Side by Side for yard work 2x4 ok?

[ericm979]

The Pioneer 700 is kinda loud. There is a quiet muffler available in the aftermarket (aimed at hunters) but the company says it saps power and with our hills I have been hesitant to do that. I rarely get it into third gear.

There's an aftermarket power steering kit that I put on to make it easier for my wife to drive.

I haven't noticed it overheating when idling or pulling a heavy trailer up a steep hill.

The oil filter change is one of the more difficult ones I have had to deal with over a long history of maintaining my own vehicles.

 

[paulsharvey]

Couple things with a UTV, not negatives, just things to think about:
Fueling; ours is an 8 gallon or so tank, if you can road run it to a gas station, that's nice; if you trailer it to gas station, great, if you own 5 5gal gas cans, that works, just annoying; and they burn more fuel then you think for a 40hp engine.

Trailering; they are light, but many are wide, needing a 6ft wide clear trailer; they are also pretty long; my 6'4"×16' is perfect; and has lots of tie down areas. At some point, your going to need to transport it.

Local rules on road use; here, its illegal; But, they don't mind on dirt roads and low speed paved roads; but technically illegal; some states allow it to be tagged like a car

Servicing; we let Honda do the 50 hour service, like 2 weeks into owning it, cause they claim the valves need adjusted; that cost like $600, with pick up and drop off; after that, we've done everything at home; not hard and YouTube walks you though it.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I have a Honda Pioneer 500. Sadly the rear differential is permanently locked which means that NOT ripping up the lawn requires careful forethought. I understand that the newer models do have an open selectable differential.

The Pioneer 500 track is only 48" wide which I had to restrict for my use due to narrow bridges and trails on my acreage. It also simply sips gasoline, so that has never been an issue with me.

I also switched tires to 26"; should have gone to 27" to completely correct the speedo to correct mph. The 2 to 4 wheel drive is totally selectable. I think the selectable 4wd is well worth whatever the cost. I did add a 3500# wench to mine, which I've had to use a number of times to both either get out of mud or to pull my mower out . All of those times required 4wd.

As others have said, oil & filter changes are doable but not "easy". Certainly not worth having a dealer do it for XXX$$ for 1 hour of easy work. I've never heard of anyone actually needing the valves adjusted after 50 hours of use. Sure - the dealers give you all that lip about how important that is, but I've not found that to be true. Mine has never had one minute of trouble or needing repairs. I'm thinking that their story is for extra profit.

Cost has gone out the roof, supposedly due to the demand. I have my doubts... I paid $12K total OTD "back then". That included dealer prep, paperwork, and installing the windshield, canopy & wench.

 

[newbury]

I did add a 3500# wench to mine, which I've had to use a number of times to both either get out of mud or to pull my mower out .

Any pictures of the wench?

 

[paulsharvey]

We did look at the Yamaha Warrior or Viking? and considered the Kymco, as well as the JD Gator. Gator we looked at specs for had a top speed of something like 30 mph or so, the Yamaha was wider then we wanted; the Kymco was fine; just didn't know the brand; and push come to shove; I trust Honda engines, and I liked the idea of no belt drive. Polaris, if that belt gets wet, your done till it dries out; but they do have a turf mode.

Honda is known, or was known, for not having sufficient charging for accessories, unless you add a 2nd battery; if that's important for you.

Edit; Don't know if any UTVs/SxSs have the option, but if any come with 120V factory hardwired inverter, that would be Huge. Don't know if the alternators they out in them would support a decent one. If you have a 40 or 50 lbs generator, like the Honda Whisper, might not be an issue; but my generator has too weight 300 lbs with fuel;

 

[bigtiller]

My first gator was my favorite one. It was 20 some years ago. It had 2 wheel drive, no suspension, no power steering and no extra add-ons. It sat low to the ground, which was great because I could drive around the yard and pick up sticks after a storm and not have to leave the seat. Just bend over and pick it up.

But I never drove it in the snow or mud. I never needed 4x4.

The one I have now is 4x4. I still don't need 4x4, but it is reassuring to have just incase I do something stupid.

 

[EddieWalker]

I had a 2 wheel drive golf cart before getting my 4 wheel drive Mule. I never got stuck with the golf cart, but I never took it where I might get stuck.

The Mule is always in 2 wheel drive. The only time it's in 4 wheel drive is when I take it out when it's really muddy out, or when we have a few inches of snow. With 4 wheel drive, and the rear Locker turned on, it pretty much goes anywhere.

 

[ArlyA]

A lower box is a plus for working machines. That was one of the reasons we purchased a new ford ranger a few years ago. Nonetheless, 4wd is a necessary freind here.

 

[ArlyA]

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 never see snow or mud?

 

[Boss 302]

Yes, go with 4x4 you will be glad you did.