Buying a side by side

[dougrout]

Hi everyone - I've been very impressed with the forum on this site. Many great ideas and suggestions are available, so I thought I'd get your opinion on which side by side to purchase. I will be using the ATV in the bush behind my house where there are many hilly trails that need to be maintained. The trails are generally wide enough for my John Deere 3320 (but too steep for my comfort level on the tractor). I will want to haul small logs with the side by side for short distances, so it will need power. I don't care about the speed of the ATV.

There is also a swamp that I would like to be able to get across, so ability in mud and some water would be a plus. In the winter I would like to get a set of tracks so that I can groom cross country ski trails - again I suspect that I'll need power for that application. I have narrowed down my choices to the Polaris Ranger (diesel would be nice), the John Deere 625 or 825 (or even the 855 diesel - diesel is my preference), or the Kubota RTV.

Oh yes - I would like a cab for the cold winter months when I'm grooming the trails.

I would appreciate any help you can provide.

Thanks

 

[cdaigle430]

When I was in the service, we had Gator Diesel 6x6's, man those things were to tough and virtually impossible to tip.

 

[robs660]

If your pockets can handle it check out the offerings from Bobcat. They have a few toolcat models that are pretty amazing. You can get it with all the power you would ever need. We have one on my inland farm and it gets more use then any other motorized thing down there. Price will scare you so make sure you are sitting down when you research

 

[dougrout]

Thanks - I'll check them out.

 

[PAfarmer]

If you what a reliable hardworking side by side then its either a Yamaha Rhino ( sporty) or a Polaris Ranger..........I have owned mnay and those two are by far the best in all the areas you mention and go forever little nothing more than standard maintence...........The others are not as good IMHO

 

[cowpatty]

+1 on the Yamaha Rhino. I had a 450 and it was a workhorse. The 450 has as much and maybe a little more bottom end power than the 660 and 700's due to lower gearing. They have softcabs availiable among other upgrades. The 450 Rhino will also be one of the better priced "popular" units. Have fun w/ whatever you decide

 

[BoneDigger]

Of those you listed, probably the Ranger would suit your needs well. The RTV Kubota is not much for mud. The Mule is okay too since speed is no issue. If you want a good little machine that won't break the bank, look at the Mule 610XC. It'll go very well in the mud, but it's no speed demon.

Todd

 

[Dmace]

For the work you list, I would stick with diesel. Logging and pulling a trail groomer are tough on an engine and would kill a gasser in no time. I was going to recommend the new Kioti Mechron since it's got the same proven diesel engine in the Kioti CK20 tractor's and people are getting them brand new with 4x4, hydraulic dump bed and off road tires for under $10k. Those other diesels will be way over that price new. They don't have a cab option though so it may not work for you. Sounds like a Polaris Ranger diesel may work best.

 

[earljr59]

Doug, without turning this into a brand loyalty I want to agree with the earlier posters.Yamaha Rhinos [and Grizzlys]are as tough and dependable as any.My son and nephew each have 4000 miles of use and abuse on theirs.Just basic maintainance.My Brother likes his polaris ranger real well.Both of my sons have worked at a shop that sells Honda/yamaha/kawasaki/suzuki and kabota.My cousin sold them for over 15 years and they all agree that the yamahas are in the shop for repairs the least.The kabotas are too new and few miles of use,but everyone we know that has one likes it.The kabota enclosed cabs are by far my favorite.If you need year round comfort/quiet with ac/heat they are fantastic. I think the boys said loaded out around $15000. Guess i will keep my old Kawasaki. I hope this helps and goodluck.

 

[dougrout]

I hadn't considered some of the machines mentioned so I'll broaden my research.

No one has recommended the Gator 855D - I like the local JD dealer and would give him the business if the machine is up to the task. Anyone have experience with the 855D?

One last question - can I put tracks on any side by side? I know that the Polaris Ranger and the Gator will take tracks, and I've heard a rumor that JD will be manufacturing their own tracks for the Gator (maybe fewer fit problems that way?) What about the other machines?

Thanks for all the input

Doug

 

[wallace]

Bobcat 3400 w/yanmar diesel
View attachment bobcat utv 29.bmp

 

[Dmace]

Does that come with an optional cab?

I really like the looks of that Bobcat!

 

[HalseyGreen]

I have an 855d and love it. Primarily use it to pull civil war artillery around the battlefield, handles full sized cannons at around 2500 pounds with no problems. I takes a little bit to get it wound up, but once going, it will move a house. I have played with it in my back yard, lots of steep rivines and it goes anywhere I point it. If you are a John Deere fan, I believe you will like the 855d Gator

 

[BleedGreen]

One last question - can I put tracks on any side by side? I know that the Polaris Ranger and the Gator will take tracks, and I've heard a rumor that JD will be manufacturing their own tracks for the Gator (maybe fewer fit problems that way?) What about the other machines?

Thanks for all the input

Doug

I honestly do not believe there is any UTV out there that can outwork a diesel Gator. (except maybe a tool-cat but they are not really apples to apples) Deere is not making thier own tracks but they are now a certified attachment and are available to order.

 

[beretta96man]

I hadn't considered some of the machines mentioned so I'll broaden my research.

No one has recommended the Gator 855D - I like the local JD dealer and would give him the business if the machine is up to the task. Anyone have experience with the 855D?

One last question - can I put tracks on any side by side? I know that the Polaris Ranger and the Gator will take tracks, and I've heard a rumor that JD will be manufacturing their own tracks for the Gator (maybe fewer fit problems that way?) What about the other machines?

Thanks for all the input

Doug

For you I would say buy a ranger with polaris tracks. Polaris gears their tracks to be the fastest on the market from what owners are saying. Any machine will run tracks but performance will be reduced 40-60% based on gearing. I have the RTV 500 with camoplast tracks, so if my machine can handle tracks I would think any one could:laughing:

I'm a taller skinny guy and the JD gator had a driver seat I hated. the wheel was right in my lap and couldn't get in and out of that molded seat easily. No way a heavy guy is going to like JD until the move that thing.

here is mine on the lake..(this year I have started to build the cab enclosure)

 

[MattJ]

Here's what I posted on another thread:


I just bought a ranger 400 recently for work and play and have loved it. I wanted something that could work but also have fun and navigate through the woods. The bigger ones chew a lot of gas, are harder to trailer or move in a truck, and can't navigate the woods. The RTV and Deere Gator drove like a tank. The polaris is easy to drive, has tons of power even for a 400, is easy on gas consumption, has the unlocking rear which is very easy on the lawn, and is quite a bit chepaer than the rest so it was my choice. My only comment was the noise of it. The exhaust was a bit loud on all of them so I bought a hushpower add on muffler from flowmaster and it tamed it a ton for less than $200. The top installed by the dealer made some rattling and needed adjusting, and the bed has some vibration at ilde so I added some padding under the bed rests.

Overall I've liked it and its fun after a hard days work to wind it up to 40-50 mph and cool off!

- Matt

 

[2fast2]

This forum has obviously evolved to a mostly Kabota group but that proves they are highly popular and capable. The rest of us who own something else tend to hold back the posts until we get the change to chime in about our favorite brand (usually the one we own!) At first, that would seem like a brand loyal peeing match but actually I think it indicates that most people do their research and are happy with their purchases. I see VERY LITTLE BUYER'S REMORSE regarding UTV purchases.
There are some here who have personal experience owning various brands and their objective opinions and observations carry weight with me. The rest of us can only chime in with our personal stories of how our machine does what we want and we're happy.
Truth is, very few of us actually work our machines to their limit. I have a JD 850d that has been loaded with cut oak logs as high as I could possibly stack them 2 1/2 rows deep in the bed (about up to roof) and it hauled and dumped it fine. How overloaded? Dunno, but probably lots. And I pull cars around (and up hill) with it, or my 20 ft jet boat, and although these are all well beyond the "rated" capacity, the machine does it all without a problem. But you can't drive it across a stream because the belt will get wet and you'll be stopped dead. The 855d has a completely enclosed belt so maybe that is no longer an issue but I honestly can't say.
The vast majority of the hours I have on it are from driving it around the property at slow or moderate speed just to transport me and maybe a few little things from point A to B.
You have to go test drive these things to see for yourself. They're all nice, really. But some will likely appeal to you more than others. When you narrow it down to one or two, post here again with specific questions to people who own those machines to collect more data points.
They say the best two days of boat ownership are the day you buy and the day you sell. Well, for these machines I'd say the best days are the day you bring it home and every day you get to use it. Lots of happy owners here, all brands. (But Kubota owners outnumber the rest of us!!)
Good luck with your hunt.

 

[robs660]

If you plan on doing a lot of loaded driving either pulling trail wrong or heavy loads in the bed go diesel. If you are looking for a hybrid 1/2 work 1/2 toy get a Rhino. If you want to have a lot of fun and do little work with it get a Polaris RZR. I have had them all. They have their places and you have to decide what the role of the machine is. I love my bobcat but it would not be fun running the trails with it. Conversely I would never try to haul anything with a RZR

 

[CJBOTA]

I have a Kubota tractor which I think is the greatest. But for some reason their UTV just don't seem to meet their reputation. I currently have a Cub EFI tracker with nearly 300 hours on it. It has done everything I have needed and could have done more. Although I have been happy with it, I am thinking about upgrading in the spring. I really like the JD gator diesel if I can somehow wrangle a deal from one of the two local snooty dealers. I don't look forward to visiting either dealership. After reading this thread I will probably look at the Bobcat and maybe the Ranger. Ireally think the Deere is hard to beat if you are lucky enough to have a reasonable dealer in your area.