Is Artic Cat any good?

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Ole Farmerbuck

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I'm thinking about buying a 2002 artic cat 5oo, 4x4. It has 656 actual miles on it. Has a nice boomless sprayer, dozer blade, windshield and electric Warn wench with it. I've had a Kawasaki 650 before and it had plenty of power but i dont know anything about Artic Cat. Are they good machines? It looks like new, the ole fellow kept it inside while not using it. He wants $3150.00.
 
I hate to say it but no .......we have a lot of wheelers around here. I own six myself, but no cats. My friend has two cats and he's not happy. For work it's hard to beat a honda. For what it's worth..........but hey, never know. Whatever it was if it was belt driven I wouldn't get it.
 
Personally I'm a Polaris man, just raised that way (and I know how to fix them). But after working with and trail riding various quads, I have to say, Kawasaki has some of the toughest and most capable machines out there. The Prairie 700 is one heck of a working quad, and it has a selectable front locker for the tough stuff. I don't like IRS machines for work, but some do. The Suzuki King Quad is also pretty slick, a lot like the Kawi. Of course, the Grizzly seems to be the off road choice for most guys, but in the end it pretty much comes down to the rider, and the winch.

I have ridden, and worked on a few Arctic Cats, and I wouldn't suggest them to anyone.
 
A friend had a new AC atv and had quite a few problems with the clutches. He ended up trading it for a Honda and is happy.

I have a Honda Rubicon that I am happy with. It has a hydro trans similar to a lawn tractor.

A lot of atv's use the same clutch/belt system as a snowmobile. Simple, light and cheap. Belts wear out, they get wet and muddy even with all the guards and the clutches need repair or replacement too frequently for me.
 
I have a 2000 Arctic Cat 500 auto.I've used it for everything, including hundreds of houre pulling a DR rough-cut mower and plowing out all my neighbors after big snows.I think it is a great work horse.That price is a little higher than I've been seeing, but he does have a lot of attachments.
 
coog said:
I have a 2000 Arctic Cat 500 auto.I've used it for everything, including hundreds of houre pulling a DR rough-cut mower and plowing out all my neighbors after big snows.I think it is a great work horse.That price is a little higher than I've been seeing, but he does have a lot of attachments.
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I called the artic cat dealer and asked him about it. He said it was a very good buy especially with all the attachments and only 650 miles. Are these shaft or belt drive?

Thats what i heard too....made by suzuki.
 
I have 2 cats both TRV's (two up seating but can take second seat off and add box etc..) I love them, i have the 650 and wife's is the 400. I have had no issues w/ belt (or anything else for that matter)and have submerged both of them past the belt...if you submerge it ya have to drain it. Using low when pulling a load and in rough terrain will maximize belt life.
The one your looking at auto, or manual? Sounds like an excellent deal to me. That machine should have low if auto as well as locking differential for 4 wheel.
Kinda like husky v stihl v jred etc...everyone has their brand. Cat's won't win many races but will outwork most if taken care of.
 
coog said:
Forgot to ask what you cut with all those saws out there in western Kansas? I've got a ranch in eastern Kansas with many species of hardwood, notably oaks, hickory and hedge.
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About the only think around here is elm. Its not my fault i have all those saws, its the people on this site! lol None of my saws get used too much since i have enough for the jobs. I really cant explain why i even do firewood. Started out just for fun and i guess it still is. I only sell about 25 or so cords per year and most of it is sold by 1/3 cords.
 
bowtechmadman said:
I have 2 cats both TRV's (two up seating but can take second seat off and add box etc..) I love them, i have the 650 and wife's is the 400. I have had no issues w/ belt (or anything else for that matter)and have submerged both of them past the belt...if you submerge it ya have to drain it. Using low when pulling a load and in rough terrain will maximize belt life.
The one your looking at auto, or manual? Sounds like an excellent deal to me. That machine should have low if auto as well as locking differential for 4 wheel.
Kinda like husky v stihl v jred etc...everyone has their brand. Cat's won't win many races but will outwork most if taken care of.
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Yea its an auto. Low,hi and reverse. Didnt think about the locking differential though. Where would that switch be located?
 
coog said:
Forgot to ask what you cut with all those saws out there in western Kansas? I've got a ranch in eastern Kansas with many species of hardwood, notably oaks, hickory and hedge.
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Sounds like i need to look you or Bowtie up and get some hardwood. But the elm sells pretty good though.
 
Not sure on an 02 but my 07 it's on the right handle bar near the grip...small lever that you flip to lock the front. I think you'd be happy w/ the AC as a true utility machine. I put a plow on last winter and never once got the tractor out to plow...was very impressed w/ plowing w/ a quad...great deal faster and more fun than my old 1600 Ford tractor.
Burnt and unfortunately had to split alot of elm as a kid. Good burning wood when seasoned.
 
I have the 2002 Arctic Cat 500 manual. No problems at all. 5'snowblade, 589 tires.
Engine is made by Suzuki.
 
Come to think about it there is a lever on the left side about shin hi that you pull out to engage the front end. But i dont know about locking the differential.
 
Only the newer ones have the front diff lock. Personally, I really like the Cats. Lots of good experience with them. I own old hondas right now, but would like to get a new cat. As far as the Rubicon, would never own one. Seen enough of their trannys go bad.
 
The lever by your shin is to engage 4x4.

Wheelers are like trucks. Chevy, Ford, or Dodge? Everyone has had a good experience with one, and a bad experience with another.
 
I had an Arctic Cat 500 4X4 Auto. It was a great workhorse for a Four-Wheeler, not very fast, but I'm not into that. As was said, it will plow snow and do other chores very well. I had few problems, but the ones I had were very expensive. I don't think they are made by Suzuki, but are equipped with a Suzuki engine.

Keith
 

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