Very general newbie questions

GANGGREEN · Nov 16, 2009

Hi folks, I wanted to get some very general info from all of you if possible. I'll let you know where I'm coming from and then ask the questions. I have a 100+ acre hobby farm. I have a mid-sized Kubota tractor for most of the work and I occasionally plow snow with it as well. My kids have a small 90cc Kawasaki ATV for racing around the property on. I've lived my entire life without an ATV (in fact, I rather dislike the things because of the trespass and abuse that I've seen from some ATV owners. Please, I'm not looking for an argument, just an observation) but I'm considering getting one now. The 3000 acres that surrounds me has always been open to public hunting and closed to ATV use but it's now going to be leased. I'm going to join the lease so I can continue to hunt on the property that I've been hunting for years and I may actually start doing some coyote/fox trapping along the forest roads as well. As a lease member, I'd be allowed to use an ATV/RTV on the main forest roads.

My property is mostly flat but I do have one hillside with old logging roads on it. For the most part, my property is pretty well drained and dry as well, though there are a few damp areas. The lease is mostly ridge and valley stuff but any of the logging roads that I'd run with an ATV would be pretty decent roads and very well drained. I'd mostly be getting to and from hunting locations, occasionally hauling my trapping gear (way less than 100 pounds even if I carried several dozen traps) and occasionally hauling a deer or possibly a bear out of the woods. I'm no speed demon and couldn't imagine ever wanting to go faster than 20 or 25 MPH (though the kids would probably test the machine's limits on the flat grade behind the barn).

I'm not really that interested in a new machine if I could find a clean used one for a fair price but it seems like used ATVs bring pretty good prices when they're clean. Since I already have the tractor for "work" and since I don't really anticipate using the ATV much, I guess I'm curious what you all think I need.

Specifically, do I need 4 wheel drive? Will I hate a machine without it and forever blame myself for being cheap?

How big of an engine do I need, would 300 or 350cc be enough? Although I generally believe the tractor advice that's given on this site (get the biggest and best that you can afford, choose the size that you think you need and buy one size bigger), I'm not convinced that I need anything anywhere near as powerful as many/most people are using.

What about cargo and towing capacity? At this point, I don't envision hauling more than a couple hundred pounds on the ATV ever. As for towing, maybe a garden wagon or something, possibly one of those small "plot masters" for small areas that I can't get the tractor in or just because. I guess I would consider a snow plow or snow blower if I thought it would be easier or more effective than just plowing with my FEL bucket on the Kubota.

I'd appreciate any info you all have. As I've tried to explain, I'm leaning toward the "less is more" school of thought on this one and would love to pick up a clean used machine for a couple grand. Would a new 2 wheel drive 300/350cc machine for $3500 or $4000 make more sense? Do I need the 4 wheel drive? Etc. etc. etc.?

KentT · Nov 16, 2009

Given your description, I'd definitely go 4WD to begin with, and somewhere in the neighborhood of 450-500cc or more. 2WD ATVs are designed for higher speed "sport riding" and not work. I also don't think a 350cc will satisfy you pulling things...

And, when you shop for a cart, look for one designed specifically for off-road. I've seen people try to use garden carts, and they just won't stand up to the abluse caused by 15-20 MPH speeds over rough terrain. You'd have to go slow and easy with a garden cart -- then you risk overheating the ATV...

My 2 cents....

GANGGREEN · Nov 16, 2009

Thanks for the thoughts Kent. Here I was hoping that everyone would say, "pick up the cheapest and smallest ATV you can find. You should be able to find dozens of them for a couple hundred bucks each."

Heeheehee, I should have known better. Still interested in other thoughts if anyone has them.

lakngulf · Nov 16, 2009

I've had a Honda 300 2wd for about 10 years now and have run it on property similar to what you describe. It will haul me (220) with four or five sacks of fertlizer/seed into the deep woods (and a deer out) with ease. I have a trailer which is very handy, and a small disc and seeder for those back in the woods food plots. Have I been stuck? Yes, but not often. You learn what you can do. As far as operation in the tight spots the 2wd has a much better turning radius. I would never consider using it for heavy duty jobs like snow plowing. It is good transportation, and excellent for light hauling.

amigauser · Nov 16, 2009

What do the roads/trails look like? How wide are they?

Have you considered a UTV, something like a used John Deere Gator or Kawasaki Mule? That would give you an actual bed to haul gear and game. You could also bring another person with you. Lots of deals on places like Craigslist right now.

whistlepig · Nov 16, 2009

If you don't go 4WD I think you will wish you did later on. I have a 350CC Honda Rancher and a 800CC Sportsman. Both 4WD. As far as running trails and light hauling the Rancher can do everything the Sportsman can. When it comes to heavy hauling, pushing snow, and pulling stuff the Sportsman is much better.
The Honda weighs 550# and the Sportsman weighs 770#.
Weight capacity for the Honda is 66#front/100# rear.
Weight capacity for the Sportsman is 100# front/200# rear.

An 800CC motor on an ATV is overkill. 450CC-500CC is more than enough motor.

GANGGREEN · Nov 16, 2009

Thanks for all the info guys. By way of explanation, the roads on the lease are mostly nice enough to drive a truck on so, yeah, they'd be fine for a gator type vehicle and I've certainly considered one. Just hit by sticker shock, that's all.

By the way, some of the roads on my property aren't quite that nice and they can be steep in a few spots.

TOMMYHPX4X4 · Nov 16, 2009

i would go with a hpx/xuv they are built really tough. i had a hpx and i have a rhino and for the price the rhino really isn't worth the cash. as for as 4 wheelers go why pay 6 or 7 k for a 4 wheeler when you cann probably get a xuv or hpx for just a grand more. but if you plan on workin it stay away from the rhino i'm on my second set of tires and about to put another belt in it i was used to my hpx being able to pull anything i hooked to it but the rhino just can't handle them loads plus pulling a trailer or havin a load in the bed will shred them tires up. get that utv from john deere you won't regret it at all.

KentT · Nov 16, 2009

whistlepig said:
If you don't go 4WD I think you will wish you did later on. I have a 350CC Honda Rancher and a 800CC Sportsman. Both 4WD. As far as running trails and light hauling the Rancher can do everything the Sportsman can. When it comes to heavy hauling, pushing snow, and pulling stuff the Sportsman is much better.
The Honda weighs 550# and the Sportsman weighs 770#.
Weight capacity for the Honda is 66#front/100# rear.
Weight capacity for the Sportsman is 100# front/200# rear.

An 800CC motor on an ATV is overkill. 450CC-500CC is more than enough motor.

You echo my thoughts exactly... being stuck in the woods when by yourself is no fun -- even with a winch it can be time-consuming to get yourself out...

IMO, a 450-500cc 4WD with lockable diffs and he's set for both work and play... the 650-800cc machines would be overkill and he may as well just get a UTV and haul the stuff in the bed. There's not much difference in size (or price) when you get that big...

Should he consider that route, the Mule 610, Rhino 450 or Ranger 400/500 (don't know much about the new, smaller Ranger) might be good candidates -- and you can take a rider along comfortably...