UTV at 8600 ft?

Trails2004 · Aug 2, 2019

DIXIEDOG said:
My Gator has been going strong plowing every Maine storm since 12' and it shows no signs of getting tired. I've had one mechanical break down when plowing, I was in reverse with the wheel cut trying to back out of a ditch I had plowed too far over...the cv axle broke that was in 13' I believe and no problems since. It was replaced the warranty even covered it. I have well over 250 hrs of plowing with this and still have yet to blow a belt or find a storm too large to plow including a multiple 20" plus snowstorms. The biggest limiting factor I have is that Boss doesn't make an even bigger V plow for UTVs I'd like something with a 36" high moldboard instead of 27" on some storms.:laughing:

Awesome!!

FatTire · Aug 4, 2019

Jchonline said:
Right now the only 3 with a factory cab I can find in this range are Polaris Ranger 1000 Northstar, Deere 835M, and Kubota X1100C (and diesel offers from Deere/Polaris which I wont entertain). I am leaning towards gas with EFI. Right now the Polaris Northstar is 80+ HP and the Deere is 54. That is a pretty huge difference. For plowing at altitude I might want all I can get.

I have a 12 year old Gator 620i, still on the original drive belt. For several years I did a lot plowing with a V-plow (electric over hydraulic lift, manual angle). This machine is only about 25 hp, so it is way under powered when travelling on a road, but in low range that doesn't make much difference when plowing. The biggest issue with the this machine is the lack of power steering. For plowing it is all about weight and traction. Chains (v-bar preferred) and several hundred pounds of ballast in the bed will make a big difference. So for plowing, I'm not seeing the need for the absolute highest horse power. Nothing wrong with Deere but my next UTV will probably be a Sidekick or a Ranger.

ArlyA · Aug 4, 2019

BRP builds the Defender with a cab.

Defender Side-by-Side 2

Models for Sale | Can-Am | Can-Am

rmk700 · Aug 4, 2019

Have the Honda pioneer 1000. Has 5 speed with high low range for mountain terrain. Though if your going down a steep grade the engine/tranny braking is about 6mph without using brakes. I’d prefer about 3mph but I can live with it.

Got rid of my pioneer 700. Just has 3 gears and is terrible in steep mountains country even with its torque converter.

ArlyA · Aug 5, 2019

FatTire said:
I have a 12 year old Gator 620i, still on the original drive belt. For several years I did a lot plowing with a V-plow (electric over hydraulic lift, manual angle). This machine is only about 25 hp, so it is way under powered when travelling on a road, but in low range that doesn't make much difference when plowing. The biggest issue with the this machine is the lack of power steering. For plowing it is all about weight and traction. Chains (v-bar preferred) and several hundred pounds of ballast in the bed will make a big difference. So for plowing, I'm not seeing the need for the absolute highest horse power. Nothing wrong with Deere but my next UTV will probably be a Sidekick or a Ranger.

Its always nice to have people with actual experience posting. I'll agree with FatT. If you are running rubber tires to push snow, all that extra HP will only be good for spinning the tires. We operate pods and in snow, which takes lots and lots and lots of HP to spin.

ruffdog · Aug 5, 2019

^^A good defroster and windshield wiper is important too^^

Jchonline · Aug 5, 2019

I am going with the Kubota X1100C. If worst comes to worst I will have the dealer add a turbocharger. They did it for a customer at 10000 ft. They dont think I will need it but we have the option. This machine will be used for 100% work. They have a hand throttle kit for it much like tractors where you can set the engine RPM manually. This will help a bunch. Also adding a winch, work lights, side mirrors from dealer. Getting a Boss V-XT 6'6" plow and some studded chains for the HD work tires. Thanks for all the input!

ArlyA · Aug 5, 2019

Jchonline said:
I am going with the Kubota X1100C. If worst comes to worst I will have the dealer add a turbocharger. They did it for a customer at 10000 ft. They dont think I will need it but we have the option. This machine will be used for 100% work. They have a hand throttle kit for it much like tractors where you can set the engine RPM manually. This will help a bunch. Also adding a winch, work lights, side mirrors from dealer. Getting a Boss V-XT 6'6" plow and some studded chains for the HD work tires. Thanks for all the input!

All the machines we've ever had are 100% work tools. The reason I didn't list Ku machines is if its hydrostatic, they lose an inordinate amount of HP to power that.