I needed a blade to level my drive way. I was planning on purchasing a tractor with a three point hitch. A friend suggested I look at an ATV instead. More versatile and it might be useful than a tractor. I plan on pulling something like this.
Swisher Products : 2643 - Box Scraper with Scarifier Teeth

I assume I need at least a 4X4. I assume I would need low gearing. What are some of the best makers and models to choose from? Which are most reliable? How many cc? I may end up getting a pull behind mower someday. I also have a tractor cart I use to hall wood and I would probably use it for that. Thanks for the help in advance.

 

its only 48" wide, a mid-size workhorse would suit you just fine, like a honda rancher. if you are on a budget, a mid-size will do 90% of the worfk a big bore machine can do

 

Honda is most reliable but doesn't have a full locking front differential. That being said it would probably do the job for that unit. Personally, I think the 500 range machines are a great mix of fuel economy, power, torque, and fun. Polaris tend to be most comfortable to ride. I can attest to this with a bad disk in my back. Other than trying to ride hard and fast I can come home with about the same amount of pain that I started the day with. Yamaha and Suzuki also make 500 class machines that are good all around quads. Don't know much about Arctic Cats. They have good ground clearance. CanAms tend to have the best power per cc of all the 4x4 makers. They have a weak frame in my opinion. My son bought a CanAm Renegade (Like the Outlander but less plastic and sportier). We did a frame insert made out of high molecular weight plastic. Good insurance in my mind. The best of the quad width vehicles for using in utility oriented situations is the Polaris Big Boss 6x6. It actually has 6 wheel drive and a pickup type body for chores. The most recent version has a powerful 800cc engine. Previous version was a 500 and before that other smaller engines. Nothing has more traction in the ATV width category other than putting tracks on a 4x4.

 

I think the Rancher, Foreman or Rubicon would do the job just fine. I would go for the Rubicon because it has a low gear. We have a Rubicon and we pull all kinds of things with it from small loads of hay to gravity wagons and a small utility trailer.

MooseHenden, Honda may not have a locking differential but I have a Rubicon and I have never had a problem in that department. As long as all four wheels are on the ground, all four of them will spin.

I agree if you want a smooth riding machine, I would look some where else besides Honda. The Rincon has a pretty nice ride but it does not have the right type of transmission for what you want to do.

 

Hondas do tend to have a stiffer ride. Makes them a little better railing around corners. I have been in enough mud where full 4wd barely got me through and stopped even other quads just before they made it out of the hole. (This is why IRS is better for ground clearance than a solid rear axle for deep mud and ruts) I have seen a couple instances climbing steep rock faces and trying to get through snow where that little bit of extra traction made the difference. I love Honda. Super reliable, but they are in many ways behind the times. They have a locker for the front end on the Big Red UTV. Why not on their quads??? I like the idea of the transmission but I've also never had problems with my belt. Even if I did shred a belt I could be up and running in a half hour. It's not hard to change a belt. I'd also like to see the Japanese brands make a 2 up machine. I think most, if not all of them, have plants here in the US.

 

If you want something for work and some riding around.. Go get a Honda Foreman or maybe a Yamaha Big Bear.. Try so stay with a solid rear axle it is way better for working with and way less maintenance. I would personally get a Honda Rubicon but they are a bit spendy but you get the best transmission in the business all the power you would ever need and Bulletproof ROCK solid Honda reliability and resale value.

 

i've never tried pulling something like that with my warrior......but i'll say this, you don't need a 4x4 to have a workhorse for doing yard work, i've pulled stumps and all kinds of things around my yard with that thing.

heck a 4 door jeep cherokee broke down on the trail where we ride at and i pulled him out on my warrior, wasn't the friendliest of trails either(and yes my clutches are still in one piece and work like new)

depending on what else u might use it for though, you might be happier with a 4x4 if you plan on plowing in the winter(haven't tried getting one for mine yet....don't know if i will being its 2wd). but like the others said, stay with a solid rear axle, much less maintenance, and it puts less strain on the suspension

 

All the posts have been most useful. Sounds like I need something with a low gear and solid back axle. From there what are ALL of my choices? Which are probably the best. Probably looking for the 500 cc range. Thanks all.

 

A straight axle narrows it down alot,there are more Utility ATVs with IRS now. Suzuki KQ400, Honda 500 Foreman/Rubicon,420 Rancher or 400 Yamha Big Bear are some.

The Foreman,Rancher and Big Bear have no low range but have a super low 1st gear and pull well in 2nd also.

 

I have an 08 Big Bear 400...i don't pull a whole lot with it...unless you count other people back to the truck on occasion. I can tell you that the first two gears are super low and MAY get you to 10mph. If you are planning on doing anything with the 4X4 other than yard work...go with IRS especially if you are planning long ride days. As far as plowing...I use 2 wheel drive probably 95% of the time plowing b/c of the ease of turning. Unless you are planning on pushing entire piles that you have already stacked up 2-wheel drive will do.
Mudslinger2