ATV Logging suggestion

[DDW_OR]

What kind of ATV should I get and why? (I'll ask a trailer specific question once I'm done with my initial research).

• Purpose: Cut wood to build log cabin, sheds, fences, etc. + own firewood over the first 1-2y week-ends. Then sell some wood, again over the week-ends when I feel like it I'm not looking for another full-time job.
• Land : 322 acres. I've attached a topo map below. Elevation in meters, so elevation gain on the land is approx. 550'. There's no forest roads as per say. The ATV needs to be able to climb with a good load.
• Wood : Mostly mature forest, 80 acres is old growth but I'll not touch these trees until they hit the ground.

Thanks all

please update your profile with general location.

Log cabin building = tractor or Skidsteer with a boom to add height and reach for lifting.
could use a ATV or UTV with an A-frame arch. or leave a tree in a key location and build a lifting boom (arm) that swings.

 
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[johndoesti]

It seems that only Honda are making solid rear axles nowadays (therefore no 6 x 6)?

[celliott]

I wouldn't get too hung up about not having a solid rear axle on the 6x6's. There is an extra axle there anyways.
I can't speak for tracks in the summer, we only use them in the wintertime, but I'd be afraid they wouldn't hold up long. They say they are all season, but to run them 100% of the time? More expensive than tires to replace...

If you ever need more traction, tire chains are an option too. We run chains on the rear two axles of our polaris 6x6's and they will go through a surprising amount of snow.

[livemusic]

  Yesterday at a sportsman show I saw a Hustler MDV, which is a UTV with a bed that lowers or dumps and I thought of this thread. I have no experience with this brand, just saw it at a show.

Thanks for the info about the Hustler Maximum Duty Vehicle. I could not find a video that showed the bed working, but I did see some static images. Even the main Hustler site does not have much of a promo video, it's just a teaser. It was announced in October 2016. The bed will lift up and back and down so that the bed is sitting on the ground. You could load something very heavy on it at ground level, such as a big red oak round. It appears that you can also dump the bed, even when it is extended halfway to the ground. Not sure what dumping in that position is for. Anyway, kudos to somebody with coming up with a good idea, hope it works well.

[livemusic]

...I also have a plastic tub ( reused paddle boat bottom) which I use when I want to junk up firewood at "the stump"...

Hello, could you expand on what this 'tub' is and how you use it? Is it just a totally open plastic tub, open like a washtub?

[DDW_OR]

as to the question as to which building to do first.
Outhouse, when you got to go, you got to go 
Pole barn, storage, dry work area, can live in
Log Cabin, comfortable

[gump]

Livemusic:
 Yes, it just a "vessel" to carry junked up wood, like a washtub, except the shape is better. I was given and old paddle boat but found it to be more work than fun and never used it. So all I did was cut the top half off leaving me with a great container to haul behind the ATV with snow on the ground.

 

[Brandon1986]

I built a bed mount arch for my old sportsman 500 6x6.. I chain up all 4 rear tires and put a stack of cutting edges on the front axle for steering weight and shazam I have a fairly legit mini skidder.. I can skid about 1,000# with this set up it's VERY nimble and with an electric winch I can drop the turn at the bottom of a hill free spool the winch climb a hill with the unlaiden 6 wheeler then winch the turn back up too me.. What hasn't been mentioned about those 6 wheelers yet is no matter what you ALWAYS have 4 tires on the ground.  Case in point I take my wife out recreational riding once in a while.. I put her on the old 500 and I take my 700 4x4 (it is a little funner in the mud holes and the jumps) anytime we come up to a 16" shear face in the trail she (with much less experience than I) can idle up over it because there is always an axle on flat ground pushing or pulling whereas when I hit it with the 4x4 I have to work at it because there is a point when both axles are fighting up the ledge.. I have a picture of my set up but I can't seem to get it to post for whatever reason.. bummer..

[IndyIan]

What's your soil like?  If its not all rocks, I'd rather spend the money on a 4wd tractor than a new ATV of any type.  Then you can get a logging winch, make your trails, blow snow, maintain your driveway, lift stuff, drag, mow, etc, etc.... 
By all means get a 4wd regular ATV as well to zip out and fell some trees or cruise your trails for $2-3k, but for what a 6x6 or side by side UTV costs new, you might as well spend a little more and buy something that can pick up 2k+ lbs and load it on a wagon.
   

[sublime68charger]

to the OP what is your price range?

I'm a Honda ATV guy and have 2 Honda 450 Foreman's
Have had 1 since new in 2002 with 4,500 trouble free miles just change oil and I have redone front brakes wheel bearings 1 time and a Muffler replacement as well.

if your looking new I go with the New Honda Foreman 500 with Electric power steering and 4x4 with the diff lock. 

if used and price range in the $4000-7000 range get a Honda foreman 500.

if your really on a budget find a Honda foreman 450 can get them for $3000-4000ish.

the Honda's run forever and are pretty stout machines.

just my thoughts of things and good luck.

[Dakota]

Another vote for a Honda.  I started out with a utility 2000 Honda Foreman, all wheel drive, all the time.  Simple and bullet proof.  It's still going strong.  What it could pull out of the woods with an arch was impressive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

[WV Sawmiller]

John,

   I use a Kawasaki Prairie 650. I have about 40 acres that rises over 100' (oops - correction) 450'-500' from front to rear. I pull some pretty large logs down hill with and without a logging arch. I have had some pretty hairy rides down the hill. I would not try to pull anything up hill over 6-8 inches and 20-30 feet long, if that. I would not suggest anything smaller and even think you would be better served with a UTV for the extra weight. Good luck and be careful.

[47sawdust]

Dakota,
 That's a very nice arch.Did you build it?

[Dakota]

yes, I built it.

[lirachamo51]

i would have to agree with some other replies, on the the 4 wheeler logging idea. I've been there and done that! I purchased 334 acres back about 5 years ago and started with 2 new 4 wheelers ,log rite logging arch, and gravel rascal they all do a good job at light work but.... if you plan on cutting and hauling, fire wood, logs to mill, i would go with the advise a friend gave me and it has been my best decision. wm 55 with loaded tires and ice chains, 12000lb farmi winch, bradco frame mount back hoe with thumb, and forks.Its not a skidder or bulldozer, but has really been a versatile and back saver for me with trail maintenance ,stump and rock removal from trails hauling my firewood and logs for the sawmill, and the many other options you can use it for. thats my 2 cents of experience that i know you won't be disappointed with

[wildtmpckjzg]

I think you need to narrow your choices down to side by side UTV or regular ATV. A regular ATV is not nearly as wide as a UTV and will be more nimble in the woods. A UTV will have more load capacity, be more stable, and tow more.

My suggestion? Get a 6x6 ATV. We use them at work for maple tubing installations. They don't turn as tight as a 4 wheeler, but are very nimble in the woods, and you would be amazed how much more stable they are, and the places they will go. They have a rear cargo box that dumps as well.
We have used polaris sportsman big boss 800's in the past, I think they have a new 570 big boss that is supposed to be improved a bit (power steering, 2up seat)
We did also just get a Can am outlander 6x6 as well, with a track kit for deep snow. It's geared lower than a regular outlander and is wider.
If you really want to work an ATV hard and also keep the width and agility of a 4 wheeler, get a 6x6. You can recreation-ally ride a 6x6 just fine atv accessories, but the regular 4 wheelers will outdo them trail riding generally. Although a 6x6 will go some pretty foolish places  

It's time for a new battery on a JD Gator 625i with a dump bed. I'm running a Boss Power V Xt. Of course there are headlights, but also a strobe, front and back LED lights on the roof, and a cab heater.

Would like your thoughts on a suitable battery to run these accessories in cold weather. Right now the stock battery is still there.

P.S. Looking to add a bed spreader (possibly with a vibrator) so add that to the mix. If anyone is selling a spreader that would fit, I'd be interested....

[gspren]

@wildtmpckjzg , your jumping into an over 6 year old thread with a question sort of off to the side, might be better to start a new one.

[DDW_OR]

The original poster has not posted on this thread since 2017.
would be nice to know how things are going

my first piece of equipment would be a 4x4 tractor with at least 50 HP
next is an Excavator, 10,000 pound at least. or go whole hog and get one that can use a harvester head.

drill a well.

i had 166 acres so i know