lookin at the arctic cat 4wd atv and the kawasaki mule gas/diesel and kubota rtv gas/diesel whats yalls opinions on these need for hunting and general use

 

I think that you should go with the quad because it can fit in tighter spoits without getting stuck. I would also recommend that you buy a warn winch and mount it on. The kubota is nice, but too expensive, same as the yami

 

'Nother model to consider is the Yamaha Rhino. It doesn't have a diesel option, but has a gas 660 engine. It is very similar to the Yamaha Grizzly 660 4 wheeler (engine and suspension wise). It lets 2 folks ride side by side and has a bed in the back, but will get places some the other models you mentioned might not. It is a very good "crossover" between a utility quad and a Mule/RTV type vehicle.

~Rob

 

i know from experience you can run mules in to the ground we used to have one at the barn i managed and i ran that thing in to the ground literaly never got stuck anywhere it was just bad *** took some seriouse abuse we pulled 20 ft trailers loaded with tree lims and fencing stuff with it was tough but i dont know about these new ones

 

I think I would check out what riding areas there are in your area. In my neck of the woods there are few public riding areas that allow anything bigger than an ATV, or they have only a few trails for jeeps and mule type vehicles.

If you plan to only use it to hunt on private land, then the mule could be OK.

I would only go diesel if you have a compelling reason to need it to be diesel (say, a big tank is on site), but realize they are slow. I mean SLOW, when compared to gas version.

If you want to carry a 2nd person, then you might consider Bombardier Max 800 HO. Actually, even if you don't want a 2nd person, the non-max would be fun. Either can be had in the XT package, which I believe is mainly stout bumpers, a winch, and better tires.

Personally, I'm a control freak and like a manual transmission, so I went Honda Foreman 500. I'm pretty happy with it, but I think independent rear suspension machines are the future in utility atv's, and it would be fun to have more power.

I also am not a big fan of CVT belt driven transmissions, but they say the new ones are better and usually only fail if you don't do the required service and inspection, and abuse the machine...

ATV Connection

Is a pretty good discussion forum, but unlike DTR many threads seem to degenerate into personal attacks back and forth. Probably a function of the age/maturity attracted to the topic, and our great moderators here.

Anyhow, good luck, and have fun.

 

Several years ago my Dad did the same. Replaced the older gasser Mule with the new 3010 Diesel 4x4. We love it. No problem in the performance department. Even with the bigger tires this Mule pulls great. Also looked at the Kubota diesel. It's a good one also but has two drawbacks. The air intake is mounted low so it will suck in a lot of dirt going down dusty roads and the transmission braking. Letting off the throttle will dang near throw you out of the cab.

MikeyB

 

If you need the bed and want to haul 2 or more people. Get the Mule or Polaris Ranger. As for capability. If you have a wide enough trail the 6X6 Ranger will go wherever any other 4 wheeler will go. My oldest son and I were helping build some bridges in some State Wildlife areas for Eagle Scout projects. The IDNR had their Ranger out there to help us haul some of the stuff back into the woods. We had to cross a creek that I would have never tried on a 4-wheeler and you could barely walk across. That 6X6 Ranger walked through it like it was a paved road. This was with the bed loaded up with gear and lumber. If width isn't a problem, then if you can't get there on a Ranger, you better be on foot. This was all with a stock vehicle with stock tires. I will definetely own one someday. I am always watching e-bay and local to catch one at a decent price. My next choice is the Mule or Coot.

 

I have a diesel Mule and it is a stump pullin' fool. I've taken it places people say they can't go. 25 mph sounds slow, but when your driving it, it's not that bad. I've never had an occassion to go faster than that on a trail anyways. The Kubota has a similar engine and drivetrain set-up, but I think it uses a Hydrostatic tranny as opposed to the CVT in the diesel Mule.

If you plan on using it for a lot of hunting, you may want to stay away from the diesel. It isn't quiet and I don't know a way to make it quiet. I bought mine originally for working around my house (I have 15 acres), but I found that it can make a decent trail machine. I have mine set-up with full Autometer gauges, a Warn winch, diamond-plate toolbox mounted in the bed, and I'm working on a stereo system.

 

You Should Buy My Quad!!! lol ...But If I was going to get one, I'd Go with the Yamaha Rhino, Lots Of Aftermarket parts are avaible for it, EXTREMLEY capable on the trail and for work...and they look cool, check out www.highlifter.com theres lotsa aftermarket parts and information on their forums there.

 

You can see mine in my pics.

 

We have had an Arctic Cat for the past 7 years, it has been an extremely tough machine. The new Cats have the most ground clearance, huge gas tanks, and are plenty strong. If you want to do some trail riding, the bigger machines wont fit. Dont worry about power vs a diesel, we have pulled about 2000 lbs easily through creek beds and hills in low range with our quad.
Sure its no diesel, but lets see you take a Kubota through the trees out hunting.

 

For the same price get an older CJ and trick it out then you could drive it on the roads!

Rick

 

Yamaha Rhino hands down.Check out utilityoffroad.com or hunterworks.com

 

Our Polaris 500Ho 4x4 Sportsman is a bad little quad. It has a trailer hooked up to it constantly and pulls probably 1000lbs twice a day, 7 days a week, and it's doing great. Not to mention that it's unstoppable in anything but 4' of mud. Only time we've had a problem out of the tranny is when my om towed in high gear for a couple of years and the belt finally destroyed itself (I told her not to do it). Now that she tows in low gear, it's running great.

 

I personally like my 2004 Arctic Cat 500 TBX. I have a utility dump box in a fast smooth powerful quad. I can work it to death or run the snot of it on the trails. 12 inches of ground clearance. It has been an awesome machine for my use.

Hondo