Thank you for your input. Money is not an issue, ( I'm not rich or even close) It is my belief that you should get the right equipment for the job. If it take a little or even a lot longer to save up for the unit I need so be it. I have an old farm about 110 acres. The fields have forty years of growth on them, each field is between 2 to 5 acres big. I would like to make food plots in the center of each field 25 feet wide and a 100 feet long with large clear lane extending out. Like the shape of a wagon wheel. A tractor is out of the question I don't live on the property so I have to transport my equipment each time I do some work. I'm looking for a ATV that is capable of plowing, light logging, and is good at hauling heavy load. there are some question I have. What is better solid rear axel or independent suspension? Min engine size? What is diff lock and why is it important? The terminology that I'm reading is a little Greek to me. Is there a web site that would explain what each term means?

 

if your ever in doubt about what something means, you can just go to a search engine, like google, and look something up.

but for your questions, i will answer them as best i can. i would recomend a full-size ATV for your needs. for the heavy work/logging your going to be doing i woud say get a 600cc+ mechine;so you will never be lacking power. IMO a straight rear axle is better for toeing or pulling rather than IRS.

diff lock is a feature that engadges both front wheels. ther are various types of diff locks, yamaha has a push button, while polaris and honda have a torque sensative type. and can-am has a visco-lock, im not sure how it engadges but its automatic. a diff lock is only good for really stick 4x4 situations, otherwise its verry hard to stear. for the size mechine your looking at some kind of diff lock system will be standard.

ATV's to look at are: yamaha grizzly 700, honda rincon, polaris sportsman 500-or 700/even a 550xp-850xp, a kawisiki brute force 650-or 750, suzuki king quad 500-750, mabe an Arctic cat 550-650-750.

all but the honda have IRS suspentions.

hopr this helps

 

I would just like to give my imput and correct the facts posted by the guy above me. For the job you are looking for A suzuki kingquad 400-750 would be great. Or the Yamaha kodiak 400- grizzly 700. You probably won`t need powersteering for that job as it is more of a luctury more then an actuall needed feature. If you do have the money then get one of the bigger size engines and dont go with the smaller ones i mentioned, thats only if you have to. Anyways, As you know most quads have some sort of four wheel drive system, but what distinguishes them is the diff lock. When in four wheel drive, and one tire gets stuck on an obstacle such as a log, 3 tires will be spinning and the fourth tire wont be spinning because it is stuck. The differential lock causes both front tires to turn at the exact same time allowing that one tire that is holding you back to turn. The rear differential is always locked, except for some polaris models where you can unlock it.
There are different ways that manufacturers have added differential locks to their machines. Suzuki and yamaha have one of the best system for locking the front differntial with a switch for 4x4 and a little thing you slide up with your thumb. Kawasakis is a lot harder to use as you have to hold a lever in the whole time( located on left handlebar). Polaris has a torque sensing system so when the rear tires slip the front ones engage and when one front tire has more traction then the other the diff locks. Their system has been known to have lots of problems. Can Am has what they call visco lock and its very similar to polaris both having problems. Honda has no differential lock on any models so far which makes their machines less versatile in many aspects. The Independent suspension is found on different machines even the honda. It provides a more comfortable ride and more ground clearence to get over those logs and rocks on your property. One thing i would like to mention that many brands dont have is hi and low range. The suzuki kingquads have a low range specifically meant for heavy overload situations and it dramatically increases your pulling power. A lot of brands dont have this and thats why i would reccomend the suzuki kingquad to you. Independent suspension large engine size whether you get the 450, 500,750. Fuel injected, easy to use 4x4édifferential lock, storage room on the machine, Hi and low range, and even powersteering if you really want it, comes with trailer hitch too. Definitly the best machine for your job, but other brands will do the trick as well. Forgot to mention i would also stay from any chinese brands, and artic cats they seem to have a lot of problems( expecially the chinese)

 

The Polaris is the only one with a true 4 wheel drive system that when maintained properly (Using the right fluid in the front diff.) is the best on the market and you just have to put a switch on 4x4 and it will work automatically. The steering on the Polaris XP machines is easier than any other machine (without power steering) and you can get it with power steering also!
The Polaris XP line comes in either a 550cc or an 850cc motor and has the highest rated towing capacity of all the other machines. (Not positive on that one but I'm pretty sure), They are rated at 1500 lbs. towing.
They also have a high and a low range transmission.
Good luck to you and I hope this helps!

Oh I have to add,
BUY AMERICAN![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

kingquad400, I'm not sure why you say that the Can-Am's Visco lock has problems. It was re-designed in 2008 for faster engagement. We have an 08 800 Outlander, and have had no problems. The engine is one of the most powerful in the business, certainly the most powerful 800 (only the Polaris 850 and Arctic Cat 1000 are more powerful, as they are larger). No trouble with the Visco Lock either. Works exactly as it should. Get stuck, let go of the throttle, engage visco lock, give it throttle, within a second or two you are unstuck. Easy.

and to add on to cherokees list (which is lacking any Can-Ams) I would say that an Outlander 600, maybe even 500 should get the job done. Most powerful engines in their class, even the 400 Outlander.

good luck!

 

polaris 500 sportsman or higher, no questions asked the polaris atvs have the most pulling power of all atvs and are very reliable. a polaris sportsman 500 atv will outpull say an outlander or renegade 800 anyday and very easily, there suspension may be IRS but in a way it helps with traction by planting the rear tires down and getting good traction.either a polaris sportsman 500, 600, 700, or 800 is what i would suggest. all of them are powerhouse bikes.

 

91Warrior357, every thread I've read you just go around ripping on Can Ams. A polaris sportsman 500 will NOT outpull an Outlander or Renegade, whether it's a 500 or 800. Can Am has the most powerful engines in every cc size (400, 500, 600, 800). Their 400 engine is more powerful than Honda's 550 I think (I have the dyno charts in my basement, I can get them if you really want to be disproved). A 500 Outlander can outpull a 700 Grizzyl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eDK49i2hPc). And Polaris don't have the most pulling power of all ATVs. They are great ATVs, but maybe the fact that you have a Polaris makes you naturally hate Can Ams, and you've probably never even rode one.

Lemme guess, you have an American flag hung outside of your house, and you drive a Chevy Silverado pickup. You probably just hate Can Am because they are Canadian.

So stop talking crap about Can Ams as you clearly don't know what you are talking about at ALL.