Side by Side for yard work 2x4 ok?

[TN8Man]

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.

Not surprised. Lots of US manufacturing was moved to Mexico after NAFTA.

 

[Jallcorn]

About this time last year (2022) I bought a Kawasaki Mule, 2 seat, 4x4, I think it's model 4030. Have only used the back seat a couple times but with that seat folded up it gives me a bigger bed by about 2' or so. The bed does dump but I don't have the hyd dump attachment. It is the handiest thing I've bought in years! The only options I wanted were a windshield and a top, basically plain vanilla. If I had a complaint, it would be that gas mileage isn't too great. I've only gotten stuck once and that was in a plowed (wet) field and shouldn't have gone there anyway. The only attachment I've added is a rear view mirror (the type you find on a ski boat). I do wish it had a radio. We also have an EzGo electric golf cart and the Mule is infinitely more useful to me but my wife likes the golf cart.

 

[Rockbadchild]

You could probably could get away with a 2x4 but I wouldn't recommend it... when backing up a trailer in a small incline on wet grass could be a pain with a 2x4, the pressure get off the rear wheels and it start spinning pretty quickly and it start going side ways ... better to have it then not in my opinions.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Not surprised. Lots of US manufacturing was moved to Mexico after NAFTA.

I saw a annalist talk the other day and he was saying Mexico will be the new China. China labor cost is going up and their labor skills is going down... Mexico labor skills is going up and their labor cost is staying the same.

 

[kenbgbill]

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.

You might want to look at the Tracker EViS. It’s a 72v battery powered electric vehicle and is capable of doing everything you’d need it to do. It’s on my short list once I get a few other expenses in order.

 

[tscheuzger]

2011 Polaris Ranger 800XP here and it's been largely trouble free. Couldn't imagine being without it, and yes, you'll want the 4x4. If you encounter leaves/wet ground, etc., it doesn't take much to spin the wheels unless you've got a heavy load. I leave it in turf mode most of the time but that one driven wheel won't do a slope of any kind. I have rolling hills and a 400' driveway. I plow in the winter (I add 500 lbs. of concrete blocks to the bed in winter) and haul brush/logs/grass clippings in the summer. I made an insert for the dump bed that has a boat winch attached so I can secure the huge loads of brush I pile on (taller than myself at 6' 3"). I have to reach around and give it a boost when dumping at the burn pile, but I can do it one handed while pulling forward at the same time.

 

[Tractor Time]

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 picked up a JD Gator 6 x 4 at a local municipal auction for 1K. Had a bad timing gear and with the engine parts and other bits and bobs ended up putting another 1K into it (decided if I was going to tear the engine down to patch it I would just go ahead and OH it). Anyway it had a manual dump bed. Decent power, went plenty fast enough and had great traction with those 4 driven rear wheels. Pulled a small trailer around my acreage and did a great job all around. Would have liked a power dump bed but all in all a good experience. If you can find a nice low time one for less than 3-4K I think you would be pretty happy and a lot cheaper than a SxS.

 

[ArlyA]

2011 Polaris Ranger 800XP here and it's been largely trouble free. Couldn't imagine being without it, and yes, you'll want the 4x4. If you encounter leaves/wet ground, etc., it doesn't take much to spin the wheels unless you've got a heavy load. I leave it in turf mode most of the time but that one driven wheel won't do a slope of any kind. I have rolling hills and a 400' driveway. I plow in the winter (I add 500 lbs. of concrete blocks to the bed in winter) and haul brush/logs/grass clippings in the summer. I made an insert for the dump bed that has a boat winch attached so I can secure the huge loads of brush I pile on (taller than myself at 6' 3"). I have to reach around and give it a boost when dumping at the burn pile, but I can do it one handed while pulling forward at the same time.

We have a picture thread here of working UTV's and ATV's. Your machine is perfect for it!

 

[WM75Guy]

About this time last year (2022) I bought a Kawasaki Mule, 2 seat, 4x4, I think it's model 4030. Have only used the back seat a couple times but with that seat folded up it gives me a bigger bed by about 2' or so. The bed does dump but I don't have the hyd dump attachment. It is the handiest thing I've bought in years! The only options I wanted were a windshield and a top, basically plain vanilla. If I had a complaint, it would be that gas mileage isn't too great. I've only gotten stuck once and that was in a plowed (wet) field and shouldn't have gone there anyway. The only attachment I've added is a rear view mirror (the type you find on a ski boat). I do wish it had a radio. We also have an EzGo electric golf cart and the Mule is infinitely more useful to me but my wife likes the golf cart.

I put a fiberglass AudioFormz top on my 4010 Trans4X4. It has a radio and speakers built in. You can get them with or without lights. Be sitting down when you look at the price. The windshield just clipped on the rollcage. I have put a mirror on since this picture.

Kawasaki Mule 4010 Trans4x4 Stereo Tops

www.audioformz.com

 

[Little Red Tractor]

No personal experience; but among those I know with the machines, no one has EVER regretted the extra money for four wheel drive. Some have regretted 2WD and gone on to upgrade sooner than desired because of it.