Hydraulics on an ATV

hwp · Nov 12, 2002

Has anyone adapted a hydraulic system for an ATV? I often pull a yard-sized dump trailer with my ATV and I have been thinking about putting a hydraulic cylinder on the trailer to make dumping easier. The problem is that I don't have a hydraulic system on my ATV like I do on my tractor. Are there kits available to do this?

MossRoad · Nov 12, 2002

I don't know if the ATV electrical system could handle an electric hydraulic pump. And I don't know if there is a power take off on the ATV to handle a mechanical pump.

You could get a hand pump for the hydraulic cylinder on the cart, or maybe a large battery to run an electric pump. You would have to keep it charged, but it might work.

I've seen electric winches for ATVs. Those have to pull some AMPs, so an electric hydraulic pump might work.

ScottAR · Nov 12, 2002

Yamaha had an ATV called the terrapro that had a pto; they made a finish mower for it and later added a pto hydraulic kit. I never figured out why they didn't sell well until one of my neighbors bought one. It wasn't much of an ATV (slow!!) and it wasn't much of a tractor either. This doesn't really answer your question but I thought I would throw it out.

Charlie_in_TX · Nov 14, 2002

Most ATVs generators are in the 300 watt range or 0.4hp. So you could put a 300 watt continious load or a burst load of 1hp with a 40% duty cycle. I don't know the hp required for a dump bed but it may just work.

Dozernut · Nov 14, 2002

Several years ago I put hydraulics on a garden tractor to raise and lower a front end snow blade. I went to a salvage yard and got a electric- hydraulic unit off of a wrecked convertible Cadilac. These were used to raise and lower the rag top. The electrical system handled it just fine. I don't know if you can still find these units today. Burdens Surplus Center ( 1-800-488-3407 ) out of Lincoln Ne. has several electric-hydraulic units for sale that might fit your needs. You can call for a catalog. Good luck!

hwp · Nov 14, 2002

Hadn't thought about the hydraulic pump from a convertible. I have a '59 TBird convertible that has a hydraulic pump. Something like that just may work. Thanks for the idea.