Four Wheeler Advice

[Tim Tucker]

Hello Everyone, Need to purchase a four wheeler to use primarily for spraying prickly pear. Would also use to pull small trailer with brush, wood, etc...but nothing terribly heavy. Other than that something to ride around the place on. Need to watch my $, so will probably buy used. Would appreciate any suggestions on brands, engine size, features, etc...that would work for what I'm doing. Don't want to under buy, but need to watch dollars. Thanks in advance.

 

[Wnc3]

I would suggest finding an older Kawasaki mule. We bought one new in 1999 and use it every weekend. I prefer it to the 2008 ranger polaris. In the long run they are so much handier for all the task you mentioned. And easier to bring a friend or helper along.

 

[BSVLY]

Hello Everyone, Need to purchase a four wheeler to use primarily for spraying prickly pear. Would also use to pull small trailer with brush, wood, etc...but nothing terribly heavy. Other than that something to ride around the place on. Need to watch my $, so will probably buy used. Would appreciate any suggestions on brands, engine size, features, etc...that would work for what I'm doing. Don't want to under buy, but need to watch dollars. Thanks in advance.

The Kioti Mechron 2200 is a value price workhouse. Diesel, 4X4, 1100 lb bed capacity. Wide enough to mount sprayer-or tow one. Not really a 4X4 trail machine-but a true utility. has a tractor engine in it. The bed is steel. No plastic like some. Top speed is only 25 MPH. Roomy bench seat.

We bought one in October, put the sunshade, windscreen, hydraulic dump bed and bed extensions on it and it works hard. Going to put a 60 gallon spray tank in the bed of ours..

 

[foreman Etexas]

I would suggest finding an older Kawasaki mule. We bought one new in 1999 and use it every weekend. I prefer it to the 2008 ranger polaris. In the long run they are so much handier for all the task you mentioned. And easier to bring a friend or helper along.

Yeah I will second the UTV since you will be hauling a sprayer around alot,getting on and off 4wheeler having to kick leg over seat will get old. Should be able to get a 610mule pretty cheap but would look for bigger if got the money. Most UTV beds will dump so hauling around stuff will be alot better than having to un-load little trailer. I use my ArticCat prowler way more around farm than my 4wheeler getting the 25 gallon tank strapped down were it doesnt move is a pain.I can just throw it in the bed and haul butt:laughing:,plus have room for other tools and that reel you were talking about.

I could suggest a new one also but seen the part were you wonted to watch the dollars,lol!!!

 

[Diamondpilot]

I second the Kawasaki stuff. We had a big ranch model that was 4x4 and it was a beast. We put R1 tractor tires on it and you could not stop it.

The UTV's are also nice but pricey.

Chris

 

[PapaPerk]

The Kioti Mechron 2200 is a value price workhouse. Diesel, 4X4, 1100 lb bed capacity. Wide enough to mount sprayer-or tow one. Not really a 4X4 trail machine-but a true utility. has a tractor engine in it. The bed is steel. No plastic like some. Top speed is only 25 MPH. Roomy bench seat.

We bought one in October, put the sunshade, windscreen, hydraulic dump bed and bed extensions on it and it works hard. Going to put a 60 gallon spray tank in the bed of ours..

How much is the Kioti?

 

[RollingsFarms]

If you decide to get an atv over a utv see if you can find a Honda fourtrax 300. I recently bought a 1998 4x4 model for $2000 to use around my farm and couldn't be any happier. These models are kinda tough to find but maybe you'll luck up like I did. I've had several offers to sell it but have passed.

 

[nwngunner]

I have three atvs at this moment. All three are arctic cat. The first two are 400 cc 4x4, one is an auto the other is a manual. The manual is fully independent with front locker.

The third i have is an 08 700h1 efi. All three of these bikes have been tough as nails, only issue i have had, is my 400m i have burnt the clutch up in. 100 bucks and its repaired. It has been used and abused, so a wear item like a clutch is to be expected. I would look hard at the cats. They have more ground clearearence then others on the market, more wheel travel, fully locked rear and lockable front diffs. Also they have a constant tension automatic transmission. This will keep you from burning belts, unless you get water in your clutch cover.

I would love to have a prowler, but i love my 700. I can take and pull a 1000 pound rough cut mower over 2inch trees. I can carry a 25gallon sprayer on the back with a 13foot boom.

 

[Raspy]

The Kawasaki Mule is a very proven model and can be had in a diesel. They seem like a very good choice for dependability, and a good choice as a used model. I see a lot of them being used by cities and counties.

If you want a new one for hard work and a long life the Kubota RTV seems like a good choice. I see a lot of them being used in the Central Valley. They are not for fun, high speed, trail use because they have a very heavy duty rear suspension, but probably as good or better quality than a Kawi, if that's possible.

I'd steer clear of a Polaris for real work or longevity, especially in a used one. They are constantly upgrading them to fix stuff, it seems. Not refined before they sell them. They are famous for belt problems. Polaris, unlike Kawi or Kubota, seems to go ahead and sell their stuff, then let the public find the weaknesses and fix them for the next years model. But if you want high speed fun in rough terrain, the Polaris Razr looks like a blast, and very powerful.

 

[ericher69]

The Kawasaki Mule is a very proven model and can be had in a diesel. They seem like a very good choice for dependability, and a good choice as a used model. I see a lot of them being used by cities and counties.

If you want a new one for hard work and a long life the Kubota RTV seems like a good choice. I see a lot of them being used in the Central Valley. They are not for fun, high speed, trail use because they have a very heavy duty rear suspension, but probably as good or better quality than a Kawi, if that's possible.

I'd steer clear of a Polaris for real work or longevity, especially in a used one. They are constantly upgrading them to fix stuff, it seems. Not refined before they sell them. They are famous for belt problems. Polaris, unlike Kawi or Kubota, seems to go ahead and sell their stuff, then let the public find the weaknesses and fix them for the next years model. But if you want high speed fun in rough terrain, the Polaris Razr looks like a blast, and very powerful.

You have to be realistic about the intended use

If its mostly for riding around ATV is great
50-70% riding remainder work UTV Polaris
70-109% work kubota RTV or Mule

I have a Polaris that is 11 yrs old and still have the original belt and no major repairs
Very dependable and a good workhorse when needed (use low range when towing or ground speed is below 15mph)

Sounds like for your use a UTV would be best...
Any mud or snow?
Kubota RTV and mule are not the best in these environments and low ground clearance

 

[foreman Etexas]

You have to be realistic about the intended use

If its mostly for riding around ATV is great
50-70% riding remainder work UTV Polaris
70-109% work kubota RTV or Mule

I have a Polaris that is 11 yrs old and still have the original belt and no major repairs
Very dependable and a good workhorse when needed (use low range when towing or ground speed is below 15mph)

Sounds like for your use a UTV would be best...
Any mud or snow?
Kubota RTV and mule are not the best in these environments and low ground clearance

Yeah the kubota and mules not very good off-roaders,when its wet or wash outs. Polaris has a cple 4wheelers with small beds or the 6x6 4wheelers may be the way to go.

 

[20 20]

Hello Everyone, Need to purchase a four wheeler to use primarily for spraying prickly pear. Would also use to pull small trailer with brush, wood, etc...but nothing terribly heavy. Other than that something to ride around the place on. Need to watch my $, so will probably buy used. Would appreciate any suggestions on brands, engine size, features, etc...that would work for what I'm doing. Don't want to under buy, but need to watch dollars. Thanks in advance.

CAN OF WORMS :laughing: Let me ask this instead of trying to brand slap ya side the head, what is your budget? I see you might have to go used, if so you will probably have better luck in the ATV area then UTV. Not saying there aren't used UTV's, there is just less of them. I have owned all different types and brands through the years and now own a UTV, love it. No matter what you decide, if used, do you have mechanical skills, and do you know what to look for? Buying used can be a good thing or as in many cases your just helping someone releave their headache. Have you done any looking, if so maybe tell us what you have come accross?

 

[mad_planter]

Kinda off the wall suggestions, but why not a old geo tracker or samurai? They should be every bit as capable as a utv but quite a bit cheaper. In low range they should quite effective as a utv.

 

[dusty3030]

Around here a $5,000 bill will buy you a 3 or 4 year old 4x4 Mule clean with 200 or less hours all day long.

 

[tom4018]

Around here a $5,000 bill will buy you a 3 or 4 year old 4x4 Mule clean with 200 or less hours all day long.

Wish it was that way here, they want almost new price for one like that here.

 

[dusty3030]

Wish it was that way here, they want almost new price for one like that here.

All you see anymore are Polaris. They sell high, but the Mules go pretty cheap. Crazy.

 

[sublime68charger]

if your looking at used ATV's I'd go with a Honda either a Foreman 450 1st built like a tank and plenty of Rack room to use. The Racher's are great as well. then the Newer 500 Foreman's as well.

just my thought's

 

[woodlandfarms]

I just did the same thing, here is the advice that I got. We could not find a UTV in our price range so we got a quad. We found a Polaris 500 in our price range on craigslist.

If hauling (Sprayer / wagon), no smaller than 500CC (Now I live in hilly country so I have to haul up hills). Look for independent rear suspension. All brands are different, but at the end of the day about the same quality. Find a brand you can get parts for locally.

I drove a quad with power steering and now hate my quad. But it is another thing to break and prices go up.

Hope my 2c helps in some way.

Carl

 

[yomax4]

I have to vote Polaris. I have had 6 Sportsman models since 1998 and never put a penny into any of them. I use them mainly to pull logs out of the woods where my tractors can not go. These things are all work and have never been used for fun. Never replaced a belt they ride 2x as smooth as anything else out there. I use EFI only. Carb units do poorly in the winter and in steep terrain they struggle. I would like a UTV but they are more for flat farm work. In any event if you buy a regular ATV, Try to find something 500cc if you plan to work it.

 

[patcopaul]

How much is the Kioti?

The base is around $10,000. Hydraulic dump is about $1000. more.
I have one and so far I'm very pleased with it. It's a new model so there isn't much discussion on it as yet but I don't think you can beat the value.
good Luck!