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Posted by: Tim1
Do not forget Polaris, nothing pulls any harder look at these results.[url]www.atvconnection.com/atvconnection/features/articles/nyatvpull.cfm[/url]
Posted by: Tim1
There was a shootout between tha AC500 auto,Magnum500 and some other bike I forget what it was, awhile back.They did this contest of timing the acceleration of the guads while dragging some heavy dead weight.The Magnum won this test over the AC and had the same or larger tow and carrying rating than the AC.The third bike was either a Grizzly or Suzuki 500 automatic.
Posted by: cowboy
Woodtick:
I've got about 1,200 acres in northern Washington of mostly timber with a bunch of larger meadows. We had a logging company come in last year and thin about 400 acres down for us, but they left a huge mess behind. I've been doing nothing but towing logs with my AC 500 Auto since last April when I bought them (two 'Cats). I'm sure a lot of the guys on here are getting tired of hearing this, but for serious hard work, I honestly think you'd be hard pressed to find a machine that will out-work the 500 'Cat.
I've been up against a few various machines during the last elk season, and can honestly say that none of them could keep up as far as the work went. The closest thing to pulling power was the Grizzly from Yamaha, but even it couldn't handle the combination of the heavy loads and the uneven terrain we were in. I had to go in and haul out half an elk, with me driving and one of the guys who was stuck as a rider along with the 100+ lbs. I carry on my front rack at all times (recovery gear, winch, cable, straps, etc.) all while towing out a Honda 450ES carrying the other half of the animal with just the driver. Talk about a great feeling, man that was awesome. Even the sportsman wouldn't handle the weight, though that is understandable with the IRS. From my understanding, for work, it sounds like the Magnum would be better than the SP with the solid rear axle. Though the SP does have that superior smooth ride with the IRS. I have not seen a traxter in action, so I cannot comment on that one. Though, dig back in the atvconnection reviews a while back, there is a review of the AC 500 beating the Traxter XT I believe in a shootout.
For pure trail riding, the 'Cat might not be your best bet, but for work, you can't beat them. Ask any 'Cat guy who tows or hauls anything, that rear swing axle is awesome and the machines are unstoppable. One thing to consider though, I don't know if you have an arch or not, but that might be easier for hauling logs out with. I do not have one as of yet, and consequently end up using a heavy chain and choker cable. This results in the logs digging huge trenches whereever you tow them to, and causes a little extra strain on the machine from cutting that much dirt away. Also, my choker cable was about 16' (I recently tore it up pretty good) and while towing lodgepole up to 30' or so, it was kind of a pain maneuvering in and out of standing timber and stumps, etc. Takes a little getting used to, but the machine handles it just fine. I'm even running 27" Bi/Tri Claws and still towing the same heavy loads I was with stock tires, so power isn't even a consideration with the 500.
Anyway, sorry to bore you with the details, try to get out and ride each one you are considering, see which one fits you best and which has the features you are looking for -auto vs. manual, disc vs. drum breaks, suspension, rear axle vs. IRS, etc.
Best of luck!
Mike
Posted by: cowboy
Shumdit:
Please accept my most sincere apology, I'm very sorry to have offended you in such an extreme manner. You are right, I stand corrected in my original statement: "Though, dig back in the atvconnection reviews a while back, there is a review of the AC 500 beating the Traxter XT I BELIEVE in a shootout.
You are exactly right-there was a shootout between the AC 500 (stock) and the Bombardier Traxter XT (complete with fancy graphics, winch, front and rear bumpers and blackwater bigwheel kit) though the AC 500 CLEARLY DID NOT BEAT the Traxter XT. I have taken the liberty of posting what is apparhently my "selective memory and only recall the phrases that appeal to me", in hopes that maybe you can see where I could have drempt up such a misrepresentation of facts, and thus post such terribly wrong information in a poor excuse for my failing memory. Please note these comments are taken directly from the "Traxter XT, Arctic Cat 4x4 (Unveilling a pair of 500cc utility's), dated October 19, 2000.
"While the shock travel numbers are very close, in all reality, the Arctic Cat shocks were more compliant in both compression and rebound. The fact that the shocks use up more of their travel during normal trail riding gives the Arctic Cat a decidedly smoother ride. Also, when hitting an unexpected object like a hidden stump in tall grass, the semi-independent rear axle movement provided less of a jolt to your body."
"Although both quads did well on all the power tests, the AC500 inspired more confidence and climbed with more authority. The compliant suspension and higher torque was the deciding factor in the results." "Engine vibration was non-existent on the AC with just a slight dose of it on the XT" "Hill shooting was the XT's weakest element. Whereas the AC could shoot our steepest hills in second gear without downshifting, the XT needed a downshift into first gear to clear the top. The extra 60+ pounds of the XT may be a factor."
"Which is the better mudder?
To be honest, we didn't think the Arctic Cat had a chance of staying with the XT in the mud test. With true four-wheel-drive and 26" Blackwater tires, we considered it silly that the AC would stay even close. Oops, wrong again. The AC and XT were dead even in our mud test."
"Which machine is better?
Good question. It's not a copout to say the answer lies with you. With the variety of riding styles, local terrain and personal feature preferences, our ranking priorities may not be the same as yours. So it's difficult to make one particular quad a winner for almost everyone."
Arctic Cat $6349 ($8349 Canadian)
Traxter XT $7799 ($9999 Canadian)
Again, I trully apologize for the terrible misrepresentation of facts in my original statement that the AC 500 beat the Traxter XT in a shootout. Clearly, it did no such thing. Though, I hope you will be able to see where my "selective memory" and keeping the "phrases that only appeal to me" quite possibly could have lead me to believe otherwise.
Mike
Posted by: cowboy
Shumdit:
Hey, I think these forums are a great place to gain tons of usefull information. A bunch of the guys on here helped me decide which would be best for my needs, based on personnal experience-for that, I'm very grateful. While there was a ton, and still is a little of that "mine is better" B.S., most of the time there is still great information on here. I would trully hate to be the one intentionally posting false information.
Again, thanks for pointing that out. And yes, I try to make a point of correcting my mistakes as soon as I find out about them. I guess if you think about it, what kind of a man wouldn't own up to his own wrong doing? Probably not one I'd like to associate with anyway.
Best of luck, happy trails!
Mike
Posted by: MagnumMudMan
woodtick
Just asking, why have you excluded the Polaris line up from your list? The Polaris Magnum 500 and Sportsman 500 are some of the hardest working quads around. The ones you named are also great machines, just curious as to why you are limiting your search. You may also want to consider the new Kawasaki Praire 650 twin. It is supposed to have remarkable low end torque, which would be helpful when it comes to dragging logs.
Posted by: MagnumMudMan
Woodtick
If you want to test ride a Polaris, G@ylord Polaris has a test area there and will offer test rides. G@ylord Polaris is supposedly the biggest Polaris dealer in Michigan. Ask for Terry in there. He will help you out. Ride them all and don't be concerned about buying a belt drive atv for work. If you use the low range on any belt drive utility atv, you will not have any trouble with it. The new Praire 650 would be the ticket for you, but it is not even at the dealers yet and there is already a waiting list for them. I have a feeling you would have to pay through the nose to get one for a while.
P.S. I had to edit this message because the server was making my G@ylord into a ***lord. I don't know if its trying to say anything about Michigan people, but....;)
Posted by: Farmr123
I think that for pure WORK the 2 best suited machines are the Traxter and Cat. I know little about the Traxter other than everything about it is heavy-duty (including the ride, and price). I have been on and around Cats quite a bit more and heartily recommend them for heavy work. Excluding the Traxter (simply because I know very little about them) my next choice for work would be the Polaris Magnum. It is better than the Sportsman for WORK, and is still a good spirited trail ride. I think the Grizz is an awesome machine, but after overheating Honda engines, I don't feel comfortable recommending anything without liquid cooling.
The Rubicon may be a choice but are so new I never even rode one yet.
In summary my top choices are
Cat for WORK more than trails
Magnum for slightly lighter work, but much better for trails
Sportsman will do a lot of work, but the IRS gets tippy hauling big loads. It is fine for towing, though.
Have you considered one of the Polaris 6 wheelers? They are built for REAL work.
Posted by: fishbones
Woodtick, I'd not go with the Traxter XT (To pretty), best to go with the XL(?) or the one with a loader/box on the back. It's way more utility minded than the other Traxter's, Kaw also has some models to look at as well. I have a base traxter and it works fine.
Good luck,
Posted by: 2YellowSportsman
If you want a workhorse you should definitely consider the Polaris 500 Diesel. Nothing produces torque like a diesel. If you wouldn't consider a diesel, and you don't plan on doing much trail riding, then I would go with the AC 500... it's a tank!!!
Posted by: 2YellowSportsman
Here is the website for the Diesel;
http://www.polarisindustries.com/product/detail.asp?contentid=01atvsupudiesel
Posted by: shumdit
Cowboy- You need to read the shootout article again. The Traxter was NOT beaten by the AC500 as you state. Maybe you have selective memory and only recall the phrases that appeal to you. By the way I do not own a Traxter, so don't tell me I am being biased, just reporting the facts.
Posted by: shumdit
COWBOY-Glad you could own up to your mistake!!! LOL
Posted by: shumdit
Cowboy,
I agree and I also do not appreciate it when people get hung up on a machine just because it is what they ride. I have used info from this forum to purchase my own new quad and I have to say that this is a great site, or rather the input from fellow ATVers like yourself is what makes this a great site. Sorry if I was busting your chops, it's a bad habit.
Shumdit
Posted by: woodtick
I'm looking for a Utility quad to do some heavy work in the woods. I own a small forestry/logging company and will be using the quad as a small skidder (dragging loads of logs). Also will be plowing snow with this quad. I have narrowed it down to three, AC500, traxter xt, and rubicon. In the off time I will be trail riding and using it for hunting trips. Your views would be appreciated.
Posted by: woodtick
Thanks for you input will look into those quads you mentioned.
Thanks
T Barnes
Posted by: woodtick
Thanks to all of you for your replies. You have suggested a few I have overlook and made re-evaluate the one I was favoring. Thanks again
T Barnes
