The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Smallholding => Equipment => Topic started by: Hamish Crofter on December 13, 2014, 01:27:08 pm
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Can anyone recommend a decent quad or ATV. I have 16 acres but there are a few steep slopes so it needs to be up to the job. Any decent dealer recommendations in the Highlands would be useful too.....
Thanks
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Are you looking for new or used?
don't really have much expertise here as I've only ever owned one quad and I only got that about 4 months ago; but my opinion is to stick with a reputable make (e.g Honda, yamaha, suzuki) for parts availability and reliability - particularly if going for 2nd hand (like me)- the downside being they command higher prices.
with steep hills you may want to stick with 4x4 although the price is higher.
I ended up with a honda big red 4x4 (as I have steep hills too).
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I bought a kazuma jaguar .. took a punt on cheapo chinese honda copy because the price was so good new.. and at that time came fully loaded with road kit winch etc and 6 mths real road tax and has an automatic clutch so no pulling up on pedals to change gear (hurts my old feet).
It's taken some stick in my hands this last 3 years but does have it's issues.. the gears can be sticky to change (reverse, low, high) and sometimes takes a few goes. One of the fuel tanks sprung a leak out of warranty (and got bypassed) and some of the electrics..like fuel guage and temp guage have failed but the 4 wheel drive got me up the 35 deg long boggy slope twice today to rescue my weakling ewe from brambles and it's got fair guts through bad terrain.
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A UTV like a Kawasaki Mule or John Deere Gator might be more useful to you?
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Thanks for these posts, I do fancy a John Deere gator but they are pricey as I'm looking to buy something new. Maybe end up with a quad with towing capability.
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If I could afford one I would have a Can am http://uk.brp.com/off-road/ (http://uk.brp.com/off-road/) however I am reasonably happy with my kowasaki. Two wheel drives are easier handling unless you really need 4x4. Here if four wheel drive is needed I know it is really too wet to be out with any wheeled vehicle.
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We have a Kubota RTV at work and it's a very strong machine, build quality is good and the engines are known for being trustworthy. It's got a large payload capacity and pulls small trailers off road fairly well.
On steep ground it's best to stick to straight up and down as rtv's do feel a little top heavy compared to quads. It would be my choice of machines, maybe with a set of doors as when it's blowing with rain it feels like you get wetter than being stood outside!
There's also a couple of quads, Honda of course! They are powerfully for the size but a little uncomfortable with a passenger, tools, feed and the dog loaded on.
We've had a a couple of John Deere gators and we didn't rate them really, they were expensive to buy initially expensive when they went wrong and didn't want to take much in the way of a load especially on hills.
The best advice when buying a machine is to really look at what you need and buy the best you can afford and make sure you factor in servicing, look after your machine and it will look after you.
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Thanks again all.
Deere- thanks for the comments on the Gator, that's good to know especially given the high cost
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HONDA, HONDA, HONDA, OR HONDA….thats what i was told by all the farmers when i was looking
the gator is a great piece of kit too
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I like the look of the JCB ATV's. Trying to work out how to afford one at the moment.
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You do pay a premium for the big names although whether or not you get what you pay for is another matter.
We ended up with a Polaris 2nd hand petrol model and have had no problems with it all - it doesnt get used every day but every time we need it, it starts and performs well.
So much so, when our teenage daughter wanted her own quad to help out, we had no hesitation in getting another polaris although a diesel this time.
They seem good value for money as well 2nd hand.
Happy to help
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If only I could find another suzuki quadrunner - she is the mutts nuts. (well she is a dog, and she is still rolling.)
I feel like singing Deep Purple every time I ride her.