Decided I need (want) a UTV

[crowbar032]

Looking at a Polaris Ranger or Yamaha Rhino as they are the two closest dealers. I'm not opposed to a used machine but I'm finding limited selection as apparently everyone wants one of these things. What I have found, I consider to have too high miles/hours to really invest in. So can anyone offer pros/cons and what would you consider high miles/hours (keeping in mind I'm not a mechanic). I'm mainly interested in riding from one end of the farm to the other with chainsaw/tools/fencing/etc. I'm not looking for the "biggest baddest can pull a wagon of hay" one available but I do want 4x4 and would like a dump bed (electric?). I do not want a crew sized machine. My Dad is 74 and won't ride an atv/fourwheeler, but he would drive one of these.

I know this is like asking "what is the best tractor" and I'm going to get 100 different answers. I'm just looking to get ideas and opinions and of questions I should ask when I start seriously looking at buying and what are some common issues.

 

[roadhunter]

From what I remember when making a similar purchase the Polaris has some pretty big advantages over the Rhino as far as payload and towing.

 

[DeereMann]

Hi,

I got one of the first Rhino's back in 2004, still have it. It was the right width for using in the woods for hunting, etc. The original Polaris UTV's were way too wide - might as well have taken your truck into the woods.

Anyway, since then, Polaris has caught up & has some good offerings, as do others. My advice is to visit the dealers & drive them. Check out their features (dump bed operating ease, etc.), get the dealer's best price, then go home & sleep on it for a week.

They cost too much for me to upgrade, and I only have 200 hours on my Rhino. The only thing I would like different is fuel injection instead of carburetion for easier cold starts & warmups, but not enough to justify thousands more in price these days.

Good luck!

 

[nybirdman]

I have a 2006 450cc Yamaha Rhino that I purchased new. Currently has 3600 miles.Oil and filter change in the spring and new tires ,that's it.The new Rhino's are wider(mines 54") and the 2014 has three wide seating.If going Polaris look at the 500cc models.A friend just purchased a loaded Polaris Crew,900cc,60 HP and $18,000.
Way to big for my uses.
I looked at the new Honda,it was OK but for my money couldn't compare to the new Rhino.(Viking)

 

[KiotiKowboy]

I bought a Cub Cadet Volunteer 4x4 EFI 748cc. For the most part, I've loved it.

I did have an early service issue and found Cub Cadet greatly lacking in willingness to do right. They did fix the problem, just not the way I asked. My only gripe about the unit, with no clutch, is it can be a little hard to shift at times.

 

[Rhinohio]

Depends on what your needs are. Some are designed to go fast and some are designed to go. Gators and Polaris Rangers are more work oriented and Polaris RZR's are intended for white knuckle blasting down the trails.

I bought a 2005 Rhino new and never regretted a moment with it... just turned over 500 hours. They have fell somewhat behind the "state of the art" due to the nonsensical lawsuits from idiot users but it's still one of the most reliable machines in its class. Many used ones will be beat to death but there are some good buys if you hunt around.

If buying new, take a look at the Kawasaki Teryx if you're into doing any serious four wheeling. Plus they have a reasonable payload for chores around the homestead and a bigger motor than the Rhino. The stance is a little larger than the Rhino but it's still more sport than work. If I ever buy another, it would probably be the Teryx due to the versatility and its reputation for reliability. Here's mine.

Mike

 

[crowbar032]

Hi,

The original Polaris UTV's were way too wide - might as well have taken your truck into the woods.

The only thing I would like different is fuel injection instead of carburetion for easier cold starts & warmups, but not enough to justify thousands more in price these days.

Good luck!

Agreed and good call on FI over carb.

Currently has 3600 miles.Oil and filter change in the spring and new tires ,that's it.The new Rhino's are wider(mines 54") and the 2014 has three wide seating.If going Polaris look at the 500cc models.A friend just purchased a loaded Polaris Crew,900cc,60 HP and $18,000.
Way to big for my uses.
I looked at the new Honda,it was OK but for my money couldn't compare to the new Rhino.(Viking)

That's a lot of miles and trouble free to boot, that's what I like to hear. And I'm with you, I don't need 60hp, I have a tractor. 500cc size is starting to seem right. I've got an antique worn out Honda 250 fourtrax, but the Honda side by sides don't seem to be best in class.

RZR's are intended for white knuckle blasting down the trails.

Many used ones will be beat to death but there are some good buys if you hunt around.

If buying new, take a look at the Kawasaki Teryx if you're into doing any serious four wheeling. Plus they have a reasonable payload for chores around the homestead and a bigger motor than the Rhino. The stance is a little larger than the Rhino but it's still more sport than work.

I'm looking for more lite work and convenience between fields. I'm not a big trail rider. So far the ads I've seen are beat to death or within $100 of a new unit. I'll see if there is a Kawasaki dealer close by and look at them.

 

[FarmDad]

I have a 2008 Polaris Ranger 700 that i use on the place . It will get up and scoot about 50mph running field to field ,Haul about a half ton , and pull a 10 ft disk to till the garden . All in all i don't know how i lived as long as i did without one , and i wouldn't want the small sized one for what i do with mine .

 

[jeff9366]

Polaris has a battery powered UTV which has been well reviewed here.

 

[bucktaker]

I bought a 2014 Polaris RANGER Midsize 570 efi....We use it at our lake house to run people and stuff up and down a steep lakeside lot in east TN. I have had 5 adults onboard and still had no issues traversing the 37% slope.

I have taken it trail riding twice and it suits my needs for occisional trail machine.
Mine will fit inside a 8 ft truck bed if needed.

happy with our decision to buy the Polaris.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

Of the two I'd go Polaris....not sure about the new ones but the old Rhinos didn't have a selectable locker on the rear end which is bad on the lawn. They are both tough but the Ranger is more capable in my opinion and will hold it's value much better.

 

[RoyJackson]

I've got a Gator 855D...nice machine and good torque. Not the quickest ride around, but suits my needs for work and a bit of joyriding (no trail blazing though).
I did look at a few Polaris machines though. Almost bought a used one, in fact.

I do suggest you check out some of the ATV/UTV forums (other then TBN). Polaris UTVs are good, but they have their problems as well as most other brands.

While you're cruising the internet, get some used machine prices on Used Farm & Agricultural Equipment - John Deere MachineFinder

 

[Glocker]

My neighbor has ranger 800 cc at his fruit farm he loves it and has tracks for winter sap collection.

 

[nc redneck]

Kubota is the gold standard for hard working UTV. I would spend some time on UTV Side by Side forums. Kioti makes one that I think outclasses Kubota. I ended up with a Honda Pioneer 4 as I have 2 tractors and was looking for a trail machine. I also have deposit on Honda 500 late July or August delivery date ( probably will be later than that ).
I did a lot of research before buying and every dealer I went to had 10 to 20 Polaris on hand ready for pick up. 6 months or more wait list for Honda.
Side by Side forums full of endless Polaris problems. Not knocking Polaris never owned one. But for me I wanted something to enjoy not a project to work on.
Yamaha is like Honda probably bullet proof. I would lean that way over Polaris.
If true work machine is needed I would take a hard look at Kioti first and Kubota second. Either one you will probably never need a dealer if you do your own maintenance.
Hope this helps
Scott

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Go find where the dealers store them while their waiting to be fixed. Then you'll see which brand not to buy.

You can break anything, but I'd probably go Yamaha for a good all around work/play machine.

 

[kdm0811]

I have a good deal of experience driving a Gator, but when it came time to spend my money, I went with a Kubota RTV 500. I did not need a truck, and wanted something that was extremely dependable around the horses. I read a lot of bad press about the machine being underpowered, but I have determined that that is largely because most people do not understand how a hydrostatic transmission works. It is not a fast machine, but it is extremely easy to control.

 

[TnWV]

I've been looking at them all myself and "plan" to purchase one this week. My main use is to ride around my property with the wife and 2 kids, so I actually wanted as much cab space as possible. I also want it to be sporty enough for the wife and I to hit the trails with friends on occasion. My buddy has a new RZR 1000. I really want one but can't justify it as it's very difficult to cruise around the farm with my kids and has no utility function whatsoever. But man is that thing a power house and an absolute blast to play on!

After months of reading, I was dead set on a new Yamaha Viking. Wife and I headed to the closest dealer that had the configuration we wanted with the intent of bringing it home. After taking a ride ( dealer actually had some off road trails in a field), we just couldn't find anything we liked about it. Seat was too far from the dash for our height (5'4"-5'10") and with no tilt wheel, it just wasn't comfortable and I felt like I was constantly reaching for the wheel. The thing was so loud we couldn't even talk to each other at cruising speed, and really shook at an idle. Overall it just didn't seem to have the power of the older Rhino's I've been in. Not knocking anyone's decision to get one, but it wasn't for us. It had some really nice features such as the engine brake and separate parking brake that really lead me to it.

Next we looked at the Teryx. The twin cylinder engine was much smoother and quieter than the Viking and had great power. We really liked the look of it as well. I would have bought one if it didn't have the console in between the seats. I absolutely have to be able to slide my kids in there and don't want a 4 seater as I do need it to have some utility use without being as long as a vehicle.

Lastly we drove the ranger 900. Wow, that thing was a beast! It was the quietest of the bunch and seemed to fit us perfectly. Only problem was they didn't have the configuration we wanted, so we wait. Should have a 2015 in this week. Hopefully I don't talk myself out of it before they get the one I want, I am really good at doing that, and it drives my wife crazy.

Recently rode in a new ranger 570 that belongs to a neighbor while putting up hay. It was a nice machine and perfect for cruising between fields and just getting around, it would serve is very well, we just prefer the larger size of the 900. I believe the price difference was about 3,000.

We didn't look at any of the Kubota's or more utility type machines, as we absolutely want the sportiness and extra speed of the Ranger, Teryx, or Viking.

Good luck in your shopping, and make sure to drive all of the ones that seem to fit your needs. It's amazing just how much different each one feels.

 

[PapaPerk]

Of the two I'd go Polaris....not sure about the new ones but the old Rhinos didn't have a selectable locker on the rear end which is bad on the lawn. They are both tough but the Ranger is more capable in my opinion and will hold it's value much better.

I completely agree on the unlocking rear diff. I bought a Polaris Ranger 400 because it's diff unlocks. Locked diffs are used on most atvs and side by sides. They rip up the ground, wear out the tires and make it difficult to steer.

 

[bucktaker]

I will add this was my first SxS and I went with the base model 570 efi. If I was going to do it again I would have gotten the LE version with Power Steering. Its not hard to steer but it takes some effort and we have tight areas we have to ride.

I read some of the maintenance/breakdowns written on some forums but it seems to me if you dont treat it like a tank or a baja buggy they work very well and do what they are supposed to do. Sink it mud or go underwater **** will break

 

[Gary Fowler]

Other than price, one cant beat the overall capacity of the Kubota RTV's. I don't have much knowledge about the smaller ones, but the 900cc and 1100cc ones are awesome. They are not speed demons by any means but are fast enough at 25 MPH to get you from one place to the other on a farm. The power steering and hydraulic dump bed are awesome and I have never had any issue with dumping as much rocks or dirt as I cold stack on it with the motor idling. If you want a workhorse, the Kubota is it. My brother in law has a Gator,2 WD, and after over 1000 hours it is still trouble free, but the bed is a manual dump so it is of little use other than to haul things.