Quad/ATV what to look for/look out for

[JennBags]

Morning all. I'm considering getting a quad or ATV to do some jobs on my tiny bit of land (just under 5 acres), harrowing, topping, spraying etc. I can take my car round but it doesn't like it very much, I keep getting warning messages each time

Being a total numpty for this sort of thing, what should i look for, and what should I avoid or inspect more carefully? Any particular makes recommended?

 

[Robt]

Hi,
For those sort of jobs you need to go slow . I’d suggest a compact tractor rather than a quad. What sort of budget do you have in mind?

 

[JennBags]

Budget up to about £5k I guess, there don't seem to be many small tractors around though.

 

[tw15]

What to look out for you ask no1 thieving pikey scum

 

[Nearly]

@Drillman

For the price of a compact tractor you can get a basic vintage one which will outlast them all.

@TripleSix will make you a bespoke off road vehicle for a large fee.

Almost guaranteed not to be stolen.

 

[tinsheet]

250 honda! (Quad)

 

[Brisel]

£5k will get you a 2-3 year old 250-400cc quad bike from a dealer. I’ve always had good experiences with Honda but Kawasaki and Suzuki are popular too.

Consider security carefully. They are nicked in their thousands every year. It needs to be locked in a very secure shed when not in use. You might get discounts on your insurance if you take additional steps e.g. tracker, CESAR Datatag, lock it to the floor.

 

[JennBags]

What to look out for you ask no1 thieving pikey scum

That's one of my biggest concerns tbh

 

[Brisel]

Thieves had my Honda 420 away a couple of weeks ago from a locked shed in a locked yard and it was chained to the floor. Datatagged too. CCTV will deter them from sniffing around if it’s out of sight. Even a movement activated siren might make the difference between a late night disturbance and your toy being silently taken away.

 

[tw15]

Thought of a idea the other day have a large old watertank that fits over quad and add a ton or more weight to it and drop it over the quad with tele handler.
Either that or cut a end out drive quad in and winch up to the roof un plug control wire wouldn't think they would sus out its in a tank in the eaves that quick .

 

[Loftyrules]

Having used a quad for paddock maintenance, I wish I’d gone with a small tractor, the quad is ok (although knickable) but the kit that goes with it is usually poor quality that isn’t up to the task.

This looks a good deal https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/113806080144

 

[Farmer_Joe]

ive got a little mf 1210 forsale would be an ideal thing and around 3k ish, its not just mine though there will be loads about like this if you look, then you have pto etc for other jobs.

 

[Nearly]

There was a dodgy looking one at Chesterfield....
@Dave W

 

[Dave W]

There was a dodgy looking one at Chesterfield....
@Dave W

You mean the mitsu beast?

 

[Finn farmer]

Look out for Polaris. A total piece of crap! Ours will be swapped for Yamaha as soon as the warranty runs out (which is next March). Constant fueling issues, caught fire once because of said fueling issues, crappy plastic loading decks etc. Power is good, but the quad is too light for the power.

 

[manfromhill]

Maybe an old 4x4 isn’t such a bad idea less stealable than a quad