DuckSouth.com

I have about talked myself into replacing my 4 wheeler with a ranger, however in the last couple of days I have had 2 people tell me they have had all kind of problems with theirs. Almost everyone on here seems to love em. Anything I need to know about? Do any of you have trouble keeping them running? Thanks.

Only trouble I have had in two years of owning one was I ruined the belt on it this past Spring, running water furrows in 6-12 inches of water all day in 2WD, says right there in the manual to always use the 4WD. They have alot of power, more power than belt so to speak, so if you are in anything more than normal road conditions, use the 4WD. It will not seem like you need the 4WD, that 2WD is doing fine, but you may be putting more stress on the belt than it can handle. Otherwise, a great machine, would not want to go back to a 4-wheeler.

they are loud

I know of 4 that have shredded the drive belt. Same thing SWAG stated. If you run them with wheels spinning at high rpm's it creates an issue. Use 4 wheel drive and low gear and take it easy in the flooded fields and long slick areas and should not be a problem. Also, all 4 were 2007 models and Polaris claims to have resolved the issue with the 2009s.

If the belts hold up I think they are great machines.

+1 loud

Are they as loud or louder than the Mule?

In my experience, they are pretty hot in the summer, but not a problem of the mechanical nature.

Here is another question about rangers and problems...if money not a major issue, which would you guys buy, the Regular or Crew Cab Ranger? Have you heard of any additional problems with the Crew not seen in the regular aside from general stuff like turning radius?

My .02 with em is that they are always breaking (we hunt in the swamps)......I am a Honda man, but if I had to buy a UTV now itd be the Rhino. They are bad! Ranger is too loud IMO...

only problem with the ranger is there is not one at my house on my trailer hooked to my truck to take me to my stand and drag my deer out of the woods...

I traded in my 07 rhino on a 10 ranger 800 xp. The ranger is 10 x quieter than the rhino. You have to run the ranger in low or u will burn a belt. My son has already burned one. The belt system is not as good as the rhino but that is my only complaint.

deltadog wrote:+1 loud

500 isn't as loud as the 700's or i guess 800's now. my rhino sounds loud to me - but i hear more of the 660 thump inside the metal cab w/windshield and back glass (same as sliding back glass as ford ranger)
the swamp does take a toll, but imho, polaris has the best 4wd system - no worrying with stopping to lock in/out front diff., or having to PUT a locker in a honda for that matter, just put it in 4wd and go.
i love my '06 rhino, drives much better than the rangers (not as much like a school bus steering wheel), but it is a 2 seater only. it has a lot of grunt, lil narrower width-wise and a better ride over rough ground, but i bought it with a heavy metal cab already installed, so the extra weight probably has a lot to do with the quality of the ride.

They do sound loud when riding in them, but stand out from someone going by on one and you will notice that they are much quieter than a 4 wheeler. Wildife do not react near as negatively to the sound of a Ranger as they do a 4 wheeler. Have no idea what the sound decimals are on a 4 wheeler but it must be very irritating to wildlife judging from their reactions

the older rangers where loud but the 700's are not loud at all

So this belt thing- is this something I can replace or does it have to go to the shop? If a shop thing, how much? This could be the deciding factor for me cause I ain't taking to Magnolia Lawn and Tractor in Vicksburg.

hdforester wrote:So this belt thing- is this something I can replace or does it have to go to the shop? If a shop thing, how much? This could be the deciding factor for me cause I ain't taking to Magnolia Lawn and Tractor in Vicksburg.

yes, you can change it yourself. the belts aren't cheap, but it should last for a few years, unless there is another problem.
check out a few ranger forums to see the majority of all problems people are having with what year models and what the fix is...there is about any how to you would need to repair them.

http://www.prcforum.com/
this is one of the best for rangers