Polaris Ranger, RZR, Prowler for plowing or other option

Wiggles · 2011-12-18 13:56:12

We are looking for a machine to primarily use for plowing a gravel drive ( about 800' of mostly hill) and running around the rural neighborhood. Dump bed is not a major priority, we are gonna need a small trailer for garbage etc, and probably a sander/ spreader too.

IN our area (So. new england) its all Ranger and RZRs, not much of anything thing else. RZR are cheaper and I like the bucket seats. Is is a better 'general purpose' vecheil than another SxS? I know enough to only look at Polaris 2009 n ups, any other suggestions?

Polaris making it pretty enticing right now to pick up a new machine by the end of the month, But I'll go used becuase I gotta get the cab/ plow winch etc

lets hear it !

many thanks

Wigs

redmoose · 2011-12-18 19:42:33

I live in Alaska and use a 2011 Ranger 500 EFI to plow my driveway - shorter than yours, but steep. It has done a superb job so far. I'm running a 60" straight plow, anticipating the delivery of a 60" 2-way plow next week. The 66" Sno-glide I ordered was cancelled by the factory, unavailable.

As you can see, we put on a soft cab and windshield. There is also a heater. Sure makes plowing more fun than walking behind my snow-blower for an hour!

I bought tire chains, and in spite of a few very icy days, they are still in the box! The ranger with 250-300 lbs in the bed is awesome! Here are some pics.

I have no experience with the Razor, but I LOVE my Ranger! The final photo is a spreader I use for gravel and ice-melt.

Hope this helps!

Ron

RANGERDALEXP · 2011-12-19 21:13:48

The RZR is not a work horse but a sport machine . It is like trying to use a corvette to haul lumber :idea: . You would do better doing it with the 500 or the 700 or the 800 rangers due to box capacity and towing capacity.......

redmoose · 2011-12-20 14:50:51

We had two days of warm "chinook" winds blow through with temperatures in the high 30s. Then it rained. Then it dove below freezing again. Worst possible conditions for making smooth, hard, slippery ice on the driveway! Well, I thought for sure I'd finally have to mount the tire chains on my Ranger, but I decided to see if I could clear some of the slush before it froze solid and spread some gravel and ice-melt mix for traction. I plowed the drive and got most of the slush off, and the icy crud left behind was very waffled by the Ranger's tire treads, leaving the surface rougher than it had been. Then I loaded 3 40-pound bags of gravel mixed with a little ice-melt in the hopper of my towed spreader and headed up the driveway. Just once I found a spot with insufficient traction and had to back down a little and try again. In 5 minutes or less I had the entire drive covered with 120 lbs of gravel for traction, and I only had to get out once to adjust the flow.

Last night it snowed - six inches of fine, dry powdery snow. The skiers must be having a ball! With that snow on top of the ice, again I figured to need the chains. Nope. Well, that snow no longer blankets my driveway - or the street in front of our house, or the sidewalk and path around to the back. Thanks to the Ranger and a heated cab I'm still toasty warm, and it took me less time than it used to take just to cut a path up the driveway with my snow-blower!

Did I mention how much I love my Ranger 500 EFI? 8)

Ron

MBR · 2012-01-05 20:57:08

I am looking at purchasing a 2006 Arctic Cat Prowler for snow removal. Will start with a plow but will want to upgrade to a snow thrower. what do you think of the Prowler 650 XT H-1?

redmoose · 2012-01-07 00:51:40

I am looking at purchasing a 2006 Arctic Cat Prowler for snow removal. Will start with a plow but will want to upgrade to a snow thrower. what do you think of the Prowler 650 XT H-1?

I don't have any personal experience with the Arctic Cat, but I looked up the specs on the one you mentioned. It has similar specs to my Ranger 500 EFI as far as ground clearance and overall size, and it weighs about 200 pounds more. I don't see any reason why it wouldn't move snow just fine.

Like any side-by-side or ATV out there, the reviews I Googled are mixed. Some love it and swear by it, some call it junk and a lemon. Individual experience may vary widely, so I'd try to find out why the one you are buying is being sold!

The idea of a snow blower attachment interests me, but so far my plow has been all I've needed, and we've had snow-falls over 18 inches this winter. 8)

Good luck with your purchase!

MBR · 2012-01-07 07:37:39

Redmoose,
Thanks for your input. I also looked up the unit online and saw the mixed reviews. I also went to a local dealer to talk to them about it. They said the biggest concern will be getting parts for it as there are not many Arctic Cat dealerships in the NY/NJ area anymore.

The reason I am looking for the snow blower attachment is that I do a number of residential driveway during the winter. Having a snowblower will allow me to drive right up to the garage door while removing the snow. Two passes and the driveway will be clear. I expect to cut my time at each location in half, giving me time for more customers.

Have you purchased anything thru eBay Motors? The seller wants to use that for the transaction.

redmoose · 2012-01-07 18:23:31

Redmoose,
Thanks for your input. I also looked up the unit online and saw the mixed reviews. I also went to a local dealer to talk to them about it. They said the biggest concern will be getting parts for it as there are not many Arctic Cat dealerships in the NY/NJ area anymore. ...
Have you purchased anything thru eBay Motors? The seller wants to use that for the transaction.

Everyone I know who drives a Polaris is thrilled with it, so if there aren't many Arctic Cat dealers in your area, maybe Polaris is an option for you?

I've never purchased through eBay Motors, but I've heard only good things from the few people I know who have. Thier reputation is good, and I think it protects both buyer and seller - as long as you see and try the vehicle first, not buying a "pig-in-a-poke".

Good luck, and I look forward to seeing photos of your machine some day soon!

Ron

MBR · 2012-01-07 20:29:07

From the photos of your machine it looks like you have a full enclosure. Do you have any issues with the windshield fogging or icing up when you use your plow? I was look thru the forum and I see posts about people installing 12v heaters or coolant heaters. Icing may become an issue for me when I hook up the snow thrower unit. I am just wondering if this has been an issue for you.

RANGERDALEXP · 2012-01-07 20:49:49

, I am glade to see good info and a good discussion being posted 8). Carry on ....

redmoose · 2012-01-08 12:26:49

From the photos of your machine it looks like you have a full enclosure. Do you have any issues with the windshield fogging or icing up when you use your plow? I was look thru the forum and I see posts about people installing 12v heaters or coolant heaters. Icing may become an issue for me when I hook up the snow thrower unit. I am just wondering if this has been an issue for you.

I have the Polaris heater installed (Part number for the 400/500/EV is PO2878458) which includes a two-stage fan and ducting for three vents, two over driver and passenger feet, and the third high on the dash, perfect for de-fogging the windshield. Under certain conditions I've had the side and rear windows fog a little on the inside, but it's easy to wipe off or just unzip the window a little.

redmoose · 2012-01-08 22:39:15

Here are a couple of photos with the new Sno-Glide 66-inch plow cleaning up after more than a foot of snow.

Widening the driveway after most of the storm has passed.

Piling snow higher!

Cleaning up.

The blade is great!

Ron

MBR · 2012-01-17 15:20:18

I am looking to purchase my first SXS to use for snow removal. I thought I had a lead on an Arctic Cat but that turned out to be scam. I am looking on the Internet for a used model. I found a few websites
UTVswap.com and stumblehere.com but I think they may also be scams as the sellers have not replied to any of my emails.

Can anyone recommend a good source for a used 2006 or newer sxs?

#1 2011-12-18 13:56:12

Re: Polaris Ranger, RZR, Prowler for plowing or other option

#2 2011-12-18 19:42:33

Re: Polaris Ranger, RZR, Prowler for plowing or other option

#3 2011-12-19 21:13:48

Re: Polaris Ranger, RZR, Prowler for plowing or other option

#4 2011-12-20 14:50:51

Re: Polaris Ranger, RZR, Prowler for plowing or other option

#5 2012-01-05 20:57:08

Re: Polaris Ranger, RZR, Prowler for plowing or other option

#6 2012-01-07 00:51:40

Re: Polaris Ranger, RZR, Prowler for plowing or other option

#7 2012-01-07 07:37:39

Re: Polaris Ranger, RZR, Prowler for plowing or other option

#8 2012-01-07 18:23:31

Re: Polaris Ranger, RZR, Prowler for plowing or other option

#9 2012-01-07 20:29:07

Re: Polaris Ranger, RZR, Prowler for plowing or other option

#10 2012-01-07 20:49:49

Re: Polaris Ranger, RZR, Prowler for plowing or other option

#11 2012-01-08 12:26:49

Re: Polaris Ranger, RZR, Prowler for plowing or other option

#12 2012-01-08 22:39:15

Re: Polaris Ranger, RZR, Prowler for plowing or other option

#13 2012-01-17 15:20:18

Re: Polaris Ranger, RZR, Prowler for plowing or other option

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