Quads?

[ellery]

Does anyone have any opinions about the
usefulness of quads around a farm? Which
type would work best in snow-normal
4 wheel drive or John Deere Gator type.
Thanks for any help or ideas.

[frustrated1]

Greatest thing since sliced bread! Get a normal 4 wheel drive, you can go through a little mud and still get all your fencing, chasing, having fun, etc done. They have a bit more clearance and suspension. We have a little trailer to pull behind but mostly the racks on the machine can carry what you want. Use it pretty much daily in the summer, not so much in the dead of winter. Our cows are used to it so they don't even get up when we check them. I can drive amongst the bunch, throw a newborn in the calf sled and skid it to the barn or shelter, the cow will follow without being scared. Pick a few rocks, have a small estate sprayer. We drive across the crop with it to weed check for spraying. Very handy indeed.

[15444]

Have a 2002 Kawasaki 400. Quietest of all types of quads but not very stable in rough conditions. In retrospect, would go with either gator-type vehicle or quad with wider wheelbase. Same as above comments though, very handy. Was used almost every day during summer of '03 and fall of '04, not used in winter due to lack of plow attachment. Get about 15 miles to the gallon. Will probably trade-in in a couple of years as their trade-in value begins to decline significantly after 300 hours of use. Have about 90 hours on mine.

[countryguy]

Definitely go with the normal quad and preferably a belt driven type.With a normal quad after the chores are done you can go play!

Be prepared though to never be able to live without one again after you buy your first one.

Any other questions just ask.I am somewhat of a quad fanatic...

For some informative reading check out:
www.atvnation.com
www.atvquadsquad.com
www.atvtime.com
www.atvconnection.com

[les]

I have a kawasaki 400 I got new in 1996. works great, like it alot. Have a blade for moving snow around in winter and it works great for that.

[rook]

I would lean to the quad over a gator. My dad got a gator the very first year they came out - back then they were 5 wheel contraptions and weren't even called gators, they were called AMT 600 (all material transport)

This particular machine still runs well, however it is slow (absolute max 20mph) and runs loud. Because it's a five wheel unit it's tough to steer in snow, especially if the diff lock is on. However, tough to get stuck but very heavy if you do. No suspension on the back so a rough ride too.

I must admit, it's handy to pick a few rocks or hauls up to 6 small squares quite easily and very good for yard work. However, I'd rather have a 4WD quad for versatility, comfort, quietness, and they're a lot quicker.

I'm not sure what the new gators are like, but I can't see them going much over 25 mph and they wouldn't be as fun as a quad either.

[jdeere]

buy a 4 wheeler but dont buy belt style honda holds the best resale value they also have automatic transmission.

[cris]

I have a Honda 300 4X4, I like it but should have got bigger tires. Nice for crop checking, and run about. I would look at a Bombardier this time, at least you could trade them some beef.

[ellery]

Thanks for all your comments. Much appreciated.

[Freesaw]

I bought a polaris ranger last spring for calving its a side by side seater 4x4, it will carry 1500lbs and tow 1500 lbs, they are a little costly but can be used for just about any chore on a farm or ranch. They have plenty of power and are good in snow and mud

[Dniak]

Buying a quad was the worst thing I could have done. Now that I don,t have to chase after the cows on foot I must have gained 20 lbs. There goes the excercise program.

[dwilliams]

We enjoy our Quad also. My wife lost her leg last year in an auger so compensation purchased it for her to be able to go out and check cows and get around the farm. We got a Bombardier 500 Traxter 4x4 with a winch. The winch has come in real handy for pulling just about anything. We also used the winch for tightening new wire when we built some new fence. Won't go without one now!