Hello all,

I need some advice work quads. I have a 2004 Yamaha Kodiak 450 that I use for mainly work around my property. Right now I'm concentrating on recovering a large quantity of firewood and underbrush abatement. I use it to pull a 600 lb wood chipper, a 700lb log splitter and a small 750 lb capacity utility trailer on a mixture of level and steep trails that I made around the property to access the work areas. Also, I recently picked up a 38 inch wide by 6 feet long tandem axle 2000 lb capacity trailer to haul my cut wood back to the house.

My Kodiak is a good machine with great features but it is proving to be too light for my needs at this time. One thing that is a huge limitation is that reverse is hi-range only. This is no good. I definitely need lo-range in reverse, especially with the loaded larger trailer.

I would like input on which make and model to look at, within the 2004 to 2008 model years, with an engine size of 500 to maybe 700cc's, a good stout frame, lo-range in reverse, 4x4 of course, locking front diff, low gearing more important than speed, ground clearance not a priority etc...

I need a quad with tractor like qualities.

'll look forward to your suggestions. Thanks.

 

I would look into a side-by-side. Most are built more for work and utility. They are certainly heavier and will pull just as good. They are 4x4 but Im not so sure on how low range the reverse is.

 

Probably the most tractor like quad out there is the Rubicon. It has a hydrostat transmission (like many small tractors) with low range and solid rear axle.

If you get much heavier, you might start looking at little tractors.