Quad vs Gator questions

Zimmerframe

Have a Honda 420 and find it indispensable, I use it for mainly for "looking" at the cattle (about 2 miles down a byroad), have a little trailer for fencing etc. a spot sprayer and mostly use it to persuade the cattle that it's a good idea to go into the cattle yard.

Does everything I need, BUT although I'm more than old enough to have sense, I seem to be having a mid life crisis and although I realise the dangers, wear helmet etc. I seem to be doing my Evil Knievel impression every time I drive it.

Was considering a "gator" / mule" "kuboto" yoke, although I never drove one, it looks like it would be less "fun", a little safer and I could take the 'auld fella with me.

Anyone have experience of both, and how does the agility of the gators eg herding cattle compare to a quad or are they similar ?

Thunderbird

Zimmerframe wrote: »

Have a Honda 420 and find it indispensable, I use it for mainly for "looking" at the cattle (about 2 miles down a byroad), have a little trailer for fencing etc. a spot sprayer and mostly use it to persuade the cattle that it's a good idea to go into the cattle yard.

Does everything I need, BUT although I'm more than old enough to have sense, I seem to be having a mid life crisis and although I realise the dangers, wear helmet etc. I seem to be doing my Evil Knievel impression every time I drive it.

Was considering a "gator", although I never drove one, it looks like it would be less "fun", a little safer and I could take the 'auld fella with me.

Anyone have experience of both, and how does the agility of the gators eg herding cattle compare to a quad or are they similar ?

Ya use a Kawasaki mule.ideal for going where tractors won't and find it very handy for gathering stock an fencing,feeding

selectamatic

Them quad trucks could be worth a look too.

Or if you're a mean aul hoor like me a Suzuki jimny, pajero jr etc. on flotation tyres would do the job just as good and in more comfort. No need to trade your current quad either as you'd pick one up for a couple of hundred.

Zimmerframe

Thanks, no we have an old jeep and tractors, but no I love /want /need my quad so it's a straight

Quad vs a Quad with a cab type yoke.eg Kubota Rtv query.

They are not cheap and I will obviously do some more homework, before any purchase, but mainly curious given my usage, did anyone go from an Atv/quad to an Rtv/gator/mule type yoke and any pitfalls.

Waffletraktor

Zimmerframe wrote: »

Thanks, no we have an old jeep and tractors, but no I love /want /need my quad so it's a straight

Quad vs a Quad with a cab type yoke.eg Kubota Rtv query.

They are not cheap and I will obviously do some more homework, before any purchase, but mainly curious given my usage, did anyone go from an Atv/quad to an Rtv/gator/mule type yoke and any pitfalls.

Inherited a jd gator last spring and have 2 quads, gator is a good bit more sluggish (though could be as much in need of a good service) and not as agile. Wins on every other front though imo(though like an oven in summer if doors left on), it will consume 1lt of engine oil to every 60-80 lts of fuel and it's a small engine to begin with but again more so needs a serious going through as much as anything.

gctest50

selectamatic wrote: »

Them quad trucks could be worth a look too.

Or if you're a mean aul hoor like me a Suzuki jimny, pajero jr etc. on flotation tyres would do the job just as good and in more comfort. No need to trade your current quad either as you'd pick one up for a couple of hundred.

The little Peugeot diesel goes into them easy
if you find one with a bad engine

selectamatic

gctest50 wrote: »

The little Peugeot diesel goes into them easy
if you find one with a bad engine

Mk1 swb vitaras/escudos came with the brilliant 1.9dturbo engine from factory. Very rare in Ireland though. The lwb's got a 2.0td Mazda lump but they're a monster of a jeep compared to a Jimny.

stantheman1979

We’ve both a Honda 500 and a Kawasaki mule. Both have they’re pros and cons. Bike is quicker, more manover, easier to see stock, easier to jump off to catch a sheep😂. Mule is safer, a godsend in wet weather and handy for fencing bringing around a few bags of meal in the one journey and is much easier run. If I had to choose I’d go with the bike. More versatile imo.

Iloverain

We were thinking of getting one here too. What are the gators like on soft ground compared to the quad.

Cattlepen

I have gator and quad here. If one had to go It would be gator. Now they are a great yolk for tipping around. Carrying meal, square bales to sheep, fencing etc. But they are useless for gathering stock. No where as nimble as the quad. They are also a lot heavier in soft ground and will tear the place up more. There is a great plastic carry box for the quad made by wydale and I find it will carry most of what I want for a specific job. It on the flip side the gator will carry everything and more. Gator has required a lot of maintenance for only 1000 hours. Would have the feeling the kubota would be superior. There is also a Yamaha Viking that looks more quad like but is a side by side. It only comes in petrol though

Zoo4m8

Went from a quad to a Kubota rtv, had the quad a year and just couldn’t get on with it..love the Kubota, eight years old now , kept the quad sprayer and put the tank in the back, made a carrier for the booms. I find it no bother to gather the sheep if necessary (the dog has poor eyesight now) always keep the drivers door off can jump in and out easier than a quad (I’m old!)
A big plus for me is it’s weather proof, can carry all sorts in the tipping back, just cleared a heap of rubble in the yard without cutting the fields to bits.
I don’t use the bearclaw tyres as I have a big garden and can do all sorts of work there without damage.
The only advantage that I think a quad would have is it would be better in rough/soft ground than the Kubota, neither of which is an issue for me.

alps

Tried a gator for a few days, but back to the quad....

Miles better for herding, can put up and take down strip wires from the seat, and can do a full grass cover in no time using the platemeter and being able to slip under all the paddock wires rather than going to the gate each time...

Depends on needs

Warning......make sure to lift fence wires with an insulated item when going under, as the shock going through to your throttle finger is an experience.....

Zimmerframe

Thanks guys, I think I get the picture ie. I already have the best machine for my needs, it's really for safety reasons that I considered a "gator" and the reason I don't feel too safe on the quad is ME.

Keepgrowing

2 Suzuki quads and a Kubota rtv
Quads win on every count save a shower of hail.

Quads much more nimble, easier on ground and quick enough to herd cattle. Can also put up break fences without getting off.

Kubota is slow, very very noisy in cab, very heavy on wet ground and an all round pig of a yoke. It has been towed in from the paddocks 2 or 3 times.

It is cheaper to run has a greater payload but quad wins hands down

9935452

The one thing not mentioned here is the diesel versus petrol debate .
I've seen on other forums where lads use their quads a lot and spend a fortune on petrol and change due to the fact that the diesel is cheaper to run and more available

Zimmerframe

9935452 wrote: »

The one thing not mentioned here is the diesel versus petrol debate .
I've seen on other forums where lads use their quads a lot and spend a fortune on petrol and change due to the fact that the diesel is cheaper to run and more available

Not an issue for me anyway, the Honda is pretty good, although the wife gets pissed off that now there is never any petrol for the lawnmower.

9935452

Zimmerframe wrote: »

9935452 wrote: »

The one thing not mentioned here is the diesel versus petrol debate .
I've seen on other forums where lads use their quads a lot and spend a fortune on petrol and change due to the fact that the diesel is cheaper to run and more available

Not an issue for me anyway, the Honda is pretty good, although the wife gets pissed off that now there is never any petrol for the lawnmower.

They aren't light on petrol. I've a road registered Honda 420. Put on a small trailer . Drove 10 miles on the road . Collected 5 pallets. Drove home 10 miles and the thing had burned 8 euros worth of petrol