Quad/Utv Recommendation

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bmilla35

Joined
Aug 29, 2007
Messages
1,601
Hey guys, it's about time to get a new farm vehicle. I'm looking for one that is strong enough to do most chores at the farm(mainly, a lot of dragging out logs in hard to reach places) that my 350 can't do. I would like to keep it under $10,000. So, what do you all think? Thanks guys
 
I have an 05 Yamaha Grizzly 660 and it is an awesome machine. It handles all our daily farm chores including snow plowing effortlessly. It's easy to steer and maneuver and has never needed any repairs these past four years. It has been used to drag logs and piles of branches with no problem so I can recommend this quad highly. Good luck.
 
Bought a Yamaha Rhino the first year they came out, which I normally would not do.
The thing has plenty of power & can damn near climb a tree on demand.
I highly recommend it.
Denis
 
DPris said:
Bought a Yamaha Rhino the first year they came out, which I normally would not do.
The thing has plenty of power & can damn near climb a tree on demand.
I highly recommend it.
Denis
Click to expand...

How big is the engine? the 450 looks good..and is in the price range. unfortunately the 700 is just too much :grumpy:
 
Mine is the original 660 (same as the Grizzly engine). I'll be trading it in on the newer version with the bigger engine in the spring.
I personally (based on my usage, which is not farm related) see no reason to go for the smaller 450 engine.
Mine is a mini-truck, used mainly for exploring the backcountry. As such, it gets loaded up with food, water, and enough emergency gear in the bed to survive a breakdown. A passenger usually adds anywhere from 150-200 pounds. The 660 easily handles the load, and with the original factory CDI replaced by a Black Rhino CDI we've clocked it at 47 MPH with a full load on a flat dirt road.

It continually amazes me at the types of terrain it can cover, and how well it climbs in 4WD with the differential locked down. Mine got me out of a deep wash on Sunday that I thought I was going to be parking in for quite a while.

I don't know about your finances, but if you can possibly swing it (there shouldn't be too much difference in the monthly payments if you float it over five years like I did) the extra money spent for the full-sized engine will give you the most versatility around the farm and for recreational use.
You'll lose a part of what makes the Rhino what it is if you drop down to the smaller engine.
I've encountered people on the trail who did buy the 450 & were satisfied, but they were older folks who never planned to push it very hard.

The Rhino can be a real workhorse (by far the best wheelbarrow I've ever owned & I've moved a fair amount of dirt with mine), but I can guarantee the bigger engine will work better for log dragging than the little one.

Denis
 
DPris said:
Mine is the original 660 (same as the Grizzly engine). I'll be trading it in on the newer version with the bigger engine in the spring.
I personally (based on my usage, which is not farm related) see no reason to go for the smaller 450 engine.
Mine is a mini-truck, used mainly for exploring the backcountry. As such, it gets loaded up with food, water, and enough emergency gear in the bed to survive a breakdown. A passenger usually adds anywhere from 150-200 pounds. The 660 easily handles the load, and with the original factory CDI replaced by a Black Rhino CDI we've clocked it at 47 MPH with a full load on a flat dirt road.

It continually amazes me at the types of terrain it can cover, and how well it climbs in 4WD with the differential locked down. Mine got me out of a deep wash on Sunday that I thought I was going to be parking in for quite a while.

I don't know about your finances, but if you can possibly swing it (there shouldn't be too much difference in the monthly payments if you float it over five years like I did) the extra money spent for the full-sized engine will give you the most versatility around the farm and for recreational use.
You'll lose a part of what makes the Rhino what it is if you drop down to the smaller engine.
I've encountered people on the trail who did buy the 450 & were satisfied, but they were older folks who never planned to push it very hard.

The Rhino can be a real workhorse (by far the best wheelbarrow I've ever owned & I've moved a fair amount of dirt with mine), but I can guarantee the bigger engine will work better for log dragging than the little one.

Denis
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input :thumbup: I could wait 6 months and probably upgrade, but I am just a poor college student :(
 
I also have a Rhino with the 660 engine and have had no problems hauling 2 55gal drums filled with water over rough terrain as well as loads of dirt and logs. I love mine and also prefer it over old fashioned human powered wheel barrows :)
 
I understand the poor college student part, but if you can possibly float the full-powered engine version, it's worth the extra money.
Denis
 
My parents bought two polaris 700 sportsmans. Got the last year model for $5800 after shopping around which is quite a bit below what they were wanting for retail. Have not had a problem and they are powerful, fast, and ride like a cadillac. I know they are coming out with a new model in a couple months and are offering an $800 rebate so now might be a good time to buy. I think there was a $500 rebate when they got them so you might be able to get it for even cheaper.

I know we got the 2 of them for a hair less than what a friend got his for a year earlier after he paid the financing. You just have to shop around and work the dealerships against each other.

I don't intentionally take them mudding but I have been down a few trails that have gotten really nasty and they don't even blink about going through it.

They also come with a reciever for a hitch and I have pulled some pretty big things with them. I think they are rated to pull 1500 lbs just can't have a ton of tongue weight.

Good luck!
 
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