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Thread: Recreational off road vehicles

  1. #1
    Senior Member steveo's Avatar
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    Default Recreational off road vehicles

    Anyone researched or had experience with the Polaris ranger ETX or similar vehicles such as

    John Deere Gator XUV 550

    Kawasaki Mule 610 4x4

    Kubota RTV 500

    Be interested in your thoughts on these or other similar vehicles.

    Things I'm looking at.

    reliability
    simplicity
    ease of maintenance
    cost of replacement parts
    hill climb ability
    turning circle
    traction
    etc.

    Things I don't care about
    I'm not after the fastest,loudest, the bells and whistles, the flashiest, the most Horsepower or how cheap it is.

    It'll be used for weed spraying over mostly rough and steep terrain amongst other things.

  2. #2
    Member brodie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Recreational off road vehicles

    I've used the Kawasaki Mule 610 4x4. Good machine will climb hills all day and is a basic unit.

    I wouldn't use it for weed spraying. The payload is to small so in my opinion the spray tank would be to small to be efficient

  3. #3
    Senior Member steveo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Recreational off road vehicles

    Quote Originally Posted by brodie View Post
    I've used the Kawasaki Mule 610 4x4. Good machine will climb hills all day and is a basic unit.

    I wouldn't use it for weed spraying. The payload is to small so in my opinion the spray tank would be to small to be efficient
    so what would you recommend for weed spraying brodie?

  4. #4
    Senior Member edbeek's Avatar
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    Default Re: Recreational off road vehicles

    Haven't had much experience with the side-by-side ATVs, but did heaps of weed spraying in the '90s on the single seaters. Payloads have been reduced a lot since then, but I had a 60l tank on the front rack & 100l on the back. Later had a honda with just a 100l rear tank & you had to be a lot more careful.
    If you are spot spraying, you can get a lot done with 100l. I'd just slip over to the nearest dam to refill.

  5. #5
    Member Redeye's Avatar
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    Default Re: Recreational off road vehicles

    all the farms around here seem to have JD Gators




    http://curraronggardening.com/

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  6. #6
    Senior Member seliment's Avatar
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    Default Re: Recreational off road vehicles

    Have a JD Diesel Gator - 6 wheeler, not the 4wd xuv.
    With the Yanmar diesel, and big low pressure tyres, it is a real workhorse and reliable.
    Carrying capacity is 500kg

    Several issues / things to be aware of.
    1. Plastic bodywork - pretty tough, but can crack
    2. Turning circle is fairly large with the 6 wheels (4 rears all driven) - bit like turning a tandem trailer.
    3. Low pressure - flotation tyres can be prone to staking on sharp stems. (or being punctured by a blue heeler - cattle dog's teeth I was told by someone who had one who liked chasing vehicle & snapping at tyres . )
    4. Belt drive / vari-speed pulley system between engine and transmission with brakes (wet) inbuilt inside transmission case. Result is that all braking (on descents) is done by brakes and there is NO engine braking retarding effect.

    Don't think this would apply to the xuv as I think it a hydraulic/hydrostatic drive system.

    Joe.

  7. #7
    Member brodie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Recreational off road vehicles

    Quote Originally Posted by steveo View Post
    so what would you recommend for weed spraying brodie?
    My preference is an older ute. We mounted a 600L quick spray unit on the back of an older 4x4. Plenty of spray for a full day spot spray or a couple of paddocks with the boom spray mounted

  8. #8
    Senior Member djkgrounds's Avatar
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    Default Re: Recreational off road vehicles

    Have at look at these argo's, We used to go out on a 8 wheeler and go through anything, awesome towing, pulling and carrying capacity. They will also go anywhere.

    https://youtu.be/Q_J2AkMpwWk

    http://www.argoatv.com.au/
    DJK Grounds & Gardens
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  9. #9
    Senior Member steveo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Recreational off road vehicles

    Anyone had experience with Toyota RAVS 1998 vintage. Reliability, parts, problems etc. I'm after a short wheel base 4wd, light, cheap, well built. Doesn't seem to be any of those bulletproof little suzukis that used to get around. A ute would be good, (only small 4wd that comes to mind is subaru brumby but I think they are few and far between and have been bashed to death) else a convertable that can be used like a ute. Been thinking Dahutsu Terrios but they aren't convertibles.

  10. #10
    Senior Member steveo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Recreational off road vehicles

    Test drove a RAV4 today. First one I looked at. Bought it. Drove well, solid feel about it, just felt bulletproof. Hope I'm right.

  11. #11
    Senior Member Mow And Go's Avatar
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    Default Re: Recreational off road vehicles

    Just don't get too excited mate, ravs are an AWD not a 4wd as such
    I dont break things ...I just use them beyond their operational limitations
    www.mowandgogardening.com.au

  12. #12
    Senior Member steveo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Recreational off road vehicles

    Quote Originally Posted by Mow And Go View Post
    Just don't get too excited mate, ravs are an AWD not a 4wd as such
    Yeah kinda, did my research, it's an AWd but with a diff lock. I don't know if the later ones have diff lock but these first ones have good reviews. As big Kev used to say I'm excited.

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