Golf Cart advice, gas or electric?

[Boomer07]

I agree with putting tractor lug tires on the rear of a golf cart! My dad bought a used gas cart and the stock tires would spin on the hills of our cabin in western Wisconsin, went to the CO-OP and ordered tractor lug tires and that thing will haul dad to his deer stand through mud and snow!

 

[Gunny]

Just my personal preference, but I'd go with gas. They're not that loud and as stated, less of a problem in running out of gas than having batteries go flat when you're a long distance from the charger. I probably go through 12 gallons of gas during the summer months with the wife and grandkids on it constantly and maybe 5 gallons during the winter months when I'm the only one using it.

 

[Gem99ultra]

We also have both one EZGo electric cart and a gas powered Honda Pioneer 500 SxS. The Honda gets used for heavy duty work, i.e. hauling logs, etc. or for fun. The EZGo is the go-to transportation, carrying feed out for the deer and fish, mail box runs, and just getting from one place to another on our 13 acre place.

All of the golf carts I've bought have all had lift kits, trailer hitches, and battery level meters. Never paid more than $2K for any of them and that was for one in really good condition. The electric cart is so simple to just get in and go, great for stop & go work, or for just quiet riding around. Pulling hills is not a problem. But all terrain tires on back if you have muddy slick hills would be nice. I did have to put tubes in all tires. I just go tired of tubeless tires leaking down at just the wrong moment. Tubes fixed that problem.

I've been assigned gas carts at work. They're faster, more powerful for heavier loads, but they seemed to be broke down all the time. Maybe that was due to the abuse they got, I just don't know.

My suggestion is to pick up a golf cart, use it for a while and see if that doesn't fill your needs. Then, if not, go ahead a lay out the bucks for a genuine UTV. Keep them both. You'll use them both.

 

[txdon]

My wife wants a golf cart to run around on our 10 acres. To take food and water to the chickens and goof around on.

Thoughts?

A golf cart will work just fine for your uses. I have had 2 electric carts the past 15 years on the farm and they have worked out great. I prefer electric because of the simplicity and the quietness. It is easy to put a bed in the rear for caring things or another set of seats that fold down and a bed on top of the folded down seats. My new golf cart is a DC powered Yamaha Adventure 2+2 and has a lot of power.

 

[kcflhrc]

A golf cart will work just fine for your uses. I have had 2 electric carts the past 15 years on the farm and they have worked out great. I prefer electric because of the simplicity and the quietness. It is easy to put a bed in the rear for caring things or another set of seats that fold down and a bed on top of the folded down seats. My new golf cart is a DC powered Yamaha Adventure 2+2 and has a lot of power.

That's a nice Cart. I think I found one I want. It's an EZGO Electric in good shape. Needs batteries but even at that I will only have about $2,500 in it so that fits my budget. The gas are jerky and need maintenance also so I think she will like an electric.

 

[the old grind]

I've had a '94 EZ-GO Marathon gas for 10 years. 22x11x10 knobbies w/3" lift, cargo box and a newer (Medalist) top with grab-handles. It pulls my 3'x5' yard trailer with ease, but lacks power to haul more than leaves or brush. (Hauling a deer up from out back just about maxes both for capacity, but we manage.) There are clutch upgrades to get more power to the ground, but I haven't felt the need. CUT does the bigger work anyway.

The motor was getting weak, but everything else was like the day I bought it and I didn't want to replace it with accessories that would add cost if not transferrable to a newer model. (It would be another EZ-GO or Club Car, and gas) Starter.generator rebuild was $125, and I had that done on age vs performance.

Having the motor rebuilt was <$800 including 2-way shipping out of state. (Fuji/Robyn as used in TXT and newer EZ-GOs) The starting battery lasted 9 yrs, so other than fuel it's been the lowest cost/maintenance of any of my vehicles, except maybe the motor bike. Wouldn't like to mess with the batteries of an electric, and my guess is that one would be heavier than the gas versions.

JMHO after 10 yrs with what works for me ... tog

 

[hawkeye08]

Agree with others, both have their uses. I would like to replace my old gas units with a newer gas, we let the electric go (donated to a local church that uses it for parking lot security).

My 1976 Harley 3 wheel golf cart needs engine work. Daughters ran it hard playing when they were young and it overheated (designed for more stop and go, not constant hours of use). Should be able to put a short block in it and be good to go.. The other one is 50s Cushman with a newer 8hp briggs... just need to get it out and put fresh gas in..

 

[mikeman1]

for those guys with electric carts check out trojan battery website. they have some really good info on maintenance and upkeep. to the poster whose batteries keep needing water you might be overcharging it. more modern chargers have a timer and some kind of built in sensor that knows when the batteries are charged and it stops on its own so no overcharging happens.

 

[Clay45]

When I purchased mine from a dealer outside of Atlanta, GA advertising in our local craigslist it was called a Linhai Bighorn 28 LX and offered more "belly" room between the steering wheel and seat. I've had it three years and its been my "legs" to get around our just under 7 acres. I'm mobility challenged and can only be on my feet for a short time or distance so I ride everywhere and sit mostly to work. I use 2wd mostly but its very functional 4WD is there when I've needed it. Its an off brand but not a junker.
The 400 Independent Rear Suspension model appears to be much the same thing:
Linhai Bighorn 4cc IRS << Wholesale ATV (R) Go Karts, Side by Sides, Motorcycles & Scooters

 

[txdon]

for those guys with electric carts check out trojan battery website. they have some really good info on maintenance and upkeep. to the poster whose batteries keep needing water you might be overcharging it. more modern chargers have a timer and some kind of built in sensor that knows when the batteries are charged and it stops on its own so no overcharging happens.

Thanks for the info, I always wondered when was the best time to recharge the batteries and Trojan says at 50% use.
Battery Maintenance | Trojan Battery Company