Since moving to rural/mountainous Arkansas from flat, over populated Houston it has become very apparent that I need a better way to get around my place than on foot. As I know next to nothing about this class of equipment I will appreciate your comments and suggestions. My cash is in my property. I am not wealthy. I am retired. I prefer a UTV/2 seat,SxS, 4WD.
ATV/UTV
- Thread starter Tony
- Start date
Had to go through John's property with a chain saw to be able to get the ATV through his property. To clear his trails enough for a full size truck would remove enough mature oak trees to keep me in firewood for years but would be a horrid thing to do to pristine hardwood forest. We didn't take out any mature Oaks.
Pistolero
Well-Known Member
A relative uses a Polaris Ranger to get around her 125 rural acres. She has plenty of money, tho.
Used gas golf carts are cheap. I have an EzeGo gas powered, works fine but I need to rig up some
sort of a bed, not set for hauling. Will move four people, though. Not really set up for
harsh conditions, depends on how rough your terrain is.
Used gas golf carts are cheap. I have an EzeGo gas powered, works fine but I need to rig up some
sort of a bed, not set for hauling. Will move four people, though. Not really set up for
harsh conditions, depends on how rough your terrain is.
If that part of Arkansas is much rougher than this part climbing ropes may be in order.
.
The north boundary of my property is the other side of a mountain ridge line. The Ouachitas are not the Rockies but walking up there is not for old men with suspect knees (me). I already have trails up the mountain in two places. My property is 4WD country. Mud might be an issue after a rain but this area drains quickly. A pond built before my time here does not hold water. My meadows are easy to walk when not overgrown. The Caddo River crosses my property and runs under ground except during periods of heavy runoff. The river bed is quite rocky.
In addition to seeing birds, butterflies, squirrel, rabbit and deer in my yard I have had two black bear as close as 20 yards from my den. I have seen numerous young bucks and does in the yard. My most recent sighting was two mature bucks with about 14" spreads and tines that were 14" plus.
In addition to seeing birds, butterflies, squirrel, rabbit and deer in my yard I have had two black bear as close as 20 yards from my den. I have seen numerous young bucks and does in the yard. My most recent sighting was two mature bucks with about 14" spreads and tines that were 14" plus.
F
freebullet
Guest
Ditto, also width, noise, weight, & several other factors made me go another route.
Here is what I came up with. It proved itself quite well. Would easily haul 2 adults, gear, & drag a deer through standing corn with knee deep mud under it. I kinda regret selling it.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?192094-O-M-M-B-Build-near-complete
Kevin Stenberg
Well-Known Member
I don't have much exp. with ATV's I have had a Honda Rancher going on 10 years. Ive only had 2 mechanical prob. in that time. But I don't put on many miles. It is strictly a work tool. It can handle any snow plowing up to 8". I have only had to have the county guy plow me out 3 times in the 10 years.
I have looked at the side by sides. But they are just rediculouse in price
I have looked at the side by sides. But they are just rediculouse in price
fiver
Well-Known Member
the 2 and 4 person atv's are super popular here.
they get registered and plated and driven everywhere.
there are some downsides to them such as deer are deathly afraid of them and will run at the sound of them.
I prefer Polaris 4 wheelers and could have bought a side by side 2 seater for about 1500$ more than I paid for my 450HO ATV.
but the ATV fits in the bed of my truck and a UTV doesn't.
the UTV would be nice during the deer hunt since you can put a cover on them and many have heaters.
but just driving up and down the road is more a leisure activity and not hunting.
for the majority of your uses I'd bet a used ATV of about 400cc or so will do what you want.
I have the 450HO and a 330 magnum I can pull my truck or Bronco with the 450, but I have also towed my 16' aluminum boat down to the lake and launched it with the wife sitting behind me on the 330.
if you get much over the 400cc range the wheelers start to get heavy and actually lose their advantage in the mud and snow.
and you can't move them to the side like you can a smaller lighter weight one.
I wouldn't hesitate to look at a 2-3 Y.O. ATV and then using it around the place.
they get registered and plated and driven everywhere.
there are some downsides to them such as deer are deathly afraid of them and will run at the sound of them.
I prefer Polaris 4 wheelers and could have bought a side by side 2 seater for about 1500$ more than I paid for my 450HO ATV.
but the ATV fits in the bed of my truck and a UTV doesn't.
the UTV would be nice during the deer hunt since you can put a cover on them and many have heaters.
but just driving up and down the road is more a leisure activity and not hunting.
for the majority of your uses I'd bet a used ATV of about 400cc or so will do what you want.
I have the 450HO and a 330 magnum I can pull my truck or Bronco with the 450, but I have also towed my 16' aluminum boat down to the lake and launched it with the wife sitting behind me on the 330.
if you get much over the 400cc range the wheelers start to get heavy and actually lose their advantage in the mud and snow.
and you can't move them to the side like you can a smaller lighter weight one.
I wouldn't hesitate to look at a 2-3 Y.O. ATV and then using it around the place.
Ian
Notorious member
Sounds like you need a 4-wheeler, like a Grizzly. Bouncing and scrambling up a steep, rocky incline in an under-suspended UTV isn't for old men, either I'm afraid, that's why God invented the Mule (4-legged kind with ears). How about a cable car?
Part of my property is similar in description. It's so steep getting to the flat top of the hill on the SW side that a Bobcat won't make it, even going up backwards. What I have fantasized about doing for many years was to build a micro-gauge railroad around the entire property and have a cog rack between the rails for the steep parts.
Part of my property is similar in description. It's so steep getting to the flat top of the hill on the SW side that a Bobcat won't make it, even going up backwards. What I have fantasized about doing for many years was to build a micro-gauge railroad around the entire property and have a cog rack between the rails for the steep parts.
Sorta like a wife?
