More Farm use ATV questions - accessories

[CJ]

Okay, now that you've all been so great about helping us choose an ATV for use on the farm, I'm hoping for a bit more advice on accessories.

Winch? They're pretty expensive, I think the salesman said somewhere around $500-600 installed. Is this a necessary item?

Tires? They ship with 2 ply tires. The Honda shop carries 6 ply of various tread types, pre-installed on new wheels. If you purchase a set of those at the time of the sale, you get $200 credit for the stock wheels and tires, which they Ebay.

We won't be adding a rear storage basket, as I want to add one of those molded seats with the backrest and storage under the arm rests, for when we ride double. I'm likely to fall off without it.

Is there any compelling reason to choose the Electric Shift (button operated) option over manual shifting? Our preference is manual shifting (looks just like my motorcycle so I'm comfortable with it, hahaha) and of course it's a couple hundred less than electric shift.

Other than that, there isn't anything I can think of that is needed, but if there's some must have item, please mention it

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[peter nap]

I have 3 ATVS (mine, wife, son) I put an expensive winch on my sons. It had the fairlead included. I put the same winch on my wifes but without the fairlead. As usual, I got the cheap stuff and put a Harbor Freight winch ($50.00 on sale) on mine. I added a HF fairlead with a shop made bracket for $15.00.

I use my winch almost every week and can't tell a bit of difference between the three.

I like the manual shift.

If you need a basket and don't want to pay for one, bungee a milk crate on the rack.

I made two hitch brackets to replace the horrible one that was on it. The first just bolts over the old bracket and allows me to attach up to four balls, Etc, at once. I use a King Kutter Disk, a Swisher pull mower and several trailers. This just makes hooking them up easier.

The second is attached to the rack frame and is for hooking things that need a high angle (Like the mower in thick stuff)

Don't forget the rack mounted gun rack. In addition to being a very good gun rack it is great for shovels, Etc.

Last, either buy or make a throttle extension so your thumb doesn't fall off.

[GREG VT]

I've been meaning to put a winch on mine since I got it 7 years ago. Never got around to it and never had a real good reason to add one so I still don't have one. I have a neat foot lever set-up to raise and lower the plow blade. A come-a-long and a tow strap/chain can take care of the rest of the winching duties.

I'd go with the stock tires and 'slime' them.

I've got the electric shift model and have had no problems with it. The only real advantage to going with the electric shift is if you do much snow plowing which involves a LOT of shifting while wearing heavy boots. Much easier to use the thumb in that situation.

I made a box out of scrap to strap on the back rack to carry all my stuff.

The only "must have" I would recommend is a wagon to pull behind it if you don't already have one.

[CJ]

I have a throttle rocker on my motorcycle and love it, great idea! Also love the suggestion of a gun rack for shovels!

Since you both are of opposite opinions on the winch, I'll wait for more feedback on that.

Sliming the tires is a good idea too. We have a couple of garden carts we left at my folks that should work fine with the ATV. Had planned in fact, to use the larger one to haul 2 more bodies up the hill on the land. My parents always enjoy going with us when we head out there, that way I can drive, my mom can ride on the back seat, and my hubby and dad can ride in the cart, LOL

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[CGUARDSMAN]

I have the electric shift it is nice but sometimes i would like to have the manual shift model. As far as accessories i have a ball on the hitch and a tow strap in the storage compartment. i have a harbor freight trailer that i pull around for haulin stuff and that fits all my needs. i have a tractor for everything else. oh and i agree slime the tires and just use the stock tires til their wore out....they last quite awhile by the way!

[agmantoo]

a stubby length of water hose slide onto the thumb throttle makes a zero cost extension that will relieve the thumb numbing.
I do not have a winch and see no reason for one. I have a comealong if I ever needed a pull.
I have made a handshift extension for the foot shift. I have a bad ankle and my machine does not have electric shifting.
I have a receiver hitch mounted under the front and real racks and I use this for attachment mountings.
My original tires lasted 16 years, I see no reason to spend more money at this time.

[Country Doc]

I use my winch quite a bit. Use factory tires. I would go to the trouble of putting slime in the tires. Use the baskets front and back all the time. The gun, rod rack I use for hauling T posts to remote areas.

[Bearfootfarm]

Buying accessories at a dealer is a mistake. You can get them FAR cheaper from aftermarket dealers or ordering online, Agri Supply has VERY reasonable prices on winches and other accessories. Shop around before you buy.

www.agri-supply.com/

[CJ]

Awesome guys, thank you! We'll pass on the optional tires then, and likely skip the winch. A come along we already own. Other than the seat mount, I don't think we had anything else we wanted from the dealer, but will definitely check the aftermarket stuff.

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[Stephen in SOKY]

The single most used accessory for me is 25 gallon sprayer with 10' fold up boom. Wait, the most used would be the shift extender mentioned above so I can shift with hand (Heavy boots, especially when coated with mud, are very dificult for me to shift with). Otherwise, the clamping gunracks from Koplin carry the weedeater or shovel much more than a gun. My ATV is the most used tool around here, you'll wonder how you got along without one!

[logbuilder]

All I have is a utility trailer. The quads have 1 7/8" balls on them to pull the trailer.

Racks front and back are my most useful item. And a bunch of bungie cords are on each one all the time.

I can't see why you would replace the new wheels and tires. Wear them out and then decide.

Winch would probably be nice but in 6+ years I have only been in a situation once where it would have helped me out.

I have no problems with foot shifter but also never ridden one with electric shift so I really have no point of reference. I don't see the problem that would justify more money.

[Bearfootfarm]

Next time you're at the groery store, look at some of the ATV magazines. You'll find lots of ads for suppliers of aftermarket accessories. Its amazing how many things there are to fit ATV's, and once you see them youll find lots of them are fairly easy to improvise.

If you plan on riding through brushy areas, a good set of handguards is worth their weight in gold. Those greenbriars can be NASTY LOL Also a trailer hitch, and tow hooks on the front will make life easier.

[CJ]

I'm pretty sure the Honda Rancher comes with a trailer hitch, just needs the ball. I won't swear to that though.

Yesterday was payday, so tomorrow (provided hubby's pager stays quiet) we'll go check them out again so my husband can see if he agrees with me on the model, and if so we'll go ahead and pick one up. If we eat beans and rice til next payday, we can pay cash for it and not touch our savings, LOL

I'll pick up an ATV magazine and see what's out there, cool idea!

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[Darren]

If you got the money an ATV is a nice piece of equipment. Around here you can buy an old Bronco II for $500 or less. I find they' work well as a dedicated farm vehicle. They're manuerverable enough for me. Go where I need to go and carry more than an ATV.

[amwitched]

Originally Posted by CJ

I'm pretty sure the Honda Rancher comes with a trailer hitch, just needs the ball. I won't swear to that though.

Yesterday was payday, so tomorrow (provided hubby's pager stays quiet) we'll go check them out again so my husband can see if he agrees with me on the model, and if so we'll go ahead and pick one up. If we eat beans and rice til next payday, we can pay cash for it and not touch our savings, LOL

I'll pick up an ATV magazine and see what's out there, cool idea!

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If you can wait to purchase the ATV until fall, Kawasaki always has a winch program going on. They have been $69 for the last few years.

Our aftermarket books (which your dealer should have) has ATV tires starting around $60 bucks or so. I am sure that you can find ATV tires online, also. However, most shops tend to charge extra $'s for installing tires that you bought somewhere else. Most of these tires are "irregular" and the shops cannot guarantee your safety if you use them on your vehicle. Plus, you would have to pay shipping (if you bought them online) which could make up the difference that you would be saving.

It does sound like that dealer is trying to "play" you. Shop around. This is NOT a good time of year for the shops to be selling ATV's. They sell best during the fall and the spring (hunting season). You should be able to get a decent deal.

[CJ]

Originally Posted by amwitched

It does sound like that dealer is trying to "play" you. Shop around. This is NOT a good time of year for the shops to be selling ATV's. They sell best during the fall and the spring (hunting season). You should be able to get a decent deal.

? It is Spring... or was the last time I looked.

We've done no negotiating on prices yet. I simply asked the cost of everything I thought we might be interested in, and was just given full retail.

Actually, this Honda dealer in Russellville has treated us so well, that we've purchased 2 scooters and 2 motorcycles from them. If they weren't so great, we'd go home and buy from the local Honda dealer there.

I don't expect a large discount there, I don't think there's a whole lot of markup on ATV's, bikes, etc.

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[Bearfootfarm]

"I don't expect a large discount there, I don't think there's a whole lot of markup on ATV's, bikes, etc."

There's a fair markup on them, but they make the BIG money on the accessories, ESPECIALLY if they have the company name on them. And most dealers will match prices for the same models if you just talk to them some.

And even Sam's Club sells ATV tires. They may have to order them, but you wont pay shipping and they will be cheaper than what most cycle dealers sell

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/sea...mpleitemtype=0

[CJ]

I agree on the accessories, I'm grateful you all steered us away from buying those. Other than the molded seat, which I want for ME (and if I don't get it then and have it installed... well you know how that goes LOL) we'll just buy the ATV like it is, for the best price we can negotiate on it.

I'll check for aftermarket accessories elsewhere. I love the gun rack for a shovel idea. A milk crate will work fine to hold some tools, and we'll figure out something for a chainsaw.

The cart we already have, as well as a come along. Too bad we have over a month yet before we can go home and try it out!

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[Bearfootfarm]

Think LOTS of bungee cords for carrying stuff. Ive found that permanently mounted things tend to be in the way a lot, whereas bungee cords can adapt to anything. Why pay $50-60 for a chainsaw carrier unless you'll use it every time you ride? A $1.00 bungee will hold it just as well

A milk crate could work but what I did was shop around for plastic tool boxes to hold "specialty" tools. All my fence repair stuff is in one box. If Im working on fences I grab the box and go. A larger waterproof box mounted on the rack can hold many things, plus keeping them dry.

[CJ]

We bought the Rancher 4x4 with electric shift yesterday.

Now... I'm waffling back and forth on if we would get more use out of a brush hog for the ATV, or for the tractor. We will have very little to cut, couple acres top. Until we get our drive put it, it does need to be kept cut, and it's about 1/8 mile long, maybe a bit more. Pretty steep.

Other than that, we'll be doing some cutting where we want to clear for a small pasture area, but leaving a good amount of trees. Eventually, sheep will do the mowing.

Right now, there's about 4 acres clear that need mowing. We would like to cut along the fence lines, and put some trails in.

Seems like with no straight pastures to mow, the ATV would be more manueverable. But you can't lift it off the ground like a tractor.. so how do you cross over rough areas?

Also, I don't know what they can mow compared to a heavy duty 5' brush hog.

Opinions?

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