UTV / Side X Side recommendations

Gents, crazy to say this but about to realize a lifetime opportunity to take over family farm. Grandparents passed away 2 years ago, both in their mid 90’s - greatest generation. My kids would be fifth generation to live on the farm. Big life move, kids, schools, wife, yada, yada, stressful. But it’s obviously worth it. My wife is worried about a new bathroom and countertops, so I of course think instantly about toys. I need a UTV. 50 acre farm, flat land mostly, northeast PA winter weather. Nothing nuts, just need to plow snow, assuming it is less than a foot. Want a UTV - recommendations? Mule, Honda, Polaris, Gator? (If only Toyota made a UTV I would not have needed this post)...

edit: we used to get a big or two snow storms a winter where we’d need a backhoe to get us out, and I got that covered, but that doesn’t happen much anymore. I need a UTV and plow that can handle annoying 4 inch to 12 inch storms - driveway is about 1/4 mile stone not smooth

 

The only two UTVs worth a damn on the jobsites I’ve been on were the Kawasaki Mule and the Bobcat UV. Just my .02

 

This is what I would get. Can have fun in it, go hunting, and use on farm with bed.

https://can-am.brp.com/off-road/us/en/models/side-by-side-vehicles/defender.html

 

For doing work a Kubota RTV1100 then hang a Boss V plow on the front.

 

That is a hot machine. Thanks for the recommendation. I have seen these in my research. Who knew so many manufacturers are making these now.

 

I’ve read and have seen lots of good things about the Mule. Seem reasonably priced too.

 

Polaris Ranger. Either the XP1000 or regular 1000. We have always owned Polaris since 2000 and have always had good luck with them.

 

That they are. The defender pro looks sick! And multifunctional

 

Yeah, I’ve actually read some reviews that they need a lot of warranty work though - do you have one and have you had any issues?

 

They(any manufacturer) all have issues. Being Polaris has a bigger footprint, you will inherently hear about issues. Only issue we had is a broken shock with our new Crew. Our 2017 XP900, we had no issues.

 

I have also had multiple Polaris Sportsman ATVs as well with no issues with any of them.

 

Awesome. Thanks for the feedback. Definitely on the list. They look mean too.

 

I'll toss in we've got 3000 miles and 500 hours on the 2018 Kubota at work. No work other than maintenance and a new set of tires.

When we bought it (through state contract to be fair) JD, Bobcat, Kubota were all similar for similarly spec'd machines. The difference was Kubota the cab, heat, and A/C were all factory installed vs dealer. The 1100 will take as much work as you want to throw at it and keep running.

 

Can I ask you what that winch cost - can’t imagine that was OEM factory. That is a sweet machine. Well done sir.

 

It is a factory Polaris winch(4500 lb)and part of the Backcountry package, so it was included. Looks like they retail for $850.

And thank you. We love it.

 

That’s awesome.

 

Our current UTV - see below - doesn’t have the payload I need.

 

honda or yamaha, period.

 

So, I'm a tech at a caterpillar dealer and pre delivered a few cuv82/cuv105. Anyone on here hear of anyone actually running one? I've literally heard nothing about how they are good or bad lol. They seem cheaply made to be quite honest

 

I have two friends that bought Polaris Rangers a few years ago for fun/plowing. They both love them, I think they are 550's, but they aren't used as heavily as you plan to use yours. They have shorter driveways. One went with an adjustable hydraulic plow and the other wished he did.
The one with the hydraulic plow doesn't even need to get out of it. Enclosed and heated cab, adjusting the plow with his fingertips, just living the dream!

 

Have had Polaris, Kawasaki, Yamaha, and now have a Honda Pioneer 1000-5. The Honda has a real transmission (not belt driven) and is the only one we’ve had that the engine isn’t screaming as your cruising around. Makes for a much more comfortable ride as you can have a normal conversation with your passengers vs having to yell at each other. They are all capable and pretty reliable except I would pass on anything Polaris. Had more problems with the Polaris than all the other ones put together.

 

I just bought a brand new Polaris four wheeler. It is a piece of shit, and it will be the last thing from Polaris that I ever buy.

On the other hand, our Can Am Defender XT800 gets worked like a rented mule on our farm every day, and it's a bullet proof machine.

In the winter I use it to keep the 800 foot barn driveway clear of snow, we have a 72" poly plow for it.

It is awesome in the winter, it cannot be stopped.

 

Thanks so much for responding. I have heard good things about the Can Am, but the dealers seem few and far between in this area. I will do more looking. I have also heard good things and the reviews are strong about Yamaha Viking, Honda Pioneer and Kubota Sidekicks. I agree, many people talk very badly about Polaris unfortunately.

 

Which model Polaris did you buy? I have considered selling my two older Polaris Sportsman 500 HO's for a new one.

 

It is the Sportsman 450 HO

 

My dad loves his John Deere has everything you could want, doors, top speed of 7mph, a reverse gear, more payload than your tundra, and great ergonomics if you're slightly deformed.

 

For utility, I'd personally be going for Yamaha. Keep up on the maintenance and it'll never die.

 

So noted. Thanks.

 

That’s awesome.

 

After waiting since August since I put down a deposit, the “Beast Mode,” as the kids call it, arrived this week. Don’t have anything to compare it to other than my 1992 Suzuki quad, but this thing is awesome. And very useful on the property. Haul family around the property, dump Bed, pull trailer, used winch twice already. Honda Pioneer 700-4 Deluxe