I need a road legal ATV which needs to be able to go down a very muddy bridle path. I will sometimes take a few bales of hay and manure to transport. I may also need to roll and harrow my horses field.
John Deere have reconmmended a Gator Compact CX. Does anybody have any experience of this? Or should I go for a 4x4 quad? And if so what would you reconmmend?

Thanks,
Ali

P.S. Any dealer sites you could reconmmend in the UK?

 

hello. Since when is a Gator road legal?

in my opinion there are many better choices for a side by side

 

A farm I used to work for had one of the JD 5 wheel things... I wasn't impressed with it at all. Perhaps they have changed.

In a utility quad, if you are looking for something that will drag a farm tool well, I'd suggest the Honda Rubicon. It's hydrostat transmission is well suited to low speed, high torque use, and the solid rear axle won't squat under the hitch weight of a trailer.

Kubota makes a diesel powered side by side 4x4, which might be worth eyeballing. Actually, they make some very nice all wheel drive compact tractors, too.

The Rhino, RZR, Prowler type side by sides I think are more set up for recreational riding around, and I don't know how well they would tolerate pulling a harrow and that kind of use.

None of these machines are street legal here, except when being used as a piece of farm equipment you can probably get away with running along the shoulder of the road from one field to another, displaying a slow moving vehicle triangle.

What is legal in the UK I'd have no idea.

Anyway, welcome to the forum.

 

HI
thanks for the response, I had my doubts too hence my question.
Apparently the John Deere Gator is vehicle Tax exempt and to get it insured for limited use/agricultural as I would only be going on a road(800yds) to get from one field to another, this is apparently possible. I wont be going out and about on main roads, just crossing it.
But now I am looking I def had my doubts reading the brochure as to a gators suitability for my needs. However all the accidents you hear about with quads just frightened me a bit so my husband thought this would b more suitable.
I think i will be better with a quad now.
Thanks for your help.

I like the sound of the Honda Rubicon as I will be pulling a small trailer too. Thanks

 

you should be able to do the same ag-use thing with an ATV or other side by side.

I know someone with the Kubota and they are disappointed with it. Gets stuck too much.

Look at the other side by sides (like the Yamaha Rhino) you may find something you really like.

Accidents happen with everything. People are too relaxed with ATVs as just about anyone can drive one. When they get too comfortable, accidents happen.

 

Thanks very much as this has all been very helpful.
Ali.

 

One Last question?? Where do you go to buy a Honda or Yamaha in the UK for the best deal?
i know I have a couple of official dealers, but is there any other places?? I want a road legal 4x4 type Honda or Yamaha
thanks

 

If you have a Kawasaki dealer nearby, check out the Kawasaki Mule. They are well engineered workhorse machines.

 

I have no idea where in the UK dealers would be. Here in the states, though, when you buy a new Honda they compensate you to participate in an ATV rider's training program. I think the other brands do something similar.

Maybe that's just a program for the sue crazy US, but if they offer something like that in the UK it would be worth you and your husband's time to learn how to operate the machine safely...

 

now I understand your question better. I do understand that there is some limited use of ATVs in the UK. Not sure anyone in the US is going to be able to help you though.

My advice is to go to Honda's world site. There may be links to a Honda dealer close to you. They would be much better equipped to answer your questions.