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

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    almont
    Posts
    158

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

    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

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Mercer PA
    Posts
    289

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    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.
    2 x 6 A&A raised flue w/ preheater, OFA & UFA
    600 gal Zero tank
    125 taps on vacuum w/homemade releaser, 70 on gravity, 75 on buckets + a partner with 100 more buckets
    7" short stack Wesfab press
    Homemade water jacketed canner
    Polaris Ranger sap hauler
    Two English Setters to keep watch on things

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Candia NH
    Posts
    89

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    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.
    2018 - ?? 2x5 lapierre raised flue evaporator

    2017 - 150 taps mixed 2.5 x 4 evaporator

    2016 - 230 taps taps mixed 2.5 x 4 evaporator

    2015 - 115 taps mixed buckets, bags and, water jugs. 2.5 x 4 evaporator.

    2014 - 55 taps mixed buckets, bags and, drop lines. 4 steam trays and a block arch. 3 gallons made tapped prematurely (lesson learned)

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    hastings mi
    Posts
    15

    Default

    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
    125 taps
    75 on 3/16 gravity
    50 on buckets
    2x4 flat pan with dividers with 2x2 finish pan
    AUF

    570 Polaris ranger with horse tank sap hauler
    smokey lake steam bottler

    2017 125 taps 25 gal syrup (long season)
    2018 125 taps 39 gal syrup
    2019 125 taps 20 gal had some left from 2018
    2020 ?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    smithville flats ny near binghamton
    Posts
    600

    Default

    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.
    shrunken producer, from 8,000 taps to 4,000 to 5800 to 9500 to 11,000 vac
    5x16 woodchip fired evaporator with 5x10 max flue and 5x6 revolution front pan
    CDL 20+ RO
    Double 10"filterpress

    sp-11, bb2, airtech L63, L160, L230 vac pumps
    CDL low profile electric releaser
    MES 8000 electric releaser
    CDL 4000 tap mechanical releaser

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Central Ohio
    Posts
    318

    Default

    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.
    Central Ohio
    Leader WSE 2x6
    Old metal corn crib converted to "The Shack"
    Smoky Lake 6 gallon water jacket canner
    Daryl 5" filter press with air pump
    Deer Run 125 RO

    2023: 140 taps, buckets, 32 gallons
    2019: 100 taps, buckets, 45 gallons
    2018: 100 taps, buckets, 31 gallons
    2017: 100 taps, buckets, 15 gallons
    2015: 100 taps, buckets, 34 gallons
    2014: 100 taps, buckets, 30 gallons
    2013: 100 taps, buckets, 52 gallons

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Washington County NY
    Posts
    55

    Default

    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.
    Last edited by anchorhd; 02-16-2018 at 08:48 PM.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    smithville flats ny near binghamton
    Posts
    600

    Default

    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.
    shrunken producer, from 8,000 taps to 4,000 to 5800 to 9500 to 11,000 vac
    5x16 woodchip fired evaporator with 5x10 max flue and 5x6 revolution front pan
    CDL 20+ RO
    Double 10"filterpress

    sp-11, bb2, airtech L63, L160, L230 vac pumps
    CDL low profile electric releaser
    MES 8000 electric releaser
    CDL 4000 tap mechanical releaser

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Arlington, MN
    Posts
    28

    Default

    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.
    2.5 x 6.5 custom built wood fired arch.
    2018- 300 on 3/16, 100 in pails on the flat.
    35 years experience still haven't mastered the fire
    Polaris Ranger collection vehicle
    Super excited to try out the new AUF system 2018

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Michigan near goodells
    Posts
    6

    Default

    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

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