Why a Polaris Ranger tops my farm wishlistWhy a Polaris Ranger tops my farm wishlist

As tax time approaches, our farm is considering its next big purchases. Learn how the 2025 Ranger XP 1000 NorthStar Ultimate Edition passed its on-farm test.

Rachel Schutte, Content Producer

December 30, 2024

4 Min View

It’s almost time to turn the calendar. Holiday spirit lingers in the air, a peaceful dusting of snow paints a fresh picture around the farm, and time with family and friends abounds.

But it also means tax time is right around the corner. The approaching deadline holds my husband and I accountable to have important farm decisions. Where did our financials land? Did we achieve our goals? What will we do differently to improve our operation for next year? And perhaps the most exciting question – what equipment purchases will we consider?

An upgraded combine was our top pick for an equipment investment in 2024. Unfortunately, the right investment opportunity never came along, and the hunt continues into the new year. However, that will not stop us from building a fresh list for 2025 and beyond.

Eyes on a new purchase

My husband, John, and I had the opportunity to test drive the 2025 Ranger XP 1000 NorthStar Ultimate Edition for two months around our Luana, Iowa farm this fall. A side-by-side has been on my wish list for a while. When Polaris reached out, I thought it might be just the ticket I needed to convince John it’s a top contender for a 2025 purchase.

Iowa corn farmer checking moisture of corn ears in bed of Polaris Ranger

CONVENIENCE: The Ranger came in handy during harvest as we traveled between fields to check moisture.

Here are a few of our favorite things about the machine:

Enclosed cab. Late summer and early fall in Iowa was incredibly dry. Traveling between farms on gravel roads, the enclosed cab offered an asylum from the fine limestone dust that would otherwise cake every exposed surface. We were impressed how well the A/C and heat could kick in. When conditions were right, we could roll down the windows and even open up the windshield.
Hydraulic-assist dump box. In addition to farming corn and soybeans, I grow cut flowers that I sell to local florists and at area farmer’s markets. As flower season came to a close this fall, the Ranger was an incredible help as I put my garden to rest for the winter. I was able to load up the box with plant material and use the hydraulic-assist dump box to add it to the compost pile. This beat moving the material by hand or ripping up the yard with the loader. What would make this even better is adding a factory-installed electric dumpbox, increasing the ease of use like many competitors.
Built for work and play. The market is filled with different utility task vehicles, from stripped-down workhorses to souped-up luxury machines. John and I liked how the Polaris Ranger XP 1000 provided a nice balance of comfort and practicality for on-farm use. The premium bench-style seating is not quite as comfortable as bucket seats in models like the Polaris RZR, it is significantly more comfortable than a standard bench seat. It offers the convenience of sliding in and out of the machine between jobs while also offering adjustable positioning and angled seatbacks. The three-mode throttle control switch provided flexibility with different drive modes, including performance, standard and work. The Polaris Ranger can complete intricate tasks around the farm and reach highway speeds when traveling from farm to farm.

Related:Accept this gift from USDA

Polaris Ranger with flower material in box.

PUT TO WORK: After the first freeze, it's always a rush to dig bulbs and tubers from my cut flower garden to store them for the winter. The Ranger's hydraulic assist dump box came in handy when moving garden debris to the compost pile.

Related:Accept this gift from USDA

What’s new about the 2025 Ranger?

There’s no doubt Polaris delivered improvements with the 2025 lineup. All 2025 Ranger machines come backed with an expanded warranty, including a 12-month factory warranty plus a 12-month promotional limited warranty. Machines also sport updated colors and graphics, JBL speaker systems and more.

The Trail Boss Edition is back for 2025, featuring added capability with 14-inch ground clearance, active descent control and self-leveling rear suspension. The Premium trim now comes with factory-installed powered front windows and a tip-out windshield.

Check out the full specs for the 2025 Polaris Ranger XP 1000 NorthStar Edition:

82 horsepower
4-stroke twin cylinder DOHC engine
Gen 2 automatic Polaris variable transmission
14-inch clearance
2,500-pound towing capacity
1,000-pound box capacity
Factory-installed heating and air conditioning
4,500-pound winch, autostop and wireless remote
11.5 -gallon fuel capacity

Related:Is $5 corn back on the table?

Farmer fueling Polaris Ranger

FUEL CAPACITY: The 11.5 gallon tank held plenty of fuel to keep the vehicle going for the day.

The Ultimate trim package, which we tested on our farm, includes:

Tip-out windshield
Powered front windows
7-inch digital display powered by Ride Command
Rear camera
JBL Trail Pro 2000 audio

So, will Santa deliver a belated Christmas gift in the form of a Polaris Ranger to our farm this year? The jury is still out, but the benefits are clear.

What is on your equipment investment list this year? I’d love to hear about it. Reach out to me at [email protected].

About the Author

Rachel Schutte

Rachel Schutte

Content Producer, Farm Futures

Rachel Schutte joined the Farm Progress team in 2021 as the content producer for Farm Futures. With a deep-rooted passion for agriculture and sustainability, Rachel brings a wealth of experience to her role. Before joining Farm Progress, she worked as a certified crop adviser at Insight FS and as communications manager for the American Society of Agronomy.

Growing up around her family's dairy farms in central Wisconsin, Rachel developed a firsthand understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing producers. This background fuels her dedication to delivering timely, accurate and relevant agricultural news to farmers across the country, ensuring they have the information they need to succeed amidst their busy schedules.

Rachel now resides in Northeast Iowa, where she farms corn and soybeans and raises cattle with her husband and his family. She embraces her creative side by running a hobby business growing flowers and crafting items she sells at local farmers markets and craft fairs. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Rachel is currently pursuing her master's degree at West Virginia University.

See more from Rachel Schutte

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