In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Contemplating a UTV/Side By Side

Discussion in 'The Wood Pile' started by golf66, Dec 26, 2023.

  1. jo191145

    jo191145

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2015
    Messages:
    6,330
    Likes Received:
    42,415
    Location:
    Ct
    Don’t have a side by side. Have a 500 sportsman. Top speed about 55. Rode it like an 18 year old for about a month. Then it occurred to me it’s better to see the forest than a big blur. I’m a putt putter now :) Spend more time off a trail than on it. Turns out I find bushwhacking enjoyable. Maneuverability is a nice thing.
    I move wood with it like this. Maybe not the biggest load possible but I don’t mind making more trips, it’s fun.

    oh yeah, it has engine braking. Hated it at first but wouldn’t want to be without it now. Rarely need to touch the brakes.

    IMG_3165.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Dec 27, 2023
  2. Gasifier

    Gasifier

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2013
    Messages:
    20,129
    Likes Received:
    100,653
    Location:
    St. Lawrence River Valley, NY
    We love our Kubotas. IMG_4838.jpeg 71890986959__F9003B9A-D337-4B4B-9FCC-E1013E10484B.jpeg
    Whichever side by side you chose I would highly recommend a hydraulic powered dump bed. The option is soooo handy. Ours is diesel and I like the power. Don’t care about speed. Want torque!
     
    Last edited: Dec 27, 2023
    Rick Capper, Marvin, golf66 and 11 others like this.
  3. Will C

    Will C

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2015
    Messages:
    948
    Likes Received:
    4,627
    Location:
    New York
    My brother had Kawasaki Mule for 18 years without a problem. Transmission shifted hard when it was new and still was rough the day he sold it. Local trapper uses it npe to check his line.
    My brother and I both have Kubotas now. Mine is 10 years old and haven't had a problem. It is used for firewood, food plots, and deer hunting. Love the hydraulic dump.
     
    Horkn, Hashknife, jo191145 and 5 others like this.
  4. Slocum

    Slocum

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2018
    Messages:
    1,362
    Likes Received:
    10,468
    Location:
    North Central Indiana
    We have a Kubota 1140. It’s one of the best purchases we have made in a long time. Top speed is 25, and honestly it’s amazing the things we notice when we’re on a ride in the 1140 that we never see in the car or truck. IMG_0277.jpeg
     
    Marvin, Horkn, Eckie and 6 others like this.
  5. spotted owl

    spotted owl

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2015
    Messages:
    364
    Likes Received:
    2,805
    Location:
    PNW
    If this is the only purpose life, I got rid of the SxS and Sportsman 700. Took some time to find but went with a small, manual, 4x4, pickup, Ford, Mazda, chev or Toyota doesn’t matter. It’s warmer and dryer in winter. AC is nicer in summer. Made up some skidder style tire chains that stay on it full time. Doubles as a teaching new driver vehicle and an ugly spare if something breaks down. Multitudes cheaper with initial cost, ins(storage ins is $25 a year to use on property and a quick call if needed on road), maintenance and also easier to work on yourself if need be. Not a huge amount bigger than most UTV now days with a bigger carrying capacity then a trailer too if you want. Daughter is using is right now after getting rear ended

    If you’re going to travel and recreational ride trails and sightseeing then a SxS would be better.



    Owl
     
  6. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    44,825
    Likes Received:
    279,527
    Location:
    Central MI
    Whoops. That one snuck in there. :rofl: :lol:
     
  7. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    44,825
    Likes Received:
    279,527
    Location:
    Central MI
    I don't have enclosed cab and it is still loud. I simply always wear ear protection.
     
    Slocum, Horkn, jo191145 and 2 others like this.
  8. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    44,825
    Likes Received:
    279,527
    Location:
    Central MI
    Is that like the one yooperdave has?
     
    Horkn, Hashknife, jo191145 and 2 others like this.
  9. yooperdave

    yooperdave

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2014
    Messages:
    32,949
    Likes Received:
    200,985
    Location:
    Michigan's U.P.

    Yup.
     
  10. Brian72

    Brian72

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2018
    Messages:
    132
    Likes Received:
    580
    Location:
    PA
    I help my buddy cut his firewood. He has a Polaris Ranger and we use the hell out of it. Load the saws, gas, oil, chains, cant hooks etc. and drive to the work area and haul the wood out when done cutting. Definitely a great machine to have.

    Sent from my moto g power (2022) using Tapatalk
     
    golf66, Horkn, Ronaldo and 3 others like this.
  11. Eckie

    Eckie

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2019
    Messages:
    3,315
    Likes Received:
    16,524
    Location:
    Virginia
    Daaaaannnnng! The mule and wagon statement comes to mind.

    I searched for those...place in Ohio is advertising on the richmond craigslist. Says about $24,000. And says speed limited to 19ph. How fast will yours go? Just asking, knowing it's not for speed...
     
    Hashknife and yooperdave like this.
  12. yooperdave

    yooperdave

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2014
    Messages:
    32,949
    Likes Received:
    200,985
    Location:
    Michigan's U.P.


    Mine goes faster than I want to drive it. (over 55)

    With the off road tires/wheels on, it doesn't go as fast as when the stock wheels are on but still over 55. If I remember, its a bit over 60 with the ATV tires on it.

    $24 K sure sounds high! I paid 1/2 of that for mine IIRC. I've used the dump box countless times. And stayed warm (and cool) when needed.

    You should see the looks and smiles I get when I meet UTV's on the trail systems!!!
     
    Stephiedoll, Horkn, Eckie and 3 others like this.
  13. Hashknife

    Hashknife

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2023
    Messages:
    96
    Likes Received:
    541
    Location:
    South Carolina

    This ^^^^^^

    Mine would run about 65mph with the street tires on it. I put some ATV type off-road tires on it and it stays off-road now.

    I paid $6,500 for mine off the boat. There are several dealers here in the Carolinas. They order a full shipping container of the mini trucks and pick them up at the Port of Charleston here in SC.

    Shop around. You might find a deal
     
    Stephiedoll, Gasifier, Horkn and 5 others like this.
  14. yooperdave

    yooperdave

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2014
    Messages:
    32,949
    Likes Received:
    200,985
    Location:
    Michigan's U.P.


    That's the way to purchase one, right there. I did not look into that enough when I got mine.
     
    Horkn, Eggshooterist, Eckie and 2 others like this.
  15. Hashknife

    Hashknife

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2023
    Messages:
    96
    Likes Received:
    541
    Location:
    South Carolina
    Stephiedoll, golf66, Horkn and 5 others like this.
  16. Eckie

    Eckie

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2019
    Messages:
    3,315
    Likes Received:
    16,524
    Location:
    Virginia
    Thanks for posting the link, checking it now.

    Did yall buy new ones or used ones?

    I don't think I'd want to drive that little bugga 55 (or more)! Does the 4wd pull good? Are they top heavy?
     
  17. JD Guy

    JD Guy

    Joined:
    May 11, 2022
    Messages:
    769
    Likes Received:
    4,310
    Location:
    Upstate SC
    Same here…
     
    Horkn likes this.
  18. Hashknife

    Hashknife

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2023
    Messages:
    96
    Likes Received:
    541
    Location:
    South Carolina

    Used. It had about 38,000 miles on it.

    In 4 low, it will crawl anywhere it can get traction.

    Mine is not top heavy at all.

    I have seen them lifted with big tires on them, but I opted to put some ATV/Ag type tires on the stock rims for "loggin".
     
  19. Eckie

    Eckie

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2019
    Messages:
    3,315
    Likes Received:
    16,524
    Location:
    Virginia
    Dang...yall got me lookin at these hard.....
     
  20. Fanatical1

    Fanatical1

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2014
    Messages:
    2,688
    Likes Received:
    12,290
    Location:
    Ohio
    2012 Gator 825.. no issues.. and I get most of my firewood with it..

    IMG_0200.jpeg
     
    Marvin, eatonpcat, Horkn and 4 others like this.