I have to point you in the direction of a "mid-size"(300-450cc), 4X4, utility quad. Simpler the better. And anything without floorboards, I'd pass on.

If going new, I'd say Yamaha or Honda for sure. And look for something with a additional starter other than the electric. And there's no just no need to do any shifting anymore-get an automatic.

If going used I'd throw in the Kawasaki Bayou. I know several guys who have older Bayou's and they are practically bullet proof. All of them are 300's except for an even older 220 that has a gazillion hours on it and it still goes like new, but doesn't look it!

The things I'd stay far away from is the larger displacement rides (they SUCK gas). They are very heavy and get stuck much more easily. It's common to see them stuck in the mud with the smaller machines either just going around them or having to help and pull them out. No Polaris or Arctic Cat, either. If I see a dead quad on the trail up ahead I can be pretty sure it's one of those and when you get up there the rider is always fully ticked! "I paid so much for this thing and it always has problems!" I think guys who buy those think they are buying an image or something, like they are better than others somehow. Oh well, their wasteful spending is indeed buying them something-a lesson.

Me, I ride a Yamaha Bruin 350 and it fits all my needs. Enough power. Full floorboards. Great rack capacity (which everyone disregards anyway). Full size tires. Automatic. 4X4. Camoflauge. (Yea, for the uses you stated, I think you'd want camo.)

The Bruin easily hauled 3 guys in and out of the woods, dragging deer. It just churns right through the deep mud on the farm. The mud in S. IL is like whipped clay that'll suck you in.

$5000.00

Uncle Matt (in IL)