Electric Buggies and Water

[Lowe]

I had my mind made up to purchase a Polaris Ranger but was considering one of the battery powered rigs as well. After reading a few of the recent posts I am leaning toward the battery powered rig but have a question regarding crossing creeks.

How deep is to deep? My current lease has two running rivers that are usually 12 to 18 inches deep that must be crossed to get around the property. Both creeks have solid bottoms so traction is not a problem, just concerned with shorting something out.

I usually just pick my feet up when on my ATV and go on thorugh, same for one of the other hunters who uses a Mule to get around.

[deathdealer2]

As long as water doesn't have alot of salt and minerals it shouldn't be a problem. And you could get some electrical silicone spray and coat the contacts.

[trophyhunter]

I would take precautions. I had nightmares with my lifted PDS EZGO cart a few years back. Also having a creek to cross on the lease, I got a lot stuff wet that shouldn't have been wet. Many times it would stop running....or take off several seconds after the pedal was depressed. In one instance, I mashed the pedal.....nothing.....got out of the cart.....and then it took off at full speed. Had it not "high centered" on a rock bed....I would have been in serious trouble.

I have owned 4-wheelers, modified golf carts, and now a Kawasaki Trans Mule. Keep this in mind......an electric cart must be modified to do the things we want them to do on the ranch....but they are still just a cart! Here were a few deal breakers that caused me to sell the cart and get a Mule:

-Lease was too big (2200 acres)
-Property was too rocky (ATV suspension is 10x better)
-Too much elevation change on our lease
-The creek issue
-I got tired of walking back to camp!!

Just my opinion.

[ckuehl]

I think you will enjoy the Ranger more IMO.

[JMG]

water and electricty don't mix. I had all my connections coated and even running throuh 6-8" of water, my cart would cut out, equipped with a 4" lift. Take a while to go, if it did, and then take off. I wouldn't recommend it. My cart is great when its dry but I take my mule when mud and water are involved.

[gonehuntin]

When I had my cart I never ran it in water more than a few inches deep. Electrical parts cost to much to run it in deep water.

[Take em]

I would look at The Bad Boy Buggies they have sealed electicral systems

[GR5]

Bad Boy Buggies and mud and water don't mix. Everything on mine has gone out about twice. piece of JUNK

[Stick em]

Ya the electrical connections are a problem, but I still would rather be quiet the have a loud vehicle.

[Bill M]

I would look at The Bad Boy Buggies they have sealed electicral systems

Since when?

[Texans42]

Polaris just came out with an electric Ranger. stating 50 mile range.

[regraves77]

go gas on the Ranger for longevity and years of use, first models for many industries are the guinea pig models, the traditional ranger is proven. might pick up a deal with many people in a financial crunch.

[ByronB]

I would take precautions. I had nightmares with my lifted PDS EZGO cart a few years back. Also having a creek to cross on the lease, I got a lot stuff wet that shouldn't have been wet. Many times it would stop running....or take off several seconds after the pedal was depressed. In one instance, I mashed the pedal.....nothing.....got out of the cart.....and then it took off at full speed. Had it not "high centered" on a rock bed....I would have been in serious trouble.

I have owned 4-wheelers, modified golf carts, and now a Kawasaki Trans Mule. Keep this in mind......an electric cart must be modified to do the things we want them to do on the ranch....but they are still just a cart! Here were a few deal breakers that caused me to sell the cart and get a Mule:

-Lease was too big (2200 acres)
-Property was too rocky (ATV suspension is 10x better)
-Too much elevation change on our lease
-The creek issue
-I got tired of walking back to camp!!

Just my opinion.

I just had to laugh at the "and then it took off at full speed" part. I was just trying to envision that happening. That could be scary.

I drove my Mule through some water about 13 inches deep last weekend and I did not feel real good about. It ran fine but high water and any type of vehicles usually is not a good thing. I would be careful with electric buggies. I am sure you will be doing your homework on the subject if you are that interested in investing in an electric ATV. The lack of noise is appealing.

[Lowe]

I would take precautions. I had nightmares with my lifted PDS EZGO cart a few years back. Also having a creek to cross on the lease, I got a lot stuff wet that shouldn't have been wet. Many times it would stop running....or take off several seconds after the pedal was depressed. In one instance, I mashed the pedal.....nothing.....got out of the cart.....and then it took off at full speed. Had it not "high centered" on a rock bed....I would have been in serious trouble.

I have owned 4-wheelers, modified golf carts, and now a Kawasaki Trans Mule. Keep this in mind......an electric cart must be modified to do the things we want them to do on the ranch....but they are still just a cart! Here were a few deal breakers that caused me to sell the cart and get a Mule:

-Lease was too big (2200 acres)
-Property was too rocky (ATV suspension is 10x better)
-Too much elevation change on our lease
-The creek issue
-I got tired of walking back to camp!!

Just my opinion.

Thanks for the input, your deal breakers pretty well covered other concerns I had as the terrian on my lease sounds similar to yours.

I am proceeding with shopping for a Ranger.

[trophyhunter]

Good luck with the search. You won't regret a Ranger...and will quickly forget about how bad you wanted something "stealthy"...the only real advantage with electric.