UTV Opinions/Advice Solicited

[yoderjac]

Well, my 2002 Kawasaki Prairie is on its last legs. It overheated a couple weeks ago. I couldn't hear the fan so I assume that was the issue. I took it in for repair and service last week. I just go the bad news today. The fan is fine but it needs a switch. The radiator has a hole and it needs replaced. There is other work that should be done and the total repair bill is estimated at $2500. That is more than the machine is worth. I was able to have them do just enough to keep it useable for $1500. This close to hunting season, I felt I had little choice.

So, I'm starting my research on a replacement. Here is my usage pattern:
I put a large cargo box on the rear rack of the Kawasaki and a basket behind it. During the off season, that box is filled with tools that I use to work in the field. It could be construction tools for building box blinds or electrical tools for working on camera solar panels. It could be tools for grafting or just about any other task on the farm. On the front of the ATV I have a lift that is driven by my winch. It folds up out of the way so I can use the front rack when not in use. When I use it, it unfolds down to the ground so I can drag a deer on it and then lift the deer on to my front rack for transport. During the off season when I'm planting trees, I put a large piece of plywood on the front rack and fill it with my rootmaker containers of trees for planting. During the hunting season, I use the box to transport a crossbow and hunting supplies and I put a hard bow case on the rear basket for my compound. I put gun brackets on top of the box for firearm transport.

I don't do any recreational trail riding and I rarely exceed 10 to 15 mph.

The bottom line is that I use the ATV more like a UTV than an ATV. So, I think when I replace it, it will be with a UTV. I did a cursory search to see what the general options are. I ran across a Bad Boy Buggy Ambush which is a hybrid UTV with both a gas and electric power source. Evidently you can run it in 2wd gas powered mode, Front wheel electric powered mode (stealth), or a 4x4 mode with both power sources.

This sounds attractive to me. For most of my use, gas mode is fine. My terrain is rolling but not severe. My property is less than 1 mile square so range is not a big issue. I like the idea of stealth mode for hunting and when I hear something suspicious on our farm. It would allow me to get a jump on trespassers.

Any down side to this?

Anyone have personal experience with the BBB Ambush?

Are there similar hybrids made by other companies?

What are then and do you have any experience with them?

What am I not considering? Anything else I should look for?

My timing on this is not immediate. I'll probably wait until at least after this hunting season. If I go new, I'd be looking at the 10K-12K range. If I can't get into that cost profile new, I'd probably go used.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[TreeDaddy]

Jack,

My needs are similar

Polaris Ranger 570 works well for me. My UTV is 2 years old

Dealer is ~15 miles away and good service is important to me

Easily pulls my 6x8 tractor supply trailer full of DR mower,saws,RBIIs,etc,etc

Also in price range you mentioned

bill

 

[TreeDaddy]

My doe families just watch me drive by then resume feeding,sleeping,etc

Bucks.......not so much!!!!

bill

 

[BC Buck]

Battery's are expensive and high maintenance. If you get 4 years out of them you are lucky.

 

[Knehrke]

I thought that my buddy's Yamaha Viking was the cat's meow until the battery went last year...now he's sitting on a dead toy waiting for a $2000 repair. And as BC mentioned, I think that it's only ~4 years old. I like the fact that it's stealthy, but I'm not convinced that the deer can't hear it coming. There's a whistling sound from the engine that I bet they pick up fine. So--advantages and disadvantages. When it worked, the Yammie was great and it sounds like it's just what you need.

 

[Boll Weevil]

I've had a Polaris Ranger EV for a year and thus far, it's absolutely fantastic. Zero issues with power, range, durability and it's about as versatile as one could ask for. I religiously take care of my batteries and the on-board trickle charger makes it easy to power up for the next day.

 

[alldaysit]

I would look at the Honda Pioneer line of UTVs. I will be buying a Pioneer 500 next as it is small, we can ride it on the trail when we go on our annual trip, and has a bench seat. I took one for a test drive and liked it. The 700 and up come with a box in the back. They are built heavy duty and DO NOT have a belt.

Your Prairie was built like a tank. I had one and upgraded to a Can-Am Outlander. I still miss the reliability of the Prairie. That's why I'm going Honda next.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[yoderjac]

Thanks for all the tips. Your battery concerns are well noted. That is one reason I'm considering a hybrid verses an all electric. Unless you are willing to spend 20K for one with an LI type battery, we are pretty much stuck with SLA or AGM type batteries. They do have a limited lifespan. One thing I've learned about them is that if they sit below the 50% charge level for any period of time they sulfate which dramatically reduces life span. I'm sure some of the battery replacement stories we hear are due simply to batteries wearing out, but others are likely due to this issue.

With a hybrid, I believe the gas engine is used to keep the batteries topped off. When not in use, the ATV would be on a charger as well. I think this would mitigate issues with premature battery failure. Also, I think most of my use would be with gas alone.

As for deer hearing EVs and ignoring gas powered ATVs, here are my thoughts. Certainly deer acclimate to gas ATVs. I have similar experiences with my ATV and tractor with does and young bucks keeping their distance but pretty much ignoring them. The noise problem comes in when hunting. In my area, deer quickly adapt to the increased pressure in the fall. They often pattern us. Hearing a vehicle from a distance drive to a location and stop can be one more cue along with other factors that indicates a particular stand is being hunted. Clearly deer will hear anything that is mechanical like an EV ATV/UTV. The question is how far away they can hear it and associate it with human intrusion at a particular spot. There is not doubt it will be useful in catching trespassers. When hearing an ATV that sounds like it is on my place, using another ATV to investigate is often futile. Once they hear it, they simply shut down and wait you out. If I can get close undetected, I can then turn on the gas power and get to them.

Keep the thoughts and ideas coming!

Thanks,

jack

 

[yoderjac]

Question for those who suggested other brands...Does Honda, Polaris, or Yamaha make a hybrid or are these either gas or EV?

 

[Boll Weevil]

I ride right up on deer and turkeys all the time. Have also had dad or brother come pick me up and until they get within 30 yards or so, don't hear a thing. Even then, it's more from the tires crunching in leaves or the tire lugs on hard packed ground or gravel.

 

[bjseiler]

I think they dropped the Ambush which might be a concern.

 

[alldaysit]

I haven't heard much positive stuff on Bad Boys, but that may just be Northern Wisconsin for you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bill]

I had a Polaris EV and really liked it. Like Boll Weevil, I took care with batteries. Always cleaning and sealing connections and keeping the water full. I was looking into a auto battery water filler when I decided to go gas powered Polaris. For hunting the EV was fine but I ended up using it for everything and wanted more distance.

If I had it to do again I'd get a Japanese mini truck. A used one is Half the cost of a UTV, heat, A/C and quiet.

Stay away from the Bad Boy. My neighbor had guests that brought one. My EV would run circles around it when they tried to going up hill using electric. That was a few years back so maybe they've improved.

 

[yoderjac]

I had a Polaris EV and really liked it. Like Boll Weevil, I took care with batteries. Always cleaning and sealing connections and keeping the water full. I was looking into a auto battery water filler when I decided to go gas powered Polaris. For hunting the EV was fine but I ended up using it for everything and wanted more distance.

If I had it to do again I'd get a Japanese mini truck. A used one is Half the cost of a UTV, heat, A/C and quiet.

Stay away from the Bad Boy. My neighbor had guests that brought one. My EV would run circles around it when they tried to going up hill using electric. That was a few years back so maybe they've improved.

Any links for reliable sources for the Japanese mini trucks? I think I recall John got something like that.

 

[Bill]

Any links for reliable sources for the Japanese mini trucks? I think I recall John got something like that.

Not really, I look them up on our local craigslist.

 

[John-W-WI]

Any links for reliable sources for the Japanese mini trucks? I think I recall John got something like that.

I honestly looked into importing a container of them.... But landed price per truck was ~$8k. I wanted to sell them for that price. Maybe some day I'll figure it out.

The one I have is no polaris ranger - but its a handy little vehicle. The big box in the back is nice and the wheel base is narrow enough to fit anywhere a UTV will fit. The cab is nice too. I just wish I was a little shorter, I barely fit. Jake fits much better so he does the driving now. The only 6th grader in town that knows how to drive a stick!

-John

 

[yoderjac]

I would look at the Honda Pioneer line of UTVs. I will be buying a Pioneer 500 next as it is small, we can ride it on the trail when we go on our annual trip, and has a bench seat. I took one for a test drive and liked it. The 700 and up come with a box in the back. They are built heavy duty and DO NOT have a belt.

Your Prairie was built like a tank. I had one and upgraded to a Can-Am Outlander. I still miss the reliability of the Prairie. That's why I'm going Honda next.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I just got an email from a friend who recently when through this drill. He looked at gas, ev, and hybrid. He ended up with a Pioneer 500 as well. He says it is pretty quiet to start with and he put an aftermarket exhaust silencer on it as well. He had some of the same concerns expressed on this thread about the EVs.

I like the size of the 500. I could probably fit it in my ATV shed (still need to measure to be sure) and the narrow width would allow for use on narrow trails and even off trail for deer retrieval. I don't think it has a front differential lock but I can live without that. I wish it had a way to mount a front rack since I have a Great Days power loader for loading deer now. Ground clearance might be a little concern but if I find that to be a problem I can probably put larger tires on it.

Anyone else have one of these? If so, how do you like it? Any issues with it? The 700 would make a better vehicle for working around the farm, but less useful for hunting. It's larger size would probably force me into a new storage facility. They are also more expensive. The 500 seems to be a good compromise for me in terms of size.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[Knehrke]

And if the whole tree planting thing doesn't work out, you can always use it to take up golf . Just kidding, bigger isn't always better...but you've got to admit, it wouldn't look out of place on the back nine.

I would miss having a rear box to carry all the tools of the trade, in that respect it's much like an ATV, and it's easy enough to tow a small utility trailer behind. The ground clearance would be my biggest concern at 8.2 inches.

 

[yoderjac]

And if the whole tree planting thing doesn't work out, you can always use it to take up golf . Just kidding, bigger isn't always better...but you've got to admit, it wouldn't look out of place on the back nine.

I would miss having a rear box to carry all the tools of the trade, in that respect it's much like an ATV, and it's easy enough to tow a small utility trailer behind. The ground clearance would be my biggest concern at 8.2 inches.

I presume I could put larger tires on the 500 to deal with ground clearance. It looks like you can add a rear rack to the thing. That would allow me to simply transfer my existing large cargo box from my current ATV to the 500. It is certainly not the same as having a dump bed though.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[WTNUT]

I have not read this thread, but will offer this. We have three Polaris UTVs and an ATV. We also have a Honda ATV and the new UTV. The newest Polaris UTV is a few inches lower than the older one so it wants to high center on a mouse turd. Have had zero problems with Polaris and Honda. I would go with the Honda UTV.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk