What is best ATV for hauling sap in the woods?

[claystroup]

I am in the process of cutting 8' wide trails through my sugar bush and should be done in next 3-4 weeks so all my trees (approx. 50) should be accessible. Thinking of buying a used 4wd ATV that I can haul sap with either with a sled or small trailer. Looking on Craigslist I see some clean used Polaris Sportsman and Suzuki King Quads in the $2500 to $3500 range. I have never owned a quad so am looking for recommendations on what may be best for my situation. I have very little elevation change so no hills to worry about. I may eventually tap my neighbors woods which would put me at about 100 trees total which is my 2-3 year goal and as big as I want to get as I don't have to leave my immediate neighborhood. Thanks, Clay

[maple maniac65]

One that starts right up, runs all day and doesn't break down. It is a Ford, dodge, Chevy thing. My Honda foreman is 16 years old still going strong 1200 hrs and 848 miles. Never been rode on the trails.

[claystroup]

After more research it looks like the Suzukis have transmissions and the Polaris don't but have a snowmobile type drive system. Any advantage to either type?

[lpakiz]

I have a 1988 Suzuki Quadrunner. It has a manual transmission that has 5 speeds, and a range selector with three ranges--high, low and super low. It also has a selector for 2 wheel drive, 4 wheel drive and 4 wheel lock, which makes all 4 wheels drive. In super low, it barely crawls over rocks and down trees. It's pretty bullet proof and I'm very satisfied with its performance.
Remember tho, that no 4-wheeler will go thru more than about 12 inches of snow without being equipped with tracks.

[Tweegs]

Love my Gator.

Pick up tank in the bed puts the weight over the tires.

Drive train can be set up to run in 1 wheel drive (normal), hit the 4x4 switch and you lock in both fronts, grab the rear diff lock lever and you’ve got true 4WD.

CVT transmission, windshield, roof, winch up front.
Lots of ground clearance and an independent rear suspension keeps it surprisingly nimble out on the trail.

As an added bonus, there’s a spare seat up front to tote along a little extra help.

Aggressive tires for sap season, turf tires in the off season.
Gets the job done no matter the season or weather.

[Brad W Wi]

I Have a 96 Polaris 6x6 that pulls the sap wagon with a 210 gal tank on it. Going up hill we try not to fill it, but it can do it.

[Kbrooks80]

One that starts right up, runs all day and doesn't break down. It is a Ford, dodge, Chevy thing. My Honda foreman is 16 years old still going strong 1200 hrs and 848 miles. Never been rode on the trails.

Mine is about the same age but has over 6000 miles and starts first time every time.

[Woodsrover]

I have a Kioti Mechron I haul with. I put to barrels in the back and pump into them from my collection tank. Lots of weight on the wheels and though we didn't have much snow last year I was happy with how it performed. My tractors are both diesel so getting this in diesel was a bonus. It also has an hydraulic dump and an extra pair of remotes that I can run my dump trailer with. Handy machine.

[1220']

its honestly hard to beat a Honda ATV. more orientated towards work than play. I have a 02' Foreman 450 and a 93' Fourtrax 300, both still going strong.

[nymapleguy607]

The manual transmission would be better for towing than the automatic transmissions. That being said I have a Kawasaki Praire 360 that had the automatic trans with a high and low range and it pulls very well in low range. I dont believe Polaris has a low range on thier machines, so I would check that out.