Polaris Ranger 6 x 6 as a sap hauler-any opinions?

[claystroup]

Does anyone on here have an opinion on using a Polaris Ranger 6 x 6 as a sap hauler in the woods? I tap about 100 trees on sap bags in my woods and am looking at a clean used Ranger 6 x 6. I wouldn't be hauling more than 70-80 gallons at one time. Currently using a 1944 Farmall A with a small trailer and looking to upgrade.
Thanks,
Clay

[Springfield Acer]

I use a Ranger 800 4 x 4 with two 35 gallon leg tanks in the bed side by side and it hauls perfectly. I would never go up a 45* incline or steep side hill with a full load but other wise, it's fine. I have the tanks mounted on a plywood platform that extends out the back without the tail gate on. There is a dump box recessed in the back with a 12 volt pump to fill the tanks. I have an outlet drain valve on the tanks that dumps back into the dump box when I get back at the shack. With a switch of a hose, I pump into my bulk tank.

[lords sugaring]

I'm using my grizzly 4x4 this year and attaching a 25 gallon tank to the back rack. Might make a number of trips to my head tank but beats lugging 5 gallon bucks full all over my property. Also doing a 12v transfer pump to get into head tank.

[steelguy]

I use a ranger 570 with a 50 gal horse tank in the back, made a custom cover to prevent sloshing out.
also I have a small sump pump that I leave in the tank, just plug in to 110 and pump up to my head tank.
I also have a 12 volt bilge pump set up to pump from my 275 gal collection tank (3/16 gravity lines) use it in the field to pump into the horse tanks.
pretty sure you will not have a problem with the 6x6

[lew]

I have had a polaris 6x6 since 1995. I just replaced the 95 with a 2017 because I love them so much. The 6x6 will handle the weight no problem. The only problem you'll have is steering. With all the weight on the 2 rear axles, that are direct drive, it will push straight ahead like a dozer. You will have to go slow and easy with a full load to make your turns.

[maple marc]

I've used a 6x6 Polaris to haul sap for about 12 years. I strap a 55 gallon drum into a cradle in the bed. It handles it just fine, although as lew said the steering can get a little dicey with all the weight. Back at the shack I use a sump pump to empty the tank.

[anchorhd]

Are they still making the 6x6 ranger? How is the 6x6 on hills in snow? Watch the ground clearance on the 570 midsize. I use a xplorer 400 4x4 quad with a 30 gallon leg tank on back and 2- 5 gallon buckets in front and am also looking to
upgrade. Something good on the hills.

[lew]

Yup. I just purchased a 2017 leftover. They're all shaft drive now. Electric steering, fuel injected, front storage compartment, quite a bit nicer than my old 95.

[Johnny t]

I use a 900 Ranger with a 65 gallon tank. If you have your shocks moved to the outboard position your capacity goes from 500 - 1,000#'s. That should be the same on a 800 not sure of the 570's. Pushing is not an issue since you can run it in one wheel wonder drive if needed. We run up and down the hills all day long with this setup. We have the tank set in longitudinally so valve hangs off the back for easy unloading with a sump pump.

[lawrence d]

Clay
Any reason not to just pull the trailer with the 6x6
I have a Kawasaki mule I find lifting sap buckets high enough to dump them in a bed container really difficult of course I am old
The nice thing the side buy side has over a tractor is they are so easy to get on and off I used a tractor for years getting on and off so many times got old quick
Now I just pull a small low trailer behind the mule and collect in three 30 gallon barrels

[Brad W Wi]

I have a '95 6x6 Polaris and it's great and keeps on keeping on. I pull a trailer with it with a 210 gal tank on it. No problem and if it wears out I'll replace it with another Polaris 6x6. Off season it's used to carry all my wood cutting tools and then load up the box and pull a sleigh in the winter with my fire wood on it.

[FROSTY]

It will work great, I had a 2002 6x6 Ranger and used to haul 2-55 gallon plastic barrels in a cradle laying down. I upgraded to a 2005 4x4 700 Ranger a couple of years ago, it does good but the 6x6 handled the weight much better. I now use a square poly tank with a cage around it, cut down so I can only get 100 gallons of sap in it. I put 4 turn buckles , one on each corner of the cage and tie it to the box, doesn't move and can even tip it to finish emptying. 17888

[blaircountysugarin85]

I use a Polaris ranger 500 with 2 55 gallon plastic drums strapped to the bed. It works great. I installed bulkheads and a plastic valve to the bottom of each drum so when I unload into my tank I just open the valve and fill my buckets up.

[ddociam]

Does anyone on here have an opinion on using a Polaris Ranger 6 x 6 as a sap hauler in the woods? I tap about 100 trees on sap bags in my woods and am looking at a clean used Ranger 6 x 6. I wouldn't be hauling more than 70-80 gallons at one time. Currently using a 1944 Farmall A with a small trailer and looking to upgrade.
Thanks,
Clay

I use my Artic Cat 4x4 with a trailer and 65 gal leg tank. I wish the hole in top was bigger but it pulls well and I use a small pump to move sap into my bulk tank. Reverse just went out this week so I have to be careful where I steer it. The first week I gathered about 10 gals. This week 65 the first three days some trees produce some don’t. Some not much. Taking my wife to the doctor for three days so my buckets will be full. I have about 110 taps. All on buckets. I’m going to get a side by side. Much easier to get out of. I think my wife will be more agreeable to coming with me.


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[SuzukiSapper]

I have a little bigger Hauler, it goes anywhere and doesn't rut or tear up the bush. Pull a sled I built with a 300 gallon poly tank with large opening.

SW 48 (Sap Wagon 48)

http://mapletrader.com/community/image.php?u=41751&dateline=1457705815&type=thumb

[DMF]

We use a 2007 Ranger 700. I have a 100 gallon stainless steel tank in the back. It handles the weight and terrain fine, but my road going into the bush gets so muddy I often drag bottom. I'd love a 6x6 with the tracks on the rear!

[jputney]

I use a polaris sportsman 500 6x6 with tracks. Have a 65 gal. tank in the back. Sometimes it doesn't turn the greatest but it will go anywhere.