How is HPX in snow?

[Bob_Young]

Every year about this time, I get disgusted with my old 2WD classic Gator. It's a good runner and in good shape but, near helpless in snow. I'd like to use it to get firewood out of the woods but, on the days I like to cut, there's usually 2" to 4" of wet soggy snow on the ground and the thing gets into too much trouble.

I've found a used 4x4 HPX that looks pretty good. Might call this week and find out what they want. But would first like to hear from someone who uses an HPX in snow. Maybe I'd be better off with the old Ford 2000 and a wagon.

Don't need to plow through drifts or anything; just a few inches of the wet, greasy, slushy stuff that sticks around 'til Spring. Oh, and it's fairly hilly here.

Thanks in advance.
Bob

 

[Donegal TDI]

Bob

You could be pleasantly surprised how good your 2wd could be on snow if you adhere to the following 2 points:
1. A set of aggressive tread tyres on the driven axle.
2. As much weight as possible over the driven axle.

There was a local guy nearby who had a rear wheel drive standard sedan car.
Anytime there was snow on the ground, he went to the local garage and "borrowed" their anvil. This anvil took 3 men to lift and place in his trunk, approx 400lbs, maybe more.
He drove all over the place with that friend in his trunk.
Folks were amazed, especially those that didn't know the secret.

 

[Kahuna]

The HPX would go through that with ease. I have had two HPX's and now have the XUV. The HPX was a great machine but with less ground clearance and a harsher ride than the XUV. I would say you could go through snow a foot deep and bust through drifts at least 3 feet with the HPX. There is still good ground clearance except for the rear differential is only about 6 inches from the ground but I don't see that hanging you up in snow. I went through mud nearly a foot deep so I would think snow would be less of a challenge.

If you get an 06 HPX it will have the ROPS and true 4 wheel drive with the improved four bypass carburator. The 04 or 05 is still good but a little cold natured starting up.

 

[Bob_Young]

Donegal, I got away with 2WD Pickups for years with that trick. Bought myself a 4WD Ford in 1995 as a 50th birthday gift to myself. Kick myself for not doing it sooner.

When I was younger and stronger, throwing sandbags in the back for traction was no big deal. Now, it's an aggravation I don't need. I admit, it does better with a load of wood in the back; but half the time it'll be running empty. And, it's knobby tires probably aren't the best. Still, to have something go helpless on you because it doesn't have 400# in the back gets inconvenient. So I'm trying to learn from a past mistake.

Kahuna, the 2WD isn't bad in mud; but then our mud isn't really greasy. Have you actually used the HPX in snow, especially wet slushy snow on hills?
Bob

 

[grnspot110]

Haven't got them on yet, but I just got a pair of Carlisle All Trail tires for my 550 Mule. It always had the same problem with snow, HELPLESS. I have the All Trails on my snowblower tractor 74 JD-112, I have had no problem with it, even uphill on packed snow from a previous storm or on wet grass going uphill blowing snow!

 

[Kahuna]

My HPX had the aggressive factory tread knobby tires. I went through all kinds of slushy, packed, wet snow, dry snow, etc., however, I had little experience with hills as most of my ground if flatter. I would not thinks a few hills would have made a big difference. You may run into problems if you had a regular groove tread tire, they fill up with mud (or snow) and become slicks pretty quick. The knobby tires bite a lot more and clean out as they spin.

 

[jcmseven]

Bob,

If all else fails, which it won't, go for the ITP mudlites tire package. An HPX with those will go through anything and even though they speak of mud, they are great in snow.

John M

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

Every year about this time, I get disgusted with my old 2WD classic Gator. It's a good runner and in good shape but, near helpless in snow. I'd like to use it to get firewood out of the woods but, on the days I like to cut, there's usually 2" to 4" of wet soggy snow on the ground and the thing gets into too much trouble.

I've found a used 4x4 HPX that looks pretty good. Might call this week and find out what they want. But would first like to hear from someone who uses an HPX in snow. Maybe I'd be better off with the old Ford 2000 and a wagon.

Don't need to plow through drifts or anything; just a few inches of the wet, greasy, slushy stuff that sticks around 'til Spring. Oh, and it's fairly hilly here.

Thanks in advance.
Bob

I have an '04 HPX (yea its only 3-wheel drive!) and it is great in the snow. The only problem I have noticed is in deeper snow it will start to ride up on the "skid plate".

 

[Deerlope]

The ultimate snow machine & wood hauler

 

[Donegal_TDI]

Do the tracks ride over and compress very deep snow sufficiently to take the unit's weight?