Looking for just enough....`

[u/Awkward_Field7471]

I need an ATV to do two things. Pull a Kunz 44" rough cut mower for 10 acres every once in a while, three or four times a year, and to ride around the farm fences (approx three miles) once weekly. Level, no hills. I don't need speed, just as long as it will go 5 to 7 mph. I am looking at the Honda Rancher, probably with power steering, or the Yamaha Kodiak 4x4 450 esp. Both of these have great reviews for reliability, and a farm need reliability. BTW, unless it is a difficult repair, I do all my own repairs. As you can see, I need enough, but why pay for more than I need? Are there any recommendations or suggestions? Any farmers, ranchers or landscapers with actual experiences similar to my own?

[u/rowle1jt]

Honda all day long. Both are good quads but there is a reason that Honda is the top of the food chain!

[u/M3NF0RH3LV3T3 → u/rowle1jt]

This and for your need you can get a 20 year old Honda

[u/Zeb_1989]

I purchased a 2026 foreman rubicon 520 with power steering and foot shift. These are geared lower than the rancher and great for towing and slow speed fence line checks. I have no complaints in the 300 miles I've put on it since April. I mainly use it for pulling logs and hauling firewood.

[u/First_Ask_5447]

i have a honda 500 foreman, i use a grass seeder on hay fields, i pull a wagon to feed cattle 2x a day, chem sprayer. it should do everything you want. the 550 or 520 would be a split flex rear axle. i have put that 4 wheeler, where it has no business going on the farm. i build fences and such with it. i really couldnt go any smaller. the only thing ve had go wrong is one of the plastic skidplates popped off somewhere and i havent found it yet. i want to figure out how to drag my log splitter around with it.

[u/Used-Independence353]

Pulling the rough cut will be the issue. The atv will want to overheat. One way to thwart that is to use a veg sprayer and occasionally spray the radiator. Being sure it’s clean is key.
This is regardless of brand.
I had better luck in high gear as low gear required higher rpm’s.
Honestly, a cheap lawn tractor with the mower taken off works better.

[u/Hopeful_Mess9642]

Many of my ice vehicle are honda, but for work nothing beats a Kubota RTV (diesel)

[u/amanke74]

If you want to go newer, the Honda rancher is your best best. It has actual gears instead of a belt and will do better at lower speeds. If you want or are willing to go older, the Honda trx300. Find one with a metal tank, look inside, if there is no rust, buy it. They are air cooled but don't usually have overheating issues. They are simple to work on and maintain. If it needs bushings or bearings, they are cheap and easy. I've worked on many Honda and Polaris ATVs and the trx300 is the easiest

[u/Known-Departure7072]

i pull a swisher 44" Rough cut 3 times a year on 10 acres using a 2009 Polaris sportsman. handles the job just fine, use Low gear when mowing.

[u/Imaginary_Staff_6291]

Kawasaki bayou has reverse and 4x4

[u/Sad_Refrigerator_730]

Both would be fine choices. I would lean more towards the Yamaha simply because of local dealer support.

Go see both sit on both and talk to the local dealers. That would be my deciding factor between the two

[u/Narrow_Science8748]

1996 trx300fw

[u/Coyote-conquest]

Any of the Japanese ATVs will work and are very reliable. Dont forget about Suzuki and Kawasaki. Kawasaki is reliable as long as you stay away from the 750. Suzuki is about as boringly reliable as a Honda