Does anyone use a UTV in their gardens/orchards? Do you find it useful versus say, a tractor?
We have a compact tractor and I use it a lot, but sometimes I think I have uses for a little vehicle that can 1) zip around and into smaller spaces 2) haul some crates of tools or harvests 3) get me back and forth across our property when it’s 95 degrees out instead of hiking it 4) ???
It seems like some brands need repaired a lot so if you have something you’re happy with please share.
I have a Polaris Ranger 500. It’s just an all around good thing to have. We live on 4 acres, but they are connected to my in-law’s 165 acres. I use it to haul tools around the yard, take the trash to the end of the lane, pick up sticks/trash, spray weeds down the lane, haul deer, etc. It’s a 2007 hand me down with over 9k hours on it. I have had it for 5 years and I have changed the oil a couple of times, a new battery last year, and new bushings on the A-Arms 2 years ago. I have been able to do all the work on it with a little help from YouTube.
we have a 18’ Kawasaki teyrx with about 5000 mi. on it. we bought it mostly for trail riding. im on only a acre so don’t have much use for it on my land. my lawn tractor with small trailer fits the bill for that but for folks with a back 40 or bigger, it would definitely be handy to have. mines been bulletproof. other than routine maintenance i haven’t replaced anything on it. i used it to pull a stump a few years ago. with the 800 engine and 4 lock 4wd, it pulled it no problem.
Thank you both. I’ve looked at both those makes. There are a lot of people that say Honda or nothing. Honda makes good engines but I just can’t imagine everyone else’s UTVs are falling apart all of the time.
Got a '21 Polaris Ranger 1000 with heat and a/c. It is great for working on my acreage, running gravel roads (most township roads in MN are gravel), taking kids for rides, and going to the tavern
Edit…if I was going to buy a UTV strictly for work it’d be a Kawasaki Mule
My in-laws have a '20 Ranger 1000. It’s been used hard with a loose wire early on being the only problem. It’s hauled more firewood than you can shake a stick at. Would I ever buy one for what they paid for it? Probably not. Am I glad I can borrow it pretty much whenever? Absolutely.
i went to that dealership looking to buy a honda. after trying several for comfort i found them too constrictive. the next row had kawasakis and the teyrx was very comfortable and took it for a ride. was impressed. did some research and it had good reviews so i got it. from personal experience, I’ve had better luck with the Japanese made ones. I’ve owned both polaris and yamaha atvs. my brother and son have polarises and they are always fixing something on them. my 2 cents.
We have a used John Deere Gator that I was against buying. I’m the one who uses it the most now! The orchard is a mile from the house and it’s much quicker to get there on the Gator than the tractors. I use it for all my spraying at the orchard with tanks in the bed or towing a trailer. It also is my choice for planting out trees. It serves well for cutting firewood in our woodlots and our labrador loves it for rides. It’s really a workhorse, meant for utility and not for speed. We’ve worked it quite hard.
I work at a ranch that has a two-seater Polaris ranger and a larger four seater CFMoto side by side. I’d probably lean toward a Kawasaki or Honda if I was buying one myself.
But I prefer to get around on my Yamaha TW200! Fat tire farm/ranch dirt bike. But it won’t carry more than about one box apples with an aftermarket rack.
I was kinda shocked at how expensive they are, but I was thinking of it as a glorified riding mower. Having driven one last summer, I see that they are more than that, but still balk at the pricing.
I recommend the can-am defender. Has a bench seat that can fit 3 and a dump bed. I run it a lot, no issues so far 
I have spent probably well over $100-150K as i get a new one every 2 or 3 years and have since the first RZR800. Polaris is good if you like to work on stuff and maintain things. Theres always a bushing or something that aggravates you or an axle or wheel bearing. Ive also had lots of 4 wheelers as well. As far as farmwork goes i choose not to have one or a tractor… just about everything that i do is done by wheelbarrow or my trailer behind a vehicle. I do enjoy riding with friends in the woods though.
Probably the toughest SXS ive had a was a Teryx… but its loud and obnoxious in the cabin, the seats are terrible as well as the suspension. I have no desire for a KRX…they are louder and i dont do alot of crawling. Im getting older so im not into the turbos and things like i used to… so my next ride will probably be a Can Am HD10… if i do then it will probably see farm use as well as my usual rides.
Saying all that- if i saw a nice clean Honda 300 4trax that was old man ridden… that would be all that i need for the farm. I had one years ago and it is probably still being ridden today.
A good 4 wheeler and a capable trailer are all that i would ever need here.
This is what I’ve heard about Polaris, but great things about Kawasaki. Harder to find the type I want used, which I guess may speak to their longevity.
Have you had any issues with it?
Yes, the dogs must fit… one of the reasons I’ve looked at the ones with a backseat… need to fit tools and things PLUS two pups. The tractor doesn’t fit anything unless I hook up a cart and it certainly won’t fit dogs.
I’m trying hard to find a nicely used one for a little less. I balked at the price of a tractor but it really has made life infinitely easier (especially as a female with less ability to haul, dig, scrape, lift, etc). I’m not totally sure this will do the same so I’m still waffling on it.
@yellowcreekdan how many hours on it so far? And cute pup.
@krismoriah that’s what I’ve heard about Polaris. I’m decidedly not handy when it comes to mechanical issues. The Can Am looks very nice. My tractor has a cab, I’m looking for UTVs with cabs for sure.
Two things: Throttle body and the starter. The throttle body is a known issue with the 625i. We let the dealer do that one and it wasn’t crazy expensive. The starter we handled and it wasn’t too bad, had to pull the clutch with a special puller we ordered off Ebay. I believe this model we have was produced by Bombardier. I would avoid the 625i, it’s under powered and has the throttle body issue.
I built a carry-all for the L2501 and it has made the tractor more versatile. However, the Lab has refused to have anything to do with it!
Why are your tractor tires so clean? Did you have someone scrub and detail them with a wet-look tire product? 
Ha ha, that’s just never gonna happen! I will admitt to washing the diesel exhaust off the loader arm though.
