Newbie thinking about 700-4

[howardjg]

Looking to replace my 20 year old artic cat 400. Side by side seems to be the way to go. Also considering polaris 1000. Plowing my 700 foot steep driveway is a primary concern. Old artic cat has done a great job but starting to show it's age. Real world reviews appreciated. Limited trail riding a possibility with wife and 6yo old son.

Upstate ny

 

[Russ989]

@Mudwing

 

[DaddyDubbs]

Welcome from Alabama.
I don't have to plow my drive, but I do pull a tow behind landscape rake to level and fill in the ruts and pot holes up a fairly steep gravel drive and have had no problems with the P5. I'm sure any Honda would serve you well.
One question you might want to look into with the Polaris and plowing snow belt slippage in those wet conditions. Also when descending your steep driveway, the Polaris uses a CVT where you have to be applying power for the belt to get tightened or else you will be free wheeling and relying on your brakes to slow down, whereas the Honda driveshaft will allow your engine to help slow you down.
IMO - Having done my share of plowing when I lived in Michigan, I would prefer gears and a driveshaft.
Good luck in your quest.

 

[Russ989]

Welcome from Alabama.
I don't have to plow my drive, but I do pull a tow behind landscape rake to level and fill in the ruts and pot holes up a fairly steep gravel drive and have had no problems with the P5. I'm sure any Honda would serve you well.
One question you might want to look into with the Polaris and plowing snow belt slippage in those wet conditions. Also when descending your steep driveway, the Polaris uses a CVT where you have to be applying power for the belt to get tightened or else you will be free wheeling and relying on your brakes to slow down, whereas the Honda driveshaft will allow your engine to help slow you down.
IMO - Having done my share of plowing when I lived in Michigan, I would prefer gears and a driveshaft.
Good luck in your quest.

What’s your landscape rake setup? Just curious

 

[allgm1]

I plow my 350' driveway with my 700. my driveway is pretty flat (and Gravel) and Ive never had any issues with any amount of snow we get here in NH.

 

[1border4manu]

Welcome from Central Florida. Sorry no plowing here.

 

[100Acre]

Went from 500 to 1000-5. Go big, don’t go back...

 

[Homer]

^^^ I researched a 700-2/4 for months (on this site and elsewhere) before purchasing a 1000-5. No regrets.
Unless you have specific size or budget constraints, I agree with go big.

 

[Smitty335]

^^^ I researched a 700-2/4 for months (on this site and elsewhere) before purchasing a 1000-5. No regrets.
Unless you have specific size or budget constraints, I agree with go big.

I agree, I started with a P1 and have no personal comparison experience as others do, so I'm careful about making comments that might make me sound like a snob, think the P1 & P7 are safer than a stock P5. There are improvements than can be made to all of them to make them safer and better trail buggies. But a Pioneer will never be a Talon.

 

[DaddyDubbs]

What’s your landscape rake setup? Just curious

I got mine from agri supply, here is a link:

5' Landscape Rake w/wheels for ATV

This ATV landscape rake is compact to move around freely in your yard or small farm, to rake up leaves, pine straw, sticks and other small yard debris.

www.agrisupply.com

The description says it takes a 2” ball, mine actually is 1-7/8”.
here are a couple of photos hooked up to my P5.
later this week or next I plan on grading the drive and I’ll try to get some in action photos for you.

 

[c_carrierlj]

Looking to replace my 20 year old artic cat 400. Side by side seems to be the way to go. Also considering polaris 1000. Plowing my 700 foot steep driveway is a primary concern. Old artic cat has done a great job but starting to show it's age. Real world reviews appreciated. Limited trail riding a possibility with wife and 6yo old son.

Upstate ny

Hey man. Would definitely go the Honda route. My driveway is similar in length to yours and ive used my 4-wheelers to plow it. I had 2 Can Ams, which I loved to death, and never had any belt problems while plowing. However, when those big snowfalls came, it was always in the back of my mind. Honda's dont use the CVT belt style transmission. I just ordered a 2021 Honda PIoneer 1000-5. I would suggest to do the same! You might regret a 700, I'm reading alot that anyone who bought a 700 wished they wouldve gotten the 1000. Good luck though!

 

[Russ989]

I got mine from agri supply, here is a link:

5' Landscape Rake w/wheels for ATV

This ATV landscape rake is compact to move around freely in your yard or small farm, to rake up leaves, pine straw, sticks and other small yard debris.

www.agrisupply.com

The description says it takes a 2” ball, mine actually is 1-7/8”.
here are a couple of photos hooked up to my P5.
later this week or next I plan on grading the drive and I’ll try to get some in action photos for you.

View attachment 256647 View attachment 256648 View attachment 256649 View attachment 256650

Nice setup

 

[Dangb1]

I have a 2019 P700-2 and have plowed snow here in northern Wisconsin two winters now and never had any issues at all and have been very happy with it. I chose the 700-2 because it's just the wife and I and I wanted a sxs that could be closed in and heated and didn't have a belt drive system and if the kids come to visit they prefer to ride the 4 wheelers anyway. I've owned and worked on belt driven sxs, never had a problem with belt slippage but had to replace the wet clutch's after a couple seasons of pushing snow and I haven't regretted having gotten the P700 instead of a P1000 but that's just my 2 cents.

 

[Mudwing]

Welcome from the frozen mud holes of WNY. The 7hundo is a solid machine with low maintenance costs. I have yet to ever regurt my 7hundo purchase. The thing will tractor through as long as you have the wheels on the ground. Do your research and pick the machine that is right for you. 😉
#ntc😎

 

[howardjg]

Thank you to everyone for the replies...Going to look at a friends 1000-5 this week just to get an idea about size. It does seem like Honda's are kind of hard to find compared to other brands?

 

[VTbarn1]

Number2

Here's a video of my 700 plowing.

 

[VTbarn1]

Number1

And another one. It does a great job.

 

[HP700]

I have a 2019 P700-2 and have plowed snow here in northern Wisconsin two winters now and never had any issues at all and have been very happy with it. I chose the 700-2 because it's just the wife and I and I wanted a sxs that could be closed in and heated and didn't have a belt drive system and if the kids come to visit they prefer to ride the 4 wheelers anyway. I've owned and worked on belt driven sxs, never had a problem with belt slippage but had to replace the wet clutch's after a couple seasons of pushing snow and I haven't regretted having gotten the P700 instead of a P1000 but that's just my 2 cents.

Greetings from Nj ,
You mentioned in an older post that you regretted getting the P7, can you share some of your regrets? I just put a deposit down on the P7 and wondering what were some of your concerns ?Thanks in advance

 

[Remington]

Thank you to everyone for the replies...Going to look at a friends 1000-5 this week just to get an idea about size. It does seem like Honda's are kind of hard to find compared to other brands?

Welcome from the Great Lake State!

if your just plowing your driveway, and not much else the 700 would be fine. Even if u hit the trails from time to time its still a good machine. The 1000 is an awsome machine, little harder to find these days cuz of the times. If your plowing, stay way from the rubber band machines and definitely poo poo’s.
dont forget some pics to post when u get it!
Now you got us wondering what your gona do