Sunderland’s farming operation, north of Gorey, Co Wexford, is a mixed enterprise, rearing cattle, growing cereals and producing vegetables. Fred Sunderland bought a second-hand Kubota RTV900 in 2011 from Gorey-based Case IH dealer Springmount Tractors.

“I had been thinking about buying a UTV for a while before I saw the second-hand Kubota,” Fred explained. “We have an ATV, which is useful around the livestock, and had been using it with a trailer when harvesting vegetables in the winter.”

Fred’s brother Paul runs the vegetable operation growing between 10 and 15 acres annually of swedes, leeks and cabbage. Almost all is harvested in the winter. Using a tractor would do too much damage to the ground, while the UTV is a better option than ATV and trailer.

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The Kubota RTV900 has a rear tipping body, which is very useful and a better option than ATV and trailer when manually harvesting vegetables in the winter. The UTV features four-wheel drive and is a low ground pressure machine.

Fred’s father Sidney has become fond of the Kubota UTV because it is easier to get in and out of, rather than throwing a leg over the saddle of the ATV. “My father checks the cattle on the UTV but it has no place herding cattle. For herding we still use the ATV because it is quicker and more nimble.”

With both an ATV and UTV in the yard, it is the UTV that now gets more use on a daily basis. It is useful for most maintenance and fencing jobs around the farm and is ideal for picking stones because of its very light footprint and tipping body.

Much of the Sunderland farm is hilly and the low centre of gravity of the Kubota is welcome. Fred said that it has never failed to travel anywhere on the farm but can be a bit “lethargic” to drive on hills or tough terrain.

Fuel consumption is not significant but fuel VAT considerations are important.

“From a financial point of view, I prefer the diesel because my accountant tells me there is no VAT rebate available on the petrol used in the ATV, even though it is a farming ATV.”

Recently, Fred has traded in his original Kubota RTV900 UTV for a new Kubota RTV900 in khaki colours. “We went for this colour scheme because the colour is not as alarming to livestock as the Kubota orange,” explained Fred. The new machine features a full cab. Service and support is provided by Kubota dealer Farm Services in Coolgreaney, Gorey, Co Wexford.

The resale value of the Kubota RTV was important. The Kubota brand seems to retain its value. “We got what we paid for it two years previously on the trade-in.” Fred would expect to keep the newer Kubota for at least five years before having to trade-up again.