6x6 in the morning.

[Nathan M]

Yeah I know that the initial cost will be tough, but once you get started it seems like it shouldn't be real bad to keep going. How do these compare to a regular ATV? do you have to work on them alot?

[Stonewall]

We use Honda 4 wheelers and side by sides here on my dad's farm. I have an '08 Honda Rancher, which I believe cost around $5600. I haven't had to do anything but the normal changing the oil, adjusting the brakes, etc. My Hustler was free....but it sat out in the edge of a field for 10+ years. I took it and completely restored it for around $2000. The regular maitnance for it was changing oil, adjusting the T-20 transmission (same as Max AATVs, easy to do), and adjusting the chains. I currently have the machine apart because, like many other members, I am addicted to horsepower....

[hydromike]

If I knew it was gonna last this long I would have named it something different.

Why? It's basically what a lot of us do. I already tore apart a Comet clutch this morning before coming in to the office. Last Friday, I was ripping the engine out of the Hustler at 5:30 before going into the office. "6x6 in the morning" is just logical. Then I sit here between tasks and "6x6 in the afternoon" before going home to "6x6 in the evening". It's a bit of an addiction...

Like 'Race says, these are pretty mechanically simple machines. You learn quickly what goes wrong, and how to fix it. There are lots and lots of folks here with really refined knowledge about some of the more intricate things (Don timing the JLO engine with a 9-volt battery and a brake light bulb at Ashtabula last year comes to mind)
so if one person doesn't have an answer, someone else will.

As far as the Honda engine is concerned, I don't think there's a good reason that they don't appear in machines more, it's just that they seem to be less common. Briggs and Kohlers seem to come out of the woodwork a lot, and they're a known quantity, and since they came in so many machines, they're an easy bolt-in. As long as it fits, you can stuff just about any engine back there.

[Nathan M]

Well I'm really glad to hear that. I'm feeling addicted myself and I dont even have one yet! I live down by the Suwannee river west of Gainesville Florida. I can just hear all the swamps calling my name. I used to have a little Honda 185 3-wheeler with super swamper Boggers on it. Me friend I bought it from had a Honda 250R 3-wheeler. We used to be able to go places all the 4x4s could only dream of, but now I look back and realize all the places I couldnt go that I will be able to in a 6x6. I really look forward to getting back out there. I'll have to try to find some pics of the old Honda to show you guys.

[golpher76]

I also used to have one of those honda 185 3 wheelers when i was 12 or 13 it was an amazing machine i had 25" wooly booger tires on the back and i had the intake hose and air box sealed so i could cross water with it. I used to be able to drive it across ponds and rivers due to me only weighing about 115 pounds and it floated with those balloon tires. It was a sad morning when I woke up to go to school and realized someone cut my padlock that chained it to the barn and stole it. I have a 1978 maxII that I bought last fall and I have been working on it here and there it isn't too bad I have had mine all apart and if you pay attention when you take it apart it's easy to put back together. These guys here are great and have helped me out a great deal with choices on parts and what not.