IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => Ice Fishing Transportation => Topic started by: Agronomist_at_IA on Oct 03, 2009, 11:08 PM
-
I'm looking at picking up a good used 4 wheeler just for pulling around my Fish trap. Since I'm in Iowa and like to fish the great lakes, I don't like to take my pickup out on the ice. To many worries for me, and the great lakes always seem to have some really thin spots of ice on it.
Last year I used a Honda 400cc foremann 4x4 and it did the job great. Even had some spots that I though I was going to get stuck in but it went through it no problem.
So, My question is does one really need a 4 wheeler with 4x4 to get around on the lake? Or will a 4 wheeler that is 2x4 be good enough for 90% of the time
-
2x4 wheelers seem to be helpless in more than 6'' of snow. I have ridden a few, and owned one, and they were not much for winter machines. They wont steer very well either without the front wheels pulling.
-
Around here last year a 4x2 would have been useless most of the year due to snow cover on the ice. 4x4 with chains were getting stuck quite often. With little or no snow cover there OK.
-
4X4 all the way. You get stuck once with a 4X2, or put off a trip, once, because of snow conditions, you'll be wishing you got the 4X4.
-
have no regrets, buy a 4x4
-
No question 4x4 is the way to go.
-
4x4 yamaha grizzly 700 all the way
-
4x4 yamaha grizzly 700 all the way
With Mattracks? ???
-
u could put those on if you realy need it, but i dont, atleast not here in wisconsin
-
u could put those on if you realy need it, but i dont, atleast not here in wisconsin
I think a used snowmobile can be aquired for less than a set of Mat Tracks.
-
I don't have either, but what I've seen is 3 wheelers don't do very good in deeper snow, once last year on a warmer day when the snow turned into heavy wet snow, the 3 wheelers were just spinning their tires, the front tire was like a snow plow, so I would say a 2x4 quad would do the same with front tires plowing, the 4x4 quads were getting around nicely. Just my 2 cents. Smitty
-
I've run both out on the ice and here is my experience.
My 2x4 polaris would work well if there was about an inch of snow on the ice, otherwise if it's glare ice, you can't steer. Once the ice gets more than 8" deep, forget it. 2x4's for the most part don't have the ground clearance to go thru snow.
My 4x4 Arctic Cat works pretty good on glare ice, even without chains or studs. In deep snow, not so good. Anything more than 8-10" of snow is problematic for any quad, unless it has tracks.
Where on the big lakes are you fishing? I've driven my truck on Little Bay De Noc with no second thoughts, but it was end of January time frame, there was a good 16" of ice. I know Green Bay doens't usually get good enough ice to drive on, but sometimes it does.
-
Well, here is what I found....
1989 Kawasaki KLF300-C1 Bayou 300 4x4
1-Cylinders
4-Stroke
300cc
Suggested Retail Value $1275
The Kelley Blue Book Suggested Retail Value is representative of dealers' asking prices and is the starting point for negotiation between a consumer and a dealer.
I'm thinking if it is in good shape I'll get it. Anyone know if this is a good 4 wheeler or not?
-
4x4 all the way! :thumbsup:! 4x2 = Pushing :%$#!:
-
Wow I didn't know Kawasaki was in the quad game in the 80's already.
My uncle has an early 90's 300 4x4 Kawasaki, it's a good machine. It's not nearly as big as some of the 4x4's today, and odds are it has a swing arm rear axle instead of IRS, but some guys prefer those, they tow better. I know that his little 300 manual kawasaki will out tow my 400 auto arctic cat any day. He pulled my permanent ice shack with it (middle of summer) and that thing is pretty tongue heavy, but it handled it well. I'm too afraid to put that thing on my arctic cat, I don't thing the IRS suspension could handle it.
He doesn't ice fish with it though so I can't speak to it's snow tackling abilities. I do know it doesn't have very good ground clearance, all the older machines like that were built much shorter and smaller than todays machines.
But hey, if you don't fish in deep snow, by all means go for it. Like I said earlier, all quads, unless equiped with tracks have a hard time in deep snow.
Be aware though, this Kawasaki will be smaller framed than the Foreman 400 you mentioned earlier. It won't be the same experience riding it.
-
I think a used snowmobile can be aquired for less than a set of Mat Tracks.
that is true
-
The Bayou is a good machine I have that same year and model except its a 4x2 with a a locking differental for posi in the rear, hasent let me down. With a set of chains its not too bad. Deep snow is a slow go but it did go. Go with the 4x4 and you will be happy. What I do like about the Bayou is it has both electic start & Recoil start.
-
you could probably pick up a yamaha big bear 350 4x4 for a pretty cheap price, i have one of those and it is a solid machine... as are all yamahas
-
No doubt in my mind.....4x4...
-
i would say hold out for a yamaha but thats just personal preference, but my bro has that exact wheeler and let me tell you that thing will go anywhere there like little tanks if its in good shape buy it up
-
As long as your doing it go for the 4x4 and I probably wouldn't get one any smaller than the one you used last year. Remember the wind blows and the snow flows up at the IGL.
-
Kawi's are good machines, my cuz has one about that old and it just keeps going despite what he does to it. :)
-
I'm looking at picking up a good used 4 wheeler just for pulling around my Fish trap. Since I'm in Iowa and like to fish the great lakes, I don't like to take my pickup out on the ice. To many worries for me, and the great lakes always seem to have some really thin spots of ice on it.
Last year I used a Honda 400cc foremann 4x4 and it did the job great. Even had some spots that I though I was going to get stuck in but it went through it no problem.
So, My question is does one really need a 4 wheeler with 4x4 to get around on the lake? Or will a 4 wheeler that is 2x4 be good enough for 90% of the time
You don't need a 4X4 if you own a big scoop shovel and like to use it.;-)
-
i would say hold out for a yamaha but thats just personal preference, but my bro has that exact wheeler and let me tell you that thing will go anywhere there like little tanks if its in good shape buy it up
Thanks, I just wanted to know if it was a good wheeler or not. Quite a few years back, my uncle had bought an artic cat 4 wheeler, and my cousin had a Honda foreman. The artic cat was crap. It was belt driven and the belt always would slip when going up anything remotely steep. The honda was good though. Good to know this kawasaki is a good machine.
-
Don't be afraid of belt driven machines. Your uncle probably just needed to replace his belt, it is routine maintenance like on a snowmobile.
-
I have a 88 Bayou 4x2, let me tell you they are one heck of a machine. I would still be using it on the ice except now I have a 4x4 so the Kawasaki stays up at deer camp.
Joe
-
While I'm not saying I wouldn't buy a 4x4....I've had a 4x2 (with chains) on the ice several times and blazed my own trail through a good 6-8 inches of snow. I continued to suprise myself by not getting stuck. I weigh a solid 250lbs so that may have helped. And keep in mind that most of the time you can follow a snowmobile trail or another ATV trail...
-
I agree with the following a trail idea. I also run only a two wheel drive four wheeler. I would like to go where ever I choose. But the price keeps me from buying the machines I want. Holding out for a snobear or 4 wheeler with tracks. If you can afford the 4X4 then buy one. Of course its better, that's why they cost more, then you can make a trail for me ;D ::) :o
-
I would have got stuck a lot last year if not for 4x4
-
I would have got stuck a lot last year if not for 4x4
Agreed. I had to get off and shovel myself out of a snowdrift I didn't see well enough at night last year and that was early, mid december.....
2x4 would have been a death sentence here last year.
-
I'm putting some chains on my 1990 Yamaha warrior (4x2). I can say i won't even bother in more than a few inches of snow.
I just don't want the hassle.
I'll let ya know how i make out.
-
always go for the 4x4!! and only go as far as you can in 2wd is my motto after you get it it's too late to keep wishing you got the 4wd!
-
I am going to give a Honda ATC three wheeler a shot this year I am on the Petenwell flowage. Most of the time wind swept with enough paths to follow .Question is I plan on studing up the rear wheels should I also do the front? any ideas before the season.
-
I am going the 3 wheeler route this year as well, I bought a 250 big red to pull the porti. I put wooley buggers on the rear and plan on studding all 3 tires. If the studs dont work, time for tire chains.
-
I am going to give a Honda ATC three wheeler a shot this year I am on the Petenwell flowage. Most of the time wind swept with enough paths to follow .Question is I plan on studing up the rear wheels should I also do the front? any ideas before the season.
Yes do the front also! Those days across the slick stuff and you won't be able to turn. I use short screws with a 5/16 head. Put them in with a lightweight battery drill for control so you don't strip them out when you put them in. In other words to make sure the screw stops turning once it touches the knob. If your tires are worn be careful not to use too long of screws. I buy mine in packs of 100. It takes a long time to put them in, I suggest you start now, and don't wait till the last minute. You can't put too many in your rear tires, I allways think I should of put some more in. In the front you will only need a few down the middle to give you enough traction to be able to turn. I used a Honda 70 three wheeler for years. The automatic clutch had to be adjusted so it wouldn't slip with all the screws, which made it shift hard, but would pull like crazy with only 5hp. Remember that when you get those screws in there it will pull harder and not spin. Make sure your chain is adjusted and your wheels are tightened up. Air pressure good so the tires won't come loose of the rim.
I found an old picture of my three wheeler 70.
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg161/michianiafisherman/PDVD_012.jpg)
-
For the front you can add a 10" ski or Make a ski out of a 55 gallon plastic barrel.
-
i use a honda 200s 3 wheeler but only use it with a couple inches of snow on the ice.it does the job with just the balloonies on it and it goes pretty good haulin out the gear.
-
I just picked up a Polaris sportsman 500 H.O. X2 last year. Dealership is 2.5 miles away, (biggest reason why I want Polaris) all the others are 8 or 9 miles away. I just liked Polaris. This thing is a tank, 4 ft snow drifts are easily pushed with plow and havent gotten stuck once. I got the 4x4 and I am willing to bet that if you bought new or within the last 5 years most quads will be standard 4x4. What I would look at is the price difference, if it's only a few hundred dollars more to get 4x4 get it, if it's outa your price range well thats a different story. My thinking is it's better to have it and only use it sometimes than not have it and need it, but if your gonna get stuck it doesn't matter if you have 4x4 or not, your gonna get stuck regardless.
-
2007 Yamaha 450 auto 4X4,,,,,,,,,,,haven't been stuck yet.......but wouldn't be without 4X4......never....
(http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq173/wally-eye/QUADRIG005.jpg)
-
The more go you have the deeper the hole you have to dig out of, and the farther from help you will get.
-
The more go you have the deeper the hole you have to dig out of, and the farther from help you will get.
You are right about that! If I am planning on spending several hours on the ice, I have to watch the weather for more snow. With my two wheel drive I might not get back too easy. :flex:
-
The more go you have the deeper the hole you have to dig out of, and the farther from help you will get.
This thing (http://www.thewilcraft.com/the_vehicle.php) doesn't seem to care about how deep a hole is out there. ;D
-
Like I said I only go as far as I can in 2 wheel drive and if I get stuck I still have a chance of getting out by putting it in 4x4 My utv has the option of engaging a differential lock for the rear wheels thats the last chance get out of trouble!
-
Whether it's deep snow, thin ice, or open water;
it's so much easier to go OVER it than to go THROUGH it . . . so . . .
the best, easiest and safest strategy it is to STAY ON TOP.
-
I had a Bayou 300 2x4 with diff lock for a few years and I can only remember 1 time that I actually had issues. 95% of the time it was fine. If all you can find/afford is a 2wd then go for it you will be happier than you would be walking and you can always upgrade.