By Jon Crowley
For nearly twenty years, Polaris RANGER has been putting in work around the world and one million have served. One of the reasons for the RANGER’s incredible popularity has been Polaris’ drive to continually improve. The 2018 Polaris RANGER XP 1000 is the latest iteration and there is plenty to like.
2018 Polaris RANGER XP 1000
More than 100 owner-inspired innovations make the new RANGER XP 1000 the hardest working, smoothest riding RANGER ever built. We recently received a demo unit from Polaris to try out, and we went right to work with it.
2018 Polaris RANGER XP 1000 with towable Kunz 57-inch AcrEase Rough Cut Mower
Spring time means crazy grass growth on our property, and we have a Kunz Engineering AcrEase Rough Cut Mower that we put to use several times during March – June each year. Take a look at the video below and see the RANGER in action with our towable mower following along.
Here are a few things that I really like about the new RANGER 1000 for field mowing:
- Tighter turning radius
- Upgraded clutch – more cooling, bigger belt, better low-end engagement
- “Work” mode setting on dash gives you better low speed throttle response
- New 27-inch Maxxis tires
- More ground clearance – 13-inches
- More legroom and upgraded seat
- More in cab storage
- 25% more towing capacity – 2,500 lbs.
- Fully sealed suspension bushings
Things I don’t like about the new 2018 Polaris RANGER XP 1000:
- Door nets. I understand the need for safety, but the nets are a pain in a work environment. Doors may be more costly, but should be offered as a package upgrade, not just a dealer accessory.
Kunz 57-inch AcrEase Rough Cut Mower Being pulled by 2018 Polaris RANGER XP 1000
Moving forward, we are definitely going to need a roof, and I will look at swapping out the door nets for half doors.
