve up a Toyota 4X4 pickup and make my version of what the beast could be.
Best of luck.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Big Red has arrived
I have read a lot of opinions on the internet and the prevailing wisdom says that Honda blew it by:
1)Making the engine too small, and
2)Not building a low range into the transmission.
I would point out that no one who has driven one has come away with those opinions.
First the engine. Honda does not publicize the amount of HP their engines make. However, Polaris makes a similar (computer controlled/electronic fuel injected, liquid cooled, high tech)850 cc twin that they rate at 70 HP.
That is an amazing 82 HP per liter or put another way, about 1.35 HP per cubic inch (based on 1 liter = 61.024 cubic inches).
Since Honda is no slouch when it comes to high tech small engines, if we apply the same standard of 82 HP/Liter, that would push the Honda engine into the 55 HP range.
And that is about what it feels like in the seat of your pants, at least 50 HP. It scoots right along, even here, a mile above sea level and with a new, stiff engine and drive train.
Next: the lack of a low range. One of the unusual features of both Big Red and the Rincon I traded in on it, is the lack of drive belts to slip or wear out.
Instead both have an automotive style 3 speed automatic transmission with a torque converter. The result is that as you push up steeper and steeper slopes, the engine spools up higher and higher before the torque converter engages and starts turning the wheels. Additionally, there is very little wheel spin in these situations. It mostly just grabs and goes.
I have pushed both machines up nearly vertical slopes, or at least slopes that were so steep that to continue would have resulted in the machine flipping on its back.
If you cannot "rock crawl" with that type of HP and gearing, I don't know what to tell you.
So far I am liking it a lot. It is very comfortable in both seating and ride. The independent suspension on all four corners is really nice. And, unlike the Rincon, the Big Red has an option to lock or unlock both axles so you don't tear up your lawn.
The Big red is the machine I was hoping to get when I bought that poor underpowered and over-engineered Kubota RTV.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Big Red has arrived
|
Quote:
|
Since Honda is no slouch when it comes to high tech small engines, if we apply the same standard of 82 HP/Liter, that would push the Honda engine into the 55 HP range.
|
|
Mark, you can't quite make that leap of faith in this case, you could if the Honda was also a twin though.
You're forgetting that a twin has twice as many power strokes at the same RPM as a single does.
I will follow your 'hands on' reviews with great interest though.
For my needs though I suspect the Toyota going under the 'gas knife' for a little surgery will be the ultimate outcome. In my case I have need of a cargo capacity of substantially greater than 500 pounds, and a hydraulic dump is now nearly mandatory.
I've done several before for others, but never got around to doing one for myself, maybe this winter I'll get around to it.
Best of luck.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Big Red has arrived
I know it is not necessarily a direct comparison, but the Big Red is by no means underpowered.
A 2 cylinder engine would certainly be inherently smoother, but it would have more moving parts and I would guess more internal friction to overcome.
Anyway, compared to the RTV, Red is lightweight and a rocket.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Big Red has arrived
Power should certainly be adequate but as Murf states, chopping up an old 4x4 is economically more palatable. I have the 6x6 Polaris, use the heck out of it, but often thought an old Jeep would have been a better choice and save the other 8 or 9k.
BUT, the small vehicle does have many benefits. As you can see in my profile, I still have mine. That 500 cc pushes the thing faster than I will drive it in high gear.
Good luck with yours, love the automatic!
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Big Red has arrived
Yup, if Murf is hauling more than 500# in the bed and needs a hydraulic dump, the pick-up is the way to go.
Red fits a lot better on the old mine trails and pioneer roads in back of the house than the Tundra.
Just noticed that Kubota has a new RTV 500. This one is small enough to fit between the wheel wells of a pick-up and has a whopping 16 horsepower gas engine.
Kubota also dressed out the RTV 900 with a full cab and accessories, increasing the weight by 500 pounds and calls it the RTV 1100.
According to the web site, they added three(3)horsepower to the engine to compensate (??!).
Those things must run a whole lot better at sea level.........
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Big Red has arrived
Cutter...... how did you like that soft cab you had on the Polaris?
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Page [ 1 ] | | | |
Thread 157051 Filter by Poster:
3 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
|
()
Picture of the Day
DennisCTB
Unanswered Questions
Active Subjects
Hot Topics
Featured Suppliers
|
Gas Generator Weather Protecti
10-06-2008, 11:30 
Digg It 
Del.icio.us 
