Maggie’s Farm ATVs

david walter

david walter

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Out west, but not too far west
#1

We bought a small (<50 acres) farm in MS, and are headed there soon. The former owners took their equipment with them.​

Looking for advice on an ATV, not a quad but a Kawasaki MULE or Polaris Ranger type.​

Brand recommendations? Necessary equipment? Roof, heater, dump bed, winch, etc.?​

What to buy and what to avoid?
 
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#3
Some of the Polaris have a reputation for very poor suspension that can't handle the task of even dirt roads without eventually failing.
 
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  • Haha
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#6
I own a Polaris ranger crew xp1000 and am happy with it. The price is insane for what you get but there are few capable alternatives. (A mini truck is closest)

Roof is a must. The Polaris factory cab with heat and ac (called North Star) is a 10k option. I’m cheap so I went with the roof, front and rear windshields and aftermarket doors. Heat will be added later if needed.

Also recommend the DR Power dump trailer.
 
#7
CanAm Defender or Commander are popular here. Both have beds, which you absolutely need. Commander is a little more trail worthy, but neither are off road racers, rather very solid utility vehicles.
 
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#9
My buddy who owns the ranch I hunt of also owns the local power sports dealership. Every time I go to the ranch there's a new side-by-side to try out. Polaris are okay, but we're really loving the Mules. They just get it done with no fuss.

Roofs or canopies are always good. Doors and sides depend on local conditions. Winches will always find a use. Give a thought to what you're gonna carry and how you'll need to secure it.
 
#10
Kubuta RTV-X1140. Wonderful diesel utility vehicle. Can carry 2 and have a long bed or 4 and a short bed. Decent turning radius and good torque. Its diesel, so you can get a tank for farm/dyed diesel (tax free). Their warranty program has been worth it too.
 
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#14
I’ve had a Yamaha Rhino for 16 years and my bil had a Kawasaki mule and now a Polaris. Personally I like the better seats and suspension on the Yamaha, but he has been happy with his.
Equipment obviously depends on use. Our place is a pine tree farm in Hinds county MS. We ride through the woods, fire lanes, pipelines, and pastures and we cover a lot of ground. Mostly deer hunting and checking on the farm.
Roof in MS - YES
Winch - may not need with 50 acres, esp if you can get to it with a tractor or truck. In 16 years of use I’ve only stuck mine twice - both in logging equipment ruts. However I do love a winch for pulling deer out of creeks, moving fallen trees, etc. - so useful!
Heater - not in central ms. A windshield to block the wind on cold days is nice. If you get a front windshield, and ride dusty trails, you will need a rear windshield. (to stop from pulling in dust when driving fast.)
Dump bed - I like one - mostly to make cleaning the bed out easier.
Tires - when I had to buy new, I got a higher ply tire since we go over lots of small bush hogged pine tree stumps.
I really want to get a 4 seater since grandkids go so often. I might get one, but these things have all gotten so expensive.
 
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#16
I have ran Polaris Rangers for a few years now. I'm assuming that you are going to be using it for actual farm work. Otherwise, you can really easily get away with a 4-wheeler on 50 acres (multiple trips). I say that because there is a significant difference in the cost of a 4-wheeler and SxS.

I do opt for a roof and a windshield. Other than that, I don't care about all of the bells and whistles. It'll be covered in mud, blood, and shit most of the time anyway.
 
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#19
Consider one of these:

Kei Trucks America | Japanese Import Mini Trucks Delivered Nationwide

Kei Trucks America delivers Japanese mini kei trucks nationwide in the USA. We offer quality and reliability. Choose from a variety of versatile vehicles, making your experience hassle-free. Discover the efficiency of Japanese mini trucks with us – your satisfaction is our priority!
www.kei-trucks.com www.kei-trucks.com
 
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#20
stemikel said:
Consider one of these:

Kei Trucks America | Japanese Import Mini Trucks Delivered Nationwide

Kei Trucks America delivers Japanese mini kei trucks nationwide in the USA. We offer quality and reliability. Choose from a variety of versatile vehicles, making your experience hassle-free. Discover the efficiency of Japanese mini trucks with us – your satisfaction is our priority!
www.kei-trucks.com www.kei-trucks.com
Click to expand...
I posed that then deleted it because I hear the prices shot up….but haven’t looked into it
 
#21
“The Kubota if you're never in a hurry. Rugged and lots a torque. But slow. Very S-l-o-w!”

This.

They wouldn’t let me test it other than in the dealer’s flat lot. If you have any grade or hills it’s even slower. Crazy slow. But utilitarian for sure. We’ve put 10 guys in/on it (plus driver) and it went the same speed (slow) as it did with just the driver. Can carry a ton of weight and has dump bed. HST transmission (not a fan) and sticky/finicky shifter. In my mind it’s great for a flat area where you have all the time in the world and use it for slow heavy work (even towing) only. If you want it to do other things besides that then I would suggest looking elsewhere.
 
#23
dirtybores said:
Kubuta RTV-X1140. Wonderful diesel utility vehicle. Can carry 2 and have a long bed or 4 and a short bed. Decent turning radius and good torque. Its diesel, so you can get a tank for farm/dyed diesel (tax free). Their warranty program has been worth it too.
Click to expand...
+1. Some of the best money we’ve spent on equipment. Add a roof. Comes standard with hydraulic dump bed. Pulls well above what you would expect. It’s darned near indispensable on our place.

We added a tool rack over the hood for chainsaws and such. Very handy option.
 
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#25
We have a John Deere Gator XUV 835. Bought it new in 2019, and have had no problems with it other than the e-brake wearing out. Cost about $300 to fix. Other than that, zero issues except regular maintenance and a new set of front tires.
 
#27
22 acres at our "Green Acres" estate. We have a 2003 Mule side by side and use it daily. Mailbox runs and trash runs to street. Carrying tools, stuff to shed, and so on. Corn to the deer feeders (my wife's pets). We also have a lifted golf cart for just light stuff - mainly riding family around "the farm". The Mule has been very reliable - only issue so far was replacing starter.
 
#29
As said, dont get the UTV, get the tractor. Youll thank me. I bought the UTV first then the Tractor. Tractor gets used way more. Can Am Commander. They are all plastic light weight garbage.
 
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#30
sirhrmechanic said:
I have a Polaris sportsman 350 that is about 20’years old and does everything.

Little tank…

Sirhr
Click to expand...

That said, I use it mainly for running tools around, fence line, little stuff.

As bullfrog says,
Get a tractor first. A real one. Not some modified lawn tractor.


Three point hitch. Bucket.
Old enough that no computers. Fordson.

Older deee or MF or Intl.

ATV is gravy. Quad (like gator or side
By side)’is useless on small spread. Great on big one.

Get. Tractor and an ATV… later when tractor is paid off get a atv.

Sirhr
 
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#31
I’ve got an Arctic Cat Prowler Pro Crew Cab. I have 90 acres and I’m not looking to trail ride. Does about 50, and is very quiet. Mine has winch, pop up windshield, back window, roof, gun rack, dump bed, and seats 6. Get something with good ground clearance, you’ll appreciate it when driving over downed trees and not high pointing.

Biggest thing about buying any toy, is having a good dealer support network. For the price I paid for it at the time and what I need it for, it does its job fine. I’m able to transport 6 people around my land without an issue and having the dump bed helps out by the house with hauling things, mulching and the like. When it comes times to clear trails or cut trees, it’s nice being able to load everything into the bed. For heavier stuff, I have a tractor.

I do love the UTV for hunting, can bring out 1 vehicle with 4+ people to hunt and not have 4 separate ATV’s disturbing the woods. Plus, I like to bring my 7 yo grandson out hunting with me and it helps keep the wind off him as we head out or in.
Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Honda is the way I would go if looking to utilize it for other things.
 

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#32
Bullfrog08 said:
As said, dont get the UTV, get the tractor. Youll thank me. I bought the UTV first then the Tractor. Tractor gets used way more. Can Am Commander. They are all plastic light weight garbage.
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He’s not wrong about having a tractor first. Our place has quite a bit of woods so we opted for an older no cab New Holland diesel. Added bobcat style front hydraulics so we have forklift, bucket, and grapple. All are used extensively. We bought UTV after tractor and all the implements for 3pt and front hydraulics.

Before we got the UTV WE PULLED A LITTLE 5x10 trailer behind the tractor when we needed to haul wood or fence supplies.

Tractors are indispensable. UTV is a handy supplement.
 
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#34
John? said:
He’s not wrong about having a tractor first. Our place has quite a bit of woods so we opted for an older no cab New Holland diesel. Added bobcat style front hydraulics so we have forklift, bucket, and grapple. All are used extensively. We bought UTV after tractor and all the implements for 3pt and front hydraulics.

Before we got the UTV WE PULLED A LITTLE 5x10 trailer behind the tractor when we needed to haul wood or fence supplies.

Tractors are indispensable. UTV is a handy supplement.
Click to expand...
If the OP has the money, then of course the Hide's typical answer is both...

Roll down to Kubota and see what package they can really throw together, then go to the other three dealers in the area and make them fight for your money. Kubota has a gasser SxS too that does up to 40mph, hauls 1000lbs, tows 2k, and can get a dump bed on it as well.

But really, I'd find a beater small pickup, throw in a lunchbox locker, and go to town with it. Literally, if need be, because while we may get to take SxSs on the highways here in the west, I don't think it's quite so friendly to them in the east. That's just me though, and I will certainly concede that UTVs turns around or winds through tight trails far easier than even a small pickup. I don't have that problem.

Tractors on land are indispensable, especially post storm when you really, REALLY need them. I just use the pickup or the old Exploder to drive shit out in the field when I need to, but the tractor does the cutting, road grading, tree removal and this winter will do the snow removal. I'm just on 40 acres of pine covered hills and open prairie, without livestock, but getting my tractor to do the land maintenance was priority #1 when I bought this piece.
 
#35
Before I retired, I justified an ATV for doing survey and mapping work, as well as hunting. I got this one. It's made in China, and it's the same company as makes the engines, drivetrains, transmisions...etc. for the bigger name brands. It cost a few thousand less than a comparable Polaris or CanAm.

BattleWagon.jpg


I've had it a few years and its done a good job for me.

But as my Akita matured and started showing great potential as a hunting dog, I regreted not being able to carry her with me. (Most of our hunting seasons are in the heat of summer, and chasing a ATV in 100+ temps will kill a dog like Shiloh.)
Then I came across this baby.
Fieldtested.jpg


Shiloh loves riding in it. It'll carry me, her, a hunting buddy, and a deer. It can handle the same terrain as the ATV, plus it's street legal. It also cost me a lot less than a UTV would have.
 
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#36
Should have mentioned we already bought the tractor, with front end loader, brush hog, disc and a blade.

A gazillion years ago me and JJ were hunting off our quads way the fuque off the road in Alaska between Tok and Wasilla. Along comes two kids in a Subaru brat with mud tires.

Says me, “That’s a strange ride for way back here.”

Says the driver in reply, “Does that quad have a radio and a heater old dude? No? That’s an odd ride for way back here in the cold.” And they drive off.

So, maybe an old 4x4 truck is the answer?
 
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#37
david walter said:
Should have mentioned we already bought the tractor, with front end loader, brush hog, disc and a blade.

A gazillion years ago me and JJ were hunting off our quads way the fuque off the road in Alaska between Tok and Wasilla. Along comes two kids in a Subaru brat with mud tires.

Says me, “That’s a strange ride for way back here.”

Says the driver in reply, “Does that quad have a radio and a heater old dude? No? That’s an odd ride for way back here in the cold.” And they drive off.

So, maybe an old 4x4 truck is the answer?
Click to expand...
Truck - will work, but MS will be muddy. We stopped allowing trucks since they make a mess of our fire lanes and roads. Plus UTVs are so fun!
 
#39
camotoe said:
For the money you can buy a Toyota or Nissan 4x4
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Yup, and you can't go into a plowed/planted food plot without getting stuck. I use our Gator to pull the cultipacker when I do food plots. Keeps me from having to disconnect the tiller from the PTO to use the 3 point.

I bought my cultipacker with a tongue conversion option for this exact reason.
 
#40
david walter said:

We bought a small (<50 acres) farm in MS, and are headed there soon. The former owners took their equipment with them.​

Looking for advice on an ATV, not a quad but a Kawasaki MULE or Polaris Ranger type.​

Brand recommendations? Necessary equipment? Roof, heater, dump bed, winch, etc.?​

What to buy and what to avoid?
Click to expand...


Buy a small street legal pickup or jeep. Those who say you will get stuck just need to be better at not getting stuck. Spend the money for GOOD tires. You will not regret having a Jeep or an old Tacoma vs a UTV.

Those ATVs and UTVs are way overpriced and are not durable enough in my experience.

As already said, get the tractor first. Look for estate sales or old folks retiring from farming. They normally have that older gen, well cared for tractor that is going for a song because everyone else is either doing it for a business and needs a bigger one, or is retarded and just went out to the Kubota dealership and just bought a 50K tractor brand new.
 
#42
Well there’s Tomcar. However you can buy a pickup for what they run. Steel though and no plastic. Every other atv and UTv out there has so much plastic it’s nuts.
 
#44
50 acres? Just walk with a wagon.


The Polaris will have the most upgrades available aftermarket. What you probably want is the general. It's a hybrid, razor suspension with a small dump box.
So you can write it off for farm use but take it to a trail and cruise without beating your kidneys out.

Most of the utility SxS suck for comfort and most of the comfortable ones suck to actually work out of.

90% of the ranchers around here run Polaris. A good amount just use razors because of the comfort and speed. But, our usage is different as it's mostly wide open terrain and small ranches are thousands of acres.
 
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