Buffalo owners....

[Stoneyridgeboy]

I'm looking at a Buffalo, and need to know if you've found the fun factor limited with the Buffalo? I'm going to be using my machine, whatever it may be, to travel the hills and hollers on my farm, and need it something to carry equipment (chainsaws etc..). I do want to be able to enjoy riding around as well. So, is the Buffalo just an amazing utility machine, or will it be as fun as another model of The Max lineup.
Thanks!

[MaxRules]

Do you have to cross lots of water or mud? Why are you choosing the Buffalo?

[Mike]

I do not own a Buffalo but to me the only downside is the additional weight of the Buffalo compared to a Max IV and I think that's what MaxRules was getting at. The Max IV weighs ~800 lbs and the Buffalo weighs ~1100 lbs. With the maximum tire size on both machines being the same, and assuming you would get 26" tires on both of them, the PSI exerted on the ground is going to be something like 35% greater in the Buffalo Truck. The less of a footprint that you leave, the better it is going to perform in mud when it can't touch the bottom.

If you are mainly going to use it on the farm for hauling equipment with the occasional trail ride, it seems like a good choice. If you are going to mainly use it for fun with the occasional use on the farm, I would lean towards the Max IV even if you just get a trailer to pull behind it for farm use. Of course, you can always take the bed off the Buffalo Truck.

The benefit of the Truck outside of its useful load is that the engine is not sitting over top of the T20 like it is in a Max IV which means it is mounted down low for a lower/better center of gravity. That also makes servicing the transmission easier.

Hopefully some of the Buffalo owners will chime in. I think they will tell you that they aren't limited in the amount of fun they have with their ATV.

[akranger72]

I have a 2008 Buffalo, bought it last may with 30 hours on it almost new. Anyway I was not impressed with performance at all. I had 6x6world member msafi65 install a red spring on secondary clutch and he took the 27 tooth jack shaft sprockets off and replaced with 34 tooth. This really geared it down but I was still not happy. I have since took the bed off, the support frame out and lift cylinder out losing over 300lbs of weight. All I can say is WOW. I made a custom storage are in rear leaving engine open and able to stay cool. I moved the battery back as far as possible ad have storage under the seat. I added a 40amp alternator to support extra lights lights and winch usage. I took out the cheap plastic headlights and put in 55w sealed low beam headlights as well as extra 50w drive lights. I beefed up the hitch on out side and inside and upgraded bolts to grade 5 bolts. I used it for moose hunting last month and pulled a huge load of gear into cap with it with liitle effort. It swims like an Argo now with nose tipped down and rear way up in the water but I just packed my gear load to counter balance this and swam across 2 small rivers while hunting with no issues. I think the Buffalo could use a bigger engine at least and it is just too heavy to use efficiently on trails and such unless you make some modifications. 6x6world member msafi65 has moded his sons Buffalo and one other Buffalo up here in Alaska with lower gearing and tracks. I have the 26" tires on and had excellent performance while hunting. I think I will go to the Interco vampire ASX tires on my Buffalo and tracks on my Max IV. Good luck with your choice. The Buffalo would be great for farm use and some trail riding but gear it down for best results.

[akranger72]

Also forgot to say that my Buffalo with the roll cage, windshield, soft top and 26" tires weighs 1442 lbs not the lightest 6x6 AATV lol.

[Stoneyridgeboy]

Thanks for the imput. I'm still torn as to which machine I'll be getting, but might post the link on here for someone else. It looks like quite a good deal for a buffalo. 2010 with low hours, 26" tires (I think), for under $7k.

[akranger72]

Almost sounds like your looking at the same Buffalo MaxRules has been?