The Garage Thread: Tractors and UTVs

[Harvey]

You need no more than the 500. I went from a Ranger 500 to a Can Am 1000 and found out the 500 is all I needed and is smaller in the woods. On the other hand it's nice to get somewhere quick with the 1000 at lower rpm's, she'll get up and go 65-70 mph if that's your thing. Not much good getting things done around the property but it is fun at times.

I would recommend an electric bed lift for sure and a front windshield. I've had a plexiglass and glass windshield and obviously the glass is superior.

A 500 isn't to small to plow, it's just lighter I noticed the difference between the 500 and 1000 but the 500 was fine. You just have to be on top of it more with the 500.

Great info man thanks. How much depth could you plow?

Also I'm confused, I thought this model was new?

Yea top speed of 44 mph seems as much as I'd need. (3, 2, 1 cue Camp )

Also I didn't see a glass windshield available, or an electric bed lift.

It mentions a gas powered lift?

 

[Scrundy]

As far as how much it can plow depends on many factors. Light snow you will be able to plow more opposed to heavy snow.
Some advice I would give you is push it early season as far as you can leaving you room for future storms. Reason being the banks turn to rock fairly quickly making it impossible to move if you got a big dump coming and you need room.

 

[Harvey]

As far as how much it can plow depends on many factors. Light snow you will be able to plow more opposed to heavy snow.
Some advice I would give you is push it early season as far as you can leaving you room for future storms. Reason being the banks turn to rock fairly quickly making it impossible to move if you got a big dump coming and you need room.

We've actually got lots of room for snow i think. One edge of our parking area is a wall, I could disappeared a lot of snow over that thing.

 

[Campgottagopee]

Holy crap, wondering if the engine is optional, price is listed at 11.1k

https://www.polaris.com/en-us/off-road/ranger/models/ranger-500/ranger-500-sage-green-specs/

Looks like optional windshield is plastic and missing other options like wipers.

Tell me why I shouldn't buy this thing vs a more expensive Ranger.

Uses: moving the chainsaw around our trails, moving small amounts of cut up firewood, and maybe plowing? I don't see any plow accessories so maybe it is too small.

My first Ranger was the mid-size 500 and in many ways I do miss it. As Scrundy has mentioned it did everything I needed it to do. It was very nimble, had good power, and sipped fuel. I plowed with it, but for me it was just a backup for snow removal. I prefer my FEL or my blower on my tractor. If you go with the 500 spend the extra $ and get the special edition model as power steering is a game changer. Especially when working in the woods.
All that said, I prefer my Ranger 1000 over the 500. Primarily because it's actually made for carrying 3 people. I'd cram 3 into the 500 but it's tight and it only has 2 seatbelts vs 3. The added power is certainly nice but not necessary, imo.
Either machine will do the job. For sure!

 

[Harvey]

I don't understand the difference between the "new" 500 and the old 540. I thought that 11k was cheaper than the 540, but looking now and it's not that much different.

I also want a glass windshield but I don't see the option.

 

[Campgottagopee]

Go to the website and click on trim levels. From there click on the build your own and you'll see the options that are available. As for the options I'd stick with the OEM stuff. Aftermarket never fits quite right.
I'd guess the difference is in the HP. For example my 2016 500 had the same HP as the prior year 700.

 

[Cork]

I don't understand the difference between the "new" 500 and the old 540. I thought that 11k was cheaper than the 540, but looking now and it's not that much different.

I also want a glass windshield but I don't see the option.

If you're going to spend the money, look into the 570 Premium https://www.polaris.com/en-us/off-road/ranger/models/ranger-sp-570/ which comes standard with electroinc power steering which is really helpful while plowing and negotiating tight turns on your trails. This is the model I have, after having the Ranger 500, it's a difference that is absolutely worth the price increase. I added the glass windshield with wiper, side and rear view mirrors, and the poly back of cab window, along with the Pro Series winch with rapid recovery (which is great for use with the plow) and polaris power angle plow.

 

[Campgottagopee]

Wait
Hold on
I had the 570 mid-size and not the 500. My bad. I have no experience with the 500, my words reflect the current 570.
I concur w/ Cork. Great machine with those options. Mine was the base model with no power steering, had it had that I highly doubt I would've looked for another rig.

 

[Tjf1967]

Oh you are looking at the big boys. I have a garden tractor. Next up is the 7 series. Those you can get different attachments for.. like a digger or a loader.

If you get 4 feet of snow a pick up with a plow ain't moving and neither is the UTV.

 

[Tjf1967]

View attachment 29556

It has its own power source so technically you don't need the boost in horsepower inside the UTV. The smallest one they have would do everything you're looking for. Put that thing on the front of it and life will be fun In the winter those plows are going to be a pain in the ass. They do a half-assed job, wreck your landscaping.