Trading in LS XJ2025 for Zero turn mower and UTV?

[Milo]

You seeme devoted to your lawn, so I have a word of advice on the UTV: make sure that whichever brand you select, make sure it has a “lawn mode” or open differential. Mine has a locked rear differential, and tears up the lawn something fierce whenever I turn.

Good point Finn. I'm on my 3rd UTV now, first being the little Mule 610, and all had open/locking rear differentials so I assumed all UTV's did. But a neighbor has a Honda Pioneer 700 which does not and his yard is full of skid marks which, along with him always wearing out one of the rear tires (I think left but I'm not sure) is one thing he dislikes about it.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I for one, would hate to be without a tractor with a FEL and SSQA attachments. Just today, I used my fork lift attachment to pick up momma's new stove out of the back of my truck and set it down on the front porch so I could wheel it in the house.

You just never know when it will come in handy.

 

[aaronrkelly]

Ive got all of these pieces of equipment (and a few more).

The UTV I use daily....all day, almost every day. I bought a Kawasaki Mule MX Pro. DOES have a switch to go from open to locked diff. Plenty of power, decent speed - price was super reasonable. $8k brand new and Kawasaki is the only maker with a 3 year warranty. I recommend them if your looking.

No doubt the zero turn is the way to go for mowing....I love mine, best way to make tall grass short in a hurry. Very efficient.

Problem is, like they poster above me - I just couldnt see doing without my tractor. I use the FEL several times a week.

Maybe a smaller tractor with turf tires? Ive got a few different sized tractors - my BX doesnt seem to mark the yard up.

 

[Milo]

Ive got all of these pieces of equipment (and a few more).

The UTV I use daily....all day, almost every day. I bought a Kawasaki Mule MX Pro.....

Interesting, same UTV I have.

 

[aaronrkelly]

Interesting, same UTV I have.

Its been a game changer. Before I was using a golf cart with atv tires for chores.

Even the "little" MX is a work horse. I pull full size trailers around doing chores....haul tractor implements with it.....all kinds of stuff. I treat it like a little truck....and it just keeps asking for more.

 

[RonSwanson]

Ive been UTV shopping too. I want a 2/3 seater for compactness but the wife wants a family UTV that we can all sit in. Those things are as big as the old Ford Rangers and Im kinda like whats the point?

Looking seriously in to a Honda Pioneer 1000-5.

 

[Milo]

I'm surprised Pro MX's are not more popular? I've lurked on the ATV/UTV site here and other than a post I did a year or so back have never seen mention of one. Anyway it sure is a step up from the Polaris Ranger I had.

 

[Milo]

Ive been UTV shopping too. I want a 2/3 seater for compactness but the wife wants a family UTV that we can all sit in. Those things are as big as the old Ford Rangers and Im kinda like whats the point?

Yeah when it comes to UTVs there's quite a variety of size and capability. The big full size ones won't even fit on some trails, heck may as well buy a base model Jeep Wrangler.
My neighbor replaced his 20 year old diesel Mule with a new full size Mule Pro FX and had to cut a number of trees in order to widen his trails. But if you want to be able to haul more than three people you will want one of the big ones. I am actually considering trading my old Honda Rancher 400 (which never gets used) in on a little Pioneer 500.

 

[shooterdon]

A UTV is a waste of money for most people. I had two and sold both. Nice toys that can do work...but not inexspensively.

For chores, a beater pickup truck is hard to beat and cheap. Nice to have a cab when the weather is crappy. I had one (with plow) before I got the tractor and used it to move firewood, haul stones, haul junk, pickup lumber, and plow the driveway. Best $3500 I spent and sold it after 4 years for $2500. I also used it for going into town but that adds cost (insurance and plates)...which are not needed for around the homestead.

ZT is the way to cut grass.

BTW, I am looking at getting a used golf cart for about $2000 for shuttling around in good weather. Handy for visiting neighbors and getting the mail (mailbox is 2 1/2 miles away on a dirt road). Most of my land is flat and it would be nice for use on my gun range. Walking 100 yards is not too bad, but hope to extend it to 200 yards this year. Wish I had kept the beater Dodge Ram and that is still an option.

 

[Milo]

A UTV is a waste of money for most people. I had two and sold both. Nice toys that can do work...but not inexspensively.


....BTW, I am looking at getting a used golf cart for about $2000 for shuttling around in good weather......

Don I guess no different than some people who buy a tractor, truck, ATV, or boat, with out good use for one but this couldn't be more wrong in my case (or anyone I know with one), and I have a pick up truck. I do not know how I would maintain my trails w/o a UTV? I guess with an ATV and small trailer because it would be a PIA having to do so with a tractor. I carry a tow strap, saw and loppers in it and usually end up cutting or dragging something every time I am out. Also might be carrying the brush cutter or sprayer, or at times a rifle. With it I do everything from hauling firewood, pulling out barberry bushes, dragging a fallen tree, picking up litter along the roads, driving 1/2 mile to the mail box, running short errands (it's legal in WV to run them on smaller roads), occasionally ride a few of my elderly friends who visit around the property. The list goes on. In Winter I attach a short windshield and wear an insulated one piece suit and enjoy the outdoors. My hope is to some day trailer mine out west maybe to Arizona with camping gear, cooler, etc and ride for days on end. I have done this a number of times out there on a dual sport motorcycle but think it might be fun on a UTV with my friend, and we can carry a lot more stuff.

Hard to understand how you feel a small UTV to be a waste of money yet you're looking at spending $2,000 on a used golf cart? I guess it is all about what works for you, if just running around on your driveway or smooth ground, a golf cart could work fine.