UTV Maintenance

[BrokenolMarine]

We had the opportunity to trade in the Polaris Ranger Northstar for a 2022 model; upgrade so they say. Basically like a car, get the newer, improved model. Biggest thing is the new Northstars have roll down windows rather than tilt out. For the past year, we just took the doors off in the summer rather than run the AC. If we left the doors on, and stopped somewhere with no shade, the temps climbed to "bake" in minutes.

new wheels and tires on my Northstar comp.jpg (306.92 KiB) Viewed 836 times

But, as you can see, the 2017 I bought used last year, is nicely accessorized. It has the rack on the front, which requires the enhanced from bumper. It has the tinted glass all the way around, needed for the Oklahoma summers. They upgraded the suspension on this one with ARCHED A-arms, which means extra ground clearance. Added the heavy back bumper with tow loop. Nice.

So, after a bit of thought, I decided to haul this one in and have the pre winter servicing done, and NOT upgrade. The doors lift off easily in the summer and ... store flat against the garage wall. Loaded 'er up and hauled it in this morning and it was ready this afternoon. They replaced a couple bearings, changed the oil and filter, checked this and that, tuned 'er up and we were good to go. $500 later.

The brakes will need serviced next spring but we don't haul around and stand on the brakes anyway. We drive around the farm in this thing, hauling feed and grain to the livestock and using it when we NEED to due to weather to check the animals and the fences. Sometimes it's needed. We don't drive the trucks thru the woods and push thru the brush.

[BrokenolMarine]

Sometimes it's better to keep what you've got and do the maintenance than to spend $10,000 to have a few minor upgrades, and find out you lost all the extras. I TRY not to make snap decisions. Can't say I always succeed.

[cooperhawk]

I have a much smaller unit that we use every day. It also has the dump box. In the Winter I chain it up
and it works great in the snow and ice. Those things are really handy.

[JEBar]

that's a nice looking rig ....

[fortyshooter]

Very nice trail traveler! I'd like to have one with a flip down windshield for range shots in hot or cold weather.

[Hatchdog]

Very nice and probably a good decision to keep the 2017. It looks like it gets the job done just fine regardless of season.

I bought a 2018, XP not the Northstar, for use around the place especially snow plowing. I did have a heater installed which is wonderful. Myself and a couple of neighbors help out an elderly neighbor who really can’t plow his place anymore. One neighbor has a quad and the other a small tractor, both open to the air. When I complain about the heater getting too warm I get a response by either a verbal comment or a hand sign but mostly both.

I like the picture with the mud and snow, just what that machine is made for!

[BrokenolMarine]

I have a much smaller unit that we use every day. It also has the dump box. In the Winter I chain it up
and it works great in the snow and ice. Those things are really handy.

Our first Ranger was a 500, the entry level. I bought it for the farm in VA since I just couldn't get around any more. I actually bought it ON my birthday several years ago. At first, Tina was like, "Whatever." "You earned it." But, then she was using it as much as I was, running all over the 15 acres.

BOM Ranger 500.jpg (290.58 KiB) Viewed 803 times

When we put the farm up for sale, if the lookers were serious, I would take them around the property in the Ranger. The last prospective buyer was impressed with the farm and the Ranger. "Make the right offer and I'll leave the Ranger, the Tractor, and the brand new flatbed to haul them." He did and we did. So we bought the new (used) Northstar 1000 when we got here, and a New Kubota with a bucket (old pharts best friend) when we got to Oklahoma.

[BrokenolMarine]

Very nice and probably a good decision to keep the 2017. It looks like it gets the job done just fine regardless of season.

I bought a 2018, XP not the Northstar, for use around the place especially snow plowing. I did have a heater installed which is wonderful. Myself and a couple of neighbors help out an elderly neighbor who really can’t plow his place anymore. One neighbor has a quad and the other a small tractor, both open to the air. When I complain about the heater getting too warm I get a response by either a verbal comment or a hand sign but mostly both.

I like the picture with the mud and snow, just what that machine is made for!

I bought the used 2017 northstar, nicely set up with heat and air, for less than a new 1000 with just a roof and front windshield. It had a lift kit, bigger wheels, and new road tires. I traded the bigger wheels and tires for factory wheels and off road tires for farm use. Never hinted at getting stuck. Never needed the winch for us, but have pulled a couple neighbors out of the ditch in the winter.