Polaris Ranger 6x6

[yooperdave]

Does anybody here have a newer Polaris Ranger 6x6?

http://www.polarispowersports.com/ranger/6x6.shtml

Is the Kubota better yet for traction, available options & price?

Thanks

Yooper Dave

 

[jfdlaw]

I had one. I'm actually sorry I sold it. The comparison to the Kubota is tough. They are really different machines.

The Polaris is a big ATV. It is fast, fun, comfortable and can go just about anywhere that doesn't require tracks. It also can do work.

The Kubota can do a lot of work, and can get you places you most places you need to go. I don't think its as comfortable or as capable on extreme terrain.

IMHO Polaris is fun first, work second. Kubota is work first, fun second.

I know I'm going to get blasted (this forum seems very heavily RTV biased) but I think the Polaris 6x6 can go places the RTV can not go. I also think its more stable on hills. It's hard to beat a third axel and set of wheels when you need that extra couple inches of wheelbase or side stability.

I replaced my 6x6 with another Polaris (4x4 professional series). I went Polaris over Kubota primarily because it can seat three adults in comfort and is more fun. If you are buying a 6x6 to cross tough terrain, go for it. If you are buying it to do chores around the house understand that its turning radius is big, and it will tear up the grass.

My wife misses the stability of the 6x6, but I like the agility of the 4x4.

My tractor dealer (I also have a B2410) says Kubota has had a lot of comments regarding the lack of a full width (3 place) seat. Hopefully they will address this in the future. If they do I'll try to convince my wife we need two UTV's.

As to price, I think the Kubota is more expensive than the Polaris, and it should be. The polaris has a gas ATV engine. The Kubota a diesel tractor engine. Kubota HST, Polaris belt drive transmission. Kubota is much more involved and detailed machine and should be priced higher. In fact I think there should be a bigger differential than there is.

If you are looking at Polaris, don't pay list. Get quotes from all your local dealers. I found substantial price discounting when I bought my second machine. You have to ask, and may have to travel. I saved about $2,000 off list, but had to go about 120 miles.

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

John

 

[bczoom]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I know I'm going to get blasted (this forum seems very heavily RTV biased) but I think the Polaris 6x6 can go places the RTV can not go.)</font>

OK John, you know this blasting is coming /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Just kidding.

Dave, check out this thread. We talked about the Ranger vs. RTV.

 

[Rip]

Dave, I have an '04 Ranger 6x6 and love it! Runs really well over a wide range of rugged and steep terrain both with or without a sizable load and at a good clip. Very smooth at all speeds and conditions. Plenty of power also.

The comment about large turning radius is valid. I swapped out the solid rear gear case (no differential) with the exact same case from the '04 4x4 with a lockable/unlockable true differential. Made a BIG difference!!

These are not really comparable machines however, even though there is some good overlap in capabilities. The Ranger is a real serious workhorse ATV while the Kubota is a light pick-up style tractor. Each will do certain things better than the other.

I also have a Power Trac 1845 for serious work so the Ranger is more for serious fun although it is also set up to carry a 60 gallon CAFS (makes 600 gal of class A foam) first responce fire system (800 lbs loaded). It can get to remote places faster than anything else around.

What did you get tractor wise? I know you were looking at the PTs for a while.

 

[yooperdave]

Hi Rip,

I would still love a power trac 425, but did not like seeing the large price increases over the last year or so. I know steel prices were a major contributor. I may still call Power Trac to see if they are delivering anywhere near me to save on some shipping costs.

I own property in Michigan's U.P. and my girlfriend here owns a farm. They are both very hilly, with woods and some swamp. I want to use the machine for mostly recreation 12 months a year, and want traction for hills, snow, mud, etc.

I hope to almost eliminate the need for a snowmobile to get around the property in the winter. Snowmobiles are so expensive and I could only use one a few months a year.

Am I on the right track here? Will a 4x4 still do what I want, or will the 6x6 do much more?

Thanks

Yooper Dave

 

[Rip]

Dave,

The new Ranger 4x4 with IRS is a real nice machine from all I have heard and certainly would be a good choice in my opinion. The 6x6 like I have offers somewhat more capacity and ultimate traction and floation for about $1k more. The ride is incredibly smooth although it may not seem like it should be.

Mechanical tracks (that replace the tires & wheels with a sprocket-driven rubber track system on all four corners) can provide extreem performance for all types of snow on a Ranger 4x4 for around $3 to 3.5K.

Check out http://utilityoffroad.com (Staging area and Ranger tech in particular) for a lot of good discussion and first hand info on these machines. A good number of the board members have tracks on their Rangers or Rhinos and over a half dozen have extensive recent reports and photos of their rigs in action. Quite impressive IMO.

I used to have an ARGO 8x8 with 18" SuperTracks and it was quite the snowcat, but was less than ideal as a dry-land ATV, so I sold it for the Ranger. While I do not have tracks for it yet, I am thinking seriously about them for next year. While a number of folks have Litefoot or Kimplex, the Tatou HD tracks seem to be the "best", at least for the 4x4s. Even with just tires, the Ranger will do quite well in snow with the 6x6 having an edge in flotation.

The easiest and cheapest tracks for the 6x6 are the TruTrax ( www.trutrax.com ) which wrap around the two rear tires on each side rather than replace the wheels & tires like the mechanical types. They also have a couple of options for the front wheels.

As I mentioned, in stock configuration the 6x6 has a solid rear drive axle with no differential so it does not like to make tight turns with out a lot of tire scrub and/or protest. I swapped in the lockable differential from the '04 4x4, and solved that issue. The 4x4 comes with a lockable differential, so no problem there (Rhino has no rear differential by the way). The switchable Polaris "On Demand" All Wheel Drive system has worked well for me also.

I know what you mean about the PT price increases, but most other similar items jumped up during that period as well. Pts use a lot of heavy steel too. I got my 1845 used and it has met my expectations and needs quite well. They have been having a winter "sale" of sorts with a few percent off which would perhaps cover shipping and then some. Used 425s are periodically available if you keep your eys open.

In summery, the Ranger 4x4 will do very well as it is and you could add tracks if you want. The 6x6 will do somewhat better as is, but you may want to do the differential swap for best handling (about $1K). A set of TruTrax will turn it into a real snow machine if you find the need.

 

[Dargo]

Rip,
Does your Polaris have fuel injection? I'm really curious as to how the Ranger 6X6 with the new 700 fuel injected engine works out. I was set to buy an '04 Ranger 6X6 until two buddies of mine who own Rangers talked me out of it because of durability / reliability issues they have suffered. I bought the Rhino to go along with my RTV based on their experience.
However, I still think the Ranger 6X6 has the best layout and I'm still convinced that 6 tires pulling is a great idea. I really like my Rhino as it is a true beast and is fast. However, if the Ranger 6X6 with fuel injection proves to be reliable and Polaris has addressed some of their durability issues, I'm certainly not opposed to adding a Ranger to my small fleet of UV's. My biggest complaints with the Rhino is the time to warm it up in the winter before being drivable, and (as you mentioned) no rear differential. Let us know how your Ranger works out. I'm still waiting and watching. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Rip]

The '05 Ranger 6x6 and 4x4 still use the 500 cc carburator engine, only the limited production (at this point) 4x4 700 XP has EFI. I am sure that EFI is the future for most larger ATVs and RUVs from most manufactures.

So far I have not had any problems with my Ranger in cold (but not super cold) weather. It starts easily with the choke on first or second attempt and needs a little tending for the first minute or so, then is pretty much good to go.

 

[Dargo]

I think I got spoiled by having diesel Gators for the last 5 years and now a diesel RTV. My Rhino always starts easy with 3 pumps on the throttle and full choke, but needs about 3 to 5 minutes running time before it drives normally. I went riding today, around 50 degrees outside, and it still took the same time to warm up and run properly. Having EFI and a rear differential would make the Rhino ideal for me. Away from my yard, the lack of a rear differential is no big deal, but with my yard being soft right now, it sure rips up my grass. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I'd think that if the 700 EFI works out as I think it would, surely they would install it in their 6X6 Rangers. That would be something to compete with anything on the market now without a doubt. A small complaint about my Rhino is also that it cost me nearly $1650 in aftermarket accessories to get the way I want it. First I added the BlackRhino Products (BRP) CDI unit to remove the speed limiter and improve performance. (now runs 54mph according to my GPS) That was $250. Then, I added the full aluminum skid plate package; another $250. The protection package wouldn't be complete without $100 worth of Stick Stoppers to protect the axles and CV boots. I then added a Warn winch $350. Then came the need for the center console, glove box door, under seat storage compartment, and improved air intake; $220 more. Finally I added larger tires and fender extensions to the tune of $450 more. Oh yeah, I also needed to add a switch to be able to turn off the reverse speed limiter; another $20. I wonder how many of these options the Ranger 6X6 would come with from the factory, and how many of them would have to be added at extra cost? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Rip]

Well, the biggest thing I spent was for the rear diff, but that would not have been an issue on the 4x4. Otherwise, the main things I have added were a folding rear seat which was about $275 (seat from Cabela's, seat belts, steel and bolts), RangerWare rear wheel well liners ($75) and an aluminum rear roll cage/top (went a bit overboard on this - over $500 'cause I had to get someone else to do the aluminum welding).

Depending on how this next wildfire season looks, I "may" set the CAFS system semi-permanatly directly on the 6x6 rear frame for instant access and get a new '05 4x4 (500 or 700?) with the IRS and quieter ride for "fun". Would move the seat to the new unit, but may have to modify the top to fit the new rear bed.

So I have spent about as much as you have on extras, but in different areas. In any case I really like the Ranger and have no regrets. Several friends have the Rhino though and they love theirs as well. They used a motorcycle helmet stretch net for leg minders.... seems a little light, but may well do the trick. Hope you have something on yours so you do not add to the roster of the "Rhino-Bitten".

Good luck and Enjoy!!