Utility ATV's

[scra99tch]

Anyone use an ATV for mostly utility work around their yards?  I have a 300' gravel driveway to grade which is my main motivator for buying a used ATV.  I would also like to plow a little, winch out some trees from the yard, trailer rocks for a couple stone walls I am building.  Getting a tractor does not make too much sense for me at the moment as turning radius is a issue and the recreational aspect is just not there. 

Also there are some ATV utility implements which may be just be what I am looking for. 

I am looking a Kawasakis at the moment but have not made up my mind just yet.

[fotoguzzi]

I would rent one first and see if it can really do that kind of grading.

.I don't know s--- but I think, for that kind of work you can't beat a real tractor. up here where the snow falls deep those atv's with plow don't really work, good for a couple inches but after that you need a dedicated snow plow tractor/truck or snowblower.

I never "got" the recreational aspect.. but the woods in No Wisconsin are thick with people recreating on ATV's.

[BillinPA]

I use a quad for many chores, wood cutting, trailer towing for various tasks on my property. I also have a small diesel 4x4 tractor I maintain the drive with, cut grass, brush hog and dig with. if I had to pick one the tractor would win every time. YMMV

[scra99tch]

I would not mind a tractor and think it would fit nicely but as far as getting in and out of the woods (very hilly) I feel that the chance of rolling it would be a lot higher.  My septic field could not handle a tractor nor would I need to cut my grass with anything other than my Craftsman Ride on.

I had a 425 Suzuki Grade my driveway but it struggled on the up slope without any weight on grader.  So I am sure it could handle that no problem.  I was afraid of the snow thing as I have seen them on flat asphalt and they struggle.

[Sheepdog]

I use my ATV a great deal here on our farm. Mostly for pulling a trailer or stretching fence, but not for grading. They just don't have enough traction to push much soil around. A box blade on a tractor or even better, a skid-steer is what you need. See your local equipment rental agency...

[Yukonica]

I get by maintaining 2.5km of trails around my acreage using a landscape fork from York. Built specifically for ATV but built like their big gear.
Would I prefer a tractor? Hell ya. You just don't see the used around here.

[Perazzimx14]

Years back I had a 4x4 Polaris and added a plow. It worked okay but when snow was wet the blade tended to ride up on the snow pack because it didn't weigh enough to push down through the snow pack. Another problem was when the snow got over 6" deep and was dry poder it tended to roll ofer the top of the blade and then get trapped between the back of the blade and the front wheels. It performed best when the snow was dry powder and less than 6" in depth. Wet or snow deeper than 6" was starting to get out of its comfort zone.

Honestly any more with the cost of UTV/ATV I think your better off and have less expense buying a used 4x4 pickup with a blade. You also have a better hauling/towing capacity and somethign you can run on the road and pick up more motorcycles.

IMHO UTV's/ATV's are for recreation.

[cwiseman]

The right ATV will make a big difference. In my opinion get a original Suzuki King Quad 300 or at 250 (same thing really) they have High, Low, Ultra low transfer case & will pull things no normal ATV can come close even moving. Very good on steep & hilly terrain. Yes they have their limitations like suspension travel but one of the all time best work horse atv's I've been around.

[Two Checks]

A friend makes his living repairing ATVs.
One word-Yamaha.

The hardest and most expensive to work on-Polaris.

[GearheadGrrrl]

Too be honest, I think folks use "utility" as an excuse to buy an ATV when they really want to race around with it. So if you want a toy, be honest about it and buy an ATV. If you got work to do, get something like the little Kubota BX series- It'll mow the lawn, blow, push, or snow, grade, and pull a plow too. It's a diesel and built for that kinda work, unlike an ATV... But top speeds only about 8 MPH!

[Sheepdog]

Actually, my ATV has been a superb addition to our farm's equipment list. I bought it back in '04 for hunting, but fell in love with it here on the farm. It just isn't very good for moving soil...the John Deere tractor with loader and box blade cover those duties.

[sidmonsters]

 :1: Re: Kubota  I have a BX-25 w/ backhoe on only 3+ acres but it gets loads of work--built a dry-stacked barnstone retaining wall/deck, dug out 20 12-18" pine stumps, blade on back for snow and light grading.  Thing is idiot (me)-proof!  I don't mow with it due to side grades around pond, but I would bet you could rent one for a few days a year and get your grading and other sundry hauling/stump stuff that accumulates and call it good.  They aren't cheap, so renting allows you to get a sportier ATV!
FWIW--I had a DR walk-behind brushhog with mower and snowthrower attachments--they also make a blade attachment, and that powerplant is up for about anything, too.  They also make tow-behind  powered graders and mowers for ATVs.

[BillinPA]

I have two quads, Polaris Sportsman and a Honda Foreman. Both good machines the Polaris rides better is waaaaaay faster and gets the nod for pleasure rides. The Foreman with its five speed manual and solid rear axle is slower and almost always gets the nod for snow plowing or towing. It is a workhorse. The Polaris is a 2013 400, the Honda a 2002/450. 

[Perazzimx14]

The right ATV will make a big difference. In my opinion get a original Suzuki King Quad 300 or at 250 (same thing really) they have High, Low, Ultra low transfer case & will pull things no normal ATV can come close even moving. Very good on steep & hilly terrain. Yes they have their limitations like suspension travel but one of the all time best work horse atv's I've been around.

It doesn't matter if it has a 1000:1 ration transmission you need weight to pull or push weight.

AS gearheadgrrrr state ATV are an excuse to have a toy. Just like motorcycles are bought to save on gas.

[oldbike54]

 In all seriousness , if you have a bit of land a burro with the right implements can perform all of those tasks , and they are very docile , kind of like a large dog that will pull stuff around .

 Dusty

[Perazzimx14]

In all seriousness , if you have a bit of land a burro with the right implements can perform all of those tasks , and they are very docile , kind of like a large dog that will pull stuff around .

 Dusty

Please post pictures of a burro throwing snow.

[atavar]

Please post pictures of a burro throwing snow.

https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DWL3HALhiXdI&usg=AFQjCNEIgzkwSuvgfvvJMZOr3ltm06oYIA

[dlapierre]

I have a Kubota RTV 900cc diesel, hydrostatic transmission. I bought it use with about 500 hours on it. It is far and away the most used vehicle on my farm. It gets used every day, without fail. It will carry 1,000 lbs of firewood, or at least as much as I can creatively stack in the 4'x4' box. I can pull a 16' flatdeck with a load of hay around using either a front or read mounted hitch. It gets groceries up the icy slope in winter. I carry hay bales to the flock at feeding time with it all through feeding season. It won't quit. It's great!

[oldbike54]

Please post pictures of a burro throwing snow.

 They can pull a snowblower ...

 Dusty

[Rough Edge racing]

I use a quad for many chores, wood cutting, trailer towing for various tasks on my property. I also have a small diesel 4x4 tractor I maintain the drive with, cut grass, brush hog and dig with. if I had to pick one the tractor would win every time. YMMV

Same experience with 4x4 quad and small Kubota Diesel 4x4 tractor. The Honda Foreman 400 4x4 was used to plow our 350 foot stone driveway  for many years  and general tasks on our wooded property. But it was limited when it comes to skidding logs. And the fact the Honda front axle couldn't be disengaged made it awkward in tight situations..The old  7100 Kubota can drag three times the weight but it's lack of suspension limits it's use on the ATV trail in the woods. We have a 3 point Woods finishing mower for the tractor and that16 HP  Diesel engine uses half the fuel of a 20 HP gas mower.
 I sold the Honda and use the tractor to plow.....My wife missed the quad for utility work so I picked up a 90's Suzuki two wheel drive Quadrunner....