I realize that this is a matter of opinion and I'm not trying to start any kind of feud between anyone. That being said, I'm curious what people think is the best Quad for the following criteria. 4X4, reliable, and little maintenance. Year is not a factor, but rather that it be a simple machine. No bells and whistles. Minimal electrical and able to go through streams and tow a small trailer for getting firewood. All replies are appreciated. Thanks

 

Foreman 500, or Foreman 450 if you want to go older and used. Nice simple manual (autoclutch) transmission and time proven simple air cooled engines. Avoid the ES push button shifting option.

The Ranchers are ok as well, if your tasks are more light duty. The old 350 is air cooled, but the new 420 is water cooled and fuel injected...and it rips!

All are low maintenance. Just keep the air filter clean, change the oil now and then, an occasional fresh spark plug, and adjust the valves once in a blue moon.

 

Have you considered a UTV?

 

As long as you not gowing to do alot of plowing (lot of forward and reverse) then the 450 is a great machine. Simple, cheap maintenace, and reliable are some of its many attributes. If you want an auto for work the rubicon is a good option. As long as you keep up with oil changes either one with give you years of trouble free service. If you are going to work all day, you may want something with IRS like the rancher 420 or IRS and EPS like the Rincon.

 

I'd say if work involves towing heavy trailers, stay with solid rear axle. That way heavy hitch weight won't squat the transmission.

The Foreman is the very definition of a simple solid and reliable machine. Air and oil cooled (no coolant hoses or water pump), 5 speed manual (don't get the ES), 2 valve single piston.

If you keep the oil and filter changed, the valves adjusted, the air filter clean, and change the axle fluid every couple of years- the things are known to go tens of thousands of miles.

If you insist on an auto, the Rubicon would be my suggestion. It's not simple, but the hydrostat transmission is excellent at high torque tasks like heavy towing or plowing. There have been occasional posts on various sensor glitches, and very rarely a failure of the expensive hydrostat unit. People have been known to rack up many reliable miles on those, too, and I think most times the hydrostat fails it has been abused or someone went out of their way to trash it.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: JeffinTD

I'd say if work involves towing heavy trailers, stay with solid rear axle. That way heavy hitch weight won't squat the transmission.</end quote></div>


How does IRS squat the transmission?

A negative about IRS would be CV boots though.

 

If you're going through water don't forget to put di-electric grease in all your electrical connections.

 

Foreman 450 or 500. Electric shift (ES) has some issues, so if you want bulletproof go with the manual (foot) shifter. Great quads.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>How does IRS squat the transmission? </end quote></div>

I meant to say, a trailer with heavy hitch weight will make the suspension squat on an IRS machine.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

The hitch on a solid rear axle machine generally attaches to the rear differential, so the weight is on the axle and not on the suspension.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Turfguy

Foreman 450 or 500. Electric shift (ES) has some issues, so if you want bulletproof go with the manual (foot) shifter. Great quads.</end quote></div>

Hows it going turfguy? How is a day of plowing with the 01 450es? Esp when going back and forth. Do you shift out of 1st while plowing? Thought
I'd ask some Q's for the host and I'm curious as a guy who operates equip as to the opinion of another who has a manual for plowing.