I'm looking for a Utility quad to do some heavy work in the woods. I own a small forestry/logging company and will be using the quad as a small skidder (dragging loads of logs). Also will be plowing snow with this quad. I have narrowed it down to three, AC500, traxter xt, and rubicon. In the off time I will be trail riding and using it for hunting trips. Your views would be appreciated.

 

woodtick

Just asking, why have you excluded the Polaris line up from your list? The Polaris Magnum 500 and Sportsman 500 are some of the hardest working quads around. The ones you named are also great machines, just curious as to why you are limiting your search. You may also want to consider the new Kawasaki Praire 650 twin. It is supposed to have remarkable low end torque, which would be helpful when it comes to dragging logs.

 

Woodtick, I'd not go with the Traxter XT (To pretty), best to go with the XL(?) or the one with a loader/box on the back. It's way more utility minded than the other Traxter's, Kaw also has some models to look at as well. I have a base traxter and it works fine.

Good luck,

 

If you want a workhorse you should definitely consider the Polaris 500 Diesel. Nothing produces torque like a diesel. If you wouldn't consider a diesel, and you don't plan on doing much trail riding, then I would go with the AC 500... it's a tank!!!

 

Here is the website for the Diesel;
http://www.polarisindustries.com/pro...1atvsupudiesel

 

Thanks for you input will look into those quads you mentioned.

Thanks

T Barnes

 

Woodtick:
I've got about 1,200 acres in northern Washington of mostly timber with a bunch of larger meadows. We had a logging company come in last year and thin about 400 acres down for us, but they left a huge mess behind. I've been doing nothing but towing logs with my AC 500 Auto since last April when I bought them (two 'Cats). I'm sure a lot of the guys on here are getting tired of hearing this, but for serious hard work, I honestly think you'd be hard pressed to find a machine that will out-work the 500 'Cat.

I've been up against a few various machines during the last elk season, and can honestly say that none of them could keep up as far as the work went. The closest thing to pulling power was the Grizzly from Yamaha, but even it couldn't handle the combination of the heavy loads and the uneven terrain we were in. I had to go in and haul out half an elk, with me driving and one of the guys who was stuck as a rider along with the 100+ lbs. I carry on my front rack at all times (recovery gear, winch, cable, straps, etc.) all while towing out a Honda 450ES carrying the other half of the animal with just the driver. Talk about a great feeling, man that was awesome. Even the sportsman wouldn't handle the weight, though that is understandable with the IRS. From my understanding, for work, it sounds like the Magnum would be better than the SP with the solid rear axle. Though the SP does have that superior smooth ride with the IRS. I have not seen a traxter in action, so I cannot comment on that one. Though, dig back in the atvconnection reviews a while back, there is a review of the AC 500 beating the Traxter XT I believe in a shootout.

For pure trail riding, the 'Cat might not be your best bet, but for work, you can't beat them. Ask any 'Cat guy who tows or hauls anything, that rear swing axle is awesome and the machines are unstoppable. One thing to consider though, I don't know if you have an arch or not, but that might be easier for hauling logs out with. I do not have one as of yet, and consequently end up using a heavy chain and choker cable. This results in the logs digging huge trenches whereever you tow them to, and causes a little extra strain on the machine from cutting that much dirt away. Also, my choker cable was about 16' (I recently tore it up pretty good) and while towing lodgepole up to 30' or so, it was kind of a pain maneuvering in and out of standing timber and stumps, etc. Takes a little getting used to, but the machine handles it just fine. I'm even running 27" Bi/Tri Claws and still towing the same heavy loads I was with stock tires, so power isn't even a consideration with the 500.

Anyway, sorry to bore you with the details, try to get out and ride each one you are considering, see which one fits you best and which has the features you are looking for -auto vs. manual, disc vs. drum breaks, suspension, rear axle vs. IRS, etc.

Best of luck!

Mike

 

Woodtick

If you want to test ride a Polaris, G@ylord Polaris has a test area there and will offer test rides. G@ylord Polaris is supposedly the biggest Polaris dealer in Michigan. Ask for Terry in there. He will help you out. Ride them all and don't be concerned about buying a belt drive atv for work. If you use the low range on any belt drive utility atv, you will not have any trouble with it. The new Praire 650 would be the ticket for you, but it is not even at the dealers yet and there is already a waiting list for them. I have a feeling you would have to pay through the nose to get one for a while.

P.S. I had to edit this message because the server was making my G@ylord into a ***lord. I don't know if its trying to say anything about Michigan people, but....

 

Do not forget Polaris, nothing pulls any harder look at these results.http://www.atvconnection.com/atvconn.../nyatvpull.cfm

 

Thanks to all of you for your replies. You have suggested a few I have overlook and made re-evaluate the one I was favoring. Thanks again

T Barnes