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Take on muddy trails with a new Polaris ATVTake on muddy trails with a new Polaris ATV

Tomorrow’s Tech Today: Loftness revamps flail mower attachment, and off-road tires ready for tough winter.

Andy Castillo, Editor of Farm Equipment and Machinery

January 25, 2025

3 Min Read
Sportsman XP 1000 Mud Edition
OFF-ROAD UPGRADE: The Sportsman XP 1000 Mud Edition is one of six new 2025 ATV models from Polaris. Polaris

Polaris has released six new purpose-built ATV models, with upgrades that let riders explore off-road mudding and sport experiences in comfort. The models are 850 and XP 1000 Mud Edition, Scrambler 850 and XP 1000 S, and Sportsman Touring 850 and XP 1000.

“Polaris is at the forefront of rider-driven innovation and continues to enhance riding experiences so owners can tackle the outdoors with confidence,” says Brandon Kraemer, Polaris’ vice president of product portfolio of off-road vehicles in a statement. “From mudding to trail riding, these models deliver purpose-built features that give riders the opportunity to experience next-level power, control and performance.”

Depending on the model, new features include LED headlights that prevent water and mud intrusion, added width, new tires, larger storage area, sealing around elements like the clutch intake, and a high and low mud-specific transmission that maximizes torque for more power through thick mud.

The 850 comes in titanium metallic, and the XP 1000 comes in a new onyx black with red accent, and starts at $12,499. The Scrambler 850 starts at $12,999; the Scrambler XP 1000 starts at $17,999; and the Sportsman Touring 850 and XP 1000 starts at $13,799. To learn more, visit polaris.com.

Loftness flail mower attachment
gets revamped for skid steers, loaders

Loftness has redesigned its flail mower attachment for skid steers and compact track loaders. The attachment can be equipped with either flail knives for tougher vegetation up to three-fourth-inch diameter or duckfoot knives for finer cutting. Tools aren’t necessary to switch from one style to the other.

Loftness - Loftness’ redesigned flail mower attachment for skid steers and compact track loaders can be equipped with either flail knives or duckfoot knives

A floating hitch option is also new. This includes front caster gauge wheels that follow the ground’s contour to avoid gouging and for an even cut. Cutting height ranges from 1 to 7 inches. It can be changed by simply adjusting the rear roller and front caster wheels, if equipped with a floating hitch.

Other standard features include a high-pressure gear-type motor, a three-groove banded belt drive, a full-width roller scraper and anti-wrap bearing protection. Visit loftness.com for more information.

Off-road tires ready
for tough winter weather

BKT’s new RideMax Frost off-road tires are built for transportation over snow and ice. Multiple sipes on the tread blocks create additional contact points with the surface, ensuring a consistent and safe grip while reducing the risk of skidding.

“Winter brings a set of unique challenges that put both equipment and their drivers to the test,” says ," says Dilip Vaidya, director of technology at BKT in a statement. “RideMax Frost is designed to overcome these obstacles, offering traction, control and reliability even in the most extreme situations. No matter how harsh the weather, BKT is always by the operators' side to support their operations.”

The tires are made with an advanced elastic compound that maintains its elasticity at extremely low temperatures. Unlike standard compounds, which tend to stiffen, RideMax Frost “preserves its elastic properties even below the freezing point,” the statement notes. This feature lets the tire adapt to uneven terrain better.

The compound consists of natural rubber enriched with polybutadiene and silica, polymers, and silica reinforcement. Antioxidant and anti-zoning additives protect the rubber from degradation caused by low temperatures, UV rays and ozone. Find out more at bkt-tires.com.

Read more about:

ATVTires

About the Author

Andy Castillo

Editor of Farm Equipment and Machinery, Farm Progress

Andy Castillo started his career in journalism about a decade ago as a television news cameraperson and producer before transitioning to a regional newspaper covering western Massachusetts, where he wrote about local farming. Between military deployments with the Air Force and covering the news, he earned an MFA in creative nonfiction writing from Bay Path University, building on the English degree he earned from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. In his role at Farm Progress, Castillo covers agricultural technology, new machinery and the constantly evolving farm equipment marketplace.

Castillo splits his time between the open road and western Massachusetts with his wife, Brianna, a travel nurse who specializes in pediatric oncology, and their rescue pup, Rio. When not attending farm shows, Castillo enjoys playing music, snowboarding, writing, cooking and restoring their 1920 craftsman bungalow. You can find Castillo at farm machinery shows across the country.

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