Ok, I still have not decided what I want/need as far as a SxS. Have a ATV and used the crap out of it and still planning on keeping it. I have 2 kids (4 and 10) but really don't need a 4 or 5 passenger since we will have a kids 4 wheeler and a big 4 wheeler. I need something to haul 1500 pounds of corn into pretty rough areas and want something that can go more than 40 mph but not nessary. I really think the 1k3 is perfect but still a little afraid to spend that kind of money on something that some people describe as not really a "working machine". I kinda thought that is why they built this machine as a utility SxS. Also people described this as it does not like to go slow, which is what is need hauling lots of corn in rough terrain. Would the 700 be better for this? I would get a 700 in a heart beat if it had low range or the 500 tranny. I ask on this forum because I know a lot of you have had both the 700 and 1000.
What is your current ATV? Have you had any issues with it going slow on the hills?
The Pioneer 1000 has turf mode and lower gears (better engine braking) than the 700 as well as a higher top speed.
The Pioneer 1000 isn't a pure working machine. It is probably as close to the magic 50/50 mark as any I have researched. There are machines out there that are better workers (Defender, Kubota, Mule Pro FXT) and there are better trail machines (Wolverine, RZR, Maverick). The Pioneer 1000 beats the other Sport Utes though (Teryx, Commander).
You wouldn't want to drive up a steep long slope going 1-2 MPH under a load on the Pioneer. You probably shouldn't do that with the others either. When the wheels turn slow/don't move, the RPMs of the engine have to go somewhere. If the clutch is engaged when this happens, it has to slip. Do this too much and for too long and you won't have any friction material left. If you get the wheel RPM up to match the engine RPM via the transmission gear ratio, you shouldn't have a problem.
On all of them you will either burn up the clutch or the belt (which acts like a clutch) with the exception of the Pioneer 700 which has a fluid coupling.
That brings me back to my previous question. Unless you are running a Honda Rincon (the only other ATV out there that has a torque convertor) and you aren't burning up your belt or clutch now, you probably won't do so in a Pioneer 1000 unless you add larger wheels/tires and do a lot of mudding. Which will change your effective gear ratio and is much more likely to result in bound up tires and give you a burned out clutch.