Polaris Sportsmen for farm work

[kf4uda]

I have a friend that has a Sportsman 500. He has a winch and front blade that he uses to spread gravel and dirt. He also moves his trailers and boat around with it as well as uses it to hunt and pleasure ride. His machine is very strong so I would expect a 700 would be even better.

Look what Mr.Google found: Auger Home

The ATV will not take the place of a tractor, but it might get you by until you can talk the wife into one.

 

[JimMorrissey]

So far so good, but not clear on timswi's comment "no three point". Whistlepig makes me confident that the sportsmen could do "almost" everything" I was hoping for it to do.

Larry,

You're talking about an ATV vs. a tractor with a PTO system. There is ZERO comparison. You can not compare the two, they are apples and oranges. You can not drill holes with an ATV. You can not rent or buy "attachments" for an ATV. I'd say you need to go to a local dealer and ask some questions about 3pt hitches and PTO capabilities before you buy anything.

I own a Polaris 850 and it's a fantastic machine....very useful for all kinds of things, however it's not a tractor, nor should it ever be confused with the capabilities of one.

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

how many acres and what do you really want to be able to do?
tractors come in a lot of sized and prices, from something not much larger than you would find at Lowes to a monster half the size of a mobile home.
you can get a used gray market machine from a reputable dealer for less than $10k with loader, trailer, and basic attachments.
you can get a used full sized Ag machine starting around $3k and going up quick from there.
you can get a new compact or subcompact tractor with loader from about $10k on up.
low end ATVs start around $2500, "good" ones around $6k.
how much you spend above that is your call.
you can also rent or buy a tow behind post hole digger that an ATV can pull, if the ATV will do everything else you need it to do.

 

[Lacal]

Erik_in_Hoyt - I have five acres of driveway, garden and Arizona scrub. The property has been neglected for more than a year. After reading all I could and spending quite a few hours here I have pretty much decided on a new TYM T239 and probably a used ATV when I can convince my wife. I think the T239 will be the right size without overkill and between the warranty and financing being offered it seems to be a good deal. There are a lot of used ATVs for sale here so I'll take my time and find something that makes sense.

 

[whistlepig]

Erik_in_Hoyt - I have five acres of driveway, garden and Arizona scrub. The property has been neglected for more than a year. After reading all I could and spending quite a few hours here I have pretty much decided on a new TYM T239 and probably a used ATV when I can convince my wife. I think the T239 will be the right size without overkill and between the warranty and financing being offered it seems to be a good deal. There are a lot of used ATVs for sale here so I'll take my time and find something that makes sense.

This is the very best way to go. To have both an ATV and a tractor both is the handiest combination in the world. My wife was very reluctant when I wanted to buy my first ATV years ago. A used Honda Rancher. She took the darn thing away from me! I could never get it away from her so I bought the Sportsman. And I know I may get thumped but an good ATV with a blade will run circles around any 4WD tractor pushing snow where I live (Ohio).

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

good call - and nice choice. Should be a good fit for the property. I looked very seriously at a 273 last fall before deciding a larger frame would be a better fit for my property.

 

[Donegal_TDI]

I recently bought a Sportsman 700 X2.
Having owned 4 Honda's that never missed a beat before this,
I can safely say the X2 700 has taken well to farmwork.
I only hope it turns out to be as reliable as the Hondas,
as it is a lovely machine to ride and use.
I bought it because of the option for an open differential on the rear,
that gives tighter turning circles when gathering stock and reversing trailers.
It has power in reserve, no matter how heavy the hauled load.

 

[whistlepig]

I recently bought a Sportsman 700 X2.
Having owned 4 Honda's that never missed a beat before this,
I can safely say the X2 700 has taken well to farmwork.
I only hope it turns out to be as reliable as the Hondas,
as it is a lovely machine to ride and use.
I bought it because of the option for an open differential on the rear,
that gives tighter turning circles when gathering stock and reversing trailers.
It has power in reserve, no matter how heavy the hauled load.

I would have to agree that the Honda Ranchers are true blue. I bought my wife's used 2000 Rancher from a third owner. She uses this Rancher 365 days a year to put hay out for her horses. Winter or summer. The only major expense we have had is a new starter. This Rancher amazes me on it's day to day reliability. My three year old Polaris is a great farm ATV. But as far as keeping up over the years in reliability the Polaris has a long row to how to match our Rancher.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

They make a 3-point hitch for ATVs but I've never seen a post hole digger.

Here is a 3-point hitch. Kolpin DirtWorks ATV 3-Point Hitch System

I have a Honda Rubicon and I have several attachments for it.. My warn winch lifts my snow blade, and I bought it at the Honda shop.

What I like about a Honda Rubicon is the low gear.. I can go down very steep hills in low gear, and it won't go over 3mph.

Here's some more implements. ATV 3 Point Implements by Cycle Country

I bought my snow blade & cab from here. Moose Utility Division - Product Catalog