I currently have a 98 foreman 450 ES and it has served me well with no problems.

I mainly use it for hunting and for work, and I mean like pulling a 1500 # spreader for hours on end across fields. I wouldn't mind having a little more power and have been considering a rubicon as a replacement but have questions about wheather the transmission in the rubicon will hold up under loads for long periods of time. My concern is that it may get too hot ? I need to be able to maintain a speed of 20mph pulling the spreader, and for my es it is 4th gear and at a decent engine speed.
I really would like to stay away from the IRS, even though my back tells me other wise.
Would the recommendation be to stay with a 450 ES, I like the floorboards too, or would the Rubicon also fill my needs ? Is fuel consumption about the same for the two ? Does the Rubicon tranny lock up like a clutch when you manually shift it ?
I really use my ATV for work and need something very reliable. I came across this forum and have been sandbagging for a few days and doing a lot of reading. It seems there is a lot of knowledge and experience here and I decided to seek answers from those that could possibly answer some of my questions.
Thank You,

 

Well, if you wanting something with more power than the 450 you have now......you only have one Japanese quad with a conventional transmission and that's the Suzuki Vinson 500 manual shift, and it's got plenty more power than the Honda450.

Sticking with the Big4, all other ATVs larger than your current one is going to the Hondamatics or belt drive trans offered by the other guys.

Considering the work load you are dishing out, I would stick with a conventional transmission.

 

Knowsalot, thanks for the reply.
Having dealt with hydrostatic driven equipment at work, heat is my main concern, especially when the oil is also used for the engine like the Rubicon. I too am leaning towards staying with the conventional tranny set-up. I haven't had any problems with my current setup, and tend to stay with what works.
It would certainly be nice if Honda would build a 750 with a mini allison tranny and high and low range.
[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] . I can dream cant I ?

Maybe someone here can convince me that a belt driven machine will take what I need it too do.
I would hate to bring home a new machine only to have it die on me in a couple of weeks from using it where it really had no application to begin with. I would blame myself for not using the right tool for the job . Again Thank You

 

I agree, the Suzuki Vinson sounds like it would be a good choice for ya. There are bigger ones, but why spend more money than you have to???????

Have Fun