Side by Side for yard work 2x4 ok?

[ArlyA]

Most have a differential lock ,which most of the time is good enough unless you are trying to pulling something . We have several of them and the 4wd has just been more problems . If in very muddy area the 4wd is helpful . So it probably depends on your application .

What does this mean when you say "Most have a differential lock"?? We used Grizzly over 15 years ago had than did but we rarly used it. Since then all the atv's and utv's we've used didn't. I was thinking differential locks have gone out of style.

 

[Rockbadchild]

What does this mean when you say "Most have a differential lock"?? We used Grizzly over 15 years ago had than did but we rarly used it. Since then all the atv's and utv's we've used didn't. I was thinking differential locks have gone out of style.

I agree we had a Kodiak and same thing we only used it when we where stuck side ways with one wheel off the ground and that's was the only one spinning... when engage you can't steer the quad (very stiff steering ) and its constantly fighting for traction causing the quad to swerve left and right... I think now its safe to say that most of them as limited slip differential over differential lock nowadays ... which means every full turn from the wheel with the least resistance the power get transfer for 1/4 turn to the other wheel.

Most have a differential lock ,which most of the time is good enough unless you are trying to pulling something . We have several of them and the 4wd has just been more problems . If in very muddy area the 4wd is helpful . So it probably depends on your application .

 

[beenthere]

Good morning everyone,

I might start looking for side by side for my property. I want it to have a dump bed and it only needs to be enough for 2 people to sit in. Property is rolling but not steep. For those with experience is 2x4 good enough or is 4x4 absolutely necessary? I will be moving around dirt, sticks, maybe pulling a small trailer, driving to mailbox, etc. I don't plan on any real heavy towing or driving in real muddy conditions.

Anyone own 2x4 and happy with it? Don't want to regret not getting 4x4. I appreciate any and all insight on this.

I have the 4x2 Gator and find it most comfortable to drive with the bucket seats, and the dump is excellent. Has diff lock and find no need for 4wd.
Is like the energizer bunny, just runs and runs and runs.. since 1998. Fits your "wants" to a T.

 

[Code54]

You can still get a differential lock on several models including the Kodiak. Mostly you find it on the Special Editions (top of the line). Our one has it and it is a nice feature if you ride very difficult areas or are trying to pull someone else out. With the Power steering models, the steering issues are a thing of the past

 

[Nc wes]

Had a Yamaha Viking and with the live rear axle it takes quite a bit to get it stuck in 2WD. the Long throw suspension seems to float over bumps and has plenty of power. It does have a locking diff and 4wd which can be handy when you find yourself doing questionable things. We live on fairly hilly property and it stays in 2wd most of the time even when it snows. I Load it up with firewood and haul brush as well. I do use the 4WD when climbing creek banks that are sandy soil. I added a HF 5000# winch which has come in handy a few times. My neighbor has a golf cart w ag tires in the rear and does quite well. It tows trailers etc that seem pretty heavy. Batteries aren’t cheap but the viking doesn’t exactly sip gas either. Company bought a pioneer and got it DOT prepped. the 1WD mode is neat but the heat in the cab is def something to deal with.

 

[Deanes]

Two wheel drive Golf cart type with aggressive tires will do 95% of the work you will need. So much cheaper and cheaper maintenance and cheaper operation. Service is available everywhere. Mine has a dump bed and was built for the maintenance crew. These are for sale used everywhere and for home use will last many years. A low-cost full enclosure is available for every model for 12-month use. Or as some told me on this forum, what they really wanted was a new toy.

 

[deserteagle71]

Those of you who don't think a locking front diff in an ATV is necessary need to come ride some of the trails I ride. You'll have two of your four tires off the ground a lot of the time...and you'll want those tires still on the ground pulling hard. "Limited" slip isn't going to do it.

But if all you are doing is running around on level ground then no, a locking front diff isn't needed.

 

[Rockbadchild]

You can still get a differential lock on several models including the Kodiak. Mostly you find it on the Special Editions (top of the line). Our one has it and it is a nice feature if you ride very difficult areas or are trying to pull someone else out. With the Power steering models, the steering issues are a thing of the past

Those of you who don't think a locking front diff in an ATV is necessary need to come ride some of the trails I ride. You'll have two of your four tires off the ground a lot of the time...and you'll want those tires still on the ground pulling hard. "Limited" slip isn't going to do it.

But if all you are doing is running around on level ground then no, a locking front diff isn't needed.

I had both ones for many years and I am not going to get in the who ride in the worse area with you but I bet I can hold my own. I used to share your opinion at first and it might be subjective but it is now my opinion that it is pretty much useless according to my experience. In my experience with it, it was useful in 1 or 2 instance out 10. Sometime you put it on and you think it will get out but it start climbing out on the left or right instead of straight where you actually want to go and it wants to flip you sideways or start climbing straight up... Much more control with limited slip... for pulling I don't think it pull more with the wheels locks it just spin more … like I said I had one for several years and it was rarely useful and longer we had that quad less we used it and at the end we never used it...

Like this? tell me how looking my front differential would've help even the left wheel doesn't touch the ground, might not look that deep but my exhaust was in the mud in the center and it wasn't like I was ''stuck'' I just couldn't get out regardless which side I was trying because it was too steep ... most time I get stuck that the issue it want to flip me over on one side or the other or even straight up vertical but at least I have more control.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Two wheel drive Golf cart type with aggressive tires will do 95% of the work you will need. So much cheaper and cheaper maintenance and cheaper operation. Service is available everywhere. Mine has a dump bed and was built for the maintenance crew. These are for sale used everywhere and for home use will last many years. A low-cost full enclosure is available for every model for 12-month use. Or as some told me on this forum, what they really wanted was a new toy.

We have an EZGo golf cart as well as a Pioneer 500 SxS. And yes, the cart does get 95% of the use. The SxS is pulled out for any heavy duty work like pulling trailers, muddy areas, etc.. Different 'tools' for different jobs.

We love 'em both! The cart is soooo handy - always ready to go, quiet, and easy to drive. What they don't do well is heavy hauling. I tore up our first one by trying to use it like a tractor. It just isn't built for that. But what it is built for, it excels.

We're on our second golf cart, and it's probably ready to die. After all, it's 25 years old now. I'd love to find a used EZGo Workmaster but those are scarce as hen's teeth.

 

[ruffdog]

I think EZGO had the workhorse and Toro had the workmaster.

 

[Pleease]

We have a 2017 Ranger 500 that my wife gave me for Christmas in 2020 (used) - what an incredible surprise! - to use at our lake cabin.

It's the only ATV I've ever had, so minimal experience here, but while I typically operate in 2wd (i.e. with the differential locked), switching to turf mode to drive on the road, but when the ground gets soft or there're wet leaves (as others have mentioned) it's super helpful to be able to flip the 4wd switch and power right outta there.

My dump bed seems to unload easily. Just this week I had it filled with heavy clay soil (pic), but it didn't take much muscle to dump it. Also I was surprised that the payload capacity is *500# (edit; had said 100#), so I like to use it instead of the subcompact tractor if I'm going to carry stuff that I don't need the tractor to lift.
View attachment 798889

 

[Dave from GA & KY]

I have a Honda Pioneer 1000 and a Polaris Ranger 570 mid-size. The Honda is a workhorse of a machine, but it is huge. It will go anywhere except between trees that are closer than 6'. The Polaris seems like a toy compared to the Pioneer, but it is just as dependable, and capable, as the Honda. That being said, the Pioneer is my "go to" most of the time, it's like driving a small pickup truck.

I've put roof, windshield, winch, & power steering on both. Both have "turf" mode which I use 99% of the time. Both have 4WD and the Honda has locking diffs. Don't use 4wd often, but when ya need it, ya need it bad. These machines can't be pushed around easily like an ATV. I don't think I've ever used the locking diffs on the Honda.

I have 300 acres of very hilly and often wet land. I wouldn't even consider 2wd for my use. I've hauled well over 1000 lbs of fert & seed in the Honda, no problem at all. The Honda will tow my loaded utility trailer, my boat, etc. and do it safely. The suspension on the Polaris is a little soft for any towing, even the empty utility trailer will squat the rear end pretty bad.

I've also had 2 lifted golf carts. If you're really going to use the machine for hard work, towing, & hauling. Go with the SxS. If you're going to just putt around and pick up sticks & the occasional log or firewood a golf cart might be a great choice. Unless there's a significant price difference, go with the 4wd, you won't be sorry.

 

[Zigblazer]

I would have to say it really depends on the person, and what they want to do with it. I helped farmers growing up, and several had peculiar ways of doing things. One absolutely loved his geo metro so much that he got rid of every other vehicle for a year, then got one of those Japanese minitrucks to fill in where the metro just couldn't keep up. He even loaded hogs into the back of the metro.

Anyway, my brother in law had a golf cart on his farm for years. Was very happy with it. Used it to haul a few tools around, get to other fields, stayed near the road or on worn paths and never had a problem. Then he got a prowler and loved that. He still used his golf cart a little for a couple years because it was easier to just jump on and go, but the prowler could be used to do much more. After a few years he said he only used 4x4 once, but would have been hurting bad without it and the once made it worth it. He could do everything with a tractor that he couldn't with the golf cart, so it worked for a long time. Once he got the prowler, the uses just got more specialized. Everything has it's place and things can be adapted or avoided if you don't have a more perfect vehicle.

I got a Pioneer last summer, and haven't hardly used it. I'm hoping I get more use out of it this summer, and it will work well. It is easier to get on and off than the atv, definitely easier than getting in the skid steer. So it will find its place in my fleet. Was it worth the huge price tag? Yet to be determined, but not looking worth it for the price. I did use 4x4 this spring when I got it out, but we still had more than two feet of snow on the ground. Which only helped me get further out before getting stuck. It was fun for a bit though.

I found when looking at UTVs that most ATVs up to 2015 had live (locked) rear axles and few had an open diff with electric locker, while most UTVs had the open diff with electric locker. They are much more likely to tear up ground being heavier with wider/longer wheel bases, so it is more important. With a locked or live rear, you again rarely need 4x4, but will be so thankful you have it when you need it. You could just be careful and not drive where you might get stuck, but that is limiting where and how you use it.

It all goes back to the person, when and how you want to use it. Do you need something perfect for every job? Are you ok with avoiding using it many times if you might get stuck? Do you have something else that can be used if it is wet/slippery?

 

[Williy]

I don't think that people who want a 4 wheeler stop to think
that grass gets wet its slippery and it don't take very much
to get stuck with just 2 wheel drive and even with 4X4 they
can get them stuck also. Its so nice to reach down pull the
lever and be in 4X4 and keep going instead of spinning the
wheels.

willy