Just curious which you guys prefer or would recommend. What brands? Types? And where would be the best place to pick one up? Thanks.

Looking to buy an ATV for some land my family just purchased. Thanks.

I have a Polaris Ranger 400 and I really like it. It's a bit smaller than the full size Ranger (which I like) and can get just about anywhere a four wheeler can get. It's also really fast. I tried a Mule, but it's way too slow.

How many people are you carting around?

Any cargo?

Mule = slower, heavier, more stuff and people

4-wheeler = faster, lighter, little to no stuff or passengers

I guess it's main purpose is carting people around the land and carrying cargo so four-wheeler would be out of the question for now. But eventually a 4-wheeler would be nice to have.

Get both, each one serves its purpose.

You can get almost as many answers as there are people on here, but my take:

4 wheeler/fun, useful for riding you around

ATV (Ranger, Mule,Gator etc.) fun, can carry more than one person, can carry loads, can pull small trailers, carry tools etc.

I prefer the full size Polaris Ranger, I have an older one that is not a 2 seater or twin cylinder motor and it goes faster than I want to go (top speed around 45 mph) pretty much will carry what I need to carry (fence posts, wire, tools, feed etc.) and pull small trailers. I have tried other brands and know people that own different brands but when I buy another it will be a Polaris.
Hope this helped..

Depends on what YOU want. Mules are governed at 25 mph. Rangers will go 50 mph depending on which one you get. I rarely go over 25 anyway. Will kids be driving it? From everything I have read about them the mules seem to be almost bulletproof mechanically. There do seem to be a few people complaining about mechanical problems with their Rangers but there are still many satisfied customers

http://www.texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1742843/UTV#Post1742843

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Mules are governed at 25 mph. Rangers will go 50 mph depending on which one you get

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That's why we bought the Mule diesel. Seats four(or more) and does not go that fast. We put the lift kit and larger tires on it and it rocks!

I have both. A Yamaha 250 Big Bear and a Mule 610. Hands down the Mule is the better ATV for hunting and working the ranch. They can be used just about anywhere the 4 wheeler is used, except for tight trails and deep mud. I really enjoy fact that the Mule has a bed for hauling.

+1 for the Mule

My dad got a little two seater mule a couple years ago for our small property in the Hill Country, and that thing might as well be a goat with a dump-bed. We've never gotten stuck, climbed some steep hills with loads, pulled out stumps, and hauled many a venison harvest in with that thing.

Pops recently traded it in for a 4 seater now that we're getting more grandchildren. Still 4X4, still hauls a good bit. We broke it in this year at our friend's ranch in South Texas for opening weekend of dove season. We had a bunch of hunters and it was great for picking up, dropping off, bringing water, you name it.

I've never tried a Polaris, but from what I gather, it's a solid machine too. The only advice I can give based on experience is the Mule though. Can't go wrong.

We have a kawasaki 4 wheeler and a gator. We use the gator 90% of the time...but the 4 wheeler has its fun. If I had to choose one I would choose gator ( or mule or ranger etc)

Mule, Ranger, etc

6x4 Gator

You'll eventually end up with both but my experience is that once you buy a side by side the 4 wheeler sits ALOT. I had a 4 wheeler 3 years and the Mule passed it in hours in 6 months. Everybody loves getting on the Mule. We have a 2 row seater and you can take a small family or 2 couples on it and converse while you are riding. You can haul more.

The 4 wheeler is great for a quick solo trip somewhere, through tight stuff, though woods w no trails etc.

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You'll eventually end up with both but my experience is that once you buy a side by side the 4 wheeler sits ALOT.

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+1

We had a pair of four wheelers out at the ranch for years. Last year, Dad bought a Kubota diesel RTV and the four wheelers saw a huge drop in usage. It's so much nicer to have a bench seat than having to straddle the seat (especially for my Dad who is in his 60s already with a bad back). You can drive one handed with either hand instead of having to hold the gas (can keep either hand warm when it's cold as crap outside). You can also talk to someone while showing them around.

We use if for all sorts of the things. The bed is great for carrying tools, etc out to work. Great for carrying corn to fill 2 or 3 feeders, etc. We have a hitch on the front and back for trailers. The front hitch is awesome for parking trailers, It makes them incredibly maneuverable.

Polaris Ranger 500 and Xplorer 400 on the place, and the Ranger gets the vast majority of the work. Its independent rear suspension makes for a great ride, and the wife never did like the 4-wheeler steering.
Plus the Ranger allows for one hand on the wheel, and one hand for your cold beverage.
But the Xplorer does fit in the pickup, when going places.

Brad, somewhat funny story, the war dept. (wife) got as up in arms as she ever had when I made it clear I was getting a Mule. $10,000++!!! she says. Once she got behind the wheel, never said another word.