I've been reading these forums for a while now, and I need some advice. I'm going to be using an atv this summer to check boll weevil traps. They are spaced 350 feet apart, and there will be approx. 1000 traps to check every week. That means I'll drive 350 feet, stop and check the trap, then go 350 more feet. I want an automatic with IRS, and something that won't be hot on my legs. Will an AC 400 4x4 do the job for me? Will the tranny hold up to all the starts and stops? Does it get hot on your legs, and will it idle o.k. while I'll be stopped checking the traps? I am trying to choose between an AC 400 and a Sportsman 500 HO. Whick one will be the best for this type of work? Thanks.

 

I cant speak for the 400, but i can tell you that my 500 does not get hot on my legs, and will idle until it runs out of gas if i let it. The tranny should better that the polaris tranny. I believe on the polaris, the belt is loose while idling and tightens up when you rev the engine. The AC belt is tight at all times, from what i remember these guys saying, so this would make the belt last much, much longer.

 

The 400i will work fine if your not into all out power. What type of terrain are you going over? Will you need bigger tires? If you need bigger tires I would get the 500 HO, its a great quad too. Me, I would recommend the 500i auto or the 500 HO, both are equal machines. It really depends what dealer is best in your area.

 

I love my 400I. I have no complaints from the cat auto tranny. Although when I rode Polaris's I never had problems with theirs. Can't go wrong with either one. The 400 has plenty of power, I use it over bumpy, mushy tundra with no problems. If I was to do it all over again I would buy the same one. I really can't answer your question of it getting too hot on your legs. I haven't had any problems with mine but then again we hardly ever get over 60 degrees up here, and now it is dead winter so we have plenty of cold air. My dad has a 2000 Cat 500 auto 4x4 and he uses it to mow the lawn in the heat of a Minnesota summer and it never gets too hot. I would think the 400 would be close to the same.