Need a 'working' ATV
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,988
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From: Travelers Rest SC
Need a 'working' ATV
With 7 acres of woods, it's occurred to me that sooner or later I'll need something to do some work there. I figure a 'working' type ATV (as opposed to a recreational one) would come in handy for dragging logs and brush, trailering tools and stuff, and just general transportation throught the woods. Any recommendations on ATV's that are tough enough for heavy work? Once I move there I might get an old Jeep or something, but for now I'm going to have to trailer it from FL to SC.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,646
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From: Milky Way Galaxy
I kind of like these:
Kawasaki
Polaris
John Deere
I've always thought they were just fun, but it turns-out they're actually made for work. . .Who knew?!!!
Kawasaki
Polaris
John Deere
I've always thought they were just fun, but it turns-out they're actually made for work. . .Who knew?!!!
Last edited by EnviroCon; Oct 7, 2006 at 03:50 PM.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 14
From: Travelers Rest SC
I plan to have small to medium tractor in the future, but for now, I'd have nowhere to store it, and I don't want to trailer something that heavy 600 miles each way. I like the idea of a Gator or Mule- the little bed would be handy for all the stuff I'll need to carry around the property.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: MA
I highly suggest a Honda Foreman 450. Not only are they tough as nails, but they have a super low first gear to get ANY load moving. I saw a Rincon mentioned.....and while they are an AWESOME atv... they lack the low end grunt. If its for a little work, but still want a lot of fun, go with the Rincon. If its mostly grunt work... Foreman all the way.
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Brett Foote
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: New Roads, La
Well, if i was getting a fourwheeler for work. hands down, if i was getting a new one it would be a honda foreman S 4x4, or if ygoing used a honda 300 4x4. here in louisiana, i htink every farmer has at least 1 300 and has abused it since day 1 and there still tickin along.I know my 300 ('98) has done stuff we should have had a truck or a tractor doing, but did the job. all i hav edone to it is change the oil and sparkplugs, and new tires. altough i ahve to say all the years of farmwork, i need new shocks. oh yeah back on track. but if you want a atv with a bed, iwould look at a gator or somethin. i know we had 2 mules at the farm, and the belt drives on them werent good for nothin. always had problems.
If i were you i'd say Honda 4wheeler, johndeere or kubota ute.
If i were you i'd say Honda 4wheeler, johndeere or kubota ute.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Salmon Arm
if you are looking at atv's then i would reccomend hondas, polaris, yamaha in that order. i have had little to no experience with the john deeres so i cant really say with them. the other quad manufacturers may have there points but id stick witht eh mentioned three. we had a small polaris that wasnt really a work vehicle at all and we beat the living snot out of it and it would not quit. same with our little honda 300. does not quit. if it will be used for work i wold not go any smaller than a 400.
if you are willing to spend the money for a utility vehicle then that may be the way to go. ive always had a thing for gators, i like the looks of the mule but the bed seems a lot smaller than the gator's. kubota has a machine similiar to a mule, and it comes as a gas or diesel powered machine, what i have seen of argos makes me want to stay away from them. thats my opinion. you could also buy two old beater trucks and have one at each of your properties..........
if you are willing to spend the money for a utility vehicle then that may be the way to go. ive always had a thing for gators, i like the looks of the mule but the bed seems a lot smaller than the gator's. kubota has a machine similiar to a mule, and it comes as a gas or diesel powered machine, what i have seen of argos makes me want to stay away from them. thats my opinion. you could also buy two old beater trucks and have one at each of your properties..........
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: None of your business
IMO- It's Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha in no particular order. They're all good. So just go pick which one feels the best to you. I'd suggest in the 400-500 range.
I have a 2003 Suzuki Eiger 400 4x4 footshift and it's great. It's a little big for a 400, but that's never been a problem. It's actually helped in some instances. It has a 5 speed tranny as well as a low range gearbox. In low and 1st, you have some serious torque.
I beat the hell out of my quad and it still runs and handles great.
Mike
I have a 2003 Suzuki Eiger 400 4x4 footshift and it's great. It's a little big for a 400, but that's never been a problem. It's actually helped in some instances. It has a 5 speed tranny as well as a low range gearbox. In low and 1st, you have some serious torque.
I beat the hell out of my quad and it still runs and handles great.
Mike
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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Here is another vote for the John Deere Gator. I have the 4X4 gas Trail Gator version and find it an indispensable workhorse around my property. The gator can haul a 900-pound payload of rock, dirt, brush, firewood, etc during the day and still haul the Mrs and me out in the woods at dusk to have a cold one by the creek and watch the deer feeding. I have owned mine for almost three years and found it to be tough, trouble free and durable machine. It is not as fast/fun as a regular four-wheeler but it is far more useful.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Blue Hill Township
Originally Posted by jake00
The conservation district i worked for used JD gators... being a gov. agency, we abused them every chance we got. very useful machine
