Side by Side for yard work 2x4 ok?
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Dave from GA & KY
Bronze Member
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.
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
New member
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?
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
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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
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
