POLARIS RANGER

[reloader54]

Have you considered the KAP Landmaster iirc.
It’s a Suzuki Jimny modified into a pickup on low ground pressure tyres.
I have a Jimny myself running on 31” x 10.5” tyres which left less of a mark on very wet ground than the farm quad. I intend to convert it myself as the rear arches are shot.

yep, briefly, I have in the past built 4x4,s trialers, comp safari, paris-dakar to monster trucks,in addition to hot rods and race cars,cant be bothered any more, rather be out and about with a rifle. I'm probably set on a polaris at this time, just a question of finding one 2nd hand, the right price/location.

 

[VSS]

Who has/uses one, good? bad?
I'm thinking of getting one as I'm getting older now and while still tough enough to brave all weathers [well, at the moment anyway]
maybe wise enough to welcome a bit more comfort, and longevity.

I had one on test. I would not buy one. On rough terrain it gave the impression that it didn't really want to be there. Also noisy (ear defenders required) and like a slug on the the road.
I also tested kubota, jd gator, CanAm Traxter and another one (the name of which escapes me at the mo.).
The CanAm came out on top in every challenge I put them to. Goes where a quad would go, flies along on the road, reasonably quiet, etc etc.
Also easier to insure for general road use on an agricultural registration than the others, due to it's chassis arrangement, which means it passes as a quad (for insurance purposes) rather than a light vehicle.

In summary, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend CanAm Traxter over other similar machines for farming, stalking or forestry use, based on my own experience.
Polaris would be right down the bottom of the list of favourites, I'm afraid!

 

[reloader54]

I had one on test. I would not buy one. On rough terrain it gave the impression that it didn't really want to be there. Also noisy (ear defenders required) and like a slug on the the road.
I also tested kubota, jd gator, CanAm Traxter and another one (the name of which escapes me at the mo.).
The CanAm came out on top in every challenge I put them to. Goes where a quad would go, flies along on the road, reasonably quiet, etc etc.
Also easier to insure for general road use on an agricultural registration than the others, due to it's chassis arrangement, which means it passes as a quad (for insurance purposes) rather than a light vehicle.

In summary, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend CanAm Traxter over other similar machines for farming, stalking or forestry use, based on my own experience.
Polaris would be right down the bottom of the list of favourites, I'm afraid!

what model polaris was that ? [your test ]

 

[VSS]

what model polaris was that ? [your test ]

Ranger diesel. Beyond that I can't remember.
Incidentally, I had a go in one of the new style jd gators a few days ago, and that was pretty good. Much better than the old design. Don't suppose that there's many on the secondhand market yet though.

If ever you find yourself in sunny North Wales, you're welcome to come and put my CanAm through its paces.

 

[reloader54]

Ranger diesel. Beyond that I can't remember.
Incidentally, I had a go in one of the new style jd gators a few days ago, and that was pretty good. Much better than the old design.

ok, the reason I asked was someone I spoke to regarding the ranger was not all rangers are equal, some being somewhat under powered.

 

[Outback]

The newer model diesel had problems with burning oil , the smaller rangers cam chain problems , the xp900 seemed to be trouble free if I remember 70 hp .

 

[Old-YOP]

I bought a 2013 XP900 in 2015 and had Morton ATV (Norfolk) go completely over it and bring it back up to 'as-new' spec … all apart from a badly scratched plastic windscreen which still needs to be replaced.

Starts every time, gets anywhere you need and - if required - it can go like excrement off a shovel. I even bought a custom gun mount that bolts into the cab, and a trailer to take it around on the back of the pickup.

And then circumstances changed, since when it has sat in the garage and hardly comes out except for driving lessons in the paddock for visitors' kids.

Up until today I hadn't consider selling it, but maybe PM me if it's of interest.

 

[reloader54]

I bought a 2013 XP900 in 2015 and had Morton ATV (Norfolk) go completely over it and bring it back up to 'as-new' spec … all apart from a badly scratched plastic windscreen which still needs to be replaced.

Starts every time, gets anywhere you need and - if required - it can go like excrement off a shovel. I even bought a custom gun mount that bolts into the cab, and a trailer to take it around on the back of the pickup.

And then circumstances changed, since when it has sat in the garage and hardly comes out except for driving lessons in the paddock for visitors' kids.

Up until today I hadn't consider selling it, but maybe PM me if it's of interest.

pm incoming.

 

[Chriscotter]

I have a ranger 400 it had blown up when I bought it and was simple enough to rebuild. Derbyshire quads are a1 to deal with by the way. The machine itself is under powered, has a poor gearbox and is not suited to relatively high speed road use. That said iv had John Deere, jcb, and several mules, iv picked issues with most of them. The Polaris still is used most days by the missus round the horses and does serve a purpose. Only other thing has been several misc wiring faults, inc fuel pump and neutral position

 

[Sonicdmb73]

yep, briefly, I have in the past built 4x4,s trialers, comp safari, paris-dakar to monster trucks,in addition to hot rods and race cars,cant be bothered any more, rather be out and about with a rifle. I'm probably set on a polaris at this time, just a question of finding one 2nd hand, the right price/location.

I was meaning as a ready built alternative. Rather than build one.
I am building mine to potentially get it back road legal (ag registered if possible). That and I am inherently tight.
I believe that depending on the doner (age etc) prices are comparable.
The advantages of the Jimny having borrowed the farm the Mule and others (not sure what the new one is). I find is noise for a start, the only complaint from a neighbour about me Lamping was using the Mule. I also found it uncomfortable the ergonomics are not right for me (5’11” 15 1/2 stone). The lack of a heater or at least an effective one goes against them too.

 

[kenbro]

Who has/uses one, good? bad?
I'm thinking of getting one as I'm getting older now and while still tough enough to brave all weathers [well, at the moment anyway]
maybe wise enough to welcome a bit more comfort, and longevity.

Get one before you need it, too late if you wait while you need one.
Ken.

 

[reloader54]

Get one before you need it, too late if you wait while you need one.
Ken.

my thoughts entirely ken

 

[Coddy]

Someone who stays up the road from me had a Polaris 6x6 and has changed to a new Kawasaki Mule.
Says there is no comparason. Mule far better (but big money with the full solid cab door version).
The old Mules were rubbish.

I have an Argo, but thinking of selling it.

 

[reloader54]

Well to update, I managed to find a '05 polaris ranger 500, for a very decent price, and even got it delivered for free, naturally it needed a few bits and bobs but it was all there and well maintained. I've given it a full service and as an older model it's easy to work on as there is a minimum of electronic gadgetry to go wrong. it has a heater, upgraded lights, I need to make a set of doors and will fit a remote controlled winch to assist loading larger deer. so far I'm well pleased with it.

it is road registered as an agri vehicle, what sort of quotes should I expect for basic insurance?

 

[John Gryphon]

We had a pair of Polaris ranger diesels,bought from new....parts prices will make you faint,front ends under Aussie farm conditions wear out quickly and the oil five years ago was $70 AUD a litre and you voided the warranty if you didnt use THEIR oil.
Nonetheless for a sedate drive around they are pretty good little unit.I even had a rack for the 7mm and a pool noodle shooting rest fitted.

 

[Old-YOP]

it is road registered as an agri vehicle, what sort of quotes should I expect for basic insurance?

Third Party, Fire & Theft @ £260 per year from the NFU. Chosen because they are familiar with agri stuff, quads etc.

 

[reloader54]

Third Party, Fire & Theft @ £260 per year from the NFU. Chosen because they are familiar with agri stuff, quads etc.

thanks for that, seems a little pricey though,, considering the usage,[ie not as every day transport] and I have a Harley Davidson that is insured for half that price, It may be atv,s seem to be stolen more frequently that custom motorcycles.
I need to shop around methinks.

 

[Old-YOP]

thanks for that, seems a little pricey though,, considering the usage,[ie not as every day transport] and I have a Harley Davidson that is insured for half that price, It may be atv,s seem to be stolen more frequently that custom motorcycles.
I need to shop around methinks.

I've no doubt you could do better. But I use NFU for both household and my daughter's car - and they did understand what a Polaris Ranger was - so I didn't have enough energy / life left to start educating Aviva.

Lazy man's budget