How much UTV do you need?

[MutzFarm]

I would swap out the springs ($75 on Amazon will get you a set of heavy duty springs with bushings), replace the rear tires with some larger ones (say a 20x10-8 vs the stock 18x8-8) and if needed, replace the rear leaf spring shackles with some that are a little longer and it should be good for a few more years.

Aaron Z

This option is being considered now and is a great idea.

 

[MutzFarm]

Nothing wrong with showing off lol, how much is a gas powered golf cart in your area?

Electric and fuel are pretty close to the same. Gas maybe a bit more. Boils down to patients and the right deal coming along, but the electric is a lot quieter.

 

[MutzFarm]

I started off wanting a golf cart, mostly because of the quiet. Main use would be running back and forth to in-laws and up the road to the mailbox. But when I realized that we'd occasionally take it out in steep pasture areas or woods trails, the 48vdc electric Polaris Ranger EV made a lot more sense -

View attachment 510568

That is electric? We dont have steep hills, but loose sand. Besides the quiet I think the golf carts are more comfortable than the UTVs.

 

[MutzFarm]

I think the Electric Gator is a GREAT alternative. Quiet and great for stop and go service like a Golf Cart, but with a tilting Cargo Bed that can carry a lot and a trailer hitch. I prefer it to my Diesel Mule for most tasks.

John Deere has an electric gator also? Guess I been busy workin and never seen these things.

 

[MutzFarm]

How long does the battery last? That would be great, I do a lot of my work at night, I feel bad running a quad or something when the neighbors are sleeping so I end up not doing the task I needed to do.

What's the life expectancy on the battery's?

How much to replace the batteries and lastly was the electric version more money?

These batteries are at least 5 years old. When we first got it we abused them pretty bad. Would run them close to dead and I dont believe you are supposed to go past 50% (half) dead. It would last bout 2 weeks before we charged it. Now it is every couple of days or so. Clean connections and trying to keep corrosion away will make them last longer on top of keeping the water level right in them.

I ended up getting my own ends and heavy wire from amazon to replace the corroded ones. I can get you links to those if you want.

What might help you is the meter I installed on the dash. Helped us from running it to low and the lights on top will blind you in the day time and use no juice. I have had them on for hours before.

Here is the link to the lights. Only $12.00 each and good for tractor, utv, golf cart, etc. You will like them. Amazon.com: 27W Round LED Work Light Lamp Off Road High Power ATV Jeep 4x4 Tractor 3 Degree Spot Light: Automotive
Here is the link to the volt meter. Our was blue and BRIGHT!!!! You might wanna hunt down a red one. Amazon.com: Brand New Digital Voltmeter DC 15V-12V Blue LED For Electric Car 36V 72V 96V Panel Meter: Automotive

If you running around at night I think those things will help you.

Batteries are gonna be $150 to $200 each. Ours are all 8 volt and is a 48 volt unit. Some are 6 volt and are 36 volt unit. 48 volt more power. So you are looking at $900 - $1200+ to replace, but never had to buy fuel just a bit electricity to charge.

 

[MutzFarm]

Battery questions are hard to answer. Mine are on their last legs and I can play around for most of the day. We have a large hill separating our property and this is where the battery gives up the ghost. The "Curtis" fuel gauge suddenly stopped functioning and I must address that.

How long batteries last depends on usage and maintenance. I bought mine at an auction cheap, but bought new plastic and OEM seats.

The downside is that JD thinks they have a license to STEAL on all things TURF! I just paid $30.00 for a $3.00 Motor Bearing, not knowing it wasn't anything special.

An electric Motor is a few grand, as is the tranny. Same for the controller.

Yesterday, I think I broke an axle shaft. Electric vehicles have tremendous torque and at 4000 something hours, I guess the shaft just had enough. Fortunately, I had bought an entire used drivetrain and controller for $500.00 some time ago. I will just switch out the whole motor/axle assembly. I really, really miss that machine when it's not in service.

:shocked:

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Electric and fuel are pretty close to the same. Gas maybe a bit more. Boils down to patients and the right deal coming along, but the electric is a lot quieter.

Maintenance on an electric cart would be more, replacing batteries every 5 or 6 years? Ext ext. I would think a gas powered cart is the way to go as far as working, I would prefer the electric because of the quiet.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Just for FUN, I called JD parts. That replacement axle shaft for the JD E-Gator is $1169.oo CDN plus 13% HST! In stock at Grimsby Ont. I don't even know what to say!

 

[rustyshakelford]

Just for FUN, I called JD parts. That replacement axle shaft for the JD E-Gator is $11069.oo CDN plus 13% HST! In stock at Grimsby Ont. I don't even know what to say!

Is that $11,069 for an axle shaft

Brett

 

[Industrial Toys]

Oooops! Even that would have been a bit much for a Deere (turf) part.

It amazes me that people on here are always comparing UTVs and the initial cost but NEVER the cost of parts.

 

[Coyote machine]

I started off wanting a golf cart, mostly because of the quiet. Main use would be running back and forth to in-laws and up the road to the mailbox. But when I realized that we'd occasionally take it out in steep pasture areas or woods trails, the 48vdc electric Polaris Ranger EV made a lot more sense -

View attachment 510568

Curious what your EV cost, if you don't mind sharing, and what year it is?
Thanks,
CM
Nice color/machine, BTW.

 

[rustyshakelford]

Oooops! Even that would have been a bit much for a Deere (turf) part.

It amazes me that people on here are always comparing UTVs and the initial cost but NEVER the cost of parts.

That's better but still outrageous! I'm in the market for a ranger 6x6 but it'll have the extended warranty

Brett

 

[JRobyn]

That is electric? We dont have steep hills, but loose sand. Besides the quiet I think the golf carts are more comfortable than the UTVs.

Yes it is electric. And you can select 1, 2, or 4wd, so sandy terrain is no problem.

Regarding some of the other questions (at least for the Polaris Ranger EV); there are 8 12vdc batteries - the OEMs run nearly $200 ea, so a full replacement set is $1600. Mine is running "refurbished" electric forklift batteries that sell for about $50 ea..

Most folks seem to get about 3-5 years use out of a set. Lots of variation due to usage cycles, the quality of maintenance (or not), usage and storage temperature, etc..

I'm not a good source of info about range on a charge because we very rarely use ours for more than a mile or so. I believe with a good set of batteries, Polaris will tell you something like 10-15 miles with the running gear in 2wd mid-range mode. Lots of discussion/threads about it here - Polaris Ranger EV - RangerForums.net - Polaris Ranger Forum

Polaris has just begun to offer a Li-I model. They don't quite seem to have the bugs worked out yet! And from what I have heard, they are $$HIGH$$! Like $20-$21k. Some folks are going with an aftermarket Li-I conversion kit from "Voltronix". Voltronix DOES seem to have the bugs worked out. Quite pricey, but lots of great advantages.

I paid $6,000 last year. Mine was a "factory demo" 2010 model. There were still a few bugs in the 2010's (ex: charger connectors overheating), so if you go used, 2011 and up is best. I think that new MSRP is about the same as their gas models, so maybe $12-$14k?

I intend in the future to convert mine to Li-I after getting as much life as possible out of my flooded LA batteries. Hopefully the LI-I kit prices come down in a year or two.

 

[Michael Aos]

I was looking for a used golf cart for similar purposes. Wound up getting a 2017 Kubota RTV500 for ~$200/month. Seems perfect so far.

 

[MutzFarm]

I was looking for a used golf cart for similar purposes. Wound up getting a 2017 Kubota RTV500 for ~$200/month. Seems perfect so far.

Jealous. That is what we really want, but I cant argue with how well this cart has been and kept up with flat abuse we give it.

 

[MutzFarm]

Our cart may have died. Wife walked back to the house yesterday. Guess I will know soon enough.

 

[rustyshakelford]

We got this a week or two ago. Recommend it however, it's not very sporty.

Brett

 

[otlski]

Brett, she's a real beauty. Don't worry, they can get sporty sometimes by accident!

 

[rustyshakelford]

Brett, she's a real beauty. Don't worry, they can get sporty sometimes by accident!

Thanks. We love it so far. With the diff lock locked I haven't needed 4wd yet. These are more like tractors than utvs but sure handy

Brett

 

[lpigott]

Mine are sporty by purpose. The Ranger is now just my our the farm toy and my RZR Turbo is my fun machine for trips all over the country.