what would you do?

[L_Nicholson]

All right guys? I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to do. I've read a few of you have the crew UTV's and wanted to pick some brains. I've got 3 little ones, 2 - 4 year olds and 1 - 2 year old and am planning on getting them involved as much as possible with chores around the farm. I'm also trying to make things easy for the wife as she will be helping out as well. They will be doing chores in the rain etc and wanted to hear what you guys suggest either a crew or a seat arrangement in the back of a 2 seater with a cover if available.

Thanks for any ideas.

 

[CJ4]

OK, in my opinion there's no choice but to get a crew. Of course i'm partial because i've just purchased a new Polaris crew and it's awesome, but I wouldn't have purchased a crew if I hadn't thought they offer so much more for family use. The most important reason for your use would be the safety of the young kids.......the crew is a 6 passenger with seat belts for all 6 people. I wouldn't even think about a seating arrangement in the bed of a single seater utv for small kids. I'd be concerned about several safety issues even if they had belts.....also by the time you arranged seating you wouldn't have any room for tools or chore hauling.

We bought a soft top for ours.....not sure how much protection from rain it will provide.....will tell you in a few weeks after we can try it out. I would think with 3 little ones, you'll need seating for at least 4-5 people most of the time......(mom, 3 kids, and sometimes dad or a guest) I really think your long term investment in a crew would be very rewarding.

 

[ddivinia]

All right guys? I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to do. I've read a few of you have the crew UTV's and wanted to pick some brains. I've got 3 little ones, 2 - 4 year olds and 1 - 2 year old and am planning on getting them involved as much as possible with chores around the farm. I'm also trying to make things easy for the wife as she will be helping out as well. They will be doing chores in the rain etc and wanted to hear what you guys suggest either a crew or a seat arrangement in the back of a 2 seater with a cover if available.

Thanks for any ideas.

I am going thru this as I type. I have a Gator HPX and a 2 yr old. For now, I have a feed basket that I put him in when 3 of need to ride. Now that we just had another addition to the family - it was time to upgrade. I wish John Deere had one, but I bought a Polaris Ranger Crew. It is way more machine than the mule.

D.

 

[ddivinia]

OK, in my opinion there's no choice but to get a crew. Of course i'm partial because i've just purchased a new Polaris crew and it's awesome, but I wouldn't have purchased a crew if I hadn't thought they offer so much more for family use. The most important reason for your use would be the safety of the young kids.......the crew is a 6 passenger with seat belts for all 6 people. I wouldn't even think about a seating arrangement in the bed of a single seater utv for small kids. I'd be concerned about several safety issues even if they had belts.....also by the time you arranged seating you wouldn't have any room for tools or chore hauling.

We bought a soft top for ours.....not sure how much protection from rain it will provide.....will tell you in a few weeks after we can try it out. I would think with 3 little ones, you'll need seating for at least 4-5 people most of the time......(mom, 3 kids, and sometimes dad or a guest) I really think your long term investment in a crew would be very rewarding.

I agree 100% with the safety. The basket works for the kiddo now, because he has to sit down in it.

New rig - seatbelts for all.
A top
Windshield


Polaris has it together,
D.

 

[rutwad]

I've got 3 little ones, 2 - 4 year olds and 1 - 2 year old and am planning on getting them involved as much as possible with chores around the farm. the wife as she will be helping out as well. They will be doing chores in the rain

Thanks for any ideas.

WHEWWWW!!! Are you saving the sunshine days for yourself?? I'd love to see what you're wife has to say about her and the kids working while it rains and you sit in your recliner watching your TV show. Then when she comes in from the wet cold in the dead of winter, tell her that you are cold and maybe she could bring you a blanket........ J/K

I think it's great to get the kids involved and keep them involved. There is more to life than video games. And definitely get the crew without a doubt.

Now go crack that whip, the wife and kids have time to get in a few chores before school and work!!!

 

[L_Nicholson]

lol.... Thanks guys for all the info! I'll be sharing the chores with the family but the wife said she wanted a working change so here we go! We have a few dairy goats because the kids are allergic to store bought milk and I just bought some 100% NZ Kiko goats and with the wife willing to work a little we are going to buy a small commercial herd to help offset the private school cost.

She will be doing chore in the morning and I'll be picking it up in the evening... hopefully it will be sunny then...lol

Safety was a main concern as anyone with multiple little kids knows the more you have the stupider they become at times. Especially my 4 year old boy!

I'll take a look at the Rangers and I'm sure I might have a few questions!

Like how much are guys paying for the crews?

 

[ddivinia]

lol....
I'll take a look at the Rangers and I'm sure I might have a few questions!

Like how much are guys paying for the crews?

I got $700 off list of the crew. That was the best I could find around here.

D.

 

[L_Nicholson]

it seems on paper that the Ranger is more of a machine than the Mule... is this the general consensus? I'm not trying to start a "mines better than yours" here, just looking to make sure the machines do what they say on paper.

Also what about windshields and tops... who has what (glass or plastic & soft or hard top). what are your experiences.

 

[ddivinia]

it seems on paper that the Ranger is more of a machine than the Mule... is this the general consensus? I'm not trying to start a "mines better than yours" here, just looking to make sure the machines do what they say on paper.

Also what about windshields and tops... who has what (glass or plastic & soft or hard top). what are your experiences.

Your are right.

Drum brakes on the mule.
Carb instead of FI
The bed is pretty small if you have both rows of seating, etc.

I went with glass windshield and a hard top.

Rangerware seems to have the nicest stuff.

RangerWare Grand Rapids, MN (888) 927-9722

The Ranger Crew is home now - pics coming soon.
D.

 

[john_bud]

With the price of these machines over $10k, you could buy an 8-10 year old crew cab 4wd truck add a $1200 hydraulic dump bed for the same $$.

Not as "Cool" but more of a work'n solution.

jb

 

[ddivinia]

With the price of these machines over $10k, you could buy an 8-10 year old crew cab 4wd truck add a $1200 hydraulic dump bed for the same $$.

Not as "Cool" but more of a work'n solution.

jb

I hear that all the time. Thing is truck weighs a lot more, is bigger, etc. I don't need a dump bed. I guess I could take the doors off and lighten it up. Need simple, small, rugged, etc. Already have a 4wd truck and it wont go places this ranger will go.

D.

 

[L_Nicholson]

With the price of these machines over $10k, you could buy an 8-10 year old crew cab 4wd truck add a $1200 hydraulic dump bed for the same $$.

Not as "Cool" but more of a work'n solution.

jb

I'm not sure if you own / operate a farm or not but I would have thought the same thing until you start dealing with animals, feed, fences, posts etc. I used to own a Nissan crew cab and loved it but I also have a Dodge Durango that will pull the barn down if needed so I opted to sell the pick up and buy a little Corolla for the "other" salary job.

 

[john_bud]

I'm not sure if you own / operate a farm or not but I would have thought the same thing until you start dealing with animals, feed, fences, posts etc. I used to own a Nissan crew cab and loved it but I also have a Dodge Durango that will pull the barn down if needed so I opted to sell the pick up and buy a little Corolla for the "other" salary job.

Not much of one, just 280 acres. Around here, you see a lot of old farm beaters hauling all that stuff. Some will use a ATV (Polaris, Honda, etc) to pull a 5x10' trailer with stuff for chores in the more sensitive areas. Very (VERY!) few of the cab model machines like Kubota.

Not knocking them (I have a Mule 3010), just most guys will use a $2000 old truck, a $2000 used ATV or the front bucket of a tractor. If you want one, get one - it's your $$. Just take pictures so we can "enjoy" it too!

jb

 

[L_Nicholson]

I hear you! all my stuff is used but the Corolla I bought in Sept. Because of the gas prices those little cars are holding their value like crazy!

My farm is a lot smaller... 140 ac. I sure don't claim to be a farmer... God bless them! My 4 wheeler gets me to the barn and back and sometime it takes multiple trips to get everything out there. I've got a 18' dovetail trailer that is a little much for the 4-wheeler. I've been contemplating getting a smaller utility trailer for now and IF the livestock bring any money and there is some left over I may buy a UTV. We will have to see I guess!

 

[john_bud]

I hear you! all my stuff is used but the Corolla I bought in Sept. Because of the gas prices those little cars are holding their value like crazy!

My farm is a lot smaller... 140 ac. I sure don't claim to be a farmer... God bless them! My 4 wheeler gets me to the barn and back and sometime it takes multiple trips to get everything out there. I've got a 18' dovetail trailer that is a little much for the 4-wheeler. I've been contemplating getting a smaller utility trailer for now and IF the livestock bring any money and there is some left over I may buy a UTV. We will have to see I guess!

No kidding, little box'es are holding the value right now as prices continue to rocket up!

I bought a torsion axle and built a 5x10 trailer. 2x the trailer for 2/3 the price of store bought. I'd go 5 1/2' wide bed next time... Torsion is the way to go for rough travel. No center axle to hang up, independant action side to side and the price is about the same.

I would not want to be a big grain farmer tilling and fertilizing now! Talk about shell shock to the wallet. Good thing corn and bean are up!

jb