Decided I need (want) a UTV

[DeereMann]

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.

My 2004 Rhino 660 has selectable locking rear differential.

 

[DeereMann]

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)

$18,000 !!! :shocked:

You can buy a CAR for that amount of money! Glad I bought in 2004 - paid $8,500 for a Yamaha Rhino 660 UTV side-by-side. And taking good care of it!

 

[PapaPerk]

My 2004 Rhino 660 has selectable locking rear differential.

Really?! Are you sure rear diff unlocks? And not just the front diff.

 

[DeereMann]

Really?! Are you sure rear diff unlocks? And not just the front diff.

Well, that's what I recall. The Differential Lock button was for the rear axle, meaning when you add that to 4WD you actually have 3 wheels pulling.

Maybe I am older & seniler than I think and this is not correct, but that is what I recall.
:scratchchin:

 

[Rhinohio]

Really?! Are you sure rear diff unlocks? And not just the front diff.

The rear is a not a differential, only the front can be locked or not.

Rhinos will tear up the lawn but they weren't designed to be turf wagons, they are off-road vehicles and very good at that.

Mike

 

[DeereMann]

The rear is a not a differential, only the front can be locked or not.

Rhinos will tear up the lawn but they weren't designed to be turf wagons, they are off-road vehicles and very good at that.

Mike

The rear gearbox is not a limited slip differential? I never used mine on turf. I guess I should read the manual again.

 

[nybirdman]

Rears on a Rhino don't "unlock".I don't use mine on the lawn so it doesn't matter to me.I very seldom have had to put it in 4WD let alone "lock it in".Rhino's due have differential "lock" but without it you still have locked rear wheels.Awesome off road vehicle.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

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.

No it is an underpowered machine, if you don't think it's underpowered try maintaining 15 mph going up a grade with any load or even empty...sure you can just keep letting up on the hydro pedal and gain rpms while you slow to a crawl but they would be a 100% better machine if they had twice the hp/torque and at least a little suspension travel. If they put a reasonable travel suspension and add some power they would be great.


Maybe for your needs it has plenty of power but just because others don't feel the same way it doesn't mean they don't understand how to operate a hydro it might just mean their uses are different from yours.

 

[FarmDad]

it might just mean their uses are different from yours.

This IMO is the entire key to UTV selection . For some folks with a 40 acre place a 15mph speed is no real disadvantage . If you have a fairly level place then suspension travel really isn't key . In my case when i take out to check stock wells / deliver salt its a 27 mile trip if i don't check cattle/horses or drive fences so the top end speed is one of my key factors . By the same token if i do drive fences i will be crossing gullys and a creek a couple of times so good suspention travel is a must . By the time i get salt and mineral loaded up its pretty easy to have 1200 lbs in the box so payload is important to me . When factoring all this in it came down to either the Polaris Ranger , or the Gator with the ranger having a slight lead . When i found a used Ranger with full cab for under $7,000 my choice was made immediately . The full size Ranger fits my needs pretty much to a T given my ranch and situation . A smaller ranch or different terrain might well make another machine a better fit for my needs . You just have to sit down and look at everything you want the UTV to do and then start your selection from there . Too many ( imo ) either buy the " sexy " one , or the " cheap " one , or the " work ready " one and wind up with a bad fit for their needs because they didn't do a bit of forethought and research . Of course by the time they realize this they are " invested " in what they bought , both financially and emotionally . I am as " invested " as the next fella in my Polaris but at least can articulate just why it is a good fit for my needs , and some things to consider going into a first purchase that you might not think of otherwise.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I think 1 guy touched on it, but if you buy one of these to tote your family, be sure to note how loud they are. While diesels are great and all, most of them are quite noisy. Who wants a loud noisy UTV while your trying to enjoy a peaceful ride with your family.

My wife's uncle built a custom sequential dual muffler for his rhino to keep it quiet for deer season.

 

[PoorPlowboy]

I think 1 guy touched on it, but if you buy one of these to tote your family, be sure to note how loud they are. While diesels are great and all, most of them are quite noisy. Who wants a loud noisy UTV while your trying to enjoy a peaceful ride with your family.

My wife's uncle built a custom sequential dual muffler for his rhino to keep it quiet for deer season.

I have driven them all and owned a few. My Polaris Ranger diesel (3 cyl Yanmar Minimax) is by far the quietest of them all (both gas and diesel.) At idle it seems loud, but it isn't any louder at full throttle than it was at idle. Gassers get louder with RPM, so loud that conversation is impossible. The diesel ranger (pvt belt drive) will run ~42mph so I still enjoy rides with groups and gain twice or better fuel economy with less noise. For 2014, you can opt for hydrostatic two-range transmission with F/R treadle pedal just like a tractor, for a significantly higher price. I don't think the hydrostatic model will run 40+ mph though. Even more money will get you an OEM enclosed climate controlled cab with AC/heat on the LE Deluxe Diesel model.

The Polaris Brutus is basically the same machine as the HST diesel, but with PTO and front 3PH options.

Be aware that the belt drive diesel has the higher top speed and the "standard" Ranger fully independent long travel suspension. The HST model has a DeDion rear setup like a Kawi Mule or Kubota with much less overall suspension travel.

 

[troutsqueezer]

Mine is a used 2004 Ranger TM.
It isn't fancy.
It isn't quiet.
It can be hard to shift.
It is very wide.
It isn't 4 wheel drive.
Replacement parts are expensive.
It's a pain to change the oil filter.
You get dusty when you drive it around.
The bed doesn't dump with a switch or lever.

I love it.

Polaris Ranger TM

 

[PapaPerk]

This IMO is the entire key to UTV selection . For some folks with a 40 acre place a 15mph speed is no real disadvantage . If you have a fairly level place then suspension travel really isn't key . In my case when i take out to check stock wells / deliver salt its a 27 mile trip if i don't check cattle/horses or drive fences so the top end speed is one of my key factors . By the same token if i do drive fences i will be crossing gullys and a creek a couple of times so good suspention travel is a must . By the time i get salt and mineral loaded up its pretty easy to have 1200 lbs in the box so payload is important to me . When factoring all this in it came down to either the Polaris Ranger , or the Gator with the ranger having a slight lead . When i found a used Ranger with full cab for under $7,000 my choice was made immediately . The full size Ranger fits my needs pretty much to a T given my ranch and situation . A smaller ranch or different terrain might well make another machine a better fit for my needs . You just have to sit down and look at everything you want the UTV to do and then start your selection from there . Too many ( imo ) either buy the " sexy " one , or the " cheap " one , or the " work ready " one and wind up with a bad fit for their needs because they didn't do a bit of forethought and research . Of course by the time they realize this they are " invested " in what they bought , both financially and emotionally . I am as " invested " as the next fella in my Polaris but at least can articulate just why it is a good fit for my needs , and some things to consider going into a first purchase that you might not think of otherwise.

Well said and 100% true!

 

[PapaPerk]

Mine is a used 2004 Ranger TM.
It isn't fancy.
It isn't quiet.
It can be hard to shift.
It is very wide.
It isn't 4 wheel drive.
Replacement parts are expensive.
It's a pain to change the oil filter.
You get dusty when you drive it around.
The bed doesn't dump with a switch or lever.

I love it.

Polaris Ranger TM

Lol! Nice!

 

[nc redneck]

After narrowing it down to 5 UTVs and went to look and test drive. First thing my wife said about Kioti " it sounds like a tractor " Kubota was next but by then she new what to expect. Belt drives are a endless source of problems according to owners of any brand. Heat and noise are second most complained about.

 

[troutsqueezer]

After narrowing it down to 5 UTVs and went to look and test drive. First thing my wife said about Kioti " it sounds like a tractor " Kubota was next but by then she new what to expect. Belt drives are a endless source of problems according to owners of any brand. Heat and noise are second most complained about.

They have all those problems and more but dam they are handy.

*Notice how I spelled that? :thumbsup:

 

[john40981]

I wanted to buy one also but couldn't justify the purchase price. So I got an old 1998 KIA Sportage 4WD and striped and modified it to do the same job for about $3000 and you have car strength and lower parts cost. You can do the same with a Daihatsu terios, from about 1997 till 2003 models are cheap and both these are proper 4WD and have full chassis so you can mod the cabs with out compromising body strength.


This was a lot of work and fun but even if you got one and just removed all doors and tail gate it would do the job for a lot less money.

 

[troutsqueezer]

Does it hurt when it runs over your foot?

 

[DIXIEDOG]

After narrowing it down to 5 UTVs and went to look and test drive. First thing my wife said about Kioti " it sounds like a tractor " Kubota was next but by then she new what to expect. Belt drives are a endless source of problems according to owners of any brand. Heat and noise are second most complained about.

Really? Must be regional because I own a belt drive and have yet to have a belt problem....for that matter all my friends side by sides are belt drive and they haven't had issues either. Makes you wonder how many of these thousands of utvs sold every year are still stuck on the side of the trail waiting for that belt to show up.:laughing:

 

[DK35vince]

Really? Must be regional because I own a belt drive and have yet to have a belt problem....for that matter all my friends side by sides are belt drive and they haven't had issues either. Makes you wonder how many of these thousands of utvs sold every year are still stuck on the side of the trail waiting for that belt to show up.:laughing:

I'm with you.
I've put 3 thousand miles on my belt drive ATV in the last 2 years. I've never had any belt issues.
Most of the ATV and side by sides I ride with are belt drive. They are not having any belt issues.