atv and utv year-around use (and in snow)

[John_Mc]

I won't be investing in "pods"any more than a snowmobile;too limited of use for the cost.
Neighbors have a set for their 1000cc Polaris but none for me.

Same here. I use my Honda Pioneer 520 UTV year round here in VT. It has larger than stock tires to improve ground clearance and diamond pattern chains on the back (mine are square link chains, which grip better than plain round links, but are not as aggressive as studded diamond pattern chains.)

If the snow gets deep enough that it would require tracks, I'm using my tractor anyway.

 

[dj1701]

I had a Yamaha Wolverine 350. I had a bunch of fun on it, but it was not practical for any work without a trailer.

Then I bought my first tractor loader combo. I still don't know what I did all those years without one. It's great, but still not the do all vehicle.

Now I have the Kawasaki Mule Pro-Mx. I don't need a trailer, and it's faster than my tractor and will go places it can't. Love this thing.

 

[deserteagle71]

Main reason I bought my Can-am Defender as a cab model with roll-down windows and heater is because I wanted a UTV I could use year round. Three years later I couldn't be happier...I use it just as much this time of year as during the summer...probably more. At my age I can't stand cold at all...my arms and legs just shut down...so being in an enclosed cab with heat is essential. Even in the summer here in the high desert the morning temperatures can be freezing - especially at elevations above 10,000 feet. This thing starts instantly no matter how cold it is, and its ready to use, unlike my diesel tractors that take some time to start and warm up to operating temperatures.

 

[DK35vince]

I put an enclosed cab, windshield wipers and heater on my RZR 900s so I can ride year round and be warm and dry.

Attachments

• 
  IMG_0086.JPG

  2.2 MB · Views: 683

 

[Hay Dude]

Main reason I bought my Can-am Defender as a cab model with roll-down windows and heater is because I wanted a UTV I could use year round. Three years later I couldn't be happier...I use it just as much this time of year as during the summer...probably more. At my age I can't stand cold at all...my arms and legs just shut down...so being in an enclosed cab with heat is essential. Even in the summer here in the high desert the morning temperatures can be freezing - especially at elevations above 10,000 feet. This thing starts instantly no matter how cold it is, and its ready to use, unlike my diesel tractors that take some time to start and warm up to operating temperatures.
View attachment 846586

Great photography again DE71!
You should be a color brochure photographer!

 

[deserteagle71]

Great photography again DE71!
You should be a color brochure photographer!

Thank you! And I thank the US Navy for teaching me how to compose a photo and use a camera. At least back in the 60s and 70s, the Navy's photo school was acknowledged to be the best in the world.

 

[ArlyA]

We use this machine in all seasons.

 

[ArlyA]

At work in the yard. No grunting, no spinning. Pushing snow is easy on the driveline.

 

[Joel/ak]

Finally broke down and bought a plow for our 2022 mule pro mx. I'd like tracks but will be happy having the plow.

Getting too old to be pushing a snowblower

 

[ArlyA]

Our atv gets 20 times more hours over the winter, than in the summer.

 

[dj1701]

Redneck Stuck
I finally got the Mule stuck. That swale that feeds rain runoff to the pond, was filled with blown in snow up to my waist. Luckly, I had Big G to come to the rescue.

 

[ArlyA]

You folks need to get pods.

 

[shooterdon]

I had pods on a Ranger 800XP SxS and hated them. Great in snow but you are running double the RPM's and they fling snow up so you need a cab.

It took me over and hour to change over to tires in the spring. Then had to find a place to store them.

Sold them after two years:

 

[ArlyA]

I had pods on a Ranger 800XP SxS and hated them. Great in snow but you are running double the RPM's and they fling snow up so you need a cab.

It took me over and hour to change over to tires in the spring. Then had to find a place to store them.

Sold them after two years:

View attachment 847471

800 cc is way to low a HP. UTV do need a cab and you couldn't take our pods away from us. We'd get NO WORK done without them.

 

[John_Mc]

Absolutely ZERO interest in pods. They rob too much power. When the snow gets too heavy for my UTV with chains on the tires, I use my tractor.

I intentionally bought a smaller, lighter UTV to go easy on fuel usage and to get out to the area where I'm working when I don't have heavier machine work to do. With chains on, the UTV has cleared all of the snowfall on our hilly, often icy driveway so far this year. If the snow gets too deep/heavy, the snowblower on the tractor will get used.

I realize that my needs are different than some others. It certainly looks as though you make good use of your pods, Arly. I do similar work on my trails here in VT, but have decided they are just not for me.

 

[scaredychicken]

You have some great machines there Arly A, thanks for posting the photos.

Moved to this acreage in March 2001 (armed with a shovel) - Three pre-school kids, and then Christian school tuition. I wanted and could have benefitted from my tractor ... but, I could afford a used, ride on mower with a yard cart / trailer.

June 2006 - still not in a position to buy a tractor, but needed a work-horse, and something beyond a shovel for the snow. Bought the 400 cc ATV - great for my needs at the time, did everything. The Arctic Cat is a great machine, but in these winters, a 400 cc is underpowered for heavy snow - it just takes longer to do the job, and certainly beats the shovel.

Sept 2018 - after 17 years of planning / waiting, managed to get the Kubota TLB. what did I ever do without it ?, this thing is awesome. I had specific mobility limits / needs, so a new tractor was my best option. Future ... a second, larger, USED tractor is likely.

Enjoy your day.

 

[shooterdon]

800 cc is way to low a HP. UTV do need a cab and you couldn't take our pods away from us. We'd get NO WORK done without them. View attachment 847472

I know where you live and how much snow you get. Pods work if you need to get out and work! But I have no need to "work" during the winter. All I do from Nov to March is move firewood (tractor) and clear snow.

Like John_Mc, I have a tractor (with pull blower) for dealing with snow and now a plow truck. In front of the garage and the walks I use an Ariens walk behind.

There is no one perfect "tool".

 

[jjeff]

Long story short hopefully my other Kodiak 700 with plow up north, works great in deeper snow has vbar tire chains and weight box loff the receiver low gear on the ultramatic transmission pushes snow very good up north, much quicker than previous methods up there. No front locker rear differential is always locked. One thing I learned use plow at an angle push snow as far back as you can, in my case down a ravine ramp it when possible. I leave chains on these tires permanently they are old and have slime in them, summer time I just change out the tires and rims with a better set I have on hand.

 

[Joel/ak]

Now that it's 40 degrees out, finally got around to mounting the plow. Still plenty of winter left to use it.

 

[dj1701]

Snows gone, back to mudd'n.