Hello all,
We just moved to the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, and am in need of ATV to help out around here, and need of some information to help me decide which one.
I would use it for plowing the snow off my 600' long driveway, and moving garden and building supplies around my sloped property. Do most utility ATV's have a trailer hitch? Where is the best place to by things such as: trailers, snow plows....?
There are alot of forest service roads around here that I would have to explore. I don't need to drive like "a bat out of hell", so comfort and stability are higher on my list than top speed.
I'm on the small side, 170 lbs, so a big ATV isn't needed. Are there any books or publications out there that would be helpful?

 

Hi, where you located??? We ride the eastern Sierra and Inyo's a lot (Bishop, Mammoth, Lone Pine). Haven't ventured much north of that though, but we need to......

Usually, I don't recommend a large machine. Personally, I like the medium size Honda Rancher, because it has nimble handling, a descent price, and it isn't a hulking beast, but I am a trail rider and don't need to plow snow.

Unfortunately, for plowing you will probably have to go fairly big. If it were me, I think I would look for a Honda Foreman 500 (nice simple machine with a time proven manual transmission). The eastern guys can give you more info on plowing than I can..........

 

600' is a long way. If you get a lot of snow you are going to need a big ATV. Not necessarly in terms of cc's, but in terms of weight and size. Also, ground clearance is a HUGE factor when plowing snow. Get a 60" blade too, don't bother with anything smaller. I had a 400 that I used in Alaska to plow my 200' driveway and it worked like a charm. I could do 15" and not worry about it. It would take longer, but that was the fun part. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] I also recommend an auto for plowing. Shifting can be a pain someties when you are also trying to control the throttle, brakes, and winch (to lower and raise the blade) at the same time.

That said, I recommend an Arctic Cat 500. It has a 2" receiver hitch for your towing, 12 inches of ground clearance, and can plow the snow with no trouble. Because of the higher ground clearance, I recommend you put the anti-sway bar on it to help with the stability.

 

There are plenty of good choices out there. A bigger quad will help better with plowing, especially for a 600' driveway, but as long as you stay around the 450-500cc limit and no smaller you should be fine. Anything smaller might have a harder time with that much snow/driveway.

Arctic Cat, Polaris, Honda are all good utility quads. Some ppl don't like Polaris, I am a bit wary of their quality, but I do know some ppl who have them and love them with no problems.

Cat 500, Sportsman 500, Foreman 500, Rubicon 500, Grizzly 660, Vinson 500, Traxter 500/Quest, would all be good utility choices for a used quad. The Grizz would be the most powerful, and a bit smaller and lightweight compared to the Polaris's/Cat's, but more fun for exploring. The Vinson would a nice compact sporty machine. The Cat's and Sportsman's are on the bigger and heavier side, same with the Quest/Traxter.

The Honda Foreman would be pretty bulletproof and durable, no belts to worry about, plenty of power for plowing I would think (it is a BIG driveway you are talking about tho).

Hope this helps.

-Krait

 

I will have to second the Cat for deep snow and plowiing

 

honda is a great idea but if you go with a john deer trail buck ext has a dump boxs its built by bombardier with the john deer name great for plow snow yeard work and trail,s it has the visco lock 4x4 thats one of the best 4x4 on the marked for what you wont and it can tow hear is the spc Availability Limited to Dealer Inventory
Contact your local John Deere dealer for availability of this product


Powerful and fuel efficient 644 cc 4-Tec Rotax? engine.


Includes 10 in. (254 mm) extended wheel base.


Roto-molded, non-corrosive, high-density polyethylene cargo box is spring assisted and tilting with fold down gate.


600 lb. (272 kg) / 5.1 ft.3 (.44 m3) capacity.


Easy to operate, super-smooth continuous variable transmission (CVT).


Convenient semi-step-through design provides an extra storage space right in front of the seat. An optional console bag can store maps, a cell phone, or a GPS system.


Visco-lok?, a progressively locking 4WD system, automatically delivers the correct amount of traction for every situation without compromising steering or maneuverability. It engages automatically without ever having to stop and push a button.


Easy maintenance just by removing the seat. Operators have access to spark plugs, battery, air filter, oil filter, dipstick, and carburetor.


Rear mounted radiator reduces the risk of mud compaction and brush damage. These radiators also blow heat behind and away from the operator.


Water-tight, 8 gal. (30 L) front storage area is ideal to store many types of cargo. It is large enough to fit your helmet while protecting it from the weather.


Unique sub-transmission with "park" feature anchors the vehicle while winching, trailering or stopping on slopes.


Large, 400W alternator is strong enough to power headlights as well as a winch, cell phone, GPS system, or additional plow/trail lights.





List price: $7,499.00* (U.S.)

 

In reply to reconranger, I live on the west side of the Sierras by Hiway 108. We are at 4200' elevation, about 45 miles west of Yosemite Valley.
Thanks to all who have responded. Since I am a novice regarding quads, would it be better buying from a local dealer, an hour away, or from a individual?
I am assuming a 4x4 would be needed? Also, are there any buyers guides for ATVs?

Thanks again

 

The Sonora Pass area is nice! You are close enough that you can pop over to the eastern Sierra side as well. Lots of great country at your fingertips........

So you are probably at low enough altitude that you aren't going to get super deep snow there on a regular basis???? Maybe a smaller machine like a Rancher could handle it???? The little Rancher is a peach out on the trails. (I'm just not a fan of big heavy machines when you get out on the trail.)

It is always best to get established with a good dealer.....if you can find one. At my favorite dealership, they know me by name, and I can walk right in to the service department and ask talk to the mechanics. If you are buying used though, you will get your best price from an individual.

A lot of the magazines that come out early in the year have buyer's guides the do rough comparisons. Better find them soon tough, or they will be gone.

 

Polaris Sportsman 500HO or EFI and Cat 500 are the two best plow quads you can buy. unless you want to buy a bigger polaris or cat lol

 

depends on how much you wanna spend.....if your got like 9k get a 400/650/800 can am outlander, all i can say is BEAST..my dad has a 400 that he uses for moose hunting, the hooked the honda 450 foreman onto the moose first and it wouldnt even move, 3 tire spin lol so my dad hooked up his 400 outty onto the foreman and pulled the moose and honda like 70ft out of a marshy swamp, it was funny as hell



but if you dont wanna spend a lot, id go for a good used suzuki king quad 300(1999 or close to) or even the 250 quad runner by suzuki...we have a 1993 suzuki 250 quad runner 4x4 with differential lock and super low gear...it will pull more then my cousins 400 sportsman lol nuff said


theres lots of good bikes out there...do some searchs on different ones on this site and youll get lots of good info