Atv's For Work

genecarp

polaris, kawasaki. kubota, which company has the best setup? i want one for general work and transport, plowing, pulling, towing etcc. some have post hole digger attachments. what would you guys look into? thanks

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dougger222

I used to use my old 2002 Polaris 700 twin atv for work. The 5x8 trailer it was pulled on became the trailer it pulled going around job sites picking up shingle debris. One sweep around even a large home would yeild a pretty good load. Then it was pulled up to the dumpster were all the debris was loaded into it.

That got stolen with 1,100 miles on it in 06 and the next day a 06 Polaris 800 EFI camo atv with winch and plow was purchased. Don't use it much for anything, it's got 120 miles on it. When the warranty is out gonna buy a Can Am 800 Outlander.

The 02 was a warranty headache. It came with a 5 year full warranty and should have been a lemon buy back. The 06 has not been in the shop but has a couple little electric issues.

The 02's suspension was great though. While owned it worked more than most Ford Rangers! It pulled a 3,500 lb camper once.

TempestV

There is a Kabota RVT and Polaris Ranger 6x6 on the job site I'm on now. The house is right at the top of the ridge, and the driveway off the main road can require 4x4 year round, and most definitely during the winter. The atvs, in addition to an old F150 extended, cab allow the people without 4x4 to park at the bottom of the hill and drive up. In addition, they get used quite a bit for hauling garbage down (mainly the ford), and tools all over the mountain. The Kabota is slow, particularly up hill, but it's got a bit of torque and will go anywhere. It's the more used of the two. The Polaris has a lot of high end, but not as much torque as the Kabota, plus, with 6 wheels, it isn't as easy to maneuver in tight spots.

samthedog

I am looking at the Suzuki King Quad or the Yamaha Grizzly as my ATV for getting to some of my job sites. I need a competent 4X4 as when the snow melts things get hairy so these work perfectly as work horses. I have been looking at getting one for a while and my choice has narrowed down to the 2 above. Be aware that the 07 Grizzly has power steering which makes it nice to ride but the King Quad has more grunt than the Grizzly. Both are probably overkill but your better having too much than not enough. Also, depending on your altitude you may want to opt for fuel injected engines as carby fed engines will have trouble at some of the higher altitudes (not sure where you live but I live on the mountains so this is factor for me). Also, if your planing on towing a trailer you want good braking and the Grizzly is all over that with 4 wheel disk brakes. Good luck with your choice.

samthedog.

jcalvin

Power steering is for cruising down the highway. Get you killed on a trail.

Brakes are for little girls.

Seriously though. Be wary of some of the automatic trannys, they have a belt in the tranny that will strech over time and leave you w/o notice. The big 700's they make now are so big it is like stradling a jeep. The large ones aren't as agile as you need for a mud/snow situation. Makes a killer rooster tail though. I think that Suzuki and Artic Cat are the only manufacturers that still make a TRUE 4wd. Check for independant rear suspension, they ride better and are more stable. I think if you would stay with Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda in that order 450cc and smaller IMO, you will bail off before those things quit going.

And oh yea, winches are for the same people that use brakes.

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Cal


You hired WHO

samthedog

I used to indulge in Pig shooting in Australia and we regularly towed a large trailer loaded with shot pigs and plus several on the gear racks. We used the Kawasaki 700 with the automatic transmission (belt drive) and never had any problems even hauling heavy loads. As for independent suspension many manufacturers make their quads with it now so it's not an issue. I have tried the power steering and LOVE it too and the fact there are front diff locks makes the newer quads great on hilly terrain. I have tried quite a few and have found both the grizzly and king quad great for where i live in the snow and mountains. I like the power delivery of the king quad as it's just much smoother. Mind you, my atv won't ONLY be a work machine