Hi! This is my first post, and although I expect the answers i'm looking for to possibly be biased, I am completely fine with that.
I have a family of 4 (counting me) and am currently trying to find a machine that will fit my recreational wants, and my utility needs at the same time. I was hoping to get some feedback on what the Pioneer can and can't do.. so here is what i'm looking for: A fun weekend toy with some of the capabilities of a sub compact tractor. I'm trying to justify buying a UTV instead of a small tractor to maintain our property..
Passenger room: I would need to haul 2-4 adults, although mostly likely 2 adults and my 2 children (6 & 8) comfortably. Is the back seat in the 700-4 supportive and safe for my kids or adults? Ideally, I would prefer to have room for 5...
Torque: I know it isn't a subcompact tractor... but I am wanting to cut down some tree's on the property, and I am hoping to utilize a UTV to pull smaller sections across the property to be cut for firewood, or ran on a band saw mill. Does the Pioneer have enough power and torque to drag a small log? Would it have enough power/traction to use something like a Brush Grubber to remove multi-floral rose, and other brush?
Snow Removal: Can it push snow, how well does the Pioneer do compared to other models (Ranger, Commander, etc.?)
Balance: is it very top heavy? can it handle side hills, or steep inclines?
Ground Engaging Equipment: Has anyone used a drag, or any other type of attachments behind their Pioneer? I have seen Aftermarket 3pt type hitches added to Kubota's, Rangers, Gators, Etc. Would the Pioneer have the power to pull a disk, plow (garden & food plots), back blade/box blade (leveling driveway). I have a heavy Bolens that can do most of the work in the garden, but I would like a way to pull a drag, rock rake, or rear blade on the road back to our barn (which is flat).
Mower: Anyone pull a mower, or push a mower with the Pioneer? I would like to purchase a bigger push or pull style finish mower to maintain some of our land, I currently have a pull behind brush hog.. but it's a work out running it behind my Honda Rancher.. and bumpy behind my Bolens. I thought a UTV would make the ride more comfortable (guessing a Pioneer 500 would be ideal for this.. but need a bigger machine). Any suggestions on whether a push or pull model would work, and if the Pioneer would tear up the grass to much? Any suggestions on which model - for those of you who use mowers? I currently have a swisher finish, and a Haban brush.
Physical size: Can a Pioneer squeeze into a full size long bed truck? If not, what is the minimum foot print needed to squeeze one into a trailer (I have two utility trailers now.. but I figure the one is to small). Also, how tight is the turning radius? Most of our trails are fairly tight here, although with more RZR's in the area... i'm sure many are being knocked down to bigger widths.
Must Have Accessories: What are some must haves for the Pioneer? I can fabricate some stuff, and can weld. I noticed the tire carrier another member made (love that idea). Just curious everyone would suggest ordering at the same time as their UTV?
2015vs2014: Should I wait to see if Honda is going to offer something else? Any advantage to the 15 model over the 14? I really don't want a belt driven machine, and the ESP on my 2002...er 2001 (can't remember) Rancher has been pretty flawless (the whole machine really) for all these years. However, the 4 passenger lineup seems to be limited category wise. It seems like you either have a full on limo sized Utility option (Ranger Crew/Mule Pro FXT/Viking/Gator 825 crew)... or the more pure sport option (Maverick/RZR/Wildcat). I don't think any of the pure sports will work for me, and the Utility models are.. well... to utlity. The only model I can think of that fits more in line with the Pioneer is the Kawasaki Teryx4. However, I haven't seen any comparisons with this model. All of the full on utility models look like they would take a football field to turn in..and that doesn't look like fun for the type of riding I do.
Price: Any other models i'm overlooking that would be comparable in price to the Pioneer that you guys would suggest?
Mud: I don't want something with snorkles.. but I do love running through water and the occasional mud hole. Does the Pioneer do fairly well stock? I have no intentions of burying it to the dash.. but I have put the Ranchers winch to good use many times (in all fairness it has stock tires still).. see my avatar lol.
Again.. any help is greatly appreciated. My wife and I have been weighing our options, as we sold our boat last year and would like another fun family toy... but a boat isn't fun in the rain, and doesn't do snow lol. I thought the kids would really enjoy going to Hatfield too. So my hope is that I can figure out if a UTV can do more than recreation to justify the purchase.
Thanks again,
Nick
p.s. I will be posting this on another forum as well (so I apologize if you read this elsewhere).
I have a family of 4 (counting me) and am currently trying to find a machine that will fit my recreational wants, and my utility needs at the same time. I was hoping to get some feedback on what the Pioneer can and can't do.. so here is what i'm looking for: A fun weekend toy with some of the capabilities of a sub compact tractor. I'm trying to justify buying a UTV instead of a small tractor to maintain our property..
Passenger room: I would need to haul 2-4 adults, although mostly likely 2 adults and my 2 children (6 & 8) comfortably. Is the back seat in the 700-4 supportive and safe for my kids or adults? Ideally, I would prefer to have room for 5...
Torque: I know it isn't a subcompact tractor... but I am wanting to cut down some tree's on the property, and I am hoping to utilize a UTV to pull smaller sections across the property to be cut for firewood, or ran on a band saw mill. Does the Pioneer have enough power and torque to drag a small log? Would it have enough power/traction to use something like a Brush Grubber to remove multi-floral rose, and other brush?
Snow Removal: Can it push snow, how well does the Pioneer do compared to other models (Ranger, Commander, etc.?)
Balance: is it very top heavy? can it handle side hills, or steep inclines?
Ground Engaging Equipment: Has anyone used a drag, or any other type of attachments behind their Pioneer? I have seen Aftermarket 3pt type hitches added to Kubota's, Rangers, Gators, Etc. Would the Pioneer have the power to pull a disk, plow (garden & food plots), back blade/box blade (leveling driveway). I have a heavy Bolens that can do most of the work in the garden, but I would like a way to pull a drag, rock rake, or rear blade on the road back to our barn (which is flat).
Mower: Anyone pull a mower, or push a mower with the Pioneer? I would like to purchase a bigger push or pull style finish mower to maintain some of our land, I currently have a pull behind brush hog.. but it's a work out running it behind my Honda Rancher.. and bumpy behind my Bolens. I thought a UTV would make the ride more comfortable (guessing a Pioneer 500 would be ideal for this.. but need a bigger machine). Any suggestions on whether a push or pull model would work, and if the Pioneer would tear up the grass to much? Any suggestions on which model - for those of you who use mowers? I currently have a swisher finish, and a Haban brush.
Physical size: Can a Pioneer squeeze into a full size long bed truck? If not, what is the minimum foot print needed to squeeze one into a trailer (I have two utility trailers now.. but I figure the one is to small). Also, how tight is the turning radius? Most of our trails are fairly tight here, although with more RZR's in the area... i'm sure many are being knocked down to bigger widths.
Must Have Accessories: What are some must haves for the Pioneer? I can fabricate some stuff, and can weld. I noticed the tire carrier another member made (love that idea). Just curious everyone would suggest ordering at the same time as their UTV?
2015vs2014: Should I wait to see if Honda is going to offer something else? Any advantage to the 15 model over the 14? I really don't want a belt driven machine, and the ESP on my 2002...er 2001 (can't remember) Rancher has been pretty flawless (the whole machine really) for all these years. However, the 4 passenger lineup seems to be limited category wise. It seems like you either have a full on limo sized Utility option (Ranger Crew/Mule Pro FXT/Viking/Gator 825 crew)... or the more pure sport option (Maverick/RZR/Wildcat). I don't think any of the pure sports will work for me, and the Utility models are.. well... to utlity. The only model I can think of that fits more in line with the Pioneer is the Kawasaki Teryx4. However, I haven't seen any comparisons with this model. All of the full on utility models look like they would take a football field to turn in..and that doesn't look like fun for the type of riding I do.
Price: Any other models i'm overlooking that would be comparable in price to the Pioneer that you guys would suggest?
Mud: I don't want something with snorkles.. but I do love running through water and the occasional mud hole. Does the Pioneer do fairly well stock? I have no intentions of burying it to the dash.. but I have put the Ranchers winch to good use many times (in all fairness it has stock tires still).. see my avatar lol.
Again.. any help is greatly appreciated. My wife and I have been weighing our options, as we sold our boat last year and would like another fun family toy... but a boat isn't fun in the rain, and doesn't do snow lol. I thought the kids would really enjoy going to Hatfield too. So my hope is that I can figure out if a UTV can do more than recreation to justify the purchase.
Thanks again,
Nick
p.s. I will be posting this on another forum as well (so I apologize if you read this elsewhere).
