I have found a decent deal on a 2005 Prairie 360 4x4. Gonna look at it tomorrow. Are these good 4 wheelers? I've heard good things from a few guys I know.

 

Depends on what you want it for, if your looking for great top end speed, its not for you, a huge mud bogger that will spin 30's, its not for you. If you are looking for something to tool around on, do pretty good in the mud and not much faster than 50 mph than it is good. I can say this because i have the exact same quad as you are describing, same year and everything. One thing i like about it is the diff lock for a mid sized atv, not something most have in that category. I also love the fact that is an aircooled engine, it just seems to make life a little easier knowing you dont have to worry about coolant leaks and radiators or whatever. I actually just bought mine a month ago but it seems to be a real solid quad, although definitely not the most fancy since it doesnt even have a speedo, tach, hr meter, or all that other good stuff. This thing can tow like a mother and great for around the farm. Like i said its a good quad all in all if you buy it to be reliable, and not performance. I have 25" mudlites on it and if i cant make it through than i dont want to put my quad through that abuse anyways. Just make sure maintainence has been done on it (oil, diffs, belts, filters, etc) and it should be a good quad for ya. Mind me asking how much they are asking?, i bought mine for 2,500 with about 120 hrs on it but a brand new belt @100 hrs, brand new tires and a 2500 lb Warn Winch, and the whole thing was in really good shape so i am very pleased. I can go a week without starting it and give one light pull of the rope and it fires right up,

 

I got it for working in the yard, pulling my boat out of a pond, but mainly for hunting. I'm not interested in racing down trials or riding with others in tough terrain. This one hase a 2,500 lb winch and a new belt. Don't know about the hours yet but owner says it is in greatr condition. I got him down to $2,000. Gonna check it out today I think.

 

Working in the yard - ok.
Pulling boat out of a pond - not likely, but depends on size of the boat. You've got to remember it's got a lilttle oil/air cooled 360 single.
$2000 for one in great condition - ok.

 

The boat is a little 10' plastic pontoon boat. It weighs only 140 lbs. We have to pull it up a slight incline straight onto the shore.

 

10' plastic boat?!
OK, the 360 is more than enough. Just make sure you check/adjust the valve clearance on the 360. And use synthetic 10W-40 engine oil for both engine and front diff gear case (no gear oil!). And use wet brake (that tractors use) oil in the rear gear case. That's for the starters.

 

Thanks. Good to know. I don't have the atv yet, may not get it as someone else is looking at it today and may buy it out from under me. No biggie if it gets sold, but a good deal I think if I can get it.

 

Shoot man i would try and get on this one as fast as possible it sounds like a really good deal if it was taken care of. I think you will like it for what you need it for.

 

Bolts had been sheared on the front bumper and rack. Foot rests were only attached to plastic as the bolts that attached them to the frame had been sheared off. Plastic all over was one big wrinkle, rip, and crack. I backed out of the deal. I'll keep looking for something.

 

Once a ATV has low range it will pull as much as the next one it just up to traction not power.

I had a tug of war contest with a 350 4wd with my 500 4wd and we both just stood still and dug our selfs into the ground.

The only two things that affect traction is tires and weight, I had the heavier weigh advantage but he had nicer more aggressive tires, my HP advantage did not do a thing for me, all I did was dig my 4 ruts into the ground faster than he dug his.