Another recommendation request

[pathfinder]

My wife and I are looking for a reliable utility quad for working around our property.  The uses we foresee using if for are:
-pulling a trailer loaded with firewood, building materials and/or tools/gear
-accessing parts of the property during the winter with less 12" of snow (if possible)
-able to haul two of us
-Winch capable

Any insights would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance!

[Will_C]

12 " of snow will be a tall order for any ATV, but I think a Honda Foreman will handle the rest of your tasks, and it will be reliable. It will be about the cheapest way to meet your requirements. there are other good machines out there as well.
Will

[Old Syko]

12" of snow is barely a drop in the bucket compared to what most all big bore 4x4s are capable of handling.  Take a look at the Kawasaki Brute and the Yamaha grizzly then look at the Can Am if you care to.  All the above are big bores and any one of them will fill your needs and then some.  I see all too many folks buy their first 4x4 smaller, lighter, and with less power than they would like and trade them in at a loss soon after the purchase for something more capable and fitting to their needs.  It's always better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

2 years ago on Thursday before Christmas we got 2 1/2 feet of snow.  Used the quad to plow the drive and part of the road and then went joy riding off and on for the next few days.  Most fun I've had since I've owned a 4x4.  Never got stuck that first time!

[pathfinder]

Thanks for the replies guys.  Sage advice.  What engine size are you suggesting?  Any insights on transmission types?

[Old Syko]

As far as engine size, mine is a modified 650.  So anything larger than that will fulfill all your wants and needs. 

I mentioned the Can Am only because they now offer a 1000 cc engine.  MHO is that it is overrated and definitely unproven.  Kawasaki, Yamaha, and even Suzuki seem to get the same job done dependably for less$ and with 7 to 800 cc engines.

As far as transmissions go, you're going to end up with some sort of CVT as that is all that's offered in the big bores to my knowledge other than maybe Honda.  All manufacturers seem to give their drive systems some sort of name in order to differentiate them from the competition, but in truth the principal is all the same.

You mention pulling a trailer.  Any of the big bores will pull much more trailer than you have any business pulling.  The problem is not going but stopping.  It's hard to whoa up a 6,000# trailer with a 700# quad but it can be done if you're careful enough  

[nodlenor]

I would probably go for a Polaris Ranger 4x4. It would be a lot better for two people to ride on. Plus you can haul a lot more with it. My hunting buddy has one and he uses it for a lot of things. You can haul fire wood without using a trailer or even more firewood with a trailer. IMHO it is a lot handier than a 4 wheeler.

[loknlod]

Another vote for the Honda Foreman here.  You want a hard working reliable utility machine that is capable of towing and hauling?  You do not need anything larger than 500cc for anything you mentioned and the Foreman has a solid axle which will handle the loads you put on it.  Do a lot of research before your purchase.  Good luck.