2016 Polaris 570 Ranger 2K mi 300 hours: $9K

Add 4,500 winch and 72" blade: $1,000

Total $10k

Keep looking? Would appreciate your feedback, I'm a total newb in this field.

Thanks in advance!

TJ

Kind of depends on the intended use. You can buy a pretty nice used tractor for $10k.
Blade and winch make me think that a tractor might be a better tool for the job.

2000 miles for some is nothing, others can put some pretty ruff miles on in 10 miles. What kinda shape is it in. Mine still is like brand new with 3000 miles.

I agree with Augie. I do a lot of work with a 32 HP tractor. I rent daily with whatever implement I need for the project at hand. You could buy a decent used tractor in that Polaris price range.

I also looked at renting an ATV for the few times a year I could use one. No one in my parts rents them. Who knew that more young guys go for joy-rides on ATVs than on John Deere tractors?

Is the winch for pulling trees out of your forest area into a burn pile, or for when you get the Polaris stuck?

It is hard to get an ATV/UTV stuck doing normal work. I have driven around in a semi-swamp with no problems. (As long as it has some kind of "bottom" to it.) Also in blow sand that will bury a 4WD truck.

OTOH, the trail guys deliberately build 100' mudholes that are 3' deep. You can get stuck in that.

The snow blade might be really nice if you or the family can get trapped at your land. I don't go to my farm when we have deep snow drifts. Guys in the north that have driveways measured in portions of a mile actually NEED some vehicle that can push a snow plow.

My wife seems to think any purchases in my immediate future must be based on some concept of need! (I wish that rule was universally applied.)

Good luck,
Rod

That's a great point and I agree. Was thinking of a used tractor maybe next year or in the Fall with FEL. UTV would be used to haul firewood, transport between my ponds fish feeding and hauling/stocking, and clearing the drive during winter. I need something other than my truck getting around the 50 acres - that's the intended purpose of the UTV.

I haven't placed eyes on her yet, but from the photos looks very lightly used - great shape.

First, thank you all for your feedback. It's deeply appreciated.

Based on advice from Rod I called some local dealers. New Honda 700 [which is comparable to the Ranger 570] for $13k. I'll still need to install winch and blade, but could do that this Fall. I'm looking at $4k more for a brand new unit and I have ultimate trust in Honda anything based on my experiences. I've heard Polaris can get a little iffy in their later years, and the Honda would likely outlive me.

Any feedback on this new decision?

TJ, I've got a neighbor that loves Polaris. In fact, he's had 3 during the same period I've had my Kawasaki Mule 4010. See where I'm going with that?

I've yet to own any Honda product that failed me.

The 2021 Ranger 570 is only $10,200 MSRP.

I bet you could get a dealer to go below list price. A new UTV would also get you the warranty.

You probably also have a shot at getting a 2020 570 that is still new (or has 3 miles on it from test rides).

I would much rather get a vehicle 5 years newer for probably less than $1,000 difference.

Have fun shopping!

I was looking up some prices for you to buy new on the Polaris and missed your Honda post, because people keep calling me at work. (What are those people thinking?)

I am so NOT an ATV/UTV expert! However, I have ridden on several different sizes and models over the years. IMHO these types of vehicles are far more specialized than buying a small family sedan.

My advice is to figure out your needs (as best as possible) and then choose your best fit.

In TJ's case it looks like none of his work is especially heavy duty, EXCEPT plowing snow. I would look at the smallest (least expensive) models that still have good reviews for plowing snow. Smaller is easier to load on your trailer, store in the corner of your garage, etc. - as long as it can still perform your biggest job.

You might PM Rusto to see if he can add more comments to the thread. I am pretty sure he hauls his around for use with the family.

My farmer tenant has a 15(?) year old Honda that he lets me use for some projects. The seat is beat up from all of the saddle time, but that little ATV just zips around the farm.

I do not own any ATV/UTV, so listen to FireIsHot and the other experts.

My biggest relevant comment is that during my research, I could not believe how little difference in price it made to buy new compared to used!

Jeesh, I didn't even research prices on a new 570. Not doing my homework. Very valid point.

Appreciate the confirmation of my suspicions. I love the Kaw Mule, but might want a bit more top end speed as I will need to take this on the highway for 1/4 mile to visit a neighbor and the 700 does 40-45 I believe.

Yes, these observations are making my decision much more clear. Thank you, boys.

TJ, has it got an enclosed cab and a heater? If you use it in Winter in Nebraska, you will want those.

If you are interested in going on the highway, and if you also value protection from heat, humidity, cold weather, rain etc you might go back to the mini-truck concept and give that some more thought.

This location is really into refurbishing, customizing all sorts of mini trucks. They can do standard road tires, off road tires, over sized tires, even tracks. The cab is quiet, bug proof, warm, not sure about the a/c option but probably is possible.

Compact, dump bed option, built stronger than any UTV and engine will last lots longer.

Just not so 'sporty' looking. You would have to go used to stay under $15k or so.

For as long as this facebook posting is up, see if you can browse pictures here. There is another place about an hour north of us that also has several mini truck options for sale and specializes in this market.

Mini truck options

More options here:
More mini truck options

Agrees with my experience of Honda products.

TJ, knowing the tools that you have on hand, I'd go with the new and warranty option vs. used and take it in to the dealer to get fixed if anything goes bad .......... You got a trailer with a winch to put it on? If it doesn't go and you don't have a winch, how will you get it up and on the trailer? Fuse blows, battery dies, or the winch on the ATV/UTV fails, and it doesn't move under it's own power you need a winch on the trailer or get really good at pushing it up on the trailer.

Firewood and plowing means hooking a trailer to it for the firewood unless it has a dump bed. Definitely a cab with heat (and A/C) for the winter, and if you have a cab, and can't open the windows very far you will bake in the summer. Plus if the skeeters are bad, the cab with A/C will make it a lot more enjoyable to use.

If taking it on the road, check the local regulations on what is required. Here we cannot take an ATV on the road, only a UTV and only if it has all the required safety gear. If it doesn't have turn signals, it better have a window you can stick your arm out to signal.

A plow, for that driveway at the farm will need to be beefy. It's a long driveway, and snow weighs a lot, plus you have to plow it much wider than the road so you have room to put the snow towards the end of winter when the plowed sides get tall.....

I've been out of the ATV/UTV spec game for too long, but when I was looking years ago there was a big discussion on what was more robust, shaft drive or belt drive. My ATV is shaft drive. (2 up Bombardier - the forerunner to the Can-Am).

Good point, I didn't inquire on heater. I believe one can install after market kit for around $600-$700 if it's not an available option, or if the option is too pricey. Same goes with windshield and cab.

Thank you. I've seen some minis listed as cheap as $5k. Worth investigating.

Good points thank you.

TJ, you can even get a tractor with an enclosed cab, with heat and A/C. If you get one, get one with a FEL and if possible an extra hydraulic control for the front to work with a grapple bucket. Once you have used one you will never be without one. Think about picking up branches, brush, rocks all without having to get out of the cab of the tractor.....

The only bad thing about the tractor is not being able to take out on the highway and getting anywhere quickly.

I’ve owned several 4 wheelers and, for the most part,they are all good. My first pair were Yamahas and I had them for about 15 years before they were stolen.

I replaced them with Honda’s, about 7 or 8 years ago, which are also good. I don’t care much for the electronic gear shift but, like all Honda stuff, it works. At one time Polaris was a POS but I don’t know now.

I consider 4 wheelers to be mostly transportation for places that I wouldn’t take a pickup or can’t get a tractor into. They aren’t really geared to use as a tractor and I doubt that they would hold up. I occasionally pull a small trailer to retrieve a deer but that’s all. I would like to have, like Al, a 4 wheeler with a dump bed and cab but it really wouldn’t work as well on my, nature gone nuts, heavily wooded property.

I also have a John Deere, about 35 hp, with a FEL, shuttle transmission, and 4WD. Unless you’re only farming, a tractor without FEL is only half a tractor. And a FEL without 4WD is useless.

One point and decision maker for my purchase of the Ranger 900 crew that seats SIX full grown ADULTS is .....I didn't want it just for work. I wanted to be able to haul all the grandkids around safely. IF you want to carry more than you and a partner you may need to rethink some of the options given to you. Just what I did. Good luck!

We have two tractors with enclosed heated (and air conditioned!) cabs, FELs, and stereos. And a Mahindra 1000cc diesel UTV with a cab and heater (no AC, but the doors come off easily and it's very cool in the Summer with them off).

The UTV has at least 3 other advantages over the tractors:
1) It's easy to take the wife and the dog anywhere on the farm in the UTV (kids can ride in the back ),
2) a 1000cc diesel uses a shipload less fuel than a 35 or 73 hp tractor, and
3) when you have 60+ year old knees, getting into a UTV is beau coup easier than climbing up into a tractor, especially repeatedly if opening and closing gates.

P.S. TJ, when we were pricing UTVs, everybody's cab option ran about $5k. Worth it, but expensive.

What u talking about when it comes to not driving the tractor down the rd? Heck man, we drive our tractors on the rd here in E. Texas. Well, maybe not the interstate but the county rds are no problem so far. I have to agree that a tractor without a FEL and wheel drive is pretty much useless I think. As far as a UTV, I have had two Polaris over the past 6 yrs due to upgrade and by far have a better ride than others but our Honda UTV has held up better.

I wouldn't be using the comparison of a UTV to a tractor to decide, they are two different things, it's like saying why get the wife a new car when a dump truck can do the same thing and more.
I have both, it's not close on deciding which one to use. A John Deere bucket tractor and a 2020 Polaris General (very close to the Ranger model). The Polaris was not my best purchase cost wise, that said, the slightly used Ranger you are looking at is less than half the cost of what I paid, which makes it a pretty good value, it's something to consider. Another thing to consider if you are in the market for a UTV is supply, there's not a lot of them around, especially good used ones.

TJ, I have a tractor, Kubota B2650 and a UTV, Kubota RTV-x1100c. For the general use you described, I do as well, the UTV is used much more often. I have a blade for it, operated by a winch. Low and slow I can push a lot of snow, but the Kubota is heaver too. The most important thing to keep in mind with a tractor is its higher center of gravity. If you plan to use the equipment around hills, a tractor can get a bit scary with slope. Read: tip overs, sliding, and issues breaking when running down hill especially without 4WD.

IIRC the road in front of TJ's property has a 55 mph speed limit..... That is why I said not to take it on the road.

Do you have the rear wheels adjusted out as far as they will go on the axles? Are they filled for ballast or do you run a weight box out back?

I have not adjusted the wheels outward, as I do work with food plots in areas with mature trees. Narrower is better for me. And yes, I do run rear ballast on my 3 point, versus filled tires.

Thanks to everyone for your feedback, very helpful!

teehjaeh, you have been noticeably absent on the PB forum!

I am guessing you are currently in one of your busiest times of the year!

My advice - consider each separate task you are trying to get done in a short amount of time while you are swamped. Then consider which option of all of the ones discussed in the thread would help the most with your time?, business profit?, back pain?, etc.

I bet you will then be able to pick the best "tool" for your needs.

Good luck,
Rod

TJ,

I would definitely say pass on that deal, you can do better as some have already pointed out. I own a Honda 1000-5 Deluxe and a Kubota L3901 tractor with front end loader, two completely different machines. I would not take anything for the Honda to get from point A to B in a quick and comfortable way. They are true work horses and can do many things with a lot less weight and ground tear up (turf mode is great). Definitely recommend something in the 1000cc range amazing power that you will appreciate. Unfortunately, COVID has pushed up prices on everything due to lack of production, but a demand that has remained strong....Good luck...you will not regret this purchase no matter what you choose.

Dustin