[kyle.stark1986]

Hi,
Looking to buy my first ATV. I will be using it primarily to plow my driveway and hunting within a few miles of my house. I've looked at the Rubicon and rancher. I had a gator and was constantly tearing up boots on it driving through corn and bean stubble. For this light use I Think the Rubicon may be over kill. Any advice on which model?

 

[Goober]

Welcome and thanks for your questions. Are you considering used?

You can get A arm guards for most quads to protect those boots.

I like the Ranchers in fact the simpler the better. I don’t know what the new ones have; never had one newer than 06. I think that was last year for the TRX350.

Before 02 you could get 2wd or full time 4wd only

 

[JohnnySolo]

Hey welcome to the forums! I'm gonna have to agree with you, Rubicon would break your wallet for no need. Get the Rancher, great atv and it can do what you need it to do.

 

[alloutdoors]

I have personally owned several Rancher units and they are outstanding for what they offer. I have recently purchased a Honda Foreman and the performance is outstanding for work. The major points for me were front differential lock, taller tires, larger feel and more power. Now after 20 miles of work/fun, the added power alone was worth it for me because I can easily run up the same hills today as with my previous Rancher in a higher gear with plenty of grunt to spare.

 

[SamUK]

Both great machines, the power difference is negligible, the rubi has a slightly lower 1st gear, the rest are pretty much the same ratio. The rear end on the rubi is strong as it’s the tubed type SRA.

Easiest way to say it is this....

Rancher for general play and work, Rubicon/Foreman for heavy work and play.

 

[fishfiles]

My .02 , the only new Honda I would personally buy , would be a 420 , foot shift , straight axle and from reading your post , I'd get the heaviest duty set of stick stoppers I could find or build

 

[Hilldweller]

I bought my 2016 Rancher 420 used with 25 hours/125 miles on it. Use it for snow plowing in winter (500 foot gravel driveway), and chores around the acreage in summer, so it's a year-round use machine. Selectable 4WD, straight rear axle. Pretty much a stock machine, except for the winch, plow, a small LED light bar on the front that I use while plowing, and 12V cigarette lighter-style outlet that powers a tank sprayer and water pump for irrigation duty.

It's the only ATV I've ever had. I've found way more uses for it than I first imagined. My wife knew we needed a better plowing setup and we had a family friend who needed out of bad deal and had this machine up for sale.

The 420 has had enough power for everything I've done so far. Not only the snow, but I've loaded it with 400 pounds of bagged sand on the front and rear cargo racks while also pulling an additional 1000 pounds of bagged sand in the cart.

In short, I love having this machine. For my small acreage and the way I use it, it's more convenient and flexible than a utility tractor. It doesn't take up a lot of space in the shop building when being stored.

If I went shopping for another machine for the same use, I'd stick with a straight axle and selectable 4WD. Some folks might want power steering, but I find the 420 fine without it.

Good luck.