Side X Side

[StihlKicking]

Anybody got advice or recommendations on which side by sides are the best? I'm still several months out from pulling the trigger on one but I've started the research process. The diesels really appeal to me but I'm not dead set on it burning diesel. I would mainly use the machine to feed cows, haul fencing materials, ride around the farm and of course haul the occasional stick of fire wood.

Any comments will be greatly appreciated as this will be the first side x side I have ever owned. Up until this point I've always had a 4wheeler.




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[Dairyman]

I have a jd 850d & a polaris 570 full size. The diesel sure is convenient if you have a bulk tank on the farm & will run forever. But it won't get up and go like a gas. I like them both but if I could only have one it would be the ranger.

 

[Light in the Dark]

Yeah the diesels are not in the same league performance wise as the gas jobs. Who are your closest dealers, and what lines do they carry? Should find a dealer you trust first, before buying any brand.

Polaris has been doing it the longest, and many argue the best. My dad had a JD825, and had issues from Day 1 with the Chinese built motor. He now has a Polaris 900, and it also has had issues (parking brake, belt slip, and the fancy $$ heated cab he bought squeaked from a bad weld... like every little bump it squeaked above the drivers head).

Best I can say. Very expensive toys these days.

 

[StihlKicking]

Yeah the diesels are not in the same league performance wise as the gas jobs. Who are your closest dealers, and what lines do they carry? Should find a dealer you trust first, before buying any brand.

Polaris has been doing it the longest, and many argue the best. My dad had a JD825, and had issues from Day 1 with the Chinese built motor. He now has a Polaris 900, and it also has had issues (parking brake, belt slip, and the fancy $$ heated cab he bought squeaked from a bad weld... like every little bump it squeaked above the drivers head).

Best I can say. Very expensive toys these days.

Yep they are very expensive, I could just buy another 4 wheeler and use a trailer as I have always done. They just make them appear so convenient. I'm close to a JD, Kubota, Mahindra, Yamaha, Honda, and Polaris dealer. So I pretty much have a good selection as far as local dealers go, minus Kawasaki. I have never been a huge fan of Polaris atvs but they might be worth looking into for utvs. I do have a bull tank on the farm and lots of other things that burn diesel. I am mostly looking for something that works hard rather than plays hard but I don't want it to get high centered in a small ditch. Thanks for the replies.

 

[festerw]

For a work horse, Kubota. We've got a mix of JD, Cub Cadet, EZ-Go, Polaris and Kubota around campus. While they all get the job done Kubota to me does it the best with minimal headache.

 

[Jazzberry]

I got a 2011 Polaris Ranger and its amazing. Dump bed is used a lot. My son and and grandkids go gold panning in it all the time. Off roading on it is unbelievable. Grandkids come over and it becomes a dirt racer. I am convinced its the best combo for fun and work. One thing I would make sure of is to get power steering. Another thing is the midsize Polaris will drive into the back of a full size pickup if you don't want to tow a trailer. The diesels and gator type are a complete different animal. More like a tractor not that much fun at all. I think my Ranger will do everything much faster and better than the tractor types with maybe the exception of pulling a heavier trailer. You will end up finding reasons to do stuff with it all the time.

 

[Vikestand]

Yup Polaris is best for both worlds. Fun and work.

Get a roof and glass windshield, it's worth the extra $$$$. I wish I had doors and wipers on mine aswell. I used mine all cutting season getting in and out of the woods aswell as hauling wood to the house. I bring up a couple loads to the house a week and it is no sweat.

I built a canopy for my bed, to keep everything out of the weather. It also works great to keep my cooler cool in the summer when we go riding to the river lol.

 

[Vikestand]

Oh and a winch is a MUST have.

 

[laxin213]

I have a JD 825i XUV. Many issues with it in 200 hours. Transmission linkage, broken and fixed myself both axles, clutch, couple other things. Many of them from my model year idle too high, which resulted in premature wear to clutch when shifting into drive. And the idle would never drop initially until reprogramming. If you stored in a unheated barn - forget it, you literally couldn't get the rpm low enough to shift. Have to let idle for several mins before shifting after JD came with fix. Chinese motor mated poorly to tranny and clutch.

I would not therefore recommend the JD. The kubota are all work and no play as I see it, my JD could hit 40 top speed and the kubota 22 maybe. That being said I rarely take the JD over 20. Gas vs diesel. I use mine for 80% work and 10-20% play if that.

My brother in law just bought the 6 seater Polaris. Time will tell on durability. They are Popular and tHere is a TON in aftermarket for the ranger and the RZR. looked a lot and I almost bought the Honda big red side by side in 2011. Then the tsunami happened and it cut off supply for the time being. At the time the Yamaha rhino was #1 in terms of just a total workhorse. They made it for years and they just work and don't break. Look at these ATV and side by side tour places all over the world. The machines they use and beat the crap out of are yamahas. I don't know of the newer model that replaced the rhino but I'd look heavily at it. Polaris has had their share of issues with the engine running and making the seat too hot to sit in and a host of other things - I don't own one so I can't say. Look at the owners group sub forums for the model and make you are thinking of and read the issues. Like all the 825i JD guys have had the same problems as I have with my gator. It's in the posts.

My rankings for what it's worth
1. Yamaha rhino (the newer model)
2. Honda (shaft or chain drive I believe, only one that isn't belt drive so no whine downhill and squeal when wet driving)

My must buy accessories
1. Roof (I have a cheap soft one, the hard can lead to some nasty brush whiplash)

2. Winch (it frames out, you NEED it)

3. Windshield (I have a cheap universal fit one from eBay. Makes a huge difference driving in cold or rain). The Polaris dealer tried shoving the glass one on my brother in law - get the lexan plastic. Working in the woods, who wants the dangerous situation of shattered glass ???

4. Rear view mirror (trust me, rig one up, side view is nice too).

5. A wooden tool box or similar to carry - straps, clevis loops, chain, come along, basic sockets and screwdrivers, lumber crayons, stuff like that. You'll use it constantly. Be nice it if its bolted down too, I have a custom made wooden box in front rack.

5. A headache rack to protect the back of your head from flying firewood and whatever else you haul and goes flying. It's a wise investment.

 

[Vikestand]

Are you planning on dropping a tree on the UTV? My glass windshield has zero scratches. I can barely see through my buddies 900 on a sunny day with the cheap plastic windshield

 

[jebatty]

Best for me because it's the only one I have: Pug F620 6x4 Back Forty. Picture is not too good, but this is the farm workhorse -- side by side for two, 1000 lb box capacity, 1000 lb towing capacity, electric lift box, and moves along at a fabulous 12-15 mph maximum speed. Vanguard 18hp engine, snowmobile-type belt drive to rear wheels which are chain driven. Not problem free, but nearly all parts are off the shelf. Not made anymore and I doubt you can find one.

 

[StihlKicking]

Thanks for all the replies, keep them coming they are very informative.


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[trailblaster]

Thanks for all the replies, keep them coming they are very informative.


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I have the can am commander 800 with power steering. Its half sport, half utility. I have a 6' plow for our long driveway and haul 1500# of logs out of the woods with no problems. I chose it because I wanted something fun, sporty and comfortable on the trails but a utv that can work at home too. The two or one level dump bed can hold 600 lbs with removable floor works great and holds the saws, gas ect. It also has high and low gearing with 27" tires to get you in and out of the rough stuff but definitely add a winch.

 

[cachunko]

I have the polaris ranger 400 HO 2012. It suits me just fine. I like that it's not the full size model - making it easier to get through the woods with. Often times I have to blaze a trail. I also have a winch. I've never had a problem with my ranger. It has 225 hours - never a SINGLE problem. It's been great. I LOVE that it has 1 wheel drive, 2 wheel drive, and 4 wheel drive. The 1 wheel drive is awesome for around the yard - it doesn't tear up any of the grass. No problems with power being the 400. I can easily haul 2 cord of wood in 3 trailers all hooked together when it's in low range (the picture is only one cord and the splitter). I also have a 6 foot snow plow on it that works really well in the winter. It's a work horse, but will easily cruise 45mph down the road as well. I'd absolutely buy another when the time comes.

However, it does not go through large snow filled ditches well that sneak up on you.

 

[Dairyman]

To many shiny rigs here. Lol

 

[MaulMan]

We have a ton of different models available through my work and I've been in the UTV business for nearly 15 years, so this is kinda my sweet spot.
I use a Cub Cadet Volunteer for a lot of the serious work I do. It's build quality is great, the ride is smooth with or without a load, and it's a beast. But it's not fast, refined, or super fun. It's also on the cheap side of UTVs. Check one out if you can.
The Kawasaki Pro Mules are fantastic in pretty much every way, but pricey.
The new Kubota RTV x models are WAY better than the older versions. Much better suspension and peppier, but still not fast. They are the most durable machines by a long shot.
We have 2 Polaris rangers, 2 RZRs and the new General. They're sexy, fast, fun, and incredibly capable off road. But the build quality is really bad. The newer models are much worse than the older ones. I don't recommend them if you're going to be using it a lot or doing serious work. There are better choices, IMHO.
The Yamaha Viking is decent, but it vibrates a TON from that 1 big cylinder thumping away. The build quality is better than many other vehicles, but not as good as some of the older Yamahas.
All of them have similar guts (engine, transmission, and a CVT)- except the Kubota RTV X (hydrostatic transmission) and the Honda Pioneer 1000 (6 speed geared transmission ).
The Kubota RTV X models all come with power steering and power dump beds. It's kinda nice having all that hydraulic stuff already in there, and they put it to good use.
But back to the Cub Cadet Volunteer for a second. The one we have has something like 400 hours on it, much of that on a test track taking a beating. Then it gets loaned out a lot when people have serious work to do. It gets abused and no one really takes care of it. It always works. Nothing breaks. Basic but darn good. I just wish it had power steering.

 

[duramaxman05]

My opinion is stick with Japanese companies on atv and utv. There is a lot of Rangers and rzr's around and I work on more of them than anything else. The American made atv and utv don't hold up like the others. That's just my opinion on a mechanics point of view

 

[moresnow]

Used a gas JD for a year new in 08. POS. No offense to JD owners. Went to a Kubota D. and enjoyed it for 2 years of tough abuse every day as a work truck on grading jobs. Buddies have the Polaris units which are very nice for playing around. For a work related application the Kubota tops my list. Changed out a drive shaft shear pin one time. 5 minute fix. Fuel economy was amazing.

 

[rt014]

I have an older (2003) Yamaha Rhino 660 and it has been a great machine. I beat the hell out of it including skidding logs and it keeps on going.

 

[YankeeFarmer]

Our '09 Gator HPX gas has been trouble free in over 400 hours of plowing snow, hauling fill and firewood on our steep 10 acre place. I point this out because there are a wide variety of Gator models, and all should be considered as unique machines despite all carrying the "Gator" name.

 

[bunfoolio]

Anybody got advice or recommendations on which side by sides are the best? I'm still several months out from pulling the trigger on one but I've started the research process. The diesels really appeal to me but I'm not dead set on it burning diesel. I would mainly use the machine to feed cows, haul fencing materials, ride around the farm and of course haul the occasional stick of fire wood.

Any comments will be greatly appreciated as this will be the first side x side I have ever owned. Up until this point I've always had a 4wheeler.




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I have a kawasaki mule. The 610xc and it has worked well. Went with kawasaki because they have a 3 year warranty.