Kubota X1140 RTV Comprehensive Review

After one year of operating the Kubota RTV X1140 we assess the strengths, weaknesses and applications of this piece of equipment around the homestead. If you are in the market for a four seater, an expandable bed, hydraulic lift and/or a diesel motor in a UTV, we have made this episode just for you.
Thank you for commenting, sharing your experiences, or posing additional questions.
Hotwire fence posts: Timeless 1.75” t-post, Timeless step-in
Tensile wire: agcareproducts 180K PSI
Hotwire: Pasture Management Systems 9-strand Stainless Steel
Hotwire reels: Timeless
Farm truck: F350 Super Duty, 6.7L with Banks performance and Pro Comp suspension
Tractor: Kubota L3560 Limited Edition
RTV: Kubota X1140
Mower: TORO Titan 60”
Winch: Champion Power Equipment 1000427 12K
Chainsaw: Stihl MS251C
Log splitter: County Line 25ton
Wood chipper/shredder: DK2 Power OPC533
20 Volt tools: Dewalt
Apiary : Layens insulated 20 frame beehives

[@KillingItCountry]

Pretty great review! I seem to be looking at these a lot recently 😬. Makes sense for me to consider the X1140 because everything else I own is also diesel. Cheers!

[@appalachianheartsong5487]

Appreciate the comment my brother. The X1140 really is a great machine for what it is designed, as a utility vehicle capable of hauling and dumping loads. It doesn’t have the fun factor of an ATV and it is quite noisy but for farm work I don’t think it can be beat. Yes, we too consolidated as much of our farm vehicles to diesel so that we can store and use it right here. Cheers, Dan

[@m.cooper1854]

Excellent and thorough review. I have owned mine for over a year and it's well suited to utility use. If you open the hood and have someone else apply the brakes you can see the hydraulic transmission pressure release on the brake linkage. Releasing the parking brake is also made easier by applying the foot brake at the same time. You are absolutely right about the exhaust rattle. Very annoying design. I install Camso tracks for winter use which are excellent in the woods but make the unit even slower. The Kubota glass windshield is a great improvement. It is hinged at the top to allow the bottom to be opened slightly for summer ventilation into the cab. Having a hitch extender on the front receiver makes moving boats and trailers a pleasure. All in all I am very pleased with it. Being able to carry passengers in the back seat is a huge reason for my purchase.

[@appalachianheartsong5487]

Thanks for participating on the channel. Absolutely agree, the utility of this RTV is perhaps unmatched and you will see in other episodes where we haul a lot of top soil with this…the hydraulic dumping is a lifesaver. Didn’t know about the glass windscreen but you’re the second person to mention it, so I will check it out. I need to find an extender which fits the front hitch, mine bottoms out before the holes align. Of course, I could drill a new hole in the sleeve but in principle that irritates me :) Having the four seater is great, but when you have to turn off the engine every time you want to speak to them, it seems a little much. Thanks again for your comments, I hope they collectively help the folks looking to invest in this machine.

[@m.cooper1854]

It won't help your U.S. viewers, but here in Canada the standard hitch extender sold through the nationwide Princess Auto stores fits perfectly on both ends of the RTV1140, and it's inexpensive.

[@appalachianheartsong5487]

@@m.cooper1854 Ah, so it’s a plot by our northern brothers to undermine the US agricultural economy through a clever plot to alter hitch configurations on the X1140…and you let the cat out of the bag :) If I order one online, is that being complicit…I’ll have to think further on this issue. Cheers, Dan

[@lonniechartrand]

Another opinion, or review: Owning a RTV X1140 myself, for four years now, I don't see the "noise" as being such an issue. I have heard others complain about the noise too, so I don't know if it is just me, or what. Yes, it is a bit loud, but not enough that I think it is unreasonable. And my brakes aren't as bad as what you say yours is. Shifting gears is my biggest complaint, but not enough that I would not buy another one. Some people also complain about the speed saying this machine is slow. Depends on what a person uses it for I suppose. I bought mine to be a workhorse, and it is kept on the farm. Top speed on mine was 23 mph, which is plenty fast, and it keeps my grandson from "racing" around the farm! lol But I agree in that 17 mph is pretty much as fast as I go, and that is in four wheel drive. I also did not understand your issue with the winch plate. I have a Warn winch on my RTV and it bolted right up. I have never had a heating issue with mine. I did install a GLASS windshield on my RTV, along with a steel roof. I have felt "tippy" at times with mine on side slopes, but as you said, it is more of a "sensation" than actually a hazard, and I too have never had a wheel off of the ground. I agree 100% about dash storage! I have been thinking of adding a tray of some kind to the top of my dash above the digital screen. I did buy an aftermarket phone holder that uses double faced industrial tape and sits on the flat spot above the glove box. As to the dirt that gets under the back seat, you refer to it as a design error, but in all honesty, it IS an open vehicle with dirt and debris blowing into the RTV. You addressed the "gap" between the two bed floor halves, but again, as you said, this is a "UTILITY" vehicle meant more for work than speed. When you talked about the "dirt" issue, I kind of had to laugh as have you not seen some of the "go fast" S x S's that are COMPLETELY COVERED IN MUD, INSIDE AND OUT?! These folks weren't worried about the "small gaps"!!! lol The rear hitch receiver is set a ways back so not to be an issue with clearances when you DO NOT have a need for it. I also have a hitch extender on mine, which is necessary to get my trailers and implements to CLEAR the bed. Don't get me wrong! I am not a "fanboy" of Kubotas, nor am I trying to be condescending about your video. In fact, I think this video was a very good representation of the RTV, and detailed in nature. I just wanted to give another view, from a long time user. Thank you for taking the time to do this video!

[@appalachianheartsong5487]

Lonnie, thanks for participating in the channel and great comments all around. The more perspectives and experiences out there the better for folks looking to invest quite a bit of money in a particular piece of equipment. Like you, I am content with my purchase of the X1140 because I need a machine capable of hauling in a farm/ranch application. It is a specialty tool and I have gotten many questions comparing it to other four seater convertibles, usually gas without hydraulic beds and less capacity, seeking my recommendation. For me, and apparently you, a workhorse is a critical requirement for our needs but there are many UTV/ATV seekers out there that really want an ATV 4 seater convertible and care less about the bed.. Thanks again for commenting, cheers.

[@fredberghoff9917]

Great review! Thank you!

[@appalachianheartsong5487]

Thanks for commenting Fred. If you’re looking for a workhorse and don’t mind the quirks, this is a great tool…our most used tool on the property for sure.

[@shibes947]

Hey! For the trouble with changing gears, the best way to do it would to slightly tap on the gas pedal when changing gears. Hopes this makes it easier!

[@shibes947]

Also, if that doesn't work, then try physically moving the rtv forward a little bit. This also can be applied when trying to switch into 4wd.

[@MyTechWebTV]

I thought you provided a fairly complete and balanced point of view of the X1140. It isn't for everyone but for those looking for a durable workhorse it is hard to beat! As far as sound, yes, the diesel being so close to the operator can seem a little loud, especially compared to a tractor for some reason. I think having the engine under a top makes it seem louder than it might without a top. I am curious about your speed. Is the 17mph you mentioned in High on flat ground? In 2wd on the road I definitely hit the rated 25mph speed. In Low it tops out at 15mph. I usually run around my property in Low as I have read that it is easier on the Hydro unit to keep in in Low unless you are needing the faster speeds. I have the factory tempered glass windshield and I was told I would loose 2mph with it but it never fails to hit 25mph on the road, however, it does have the hydro warmed up though. I live 3 miles from town and when I have been working outside I like to jump on the RTV to pick up fuel or parts at the hardware so the 8 minutes into town is fine. If I had a longer drive the speed might be more of an issue but it is OK for the very occasional times I need to leave the property. You mentioned turn signals. Yes, It would be nice at this price point if they were included but since I run mine into town I had the optional turn signal kit installed. They are also nice for when I am working near the road since it adds four way flashers as well. Like Lonnie, I have a Warn winch on my X1140 and it just bolted to the factory mounting points. As to the front receiver, I have read that the holes don't align with a standard draw bar. I have often wondered if this is why Kubota sells a draw bar. Not sure but I have to agree that is not ideal even though I just drill a hole where I want it but we shouldn't have to. As far as shifting, again, I can't disagree. While mine shifts with just a tap of the fuel peddle every time, Kubota could do better! My brake sometime works in shifting. I have read if it doesn't work every time with just a press there is an adjustment that can be done, though it takes two people, to ensure proper engagement of the relief valve on the hydro unit. I haven't messed with that yet but a quick tap of the fuel peddle always works. Strangely, I will say if I have the parking brake on it is sometimes more difficult. If release the parking brake first it often just shifts right in. Also if the wheels just move a little. Still Kubota could and should do better in this regard. On the dash storage, you nailed it. I can understand as a job site machine this isn't necessary, but not everyone who buys one is using it in that way. I ended up putting an organizer on my X1140 that goes behind the front seats from one side of the roll bar uprights to the other. It solved my dash related issues. I would be glad to share a link if your are interested. It has worked great and it is where I put my phone and small items I want to keep on the RTV like pocket knife etc. For the dirt falling into the seam in the bed, I cut a large thin rubber mat that almost fills the bed. My mom used to work at a college and when they changed out their entrance mats they let the staff keep the olds ones. It works great for daily use and keeps the bed liner from getting unnecessary wear. It also keeps the debris from falling in the seam an onto the engine cover. I do remove it when carrying dirt and just blow it off with a leaf blower before putting it up. Not ideal but worth it to have the convertible bed and extra row of seats IMHO. I don't see how they could engineer it differently and keep the utility. I REALLY don't like how the Kawasaki Mule FXT PRO bed works to dump where the bed is always solid and requires the back 1/2 of the roof to be lifted. Also, the hydro dump of the RTV is king! On the hitch, yet again, you are accurate. Instead of going the route of an extender I went with the UTV Hitchworks setup. It moves the hitch back and with the top cover provides extra protection for the Hydro unit. Not really necessary but I think it looks good and works more like my truck. It also adds safety chain points back as well. I hate having to wrap my safety chains up and like to have them hooked just in case. I do like my Kubota X1140 but I agree it isn't perfect and it isn't for everyone. It is definitely a tool and not a toy. I bought mine for durability and longevity which I hope ends up being the case. My diesel mower is a beast and I have yet to have a hydro unit fail with proper maintenance. I looked at Polaris and Kawasaki but the RTV is just so much better built IMHO. You did a fair and honest review from your point of view and how you use it. Well done! BTW, I did change my headlights to LED bulbs and it is literally a night and day difference. Cheap upgrade for around 30-35.00 if you like led headlights.

[@appalachianheartsong5487]

As always, awesome commentary and very helpful to those who run across the channel. I would definitely appreciate any insight you have into the organizer for all the bits and pieces you need accessible. In the end, we all agree that for our requirements the RTV is the best option out there, but that doesn’t mean its for everyone and having some honest feedback from all of us should be beneficial. Cheers, Dan

[@JandWFarms]

I’ve bought 3 RTV X1120’s Since 2020 and all 3 have had coolant leaks. The 2023 has coolant seeping out of a bolt on the passenger side of the engine. They are all great machines but what is with all the coolant leaks?

[@appalachianheartsong5487]

I haven’t seen a leak but had the one instance of overheating, and still can’t figure that one out. I better check my coolant level again this morning :)

[@pattyhughes7477]

I have a 2021 kabota RTVX1140 It will do 26 miles an hour on level ground 250 hours

[@appalachianheartsong5487]

Well, I heard the Kabota’s are a faster version of the Kubota, so that would explain your incredible machine :) Only kidding of course, we all live through spell correct, but you are the first I have spoken with to get that kind of speed so well done. Are you running street or industrial tires on asphalt or hard pack? I got 27mph about a week back, down a 40 percent grade into the trees, but I didn’t think I should include that as a viable number. Thanks for participating on the channel, cheers.

[@jonathanmagic5633]

I have 5 acres which is just as well as the turning circle needs it all, lol.

[@appalachianheartsong5487]

The turning radius hasn’t presented a problem in our case, but it ain’t a small circle for sure. 3 point turns are an every instance event. For us, the hauling and dumping capacity is the factor, and we are content that we have the best tool for that particular need. Hope that this tool is the best choice for you as well. Cheers, Dan

[@winstonpoplin]

The turning radius on mine is about 20 feet.