I have had 3 Polaris Rangers over the last 10 years, 2 gas and one electric, so I know the general pros and cons. I currently have a fairly new gas Polaris Ranger mid size. The club I just left was 4,000 acres, fairly level, but a ton of deep Sumter county mud and many miles of roads. I was either in 4 wheel drive or winching out several times. An electric wheeler could never had provided the 4 wheel power needs and go the mileage distance for that club. However, I did have an electric model on a 4,000 acre club a few years ago, with good level graveled chert roads, and it was fine, and could go the distance. Here is my question. I just joined a true trophy only club of 2,000 acres with just 9 guys and no guest. They frown on gas 4 wheelers except for recovery needs. Half of the land is hardwoods with a major creek, but the Clay County ground there is fairly hard, not soft, so getting stuck is not much of an issue. However, the other 1,000 acres is billy goat hill, mixed woods and pines, but with good roads. The number of miles of roads is limited in both tracts, which favors the electric use. My primary question is in the hilly land, and in places fairly steep, how will the electric perform? If it is real cold, I have never experienced the mileage available from a full charge when the unit has to travel steep grades, although normally not in 4 wheel drive. If 4 wheel is needed from time to time,it is because of the grade so tires will not slip, not due to mud. I would think 5 to 6 miles round trip might be a max before I can get back to charge the batteries. Most members have traded in their 4 wheelers for old, original small Ford Rangers, single cab, light weight, short bed 4 wheel drive trucks. They are quiet, and most don't even need a winch. Although quiet, there are places they cant go that I could with an electric side by side. I can't walk long distances due to lower back issues.
So, the question is, even with limited mileage needed, how does the electric unit handle the steep grades as to pull and going the distance,. There are a lot of good bucks here, so few members and quiet travel are needed. My Tacoma truck will be primary, but there are places I would rather take a quiet side by side wheeler.
Re: Gas Polaris Ranger vs electric - 02/28/1909:23 PM
I have a buddy with the 72volt bad boy buggy and that thing will handle what your talking about with ease. He has a 2000 watt inverter he carries and charges every night because we don't have power where we are.
Re: Gas Polaris Ranger vs electric - 02/28/1909:31 PM
In cold weather I get around 8 to 9 miles max on hard gravel roads and almost flat ground. This is with a 2015 EV. I would consider buying a good used one that needs new batteries. I would go on Amazon and buy the upgraded lithium battery packs from Voltronics. Install them and not have to add water and get 7 to 10 years out of them. Less weight and depending on what size battery packs you buy, you can get the same range as stock to doubling the range. This is what I have planed when it becomes battery time. I plan on getting the middle upgrade which gives a little more range just to have in reserve.
Re: Gas Polaris Ranger vs electric - 02/28/1909:50 PM
Catdoctor, what is the approximate cost of the lithium battery pacs? I do recall on several of the batteries on the EV I used to have it was next to impossible to add more water without a lot of work to a few batteries.. The placement makes the access very difficult on a few of them. I did end up having to replace one of the ones I could not add water to, so your lithium plan sounds enticing.
As to Sasquatch, actually these are really great guys. Simply trying to make property more big buck friendly as to noise. I knew that going in. We got a 14 point in December that grossed 175 points. They have some big deer there. That big buck was not a surprise !
ParrotHead 89: Thanks for the reviews. Very helpful.
Re: Gas Polaris Ranger vs electric - 02/28/1911:44 PM
Look at voltronixusa. Amazon has them priced at $7225 for the 9 KWh. with a range of 40 to 45 miles to the 13 KWh pack that has a range of 65 miles for $8725. Lead acid battery pack weighs 688 lbs to lithium packs weight of 200 for the9 KWh to 320 pounds for 13 KWh. pack. You send in the controller to be reprogrammed for the new batteries.