so if I'm driving around in the 1000 just checking the cows or driving through the woods slowly like 10mph is that what burns the clutch up or can I just simply use low gear and all will be fine, also if you use reverse slowly then that causes a problem too, am I right on this?
From what I have gathered, the issue shows up on larger/heavier than stock tires, running in Hi Range in difficult conditions (steep hills, mud, rock crawling, etc), using Reverse going up a steep slope and going very slow less than 3 MPH.
However, it doesn't do this to everyone. There ares some people here that do all of the above and don't have a single problem while others do only one and their clutch is smoked.
I haven't had a clutch problem but mine shudders or "chatters" when starting from a dead stop on a steep hill between 0 and 4 MPH and in reverse just backing into my driveway.
If you are going to be going mostly 10 MPH all the time and not going down steep inclines and don't need turf mode option I would probably lean towards the P700 personally. It is nearly 50% cheaper, has a transmission that has a very long reputation of excellent long term service and has the capability of hauling people in the back as well.
But if you want turf mode (like I did) and want the ability to ease downhill without using brakes (like I did) and want power steering (like I did), go with the P1000 and do things to protect your clutch like not backing up steep hills, transition out of the chatter zone as quickly as possible and use Low Range for everything that is 20 MPH or less and/or hilly areas and save the Hi Range for faster/flatter driving, I think you will be okay. If not, I am pretty confident that Honda will warranty it.
Hopefully they have a fix being implemented now or in the works as that is really the only thing that bothers me about mine. I didn't get a belted unit because I never had one before and I never had to worry about smoking a belt but since I got the Pioneer I drive it like I have a belt because I am worried about damaging the clutch.