Dear Members: I'd greatly appreciate your thoughts on which machine will meet my needs the best.

I live on 5 wooded PA acres (hilly) and want a UTV for lumber work and snow plowing. I care nothing about "sporty" qualities, speed, recreation, etc.

I need a UTV to haul "bucked" tree beams in its bed or with a small pull cart across a moderate grade without rolling over.

I also need to plow a 400' driveway, paved, and half of it at a steep 25-30 degree grade. We get some big snows around here...30", 24", and many 12-16" in just the last few years.

My budget is as close to 10K as possible, but could probably swing up to 12K if I had to.

I like the Kubota models...but they are on the high end of my budget. I also like the Big Red but don't love the turning radius. I have to turn around quickly on a 2-lane road at the bottom of the drive to avoid the dummies driving 50 mph on a snow-covered road.

The Ranger looks nice but no local sales/service. Same with Arctic Cat.

I've had a Kawasaki Prairie that was OK. The Mule is heavy, which I like, but notoriously low on power.

Long story short, I need the most reliable machine i can afford. We have a child with health issues, and at 4:30 a.m. When I go to start the machine, it HAS to start. It has to push heavy, wet snow without breaking down. And it has to haul logs up a low/moderate grade without leaving me stuck.

What is your recommendation? If it were a chainsaw, I'd want someone to say "Stihl all the way! If not, get a Husky. Do not waste money in a big box on a throwaway model!".

Thank you for your time and consideration!

 

BTW: I would rather wait an extra few months or find a creative way to afford a (even if its intro level) pro model of Stihl saw than drop $250-300 on even the "best" Toro that Lowe's has in stock. No comparison.

My thought on the UTV are the same. If jumping to 13K or 13.5K is truly worth it, I will.

Dependability is what I need. Thanks!

 

Sorry for the follow-up, but something important: a "better" gas model with a battery tender or a lower diesel model with glo plugs? It's going to reside in an unheated outbuilding until needed. One trip each summer to the dealer for a general service. I've never owned a diesel but I have concerns about the cold temps here and the potentially intermittent use from December thru March if the snow is infrequent. Thanks!

 

A ranger 700 will fit your needs or look at the new yamaha Viking

 

I was also thinking a Ranger would fit your needs well. Honda is releasing a new side by side called a Pioneer this month. Their machines are known to run forever and have great quality. Never the strongest/fastest/ ETC but alway work!

 

Actually sounds to me that you need a tractor more than you need a SxS. With that in mind, the Kubota is an excellent choice. You might want to look at Bobcat. They have a SxS unit that can adapt to all the tractor tools. The bigger unit would be perfect. I have seen quads equipped with tracks dragging logs all day too. But with your budget in mind, you are going to find it difficult no matter which direction you go. You can do all that you are wanting to do with an ATV, and it would be cheaper. Unless of course you can find a deal on a used tractor. If looking for an ATV, given the work youwant to accomplish, the only unit I'd recommend is the Honda Rubicon ATV. The reason is simple, first, it is one of the last machines out there that use a solid rear end. And secondly, it has an automotive based torque converter/transmission versus belt systems for everyone else. You will burn up drive belts pulling logs all day. Not so with the Rubicon. The solid rear is better because the IRS on all the others, although great in the woods, are crap when you hang weight off the back of the machine. They will just sag out and break parts quickly. Solid rears are way better for hauling and towing weight. And with you skidding logs, that sounds like exactly what we are talking about.
Nichols makes a nifty logging arch for use behind ATV's. Do a google search for atv logging arch and you should find a lot of equipment designed with your needs in mind. Really give the tracks a thought. They have them now for year round use and way better suited for what you intend to do.