Side by Side for yard work 2x4 ok?

[TN8Man]

Polaris might be a USA owned company, but they manufacture a lot of them in Chihuahua City, Mexico. I’ve seen the huge modern plant there and the rail line from there to Santa Theresa, NM where they come through the port of entry.

Not surprised. Lots of US manufacturing was moved to Mexico after NAFTA.

 

[Jallcorn]

About this time last year (2022) I bought a Kawasaki Mule, 2 seat, 4x4, I think it's model 4030. Have only used the back seat a couple times but with that seat folded up it gives me a bigger bed by about 2' or so. The bed does dump but I don't have the hyd dump attachment. It is the handiest thing I've bought in years! The only options I wanted were a windshield and a top, basically plain vanilla. If I had a complaint, it would be that gas mileage isn't too great. I've only gotten stuck once and that was in a plowed (wet) field and shouldn't have gone there anyway. The only attachment I've added is a rear view mirror (the type you find on a ski boat). I do wish it had a radio. We also have an EzGo electric golf cart and the Mule is infinitely more useful to me but my wife likes the golf cart.

 

[Rockbadchild]

You could probably could get away with a 2x4 but I wouldn't recommend it... when backing up a trailer in a small incline on wet grass could be a pain with a 2x4, the pressure get off the rear wheels and it start spinning pretty quickly and it start going side ways ... better to have it then not in my opinions.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Not surprised. Lots of US manufacturing was moved to Mexico after NAFTA.

I saw a annalist talk the other day and he was saying Mexico will be the new China. China labor cost is going up and their labor skills is going down... Mexico labor skills is going up and their labor cost is staying the same.

 

[kenbgbill]

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.

You might want to look at the Tracker EViS. It’s a 72v battery powered electric vehicle and is capable of doing everything you’d need it to do. It’s on my short list once I get a few other expenses in order.

 

[tscheuzger]

2011 Polaris Ranger 800XP here and it's been largely trouble free. Couldn't imagine being without it, and yes, you'll want the 4x4. If you encounter leaves/wet ground, etc., it doesn't take much to spin the wheels unless you've got a heavy load. I leave it in turf mode most of the time but that one driven wheel won't do a slope of any kind. I have rolling hills and a 400' driveway. I plow in the winter (I add 500 lbs. of concrete blocks to the bed in winter) and haul brush/logs/grass clippings in the summer. I made an insert for the dump bed that has a boat winch attached so I can secure the huge loads of brush I pile on (taller than myself at 6' 3"). I have to reach around and give it a boost when dumping at the burn pile, but I can do it one handed while pulling forward at the same time.

 

[Tractor Time]

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 picked up a JD Gator 6 x 4 at a local municipal auction for 1K. Had a bad timing gear and with the engine parts and other bits and bobs ended up putting another 1K into it (decided if I was going to tear the engine down to patch it I would just go ahead and OH it). Anyway it had a manual dump bed. Decent power, went plenty fast enough and had great traction with those 4 driven rear wheels. Pulled a small trailer around my acreage and did a great job all around. Would have liked a power dump bed but all in all a good experience. If you can find a nice low time one for less than 3-4K I think you would be pretty happy and a lot cheaper than a SxS.

 

[ArlyA]

2011 Polaris Ranger 800XP here and it's been largely trouble free. Couldn't imagine being without it, and yes, you'll want the 4x4. If you encounter leaves/wet ground, etc., it doesn't take much to spin the wheels unless you've got a heavy load. I leave it in turf mode most of the time but that one driven wheel won't do a slope of any kind. I have rolling hills and a 400' driveway. I plow in the winter (I add 500 lbs. of concrete blocks to the bed in winter) and haul brush/logs/grass clippings in the summer. I made an insert for the dump bed that has a boat winch attached so I can secure the huge loads of brush I pile on (taller than myself at 6' 3"). I have to reach around and give it a boost when dumping at the burn pile, but I can do it one handed while pulling forward at the same time.

We have a picture thread here of working UTV's and ATV's. Your machine is perfect for it!

 

[WM75Guy]

About this time last year (2022) I bought a Kawasaki Mule, 2 seat, 4x4, I think it's model 4030. Have only used the back seat a couple times but with that seat folded up it gives me a bigger bed by about 2' or so. The bed does dump but I don't have the hyd dump attachment. It is the handiest thing I've bought in years! The only options I wanted were a windshield and a top, basically plain vanilla. If I had a complaint, it would be that gas mileage isn't too great. I've only gotten stuck once and that was in a plowed (wet) field and shouldn't have gone there anyway. The only attachment I've added is a rear view mirror (the type you find on a ski boat). I do wish it had a radio. We also have an EzGo electric golf cart and the Mule is infinitely more useful to me but my wife likes the golf cart.

I put a fiberglass AudioFormz top on my 4010 Trans4X4. It has a radio and speakers built in. You can get them with or without lights. Be sitting down when you look at the price. The windshield just clipped on the rollcage. I have put a mirror on since this picture.

Kawasaki Mule 4010 Trans4x4 Stereo Tops

www.audioformz.com

 

[Little Red Tractor]

No personal experience; but among those I know with the machines, no one has EVER regretted the extra money for four wheel drive. Some have regretted 2WD and gone on to upgrade sooner than desired because of it.

 

[Gord Baker]

Well, that should give you lots to think about. Can you lease them?

 

[scootr]

We have used modified electric golf carts on our ranches for 50 yrs. Terrain is rolling soft to rock. Big 14 hp high torque motors, limited slip conversions, Lithium battery packs, and big controllers are a game changer for these handy carts.

 

[Fitch]

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.

Hunt around and find a good used well maintained 4x4 Kubota RTV900W. They are genuine tools. They meet all your requirements and are powered by an extremely economical Diesel Engine. If you find one in good shape with 3,000or 4,000 hours on it, consider it half warn out. My 2004 has just shy of 3,200 hours on it. It was a Gen 1 and has had a couple of upgrades, but aside from that, given scheduled maintenance by the book, it's been reliable as gravity.

 

[ruffdog]

My dad bought a Gator to replace his aging golf car and really doesn't like it. He has to turn the key, start it, shift it, turn it off instead of just stepping on the GO pedal of the golf car. For him, doing chores or getting the mail are quick riding times and the golf car was perfect. He would carry all his yard tools on board (rear box) so he could perform any job.

 

[scootr]

My dad bought a Gator to replace his aging golf car and really doesn't like it. He has to turn the key, start it, shift it, turn it off instead of just stepping on the GO pedal of the golf car. For him, doing chores or getting the mail are quick riding times and the golf car was perfect. He would carry all his yard tools on board (rear box) so he could perform any job.

They are super easy to get in and out of, and like you say just step on the gas and you are going. When I used to do cart service we would travel to many ranches that had a couple of carts to do their chores. Of course they used to be cheap and now they are not so cheap. Sign of the times I guess.

 

[angustrees]

In 2010 I bought Kubota 1140 & got a new one in 2022. Not a speed 'hog', but who needs that for their intended use. 4wd is there when you need it & I need it for both traction in slipper going & on steep climbs on our 110a. Dump has never failed on anything yet. Diesel always starts, steady in every use. Probably use front end trailer hitch more than back end. Independent 4 wheel suspension in an incredible improvement.

 

[5000girl]

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.

We have 2 older jd gators, 11hp kawasaki 4x2s, different lock ,electric dump box...excellent machines.. sip gas and haul heavy loads. Simple design with out all the crap.... should be able to pick one up for 2-4 thousand....

 

[ridingintexas]

From your description of what you are going to do with this side by side, I think you should consider buying something with a hydrostatic drive. I have a 2009 Diesel Kubota RTV900. It will do everything you mentioned and do it well. It also has a hydraulic dump-bed. We also have a 2021 John Deer XUV590M. I use the Kubota for work, and the John Deer for fun. They are two totally different machines obviously. The hydrostatic drive train of the Kubota is heavy, tough, and easy to drive. The JD has a CVT drive and it is great for speed and fun, but not near as tough, and is very touchy as you start up from a dead stop. If you ease into it, it does OK. If you don’t ease into the throttle, the CVT drive has a definite SLAP as it engages. That cannot be good for the drive components long term! It takes a while to learn how to engage it smoothly. Getting to the oil filter on the JD is a nightmare! I definitely recommend 4X4. Both of my units have the differential lock and are 4X4. You will get stuck without those features at some point. I use my Kubota as a wrecker to pull equipment out of the mud or whatever. It has got me out of trouble multiple times.

 

[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 1000#, 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.

 

[stech64]

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 .