Greetings,
I'm considering a Kodiak 700eps as a utility atv. Usage would be on a 20 acre piece of property in Western North Carolina. About 9 acres pasture, 11 acres woods. Terrain is a combo of flat and inclined (some sections are pretty steep). My gravel driveway also has one section which 2wd vehicles are not always guaranteed to make it up (depends on vehicle and load).
So primary usage would be pulling a tow behind rough cut mower on pasture and woods, firewood hauler, water hauler up driveway (have spring on lower section of property, need water for orchard/trees and garden on upper sections and it's too much vertical rise to pump), potential snow removal at times, and daily sprint to mailbox 3/4 mile away on private gravel road. Maybe 5% will be recreational riding.
Before I go forward on the 700eps, I want to get opinions on the 450eps. Obviously it is cheaper in price, but it seems to have the same towing capacity, decent specs minus the diff lock, probably less fuel burn, and the 700 looks to put out more heat (good in winter, bad in summer I guess). I remember when my street bike would turn on the fan stopped in the middle of summer that wasn't always great.
But, the 700 obviously has more torque, and I want the motor to last going up the inclines and with a heavy tow at times. Approx 100 Gallons water plus trailer weight may pull around 1100 pounds (if doable given driveway). And pulling firewood out from some of the incline sections will take some power.
Is the 700eps the right machine or is the 450eps sufficient?
Appreciate feedback. I haven't used either in a work environment and would rather buy the best machine matched for the job and money spent.
Thanks.
-TikiG
I'm considering a Kodiak 700eps as a utility atv. Usage would be on a 20 acre piece of property in Western North Carolina. About 9 acres pasture, 11 acres woods. Terrain is a combo of flat and inclined (some sections are pretty steep). My gravel driveway also has one section which 2wd vehicles are not always guaranteed to make it up (depends on vehicle and load).
So primary usage would be pulling a tow behind rough cut mower on pasture and woods, firewood hauler, water hauler up driveway (have spring on lower section of property, need water for orchard/trees and garden on upper sections and it's too much vertical rise to pump), potential snow removal at times, and daily sprint to mailbox 3/4 mile away on private gravel road. Maybe 5% will be recreational riding.
Before I go forward on the 700eps, I want to get opinions on the 450eps. Obviously it is cheaper in price, but it seems to have the same towing capacity, decent specs minus the diff lock, probably less fuel burn, and the 700 looks to put out more heat (good in winter, bad in summer I guess). I remember when my street bike would turn on the fan stopped in the middle of summer that wasn't always great.
But, the 700 obviously has more torque, and I want the motor to last going up the inclines and with a heavy tow at times. Approx 100 Gallons water plus trailer weight may pull around 1100 pounds (if doable given driveway). And pulling firewood out from some of the incline sections will take some power.
Is the 700eps the right machine or is the 450eps sufficient?
Appreciate feedback. I haven't used either in a work environment and would rather buy the best machine matched for the job and money spent.
Thanks.
-TikiG
