ATV for moving firewood around the yard?

I'm considering picking up a used atv for hauling my cart around the yard firewood, chores, etc. A couple examples of what available in my area is a 04 Kawasaki prarie 700 for $800 and a 10 polaris sportsman 400 for $1100. I'm looking for something budget for around 6.5 acres not really going out trail riding.

I've got an old deere 212 that I use for snow blowing duties and I usually pull the cart around the yard. It's starting to smoke some so it'll need some help soon. I've also got a deere 2025r with a front end loader I use for the bigger stuff when actually bringing down the trees and moving large rounds. It splits time between my house and the shop (40 minutes apart) probably 60/40. Mowing is done with a zero turn so that doesn't come into play at all.

Do I have new toy syndrome or is there a legitimate spot for an atv between the deere 212 and the sub compact where it's people's goto for pulling a cart around loaded with splits.

 

It would cost you a few more dollars but I'd opt for a dump bed UTV like a Polaris Ranger or other. You'd have the option of just using the bed and you can tow a trailer. I use mine every day.

 

Yes, please. Let me know when you find it and purchase it. I'll send you my address for shipping purposes. Don't worry I'll be kind enough to pay for shipping costs or if close enough, come pick it up. Surprisingly you couldn't have started this wonderful gesture at a better time. The front has enough for this coming winter, and all new hoards will be sent to the backyard. My wife and I were just talking about this. We process the wood in the front as it's easier access. The ATV you so kindly are purchasing for me along with a trailer I have will transport the splits to the backyard to be stacked on pallets. I am so blessed.

Please make sure it's 4wheel drive capable. 500 or better. Don't mean to be a beggar, but it needs to have enough to tow a full load up the hill to the backyard.


Buwhahahahaha...... Oh, the lighter side of life.

Jason from RI

 

If you can buy a decent ATV for $1000 or so, any reason is a good reason

 

I have a Polaris Sportsman 700. It's my 3 Sportsman I've had over the years. I used to ride a lot, but not so much anymore. It's used mostly now to haul my splitter around to parts of the yard to where I'm cutting, and also can pull the 4x8 trailer with it for yard duty and hauling split wood to the stacks. It's a lot more handier than hauling those things around with my truck or tractor.

I would suggest getting something that is 4 wheel drive. You may not need it all the time, but it's sure handy when you do.

 

I use mine daily. The JD tractor sits unused. More mobility and so much easier to get on and off.
Log arch and splitter with winch hook up. Have a small dump trailer that is handy but not big enough for wood gathering.

 

Both are 4wd that are currently floating around. I may go check them out this weekend. My wife rolled her eyes but didn't say no - I'm pretty sure that's sort of like permission.

 

Yup!

 

That should work.

 

We got our original ATV when my fil was having a lot of trouble with his knees and was going to give up hunting. We moved up here 10 yrs ago and our ATV got put to work. We got a cart from home depot and has earned it keep. It has hauled wood down off the hill for splitting. From logs to buck logs. It keeps on going.

 

permission? Whats that?

 

I wouldn't give up my quad for any reason. Although I've thought about getting one with a twin cylinder engine.

 

Yeah, both of those ATVs are smoking deals for those prices. Are they both running and functional? Around here, any 4x4 even if it's 30 yrs old will be worth a 1000. You might find one here or there for under 1000, but they usually are really rough or needing repair.

 

And give up that soothing rattle?!

 

Yeah I thought that sounded pretty good too.
I only gave $450 for my 2003 Yamaha 660 Grizzly, but it was not running, and needing a lot of other work too...took a flyer on it and made out OK...haven't totaled up what I have in it, but still well under $1000...if I don't count my time.

 

Might as well have a harley v-twin in it.

 

My wife rolled her eyes but didn't say no - I'm pretty sure that's sort of like permission.[/QUOTE]

 

You also typically lose the recoil starter backup. That's why we passed on the 600 twin when we bought our sportsman 500ho. Now, a jump pack is a cheap and easy fix for that, but at the time we bought it in 04, those jump packs were not as small or portable. Plus, you have to always have that on you, whereas a recoil pull rope always stays with the machine.

That 1100 price on the sportsman 400 is extremely good. Maybe too good. Dealers sell those used for over 3k here. Sellers get more than 2k trade in value. 2200 per KBB, and more when sold privately.

 

Those single cylinder Polaris sportsman engines are very reliable though. Some single cylinders are very smooth. That new Yamaha Kodiak 450 is so smooth you wouldn't believe it's a single cylinder. I just used that machine a couple days ago.

 

Reliable, yes... Smooth/quite, no chance.
Thats why they only used the 550 for a few years and switched to the 570.