4 wheel utility vehicle

[fellini123]

Well we are thinking of purchasing a 4 wheel drive utility vehicle that we can use on the farm.. We want to haul hay up and down the hills and over ther river. We would like something that 2 people can ride in, and still haul stuff. (Hay, fencing material, grooming supplies, stuff like that)

We have never shopped for anything like that, so would like your ideas.
Alice in Virginia

[Molly Mckee]

We have a Polaris Ranger- we love it! We use it to haul firewood, hay ,everything else. It makes our lives easier, and it's fun too.

[65284]

My place is chopped up by small creeks and draws I have to cross. A Ranger type vehicle didn't work well here, I tried a Gator but it just didn't meet my needs on my terrain. I have a Polaris Sportsman I use it to check the cows and ride the fence lines, it has racks front and back for hauling spools of wire, posts and other fencing supplies and buckets of feed. I have a trailer to haul wood and bulky stuff. It has a 2 person saddle and the wife rides behind me.

[Raymond James]

Do you have a small tractor? I know you said you wanted something to seat two but unless you already have a small 30 to 50 hp tractor with a front end loader , hydraulics, PTO, 4 wheel drive and wide front end that is what I would get.

Lets you do all kinds of work, hauling, clearing snow , grading lanes.

Short coming only one seat. I you pull a trailer or cart the other person could set on it. My wife doesn't go out with me on the tractor but I guess if she did I would look into fixing a seat with seat belt somehow on the tractor though I do not see how you could and have the roll over bar provide them any protection.

Many people simply ride on the tractor fender. not recommended but I spent 100 of hours as a kid riding that way. Surprised no one has ever fixed a jump seat there.

[davel745]

I too have a Polaris ranger 800. I love it, a word of caution get the glass windshield and power steering. they do get very warm in the summer as the motor is just under the seat, and freezing cold in the winter. I use mine all the time I haul wood and even go to the store when the snow is bad. you wont regret getting a Polaris ranger.

[fellini123]

Thanks for all the ideas. Seems we have a consenus here with the Polarus type, and then we can pick out a specific style.

Yes Raymond James we have a JD tractor with all those things, plus the fork things to pick up pallets, and a bushhog, and a bucket!! But it is too hard for me to ride with him to go down into the bottom fields to help. I really wouldnt want to go down the hill sitting on the bumper!!!!! I think I would probably beat him to the bottom!! AND we coud be an entrant on Worlds funniest Home Videos!!!!

I think we just might go shoppiing this week!!!

Alice in virginia

[topofmountain]

I just can't figure out how a person can pay the money they want for these vehicles & make it come out on paper. I looked into these vehicles $8000-$16,000 WOW. If a person looks you can buy many small Toyota, Nissan, Chevy Luv, or what ever small 4x4 pickup or a Suzuki Samari or Geo Tracker 4x4s for that much money. I just can't see spending the money they want & I can't see any advantages either. I have a lot of off-road experience I just don't get it. I'm not a believer in making the car dealers or UTV dealers rich either.
Just my two cents. I know I'm not real smart but I'm a true fiscal conservative. Something that is lacking in this Country. We live in an time that the whole life of this Country is dependent on consumer spending & debt. That really boggles my small brain.

[davel745]

there isn't another vehicle that can do what the atv can and I agree they are pricy, but mine gets used almost every day. I can go almost 60 mph on the road and go in the woods just by selecting the range and amount of drive wheels. there isn't a dual use vehicle that can do what an atv can. look on almost every rural place and you will find a atv of some type.

[poppy]

Originally Posted by topofmountain

I just can't figure out how a person can pay the money they want for these vehicles & make it come out on paper. I looked into these vehicles $8000-$16,000 WOW. If a person looks you can buy many small Toyota, Nissan, Chevy Luv, or what ever small 4x4 pickup or a Suzuki Samari or Geo Tracker 4x4s for that much money. I just can't see spending the money they want & I can't see any advantages either. I have a lot of off-road experience I just don't get it. I'm not a believer in making the car dealers or UTV dealers rich either.
Just my two cents. I know I'm not real smart but I'm a true fiscal conservative. Something that is lacking in this Country. We live in an time that the whole life of this Country is dependent on consumer spending & debt. That really boggles my small brain.

I agree 100%. That's a lot of money for something like that. A small 4WD does everything I need plus it has a good heater. No way i would drive an ATV 60MPH on the highway. Too many around here have been killed or paralyzed on them. A tractor is also nice. Only one seat but if the little woman isn't over 2000 pounds, tie her in the front bucket.

[65284]

I just bought another one about 3 weeks ago, a left over 2012 model including a cover, for $4,500.00, the dealer wanted it sold before tax inventory. I sold, for cash, the well cared for 4 year old one I had for $3,000.00. Except for fuel, oil, grease and a couple of plugs I spent nothing on it.

So, I upgraded to a new one for for about $400.00 per year, no annual inspection, license or insurance , couldn't do that with a truck or tractor. If taken care of and not abused they hold their value pretty well.

There are places on our farm that are not accessible by truck or tractor, so it's an atv or walk. It's not a toy, I use it almost every day. Without an atv my age and physical problems would preclude me from keeping livestock.

[Molly Mckee]

Originally Posted by topofmountain

I just can't figure out how a person can pay the money they want for these vehicles & make it come out on paper. I looked into these vehicles $8000-$16,000 WOW. If a person looks you can buy many small Toyota, Nissan, Chevy Luv, or what ever small 4x4 pickup or a Suzuki Samari or Geo Tracker 4x4s for that much money. I just can't see spending the money they want & I can't see any advantages either. I have a lot of off-road experience I just don't get it. I'm not a believer in making the car dealers or UTV dealers rich either.
Just my two cents. I know I'm not real smart but I'm a true fiscal conservative. Something that is lacking in this Country. We live in an time that the whole life of this Country is dependent on consumer spending & debt. That really boggles my small brain.

You miss-read the question. Alice asked about what utv people liked, not if you thought it was a good idea to buy one.

There are a lot of older members on this board, as well as some with physical problems. A UTV may enable them to do things they can't otherwise or even stay on their farms.

We have both tractors and a small truck--they don't do the same things a utv does. There are places in the mountains that are not easy or safe with a small truck, that are with a 4 or 6 wheel drive utv. I would not make judgements about what people do with their money when you have no facts.

[RazrRebel]

I live in a really rural area os Southwest Va. Our Polaris Ranger is indispensable. I couldn't do without it. The only way to go in my area.

[rwur961615]

I have a kioti mechron that I love 4 wheel drive diesel, seats 3 comfortably and goes anywhere and hauls a 1/2 ton in the dump bed. Much better price than a kubota.

Rick

[Awnry Abe]

Regarding light trucks vs UTVs...tires made for fuel efficiency and the road are not as kind on pasture. That difference aside, light trucks, geos, etc. are not a bad idea. My neighbor drives his geo-turned-mule in our pasture to our shooting range. I had to train him to walk down if things are damp.

To your original Q, we have a Kawasaki mule with a manual dump bed. The mule is used daily. It is integral to our operation. When you mention hay, I presume you mean small squares. There are large bale carts for ATVs, though. It has proven to be extremely reliable for several years, and starts sub zero without too much of a complaint.

I am not going to say I couldn't go without the mule, but I wouldn't want to.

[davel745]

and you will enjoy driving it while hubby is tractoring.

[rod44]

We have a Kabota RTV and just love it. Has hydralic drive and 4 wheel suspension for a smoother ride. Small enough to be nimble through the trails and through the ditches. Starts well even in -20 degree weather. Not as much horse power as the Rangers but with the high and low range it does everything I have asked it. Kabota make a bigger one than mine more like the Ranger size and power.

[fols]

My vote is for the Kawasaki Mule. Ours has 4wd and differential lock. We've tried to get it stuck. but have managed to always get it out.
It has a trailer hitch and is great for putting the log splitter behind and loading up the bed with split wood. It can handle 1000 lbs in the bed. It hauls about 10 bales of hay, not much, but great for moving it from barn to barn. I use it for all my fencing too.

[rambler]

Polaris Ranger gets good reviews on nearly any ag-related web site for being a good dependable very easy to is and capable machine. They are not cheap, but you get what you pay for maybe.

We got a 700 model. You wouldn't need bigger, and you don't want one of the sporty models they make. Perhaps today they make it as an 800 model now, but anyhow, good machine. Back when we bought they had a 500 engine too, that woulda done just fine too. The 3 across seating is really nice when you have that one extra person around.

Don't get a full windshield only. The wind whips around it and hits you in the side of the face worse than with no windshield. Eith get none, the half windshield, or a full front with a full rear cab.

Mules used to be the standard, and still work fine.

JD used to have low slow kinda poor machines, but they switched that all around and are good too.

I only have real experience with the Ranger, and it is a good solid machine, wife especially a d I have become very attached to it. Watching my wife tool around the farm with it with a smile on her face and getting some jobs done brings a big smile to my face too.

[topofmountain]

Originally Posted by Molly Mckee

You miss-read the question. Alice asked about what utv people liked, not if you thought it was a good idea to buy one.

There are a lot of older members on this board, as well as some with physical problems. A UTV may enable them to do things they can't otherwise or even stay on their farms.

We have both tractors and a small truck--they don't do the same things a utv does. There are places in the mountains that are not easy or safe with a small truck, that are with a 4 or 6 wheel drive utv. I would not make judgements about what people do with their money when you have no facts.

I can assure you I'm old & have physical limits. All I was doing was giving her something to think about before she spends money that might be spent better. Kind of challenge to her to pause & see if it really figures out or maybe there is another option. Most don't do that they get an idea & run with it just like my rancher friend. I can also assure you there is no place a UTV can go that I couldn't in a small 4x4 type truck. In fact I was talking with one of my snowbird neighbors who is a Montana rancher. He told me he bought 6x6 on 10+years ago. After he bought it he was out plowing snow & about a half hour into it he what was I thinking here I'm out in freezing temps no cab or heater. He said he went to town sold it & bought a cheap Ford ranger 4x4 & is still using it. It has a heater & A/C.


All I'm saying is there is no way you can justify the cost on paper. It doesn't figure even if you use obamacare math.
I don't care if people buy them. I'm just saying I looked I figured & figured a way to justify the cost vs a cheap small 4x4 it didn't figure out.

See I don't justify a use for something it has to figure out on paper. But maybe that is why I retired at 48 years old. My way of thinking is not the norm in today's society. My thinking is in the 1%er group.

[rod44]

There is absolutely no way a small pickup can go where a utv can! Just come to my farm in southwest Wisconsin and test your "theory"