ATV for relatively light barn work?

[osok-308]

Hey guys, I'm currently in the market for an ATV only to realize, I don't know a thing about ATVs. I'm currently looking for something that I can plow my driveway, haul bales of hay (70 pounders to take to horses), and get around my property. I don't have a ton of money, so I'm looking for used ATVs currently. I have seen ATVs ranging from the mid 80's to brand new, ones as well. I've seen 150cc engines - 800cc ones. Maybe you guys can help me narrow the search as far as engine size and manufacturers you prefer? I'm really shooting in the dark when it comes to this stuff. I've done a few website searches but I've only seen guys looking for recreational ones, not the particular uses I'm looking for. Thank you guys. Seriously, anything helps.

[Irving]

HBARleatherneck may be able to give you solid advice about this.

[encorehunter]

I really like my Honda 350 4x4, but it does have some draw backs. If the snow is over 6 inches, I have to take multiple passes to clear it. It does great for hauling fence posts, pulling small trailers full or wood or rocks, and general work of fencing and such. I do live in the hills, so if I had to do it over again, I would move up to a 450 or 500. I like the Honda because it is very reliable. Regular maintainence and very few problems.

[Herman]

I have had quite a few nice and Junkers over the years. My go too for farm work is either a yamaha grizzly 700 with electric power steering or a 03 Suzuki eiger 400. The grizz was 8k. The eiger was 800 off cl with a trailer. You do the math. The eiger has been a stupid solid worker. Not as fun in the hills though.

[jmg8550]

Polaris Sportsman 500. Pretty solid all purpose machine.

[Great-Kazoo]

What ever you choose make sure parts / support are still available. When i workd in the business, you'd be surprised how many people came in looking for repair parts for late 80's early 90's ATV & dirt bike parts. They was pissed when told sorry no longer available, be it factory or after market. BUT, BUT i got a good deal on it. That's why. Yamaha was the worst followed by Kawi then suzi.

[drift_g35]

I have the Polaris Scrambler 850, Its pretty solid, I use it to pull my utility trailer full of rocks or dirt or whatever else into my backyard. I bought it more for having fun though which is why i got the 850. I'm definitely a fan of Polaris though, i've had 0 problems.

[davsel]

I just picked up a 2001 Kawasaki Mule. I was looking into an ATV with plow and trailer for the same chores you are, and found the Mule will do everything I need it to do better. They are not cheap, or easy to find, but worth it in the mountains.
I can haul bails and logs without a trailer. Has a dump bed, winch, and receiver hitch. My 11 year old daughter loves driving it while I sit beside her on the bench seat. Low range 4x4 with the diffs locked and it will climb anything.
Some complain that it is slow, but I have not needed to go over 25mph on our property for any reason.
For ranch work, I don't think you can beat the UTVs.

[Rooskibar03]

I picked up a Polaris 570 when we moved up the hill in November for exactly what you describe. I used it all winter to plow and haul firewood. This summer we are using it for various work around the property.

Comes in handy and we use more than I expected.

[buckshotbarlow]

i run a polaris whoresman 700. Bigger the better for plowing....

[mtnrider]

I have a Polaris Sportsman 850 and love it. I figured there is no such thing as too much power and I didn't want to regret buying a smaller one and then buying twice. I use it for plowing, work around the property, hunting, fun, you name it. Have had zero issues with it.
I bought new. Big investment up front but I didn't want to inherit someone else's piece of crap either. Always a risk when buying used, you have no idea of the history of it. Polaris builds a solid ATV and you can't really go wrong with them in my opinion.
If buying used I would try and get one new enough to have EFI not a old carbureted one. It's going to be more reliable and less headache. Also would not go below a 500 for sure but would lean towards a 700-850 if you can swing it.

.

[buckshotbarlow]

if u do get a polaris keep in mind that the computer does a tricle drain on the battery...or at least on mine. i love the thing to death, and almost want to trade my wife in on a newer one...whoops did i say that? i run a 60" plow and 5 swipes of the driveway and im done with snow. i love to fight the county plows so thats one of the reasons why i went with the bigger plow. hauled a complete elk on it 2 years ago...hope to do it again this year.

[Lars]

Ran the Polaris Sportsman 500's and 700 for years. They are Great machines and easy to work on when the need does arise, and doing farm work it will. I switched to the Can-am 800 and that machine is a beast but it comes with a beast price. For what you are wanting to do I would look at anything Honda, Polaris, or Can-am in the 500 cc range, I wouldn't go any smaller if you are wanting to plow snow.

[Bailey Guns]

Another Kawasaki Mule (former) owner. We just sold our 2001 Mule after owning it about 7 or 8 years. It was a diesel with a dump bed. An amazing workhorse. We used it mostly to haul firewood and other stuff around our property, plow the drive and grade/maintain the drive. Just sold it a few weeks ago and regretted it as soon as I listed it. But, too much trouble to move.

[00tec]

A friend of mine has an Arctic Cat 550, we use that thing for everything. Herding horses, stretching fence with the winch, hauling firewood on the trailer, running out target stands, camping fun.... And it's still fast enough to try and kill me.

[MED]

I have a late 80s Honda 350 foreman. It does everything I need it to do and runs well year after year. The Hondas seem to be the most reliable and last forever especially the old ones. I got it with a plow but I never use it; I have a truck for that.

[kidicarus13]

The Hondas seem to be the most reliable and last forever especially the old ones.

RIDE RED!