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Smawgunner
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# Posted: 25 Jan 2014 19:44 - Edited by: Smawgunner
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Our 84 acre property has some very steep terrain and can challenge the most in shape person. We'd like to get a quad but don't know the first thing about them. I'd like to be able to haul a small trailer for wood and such. Not sure if I need fwd or not. Any of you use one and what are your recommendations? Automatic? CCs? or a
Polaris type? Etc... Thanks!
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cabinbiscuits
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# Posted: 25 Jan 2014 19:58
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We have two of the utility style 4x4 atv's. One is a Kawasaki Prairie and the other is a Yamaha Grizzly. We also have steep terrain on our land. So steep in fact that it would be nearly impossible to make it up our mountain by going through the woods on them. I cut in road that has switchbacks with an excavator a few years back and that is how we get to the top. I have rolled both our atv's over the years trying to negotiate mountain terrain. The Prairie I rolled sideways and the Grizzly I rolled backwards over top of me. Neither was fun, believe that.
I guess a lot depends on how steep your steep is.
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 25 Jan 2014 20:50 - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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I have a Suzuki Eiger 400 4X4 I bought new back in 02. I still have it and use it all the time at the cabin. It has a WARN 2500 lb winch, luggage racks that I added extensions/sides on to hold gear better, I drag logs in, haul all my water jugs on, even use it to drive down to the gate in the evening to close it (its a long walk) and cant imagine life without it out there.
Polaris makes some great utility quads and a place like http://www.montanajacks.com ATV outpost supply makes loads of implements for the Polaris, but many of those options fits many makes/models.
I also have the Kolpin Chain Saw press, I haul my chainsaw (Stihl 026 in 20" bar) for wood cutting, trail clearing and hunting season. Get caught behind a blow down, it could be a long walk. I do carry a hand saw also, food, gloves, tow straps, chains etc.
I have a harrow I used to till up soil to plant a food forage plot, seed spreader, its endless.
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Just
Member
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# Posted: 25 Jan 2014 21:02
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go take a atv safety course .then you will know what to buy.. and be safe doing it Many local atv clubs give the courses .
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bldginsp
Member
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# Posted: 25 Jan 2014 21:24
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There's a company that makes a 4x4 electric cart/atv for hunters that want to approach animals quietly.
Anyhow, I'm wondering if that could be kept charged with a PV system, and the batteries used to power lights in the cabin at night.
Of course, if I was buzzing around the property with it all day when the sun is shining it wouldn't be getting charged.
http://www.polaris.com/en-us/ranger-utv/ranger-ev-avalanche-gray
http://www.badboybuggies.com/sport/recoil.html
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old243
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# Posted: 25 Jan 2014 21:58
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I got my first atv in 85, Have farm and camp. Use it almost every day when there isn't a lot of snow. I have a 2009 old243 Honda 500 cc , 4wheel drive, high low range, winch is a must, really like it . I don't recommend the side by sides, as they take wider bush trails, but I never had one. I built a trailer , the same width as the bike use 15 inch car tires , for flotation. I can haul about a third of a cord of wood, dirt, deer etc.
If you don't want to buy new, there are used around . Watch for worn tires , bad wheel bearings, torn boots. Usually the motors are dependable.
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Josh8880
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# Posted: 26 Jan 2014 07:52
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I have a Yamaha bruin 350cc 4wd and love it. I snow plow with it, it always starts right up, and it only set me back about $3000 (used). It pulls a 5 by 8 trailer no problem. Very useful
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turkeyhunter
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# Posted: 26 Jan 2014 08:14
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i have a Yamaha 4wheeler I had for years....so handy!!!!
BUT~~ I luv my golf carts ....( I have 3) ...2 are fixed up with lift kit/big off road tires/ racks for hauling tools/chain saw/ game...etc
flip down back seat to haul lager items/one has a flat bed on back the electric one. I like the gas Yamaha cart the best...use it daily!!!
BUT a golf cart is NOT the best for steep terrain....I would buy the biggest 4 wheeler I could afford....they are a work horse for sure!!!
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gersus
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# Posted: 26 Jan 2014 10:02
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Can am ATVs are great and are awesome on steep hills. I prefer the newer automatics, especially on steep terrain. A UTV would also be good, especially if you want something more for utility purposes or if you want to haul people around. As long as your trails can accommodate the extra width.
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hattie
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# Posted: 26 Jan 2014 12:57
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Our Yamaha Rhino is great. It is a side by side and has a pickup box in the back. We use that a lot to move things around and our dog likes to sit in it when we go grouse hunting. We have never regretted that money spent.
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Gregjman
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# Posted: 26 Jan 2014 14:10 - Edited by: Gregjman
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I just did a zip line in the smokey mountains last year. They used Polaris 800 utv's to get people up the mountain. I was amazed at the grade they went up with 5 people in them. Unbelievable.
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RedTailHawk
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# Posted: 26 Jan 2014 20:58
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I have a Polaris Ranger XP 900 (side-by-side) and a CanAm Outlander Max XT 800 (ATV). I love them both and they definitely excel at different tasks. The Polaris seats 3 people so I can give 2 other people tours of the property. It also has a bed so I can haul all kinds of gear, depending on the activity (hunting, trap shooting, cutting wood, etc). It is VERY capable on extreme terrain. I have made the 700 ft ascent up one of my mountains. I actually feel safer in the side-by-side than on my ATV because it has a lower center of gravity. Though the ATV is a blast to ride, I'm always worried about rolling it. Plus I can't haul anywhere near as much stuff on the ATV. The side-by-side wins hands down on fun, convenience and practicality.
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lawnjocky
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# Posted: 27 Jan 2014 10:28
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I have a Yamaha Big Bear. It is about 4 years old and the only repair has been a seal. That was done for free after some back and forth with Yamaha. I rolled it going down a steep rocky hill last September and messed up my ankle pretty good.
It is tempting to go off trails but it isn't a good idea. You don't want tracks all over your property and it is equal to not being toilet trained if you do it on public land.
If you hunt they are good for hauling game out. I have hauled out elk on mine and a moose up in Canada. I don't use it for actual hunting as the spook the game. I was watching some elk in Utah a couple of years ago and they all went back in the trees. A couple of minutes later I hear an atv in the distance. The atv goes by and 5 minutes later the elk come back out in the open.
I am not a believer in the idea that you need the biggest baddest machine out there. I am quite happy with a medium sized utility atv.
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spoofer
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# Posted: 28 Jan 2014 21:36
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get an automatic at least 400cc. I like the arctic cats, if you want the made in the usa sticker, but the Jap brands are good too. I'd stay away from the polaris machines. Even their racks are plastic. They are fun to own and you will be looking for work to do.
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BadgersHollow
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# Posted: 8 Feb 2014 15:31
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We faced the same question this summer. I have always liked the Yamaha Grizzly, I believe it is 700 cc. It has power and handles like a champion on the mountain. But, they are expensive. So, we started comparing them to the standard Polaris RZR 800 (UTV). We found a new one, a 2012 model that was left over in summer of 2013. We bought it for 9900 bucks. It has a small bed in back. My wife and I can sit side by side and enjoy the ride. It has power. It is versatile. It is only 50 inches wide, so can go any where an ATV can. We threw a windshield on it and a canvas roof. It is pretty awesome.
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joedepilot
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# Posted: 8 Feb 2014 20:26
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I have a JD 850D side by side. Has a yanmar diesel that is great and a dump bed. 4x4 and locking differential and a winch. Love it. For out in the boonies i would recommend an ATV yamaha 4x4 manual shift. Need the 4 wd if pulling trailer up hill. Minimum would be a 500cc and a winch. Had a 350 2wd big bear that sat outside for 8 years and started everytime. Changed oil once a year and new battery every 3 yrs or so.
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RichInTheUSA
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# Posted: 2 Mar 2014 09:35 - Edited by: RichInTheUSA
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Do any of you have a PTO so that you can attach a device to cut grass or brush?
Do they work well for cutting existing areas/fields? How about creating new paths? Any experience with brush hogs attached to ATVs?
Thanks in advance.
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MJW
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# Posted: 2 Mar 2014 09:44
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We looked at ATVs and decided to go with a Suzuki Samurai or like 4WD vehicle instead.
You can buy them all day long around here for $500 to 1k, usually with no title but since it is only used on the property and probably wouldn't pass inspection anyway, no problem.
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Smawgunner
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# Posted: 2 Mar 2014 11:37
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Thanks all. I'm now leaning toward a Yamaha Rhino. It'll go back and forth with me to the cabin, has a dump bed, reliable and cost is reasonable compared with other utvs. Stay tuned.
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hattie
Member
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# Posted: 2 Mar 2014 12:15 - Edited by: hattie
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Quoting: Smawgunner I'm now leaning toward a Yamaha Rhino.
You'll LOVE it. We have never regretted getting ours. One thing we got was a really good quality winch that can go on the front or back of the rhino. The winch is mounted to a plug in mount that can plug into the front or back trailer hitch mounts. There is an electrical cable at both ends to control it. It was well worth the money as we have had to use it a few times when we got a bit too adventurous. 
Bob took the chain off the tailgate and he put a stop that plugs into the trailer hitch mount so the tailgate stops, hanging down, almost vertical when you open it. Then he hinged a piece of plywood to the top of the tailgate that opens to form a step. He put longer chains on to hold that up horizontally. This makes a great step if you have a dog that wants to ride in the back.
The truck box floor gets really hot. If you have a dog in there it can be a problem so Bob put a plywood floor (removable for if you are going to put sand or something like that in the back that might plug up the gaps) in the truck box on spacers. This forms an air gap to prevent the floor from getting so hot because it is right over where the muffler is. He also put plywood on the front of the box as that got hot too. Works perfectly!!!
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hattie
Member
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# Posted: 2 Mar 2014 12:26
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Here are some pictures of the back step that Bob made for the dog. Our rhino was nice and new then. 
Rhino_1.JPG
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Rhino_2.JPG
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Step.JPG
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Hitch.JPG
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Smawgunner
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# Posted: 2 Mar 2014 14:32
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That is great! Did you buy new? I'm jealous.
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