Hi Rangerider. Welcome to the forum.

I'd agree with the above, that the Rancher 420 is snappy, but when it comes to dragging swing lines across a field or towing a trailer I think the Foreman or the Rubicon would provide more torque off the bottom end. Also in those situations the Rubicon and Foreman being a bit heavier is an advantage.

As far as ES goes, though later ones seem to be more reliable than older ES's they are more complicated and add cost. Unless you have an operator with a limitiation, I think I'd go foot shift for around the farm.

Power steering would be a nice to have option, for those times when you are holding a gas can and grease gun on the back rack, while steering over potato rows with one hand... Since you said "still affordable" though I think if money is an object I could live without PS.

The other choice is the Rubicon. The main difference to the Foreman is tha it has a hydrostatic auto transmission with low range. It can emulate a geared transmission with push to shift buttons, or will run in auto mode. The engine is a few more cc's, 4 valve liquid cooled. The chassis is pretty similar.

In addition to being able to choose not to shift, the Rubicon would probably do better at dragging a harrow or some other sort of implement. Hydrostatic drives generally excell at starting a high torque load and bringing it up to speed w/o dips in speed from shifting. Also it would be faster to snick between Forward and Reverse than the Foreman, which would matter in plowing in tight places and stuff like that. You do get pretty fast shifting the Foreman once you are used to it.

Anyway let us know what you choose.

For something that would get the job done for the least money, my preference would be for the foot shift Foreman w/o power steering. If not shifting sounds nice to you, then the extra money for the Rubicon would be well spent.

 

Hello all well I just getting all the paper work done and buying the 420 insted of the 500 forman its a bit cheaper so I got 26 inch dirt devil tires stock steel rims,winch,hand warmer and still cheaper than the 500.I kinda think its going to be ok I do lots of trail riding too so I should be happy with it still have 4 hours to change my mind and get the bigger quad.

 

the 420 is great, just not the "honda workhorse" you asked about. but definatly a great quad.

 

If your use around the farm is mainly getting to and fro, maybe hauling some fence stuff around or irrigation parts, or whatever, I think you will be fine with the 420.

For trail riding I'm sure you will be pleased with the 420. It would be my pick in the 400 to 450 4x4 class for your use.

 

I put big tires on my Ranchers, and it just ruined the handling! If you insist on huge tires, you need to get a bigger machine to start with....

 

a all out work horse? a honda 300 is the best ATV IMO that has ever I mean ever been made and that includes all brands.

I wish honda would bring it back I would buy a new one the first day they brought um back, actually I would buy 2 one 4x4 and one 2x4.