4-Wheelers

[roddy]

I like having a clutch and a manual gearbox in something that doesn't weigh half a ton...

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[BrokenolMarine]

I got tired of not being able to get around the little farm, and one day when we were at the Farm Supply picking up a weed eater in for service, I spotted the UTV's. I was looking around them when Miss T came out, and she asked what I needed on of them for... Mailbox, pistol range, lower pasture... "It's your birthday..." And sure enough, it was actually my Birthday that day. I didn't buy the model I was looking at, but did pick out the Polaris Ranger 500, an entry level 4x4, to which I added the optional roof, and front and rear windshields for bad weather. It has a dump bed and plenty of clearance to ford the creek in the lower pasture.

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We have been really happy with it, but if I had to make the choice again, I would look at one with just a bit more room in the passenger area. Otherwise, this one does everything we need to do. It hasn't let me down. I don't race it, but use it for transportation around the farm, to run down the 250 yard drive to get the mail, and to check the three game cams we use to monitor the farm. Tina uses it to haul hay, grain, equipment to the hutches or coop, and supplies when landscaping. It's been worth every penny. I hooked it to a small outbuilding and dragged it to a new location.

[Mags]

.
Similarly we got tired of trying to push loaded wheel barrows around over wet mucky ground (new to owning acreage 26+ years ago). The 4x2 gator has been our work horse since for hauling stuff around the property. It's belt driven though and getting into too deep water causes the belt to hydroplane on the drive drum. Had to use the tractor to tow it to dryer ground a few times.

I got tired of not being able to get around the little farm, ...

[markiver54]

Yes Jim, they are great. Been thinking, when I can afford it, going to a side by side and would probably be a Polaris Ranger.
Up at the cabin, everyone owns one. It is the general form of transportation. We are about 8 switchbacks up the mountain, so all the roads are gravel. Everyone except for 1 neighbor are farther than we want to walk to. Some own two. Singles and side by sides and all are Polaris.
Not putting down other brands, but hey...If it aint broke, don't fix it!
BTW, IMO the 500 is plenty.

[BrokenolMarine]

Yes Jim, they are great. Been thinking, when I can afford it, going to a side by side and would probably be a Polaris Ranger.
Up at the cabin, everyone owns one. It is the general form of transportation. We are about 8 switchbacks up the mountain, so all the roads are gravel. Everyone except for 1 neighbor are farther than we want to walk to. Some own two. Singles and side by sides and all are Polaris.
Not putting down other brands, but hey...If it aint broke, don't fix it!
BTW, IMO the 500 is plenty.

The 500 has plenty of power for our needs, plenty of space in the dump bed for the jobs we do, and the Four Wheel Drive hasn't left me stranded. But, I haven't made unreasonable demands either. The only place I find it lacking is interior space... A complaint shared by other "full size" (ah, some less diplomatic might say FAT,) guys....

[RanchRoper]

This is what we used on the big ranch....wheels in summer and tracks in winter.

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[markiver54]

Wow!! That's awesome RR!

[JEBar]

This is what we used on the big ranch....wheels in summer and tracks in winter.
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diesel ..

how warm can it keep the cab on a really cold day ..

[RanchRoper]

The one we used was no doors just roof and windshield. Not much fun at 30 below. It was gas. Older model. Maybe 2005? Had a tough time getting tracks to fit. Think hubs were special order.
But it was good for running out to check cows. Too cold to ride horses.

[BigAl52]

Aint much that is fun at 30 below. I bet even Badger dont care much for 30 below.

[RanchRoper]

Ya he's not a fan.

[JEBar]

that's easy to understand .... doubt the cows care much for it as well ...

[markiver54]

Because I haven't even gotten to practice much with my two new Henry's, I have decided to put any new gun purchaces on hold for now. I need a new 4-Wheeler. Went out looking today. Pretty sure I'm gonna get the Polaris 570 SP. My 2000 model 500 has served me very well and still runs strong, however, can't trust it if I'm alone and 3 to 5 miles up the mountain. Will keep the old for visitors.

[JEBar]

looking forward to seeing pictures and hearing your after purchase reports

[markiver54]

looking forward to seeing pictures and hearing your after purchase reports

Thanks Jim! If all goes as planned, should have it by late next week.

[Mags]

.
ya strand your friends....

... still runs strong, however, can't trust it if I'm alone and 3 to 5 miles up the mountain. Will keep the old for visitors.

[markiver54]

.
ya strand your friends....

... still runs strong, however, can't trust it if I'm alone and 3 to 5 miles up the mountain. Will keep the old for visitors.

The idea is that if two are on the mountain and one breaks down, there is still transportation back down. We had to double up a few times when bear hunting when someone broke down.
Best not to go alone anyway, if possible. I WILL be doing that on occasion though...hence, the new one.

[markiver54]

looking forward to seeing pictures and hearing your after purchase reports

This is how I spent my afternoon...got it and love it!!...unfortunately no more guns for a while.
Only a test ride so far, but break in time is coming soon!

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Happy camper.

[JEBar]

very nice .... very nice indeed .... it looks like a much nicer version of the Yamaha 350 Big Bear we bought back in 1990 .... our main use for it has been big game hunting .... the only mod I've made to it is to get rid of the thumb throttle and replace it with a motorcycle twist throttle .... she still cranks and moves on down the trail

[markiver54]

e
very nice .... very nice indeed .... it looks like a much nicer version of the Yamaha 350 Big Bear we bought back in 1990 .... our main use for it has been big game hunting .... the only mod I've made to it is to get rid of the thumb throttle and replace it with a motorcycle twist throttle .... she still cranks and moves on down the trail

Thanks Jim, I'm proud of it. Nothing like a good old workhorse that has served you well. Still have my 2000 model which stood strong for me through bear hunting and much more. She still runs good, just getting old. This one should last me for the rest of my days...( knock on wood ), just how I see it right now. Have also thought about the twist throttle in the past. On my old one I just have the thumb throttle extender....anyway, this just became a priority for me. Power steering was the driving factor because of my arthritic issues.