Anyone using their Ranger as a Tractor Substitute?

Thanks TG-OK. Yeah I'm debating between getting a small tractor for my yardwork or trying to do it all with a Polaris Ranger. Just not sure if the Ranger is capable of doing it all, nothing is really more than light duty work...just not sure if the "strain" on the machine will be too much and cause a lot of wear and tear that a tractor might not have.

Just figure for plowing it's a no brainer. For mowing, the turf mode traction and a finishing mower attachment would be great for mowing my 1.5 acres. The biggest unknown is if I can use it to manage my driveway areas (crushed stone) and use a box grader to keep it level/manicured. Not sure if dragging a box grader will "break down" the Ranger excessively.

I may try to talk to the local dealer more and see what their thoughts are, although I'd imagine their focus would be on making a sale, not on necessarily protecting me from the purchase, and like you said...few may do what I'm thinking of doing (?)...so the dealer might not really be knowledgeable on it either.

Would be an expensive "experiment", but the upside of the Ranger is I can still have fun on it and ride it around my place and the woods, whereas with a tractor that isn't an equally "fun" option

Yeah I think this is going to be considered pretty light duty and I feel like a tractor would be overkill although obviously do the job.
I can't see getting a riding mower when I could just get a finishing mower implement for a Ranger.
The Ranger just gives so much more versatility.
Ultimately I live on 5 acres of very flat ground with woods behind that I could ride in. I'm at the end of a half mile dirt road that is private (so legal to ride on that road).
I just need something to manage the snow plowing, the grass cutting (on about 1.5 acres), yard/house work, and the leveling/grading of gravel and dirt.
Definitely not a "daily" workhorse...more of a leisurely/fun ride with the versatility to do yard work

Box scraper wise, how would I "spec" out a suitable size one? Figure it can't just be shear product weight due to the resistance factor increasing the effective towing weight.

I have been looking at getting a box blade for mine. As well as a rough mower. Been looking into building a pull behind cultivator, seeder and a few other tools. I would love a tractor but I love my ranger and I abuse it when ever I get the chance. Koplin has a 3pt hitch adapter, would be good for any non pto powered class 1 implements.











We are working on upping our 5 acre hobby farm to a 100 acre hobby farm. Will need to buy a tractor, but until then I will keep abusing the poor ranger. Would love to find some pull behind self powered haying equipment.

Wow jmurphy definitely puts his Ranger to WORK!
I think you have more weight on that thing than I'd ever put on it! haha

Discraftpro, I hear ya on the Kubota's from a shear utility perspective...I'd just hate to give up on the fun of the Ranger for it!


Grader wise, I came across this...looks like it would be pretty suitable and effective for a Ranger!

DR Power Grader
48" Driveway Grader (12 Teeth) with Drag Screen

or

DR Power Grader
60" Driveway Grader (16 Teeth) with Drag Screen

I have a Mid-size ranger as well as access to a New Holland TC-30 Diesel "compact" tractor. We use the tractor at my families horse farm for everything. We have a loader, belly mower, brush hog and a rear mount snow blower. After using both, I would say that I end up on the tractor more than anything for most tasks. Not to say that a Ranger is not more than capable of many things, I just think the tractor has basically limitless usability. The 3 point attachments for a decent size tractor are about limitless. I have found that for attachments we don't have we simply rent them for a couple days (PTO driven post hole digger for example).
No slams at all on the Rangers or what folks do with them, but in my opinion using both, the Ranger is a nice compliment to a well equipped/ powered tractor.

Since I own both, I'll chime in on this one. A Ranger can handle the work you talked about, but not like a tractor would. Not knocking the Rangers, but they aren't purpose built for the chores that you listed, where tractors are. Around my place, you can pick up an old Ford 9N, or a Ferguson TO-30 or 35 for $2500-$3500 that still have a lot of life left in them, and sometimes with an implement or 2. Then you have the right tool for the jobs, and after you figure in implements for your Ranger, wear and tear and down time, you could've paid for the tractor. Once again, I'm not saying the Ranger won't do it, because I know it will, I just know that a tractor will do it better, and usually faster, than a Ranger will. Besides, it really sucks when everybody is ready to go ride, and your rig is down for repairs lol.