Side by Side for yard work 2x4 ok?

[DK35vince]

I agree DK35vince - the utility machines stick within the design spec for the belt system with room to spare.

All the sport machines get run hard BUT the Can-Am and Polaris seem to favor the high HP which I believe is part of the problem. This is where the belts become the weak spot and cause issues. All brands have people running larger tires, and even portals so that normally is not the whole problem. I run 4" larger tires on our one Honda and it caused zero issues. Why, because the machine is not run hard and Honda over designed the parts to allow for larger tires (they knew most people oversize the tires).
Portals normally reduce the gear ratio so that does help offset the larger tires being used on those machines to some extent. Well within reason that it. Generally speaking, Yamaha and Kawasaki have a slightly better-designed and more durable belt/clutch system. Honda skipped the belt and went with a duel clutch and gear system. It still has some quirks but overall is a solid design.
Anytime you design an off-road vehicle and sell it, you need to account for the "idiot factor" - you know that guy, the one that uses it as a submarine or low-flying aircraft. Some companies account for the "idiot factor" a little better than others. All the machines are fine if used within their design specs, but when they get pushed is when the weakness starts to quickly show.

Ageed.
I have 10,700 miles on my RZR 900s.
Never had a belt issue, but I have replaced the belt a couple times just for piece of mind.
The belts I replaced still looked really good with around 4500 miles. (I carry them for spare).
But my wife and I ride to have fun and enjoy the scenery, not to see how far we can jump and how deep of mudhole we dive into.

 

[ruffdog]

Good morning everyone,

I might start looking for side by side for my property. I want it to have a dump bed and it only needs to be enough for 2 people to sit in. Property is rolling but not steep. For those with experience is 2x4 good enough or is 4x4 absolutely necessary? I will be moving around dirt, sticks, maybe pulling a small trailer, driving to mailbox, etc. I don't plan on any real heavy towing or driving in real muddy conditions.

Anyone own 2x4 and happy with it? Don't want to regret not getting 4x4. I appreciate any and all insight on this.

Sounds like a toro workman would be a nice model for that type work.

Toro Workman UTV utility Dump Cart 4x2 Gator side by side - general...

 

[Gem99ultra]

Thats one big Wench!

My mistake. I 'asked' for a 3500# Warn wench but actually 'got' a 2500# wench.
My apology...

 

[tradosaurus]

Good morning everyone,

I might start looking for side by side for my property. I want it to have a dump bed and it only needs to be enough for 2 people to sit in. Property is rolling but not steep. For those with experience is 2x4 good enough or is 4x4 absolutely necessary? I will be moving around dirt, sticks, maybe pulling a small trailer, driving to mailbox, etc. I don't plan on any real heavy towing or driving in real muddy conditions.

Anyone own 2x4 and happy with it? Don't want to regret not getting 4x4. I appreciate any and all insight on this.

I bought a Honda Pioneer 700-4 with dump bed.
If you have a chance go drive different brands such as Kubota, Kawasaki, Honda, etc.
Operate the dump bed and other controls in each and find what works for you.
I believe the Honda and Kubota are the only belt-less, geared automatic transmission.
I would recommend 4wd and power steering. Buy once, Cry once.

 

[dj1701]

My mistake. I 'asked' for a 3500# Warn wench but actually 'got' a 2500# wench.
My apology...

I have a 130# wench. I although have yet to teach her how to drive the Mule. I would never trade her for a 2500# she just wouldn't fit.

 

[bigtiller]

I have a 130# wench. I although have yet to teach her how to drive the Mule. I would never trade her for a 2500# she just wouldn't fit.

I used to have a 120# wench that disappeared when a new mule came to town.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I originally had a trim 110# wench, but she exploded into a 230# mule. The lifetime warranty proved invalid!

 

[TN8Man]

I bought a Honda Pioneer 700-4 with dump bed.
If you have a chance go drive different brands such as Kubota, Kawasaki, Honda, etc.
Operate the dump bed and other controls in each and find what works for you.
I believe the Honda and Kubota are the only belt-less, geared automatic transmission.
I would recommend 4wd and power steering. Buy once, Cry once.

I originally planned to get a Honda. The belt-less transmission was one reason but I have several other Honda products and always liked the quality and reliability. I changed my mind for two reasons, the engine location (looks much harder to work on) and the heat issue I kept reading about when engine heat makes it way into the cab. I still could have gone either way but the fact that Polaris is USA made was the final decision breaker.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Tractor tread rears on our Ezgo makes it more functional on snow and slick places. Cost was $160.

A couple weeks later the Tractor Supply red UT400 was on sale for $7500 ($1500 off). It was bad timing due to buying a new car but it's handy. The Ezgo needs new batteries and the wife and I prefer for light stuff and running around the place.

The son and I used the UT400 with a heavy 5 x 10 tilt trailer to move 18 bales of hay at a time. Our smallest tractor is a 3600 Ford so the side by side a good fit. The UT 700 would have been an overkill and harder to get in and out of. Prices are over the top but it's handy and the wife handles it well.

 

[MTGreen]

I originally planned to get a Honda. The belt-less transmission was one reason but I have several other Honda products and always liked the quality and reliability. I changed my mind for two reasons, the engine location (looks much harder to work on) and the heat issue I kept reading about when engine heat makes it way into the cab. I still could have gone either way but the fact that Polaris is USA made was the final decision breaker.

Honda UTVs are made in South Carolina here in the USA

 

[DK35vince]

I bought a Honda Pioneer 700-4 with dump bed.
If you have a chance go drive different brands such as Kubota, Kawasaki, Honda, etc.
Operate the dump bed and other controls in each and find what works for you.
I believe the Honda and Kubota are the only belt-less, geared automatic transmission.
I would recommend 4wd and power steering. Buy once, Cry once.

Except the Kubota Sidekick, its CVT (belt drive)

 

[TN8Man]

Honda UTVs are made in South Carolina here in the USA

They might be but Honda is a Japan company not USA. I don't have an issue with Honda, I own Honda products, I was deciding between the Honda and Pioneer and it was a toss-up so I picked the USA brand.

 

[tradosaurus]

They might be but Honda is a Japan company not USA. I don't have an issue with Honda, I own Honda products, I was deciding between the Honda and Pioneer and it was a toss-up so I picked the USA brand.

I think you meant "Honda and Polaris"?

 

[TN8Man]

I think you meant "Honda and Polaris"?

Yes, thanks!

 

[finn1]

I probably run my Kawasaki Teryx in 2wd 90% of the time, but there are situations where you need 4wd, and low range, mostly to compensate for the light weight of the Teryx.

My elderly neighbors make do quite nicely with a golf cart though. They use it mostly for yard cleanup, downed branches, fetching the mail, etc.

Really depends on what your expectations are. Personally, I wouldn’t be without 4wd.

 

[Ricn]

My JD gator 850D is great! 4x4 with dump. It sips fuel, tons of power and the 4x4 switch ungages the front wheels, another does one back wheel never tearing up the grass. Gas models go faster I think but 30 is fast enough for my use, I'm old! had a golf cart before and glad I have this Gator instead.

 

[AndyMA]

I originally planned to get a Honda. The belt-less transmission was one reason but I have several other Honda products and always liked the quality and reliability. I changed my mind for two reasons, the engine location (looks much harder to work on) and the heat issue I kept reading about when engine heat makes it way into the cab. I still could have gone either way but the fact that Polaris is USA made was the final decision breaker.

The Honda Pioneer seat heat issue is well know. I have a 2022 Pioneer 1000-5 that does not have that issue. Honda made some changes in 2022 models.

Andy

 

[paulsharvey]

The Honda Pioneer seat heat issue is well know. I have a 2022 Pioneer 1000-5 that does not have that issue. Honda made some changes in 2022 models.

Andy

I think that's over rated. Yeah, the seat gets warm, but not Hot, and unless you have a cab, I dont think it matters much.

 

[jyoutz]

Yes, thanks!

Polaris might be a USA owned company, but they manufacture a lot of them in Chihuahua City, Mexico. I’ve seen the huge modern plant there and the rail line from there to Santa Theresa, NM where they come through the port of entry.

 

[mikester]

Not to change the direction here, but have you thought about a golf cart? I have had Rangers, Gators and Kubotas, I always overlooked golf carts until I bought one to take to horse shows, now it is the main vehicle I use around the ranch. you can add a dump bed, climb hills and tow lighter trailers. they cost less and being electric is actually a plus. My ranch is really hilly and unless it is really muddy I can go just about anywhere on the ranch.

I've had gas powered golf carts for years. They run forever on a tank of gas. Cheaper to buy. Easier to get in and out of. They can tow a 1,200lb trailer. My last one was a four seater and I converted the rear seat to a tool deck. On trails they work great. Avoid soft deep mud and plowed fields.

I miss my golf cart but my 4x4 UTV is faster, more fun going through the fields. Only need 4x4 for deep soppy mud or 12" of snow.