• If you are having problems logging in please use the Contact Us in the lower right hand corner of the forum page for assistance.

UTV Advice--Polaris Ranger

D

DCM

Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2008
Messages
13
Location
Cow Country, USA
Hello, I am new to the list but have browsed as a guest for some time. I was looking for input on the purchase of a utility vehicle, most likely a Polaris Ranger. If anyone has any thought on these vehicles and their usefulness for fencing, hauling mineral, checking water, etc. Use horses for all cattle work and fence some with ATVs but would like to be able to ride side by side with better half and have a windshield and roof.

Thanks in advance...

DCM
 
6x6 Rangers runs most everyday here. Had 6000 hrs on my first one, mostly trouble free. Just about ready to trade the replacement. The new (2004?on up) ones have a heavier drive train than the originals. If you live where it gets cold a heater is a must. The newer style also has a bench seat, also good for escape from an angry cow. Most importantly for many of you it is American made.
 
Polaris 4-wheelers are nice machines. I have a 2001 Honda Rancher with a 350cc motor. It's full-time 4wheel drive and is a great bike. I've packed 200lbs of salt, barbwire, posts and even some deer and elk. They are great for checking water and gates where i summer the cows. Horses still rule the roost around here but a good wheeler has it's place as a useful tool. By the way, my Rancher has 10831 miles on it and still going strong!
 
We have a Polaris Ranger - 6 wheeler. We bought it new in 2003, and I can't imagine being without it. We put salt/mineral out, check water tanks, tag calves, chase cows 8) . Lots of room in the back to put fencing material. We live in the Bull Mountains, not too high but lots of trees and rock cliffs. Our Polaris will pretty much get around fencelines, not as much walking as when we used trucks to get us around....plus it has better gas mileage 8) I think you will make a good, sound investment in a Polaris. We had a JD Gator, it didn't do very well here.
 
We looked at getting the new Polaris Ranger that has 2 rows of seats to carry 6 passengers, but they weren't coming out for a while, and were $14-15000. So we bought a Kawasaki Mule "Trans", that has 2 rows of seats, carries 6 passengers and the back seat will fold up flat against the front one, then the bed extends forward giving you twice as much room back there. We love it, and it cost $11,000, which left room to buy the roof/canopy. I'm going to make my own windshield and doors though.

The drawback to the Mule is that topspeed is only 25mph, whereas the Polaris rig will run 45-50mph. It just has more power, bar-none. We're not really speed junkies, so we're happy with the Mule so far.
 
The best rigup I've seen so far is a mini Japanese cabover style pickup. There are outfits that import used Mitsubishis, Toyotas, etc. They are right hand drive, 4 feet wide, I think the box is 5 feet long. The sides of the boxes fold down to give you a flat deck. They weigh about the same as a ranger, are half the cost and twice as warm. And far more GVW.
Guys up here put a lift kit in them (about 4 or 5 inches), teflon skid plates, atv tires, and winches. Guys that have them say they go far more places than the Rangers.
 
Guys say about $7,500 will get you one. Then some more to get rigged up, all in all less than $10,000.
 
I know a young fella in Alberta who is selling them and would appreciate the business. If you are serious PM me and I'll give you his name. In January he was selling " The Mighty Hamster" for 6800.

Have to do last check, been a little busy around here. Due date was 6 days ago, we're nearly 1/3 done. So far so good.
 
Those mini trucks down here can be purchased from $4k -10k depending on what you want. saw one the other day with lift kit, larger wheels and atv tires camo paint job, and hunting seat in back for $6500. some people are even having them completely rhino lined. They seem to be a great deal. Only thing I don't like is you drive them on the wrong side and that is wierd to me plus most are standard (shifting with your left hand??)
 
Own a JD XUV Gator and use it more than the pick up for calving and fixing fence. Bought it in Dec and have already got over 400hrs on it just calving. The cows don't mind it as much as they do the four wheeler and we can carry alot more junk. The only draw back it that with the full cab on it it is noisy inside. The think will climb a mountain and crosses all the bog holes with ease. If I was going to buy another I would sure look at the Polaris's, I have seen their cab and it looks handier than the Gator's.
 
I told the wife we needed one of those side by side ATV...she said she would rather ride behind me on the four wheeler and hold on to me. Ain't going to argue with that!!! :D :D :D :cowboy:
 

Latest posts

Back
Top