Utility ATV for a mountain farm?

[bigkahuna]

Would any of the Chinese ATVs be suitable to do small chores on a small farm in the mountains? Tasks like pulling a mower or small cart? I'm also a big guy 240 lbs). I'm new to ATVs but have done plenty of tinkering over the years.changing sprockets or shocks or even a carb seems like things I could do. Ideas?

[whitelightning85]

The taotao raptor 200 is big enough for all that, has a 330 lb weight limit, has already built in spot for a ball hitch mount.

[2LZ]

I use my Tao Tao Rhino for that kind of work. Works well. My suggestion would be to get something without a manual clutch tho. The Rhino has handled everything I've thrown at it but it would be nice to have an auto-clutch style tranny like an old Honda 90.
I'm not sure how well the CV style drive like a GY6 motor would hold up. I never had one. Maybe Weldangrind can chime in..............

[bigkahuna]

@2LZ - I've been following your threads and am learning alot. How much am I loosing by not having 4WD? And is 250 cc really enough to pull a loaded cart plus me up a steep hill? I don't need speed. 5 mph is fine for what I'm doing.

[JerryHawk250]

If you're looking for a work horse you can step up to 4 wheel drive.
https://www.shopapmc.com/NEW-CLOSE-O...uded_p_33.html
https://q9powersportsusa.com/collect...ducts/#forward
https://www.superiorpowersports.com/...elander-44.htm

[bigkahuna]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

If you're looking for a work horse you can step up to 4 wheel drive.
https://www.shopapmc.com/NEW-CLOSE-O...uded_p_33.html
https://q9powersportsusa.com/collect...ducts/#forward
https://www.superiorpowersports.com/...elander-44.htm

Are these any better than a Massimo 420? Any experience with these vendors?

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by bigkahuna

Are these any better than a Massimo 420? Any experience with these vendors?

I don't know anything about the Massimo 420. As far as dealers I've bought my Hawk and a UTV from Don Hopper with Shopapmc. Real good guy to deal with and excellent after sales service. He still emails me every once and a while asking about the bike and UTV and fills me in on the new stuff coming out.

[bigkahuna]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

I don't know anything about the Massimo 420. As far as dealers I've bought my Hawk and a UTV from Don Hopper with Shopapmc. Real good guy to deal with and excellent after sales service. He still emails me every once and a while asking about the bike and UTV and fills me in on the new stuff coming out.

Any idea who makes the Coleman? How many CC's is enough for what I want to do?

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by bigkahuna

@2LZ - I've been following your threads and am learning alot.

LOL! That's scary!

I had a lot of your same concerns. It really depends on how much weight you'd be pulling, how steep.
I was also concerned about 4WD and gambled on the Rhino. I do drag a cart around with it, along with a landscape drag and have dragged various small trees, large limbs, etc.....

Do I haul huge boulders or massive stumps? Not with the Rhino. The small motor and manual clutch do have their limitations. I actually bought it to take some of the load off my garden tractor that I was over-abusing.

What the world needs is a functional 8000.00 tractor. You jump from a top of the line Husky garden tractor (3600.00) straight up to 12,5 for a stripped compact (real) tractor.
My problems would be solved.

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by bigkahuna

Any idea who makes the Coleman? How many CC's is enough for what I want to do?

371cc 34.8 hp. Plenty of power.

[bigkahuna]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

What the world needs is a functional 8000.00 tractor. You jump from a top of the line Husky garden tractor (3600.00) straight up to 12,5 for a stripped compact (real) tractor.
My problems would be solved.

Agreed. I have 12+ acres with steep hills, rocks, and holes. Garden/lawn tractors without 4wd will get stuck. Any with 4wd is beyond my budget. Even used.

I started to look at ATVs and a new Japanese ATV starts around $7k. Looked at used, but people beat them to death and then want over $3k for them. I'd rather start with new so I know what its maintenance history is. So now I'm looking at Chinese ATVs.

I've got my eye on a towable brush mower so I can cut my fields. Now I need something to tow it. Something with low end grunt.

The Massimo and Coleman look good. More than I hoped to spend but I might be able to swing it.

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by bigkahuna

Agreed. I have 12+ acres with steep hills, rocks, and holes. Garden/lawn tractors without 4wd will get stuck. Any with 4wd is beyond my budget. Even used.

I started to look at ATVs and a new Japanese ATV starts around $7k. Looked at used, but people beat them to death and then want over $3k for them. I'd rather start with new so I know what its maintenance history is. So now I'm looking at Chinese ATVs.

I've got my eye on a towable brush mower so I can cut my fields. Now I need something to tow it. Something with low end grunt.

The Massimo and Coleman look good. More than I hoped to spend but I might be able to swing it.

The Coleman has Hi/Lo Transmission.
Specifications:

Length/ Width/ Height 88.6” x 49.2” x 48.2”Weight 725 lbs
Ground Clearance 10.2”
Horsepower 34.8
Wheel/Tire Size 25x8-12 (F) 25x10-12 (R)
Wheel Base 53.7”
Seat Height 36.6”
Top Speed ~43MPH
Fuel Capacity 4.5 Gal
Bore & Stroke 84.5mm x 84mm
Engine Displacement 471 cc
Transmission High & Low F / 1 R - Automatic CVT

[franque]

If it were me, I'd look at either the Rhino 250, and gear it down a ton, as it is chain drive (depending on how heavy the mower is, it might be enough power), or look at like a Honda 420 (or 350 Manual, not electric shift) Rancher.

I've worked as an ATV mechanic, and the 420s are tough, the only time I've seen someone have problems with one was when they were using it to tow a 9000lb boat around their yard.

I would avoid anything with a CVT if there's a chance stuff might get wet, and I'd avoid the Coleman because it isn't a Coleman in the traditional outdoors brand, and I'd be worried about parts/support, because I'm guessing they didn't sell in real numbers, and I would say you can reasonably guess parts won't be forthcoming when they're sold out.

I'd recommend the Rhino because there's a lot of local expertise and they're stone-simple, and also, with the locked rear axle, you'll not have the same sort of traction issues you might with an open diff.

I'd recommend the 420/350 because they're reliable, parts are available, they're tough, and they're easy to find. For the price of the Coleman or Taotao, you should be able to get a recent trade-in from a Honda dealer. If find a rural dealer, as they're likely in business because they have good customer service.

[bigkahuna]

Originally Posted by franque

If it were me, I'd look at either the Rhino 250, and gear it down a ton, as it is chain drive (depending on how heavy the mower is, it might be enough power), or look at like a Honda 420 (or 350 Manual, not electric shift) Rancher.

I've worked as an ATV mechanic, and the 420s are tough, the only time I've seen someone have problems with one was when they were using it to tow a 9000lb boat around their yard.

I would avoid anything with a CVT if there's a chance stuff might get wet, and I'd avoid the Coleman because it isn't a Coleman in the traditional outdoors brand, and I'd be worried about parts/support, because I'm guessing they didn't sell in real numbers, and I would say you can reasonably guess parts won't be forthcoming when they're sold out.

I'd recommend the Rhino because there's a lot of local expertise and they're stone-simple, and also, with the locked rear axle, you'll not have the same sort of traction issues you might with an open diff.

I'd recommend the 420/350 because they're reliable, parts are available, they're tough, and they're easy to find. For the price of the Coleman or Taotao, you should be able to get a recent trade-in from a Honda dealer. If find a rural dealer, as they're likely in business because they have good customer service.

Excellent feedback, thank you!

Used Honda Ranchers have been extremely hard to find. And when I do find one it's usually pretty well worn.

This is the mower I plan on using: https://www.swisherinc.com/categorie...4-classic.html

Love the price of the Rhino, not afraid to update and upgrade it. Got a full set of wrenches and not afraid to use them. 😉 But even geared down, will that 200-somthing cc engine have enough grunt power?

[david3921]

Hmmm...wonder why Darth Vader hasn't weighed in on this? He's prospecting and hauling the stuff he needs with his Rhino.