Thinking about purchasing a 4x4 Polaris Ranger, any thoughts appreciated.
Interested in hearing from anyone who has experience with the Ranger or Mule first. Second interested in thoughts on one of those vs. a 4 wheeler. Activities would involve leisurely woods riding, nothing radical as I am over 30 but still enjoy a good adrenal rush every now and then. Would use it for hunting quite a bit and just general site seeing and riding around the farm. Any information appreciated.
Thanks, RobertH

 

I was looking into them awhile back and would still like to get one. The Ranger has a top speed of 40mph and the mule is around 20mph. That was a big deciding factor for me. The Ranger had a few more other neat things I liked. Check out both websites, they have good info.

 

Thanks for the info, definately like the looks and speed of the Polaris. Guess I'll try to find someone local to let me test ride one.
Thanks, RobertH

 

The Ranger is light years ahead of the Mule. Power, suspension is clearly superior on the Polaris.
These days we just don't want to take our $35,000+ 4x4 trucks out and get them stuck in the mud or high centered on a log, or whatever. The Ranger fills the gap between ATVs and full size 4x4s, at a fraction of the price. They weigh so much less than a big rig that you can simply go places they can't, or that you wouldn't. Great for hunting, ranching and farming they are only limited by their width as there are ATV trails where they just can't go. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

the ranger is a great machine , but if the trails that you plan on traversing were made for atvs then the width will be a major factor . if this is the case then i would recomend either the sportsman 6x6 , or the arctic cat tbx . they will fit through the trails that are designed for atvs and also have the handy cargo box .

 

I have been also trying to decide between a mule and Ranger. My buddy brought over his new 4x4 Ranger last weekend and we took it through some pretty rough trails-mud,ruts,hills and it faired extremely well. I was very impressed. We also took it approx 10 mile on some dirt roads/logging roads and it handled very well, even at higer speeds. I found I could ride at higher speeds on the dirt roads on the Ranger comfortably than my Avalanche. Much smoother ride than my Grizzly. Very well put together. Now trying to decide between the 4 or the 6.

 

Fourfix is right. The Ranger is Light Years ahead of the Mule. Actually the Mule is a WPOS. I owned one of the Top of the Line mules and started having trouble with it almost as soon as I got it. I liked it a lot when it was working right, but I think it is seriously underdesigned. I think they put too much weight on it it for the drive system. Mine ate belts and pulleys like it was gong out of business. I may have got a lemon, but I know some people that have them at a golf course and they had the same problems I had, but not quite as severely as I did. I traded in the Mule for a 6WD Ranger there is no comparison. The ranger is vastly superior. Mine is a 1999. I may trade it in soon for a new one. I don't think the Mule is designed to work, not sure Kawasaki knows how to make tools, only toys. I seriously considered suing Kawasaki I did take them to the Texas AG office on the AG's advise under the Texas Lemon Law, then after they advised me to do it, the Judge said the Mule was not covered by that Law. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img] I am a surveyor when we buy something like that for work, we fully expect to work the dog out of it. THe Ranger stands up, The Mule does not. We have had some problems with the Ranger too, it hasn't been perfect, you can check my What was wrong thread, but you have to expect some problems when you really work an offroad vehicle on a daily basis.

 

I have a Ranger 6x6; the older model, that I use in low, swampy ground at a duck hunting club. If you need really high traction then this thing has it! 125 hours on it so far; no troubles, although I do all the maintenance on a regular basis.

 

I've got a 2002 Ranger 6x6 and it's a great machine. Lots of improvements over the '99 model including ease of maintenance. You can't find a better work or hunting rig. I built an extension rack for the back of mine and haul 2 dozen full body Outlaw decoys right out to the field along with guns, blinds and 3 people sitting side by side comfortably.
I'm going to upgrade to the 2003 in the spring to get the new cowling with additional storage. You won't be sorry if you buy one. I use mine all the time. In fact I've only got 200 miles on my 2002 700 cuz the Ranger is just so much handier, especially when you own your own land. You probably won't get many adrenalin rushes from it but it does leasurely riding with the best. Plus, you can take your wife with (at least that's a good thing for me). As for narrow trails, throw in a chainsaw and stone bar and you'll still have lots of room.
Good luck in your decision.

Rick

 

JonC,
I hear you about working something..I thought about a ranger, but opted for a prarie instead, definitely don't need anything smaller than that though..it carries gun, tripod, rod tripod, backsight prism, foresight prism, flags, rebar, hammers, & radios & misc equipment pretty good, but it is a full load most of the time.. the only thing is still the width issue..I run 5' long pvc tubes for prism poles & flags, so at times clearance is a problem..I wish the starter button was on the right side grip though.. it makes big boundaries a lot easier, & I use it on any job I can. hard to work without it. a lot to be said for something smaller, but than again, a lot to be said for a lot of room & extra seating for a crew person. since I work by myself, the prarie was a better option..with a crew, a ranger would be..or setting monuments, or things that are a lot more heavy and bulky..