New to ATVs

[dfkrug]

Currently I have a Polaris 325 Trail Boss I bought used, last summer. Have been using it for pulling wood out of the bush. Nice little machine ( only one I've owned or driven ) but under powered for the work I want it to do.
Any recommendations on make and model for hauling wood in a 4 X 6 trailer. Also if buying used, what are the most common problems with the make and model you recommend?

This issue is very timely for me as I do my research and evaluate all the
available ATV types out there. (I am not interested in SxS-type utility
vehicles.)

First, dragging logs is tractor work, but if you insist on using an ATV, you
obviously want high weight, low gear range, and very aggessive tires.
Also, like a tractor, power is not really an issue (since you are going slow),
but you can not get a heavy ATV without one of those massive engines
(660-1000cc). My 5500# tractor has only 30hp, and I use it all the time
for dragging logs.....it has about the power of a 350cc ATV.

For my ATV, I use an old 85 2WD Honda TRX250 Fourtrax primarily, but I have
nearly finished rebuilding a 96 TRX300 FourTrax with 4x4. Both weigh
around 500#. For years, I used a 85 Honda 250SX 3-wheeler. All were
for utility work, hauling tools, a small trailer, and my skinny a55. These
Hondas are and were great, but I want some better technology: full
auto tranny with low and hi range, AWD, and a rear differential. All the
features I want are on "mega-quads", meaning ATVs that often are
well north of 700# weight. I have a few hours on riding trails with a
friend's Suzuki KingQuad 700 AT 4x4, and it worked very well, but it
was too big for my uses here. It sounds good for yours, AXEMAN.

In looking at new machines, I notice that even old reliables, like a Honda
420 Foreman weighs nearly 700#.

So far, it looks like my only choice of such a "mid-size" utility ATV, is a Arctic
Cat 350 (aka Kymco). There don't seem to be any mid-size utility ATV
left that have AT, switchable AWD, low range, and weigh about 600# or
less. Honda, Yam, Suz, and Kaw don't seem to make anything comparable.
Polaris was my best bet (the Hawkeye), tho it has been replaced with the
400HO (688#), and the Polaris did not have low range. Note that there is no
premium for IRS or AT on ACat or Polaris ATVs.

So AXEMAN, does your Polaris have low range? I should buy an older
unit just to try it out. Any problems with it?

 

[whistlepig]

Theyre poison

4wd (selectable) system is garbage IMHO.CV Axles are prone to damage. There were some issues with the early 800's as well.

Engines are decent (other than the 800's) and ride is super comfortable.Fast machines. Good in mud

Thats just MY opinion on them based on several friends failures. No offence intended to any polaris lovers on TBN

A Polaris Sportsman is not poison. A Sportsman is as well proven as any other ATV out there. The axles are not prone to damage. I see no difference in the setup on my Sportsman than on my Honda Rancher as far as the axles go. Axles are axles. The "On Demand" 4WD system on a Sportsman is rated at the top of the list. I have a 2006 800 EFI Sportsman. Take some time and read some ATV reviews. There are plenty out there.

 

[Scooby074]

A Polaris Sportsman is not poison. A Sportsman is as well proven as any other ATV out there. The axles are not prone to damage. I see no difference in the setup on my Sportsman than on my Honda Rancher as far as the axles go. Axles are axles. The "On Demand" 4WD system on a Sportsman is rated at the top of the list. I have a 2006 800 EFI Sportsman. Take some time and read some ATV reviews. There are plenty out there.

Dont need to read reviews. My post was based on personal experience. I figured some guys wouldnt like it, but it is what it is. Polaris FWD is particularly prone to problems, both electrical and with the sprag bearing albeit in the EXTREME usage that my ATV buddies put theirs through. A quick google for Polaris ATV AWD issues will clarify much more than mag reviews which are dubious at best.. (Polaris and the others are major advertisers... arent they :thumbsup

Not saying Honda is the best. I know my bike has issues (as ive listed). Ive also owned Suzuki's. They had problems too. Just Polaris seems to be overly complicated and this results in more than average problems.

 

[whistlepig]

Dont need to read reviews. My post was based on personal experience. I figured some guys wouldnt like it, but it is what it is. Polaris FWD is particularly prone to problems, both electrical and with the sprag bearing albeit in the EXTREME usage that my ATV buddies put theirs through.

Not saying Honda is the best. I know my bike has issues (as ive listed). Ive also owned Suzuki's. They had problems too. Just Polaris seems to be overly complicated and this results in more than average problems.

My post is based on personal experience also. I have both a Polaris Sportsman and a Honda Rancher. The Polaris is not overcomplicated. It has a 4WD on/off switch just like any other ATV made these days. Electrical on the Polaris is just the same as other ATV's. Same as my Honda Rancher. Most ATV's have an electronically activated 4WD switch and not a 4WD shift lever. You are making a Polaris a mystery here. And I don't even know what a sprag gear is. That's how important a sprag gear is to me as Polaris owner.

 

[Scooby074]

And I don't even know what a sprag gear is. That's how important a sprag gear is to me as Polaris owner.

Exactly.

In the polaris front end there is a series of roller pins (sprag) that engage the hub to drive the wheel. This is driven by an electromagnet to move the sprag clutch into place or pull it back.

This causes intermittent 4wd engagement. Engagement of one wheel. or none at all.

This sprag is also held in a plastic cage on newer machines or aluminum in older ones. Plastic breaks, $300 fix. Aluminum also can break and cause either a front wheel jam (resulting in accident) or destruction of the hub assembly ($1000)

A pic of the sprag cage

On early models, this was at the wheel hub. Due to issues with reliability this was moved to the diff. The mechanism of engagement (electromagnet and sprag clutch) remains. The issues of durability, while improved, also remain.

Rancher's Traxlok is a similar system, however im unaware of these issues in Traxlok equiped units and have no hands on with them.

Without derailing the OP's thread any further, a search for "Polaris AWD hub issues" will shed lots of light, as would a search for "Honda ES shifting problems"...

As i said, all bikes have issues, just polaris (and even honda on the rancher IMHO) chose to over complicate their AWD system. Its been a known issue with poo for many, many years and their attempts to address it have somewhat failed.

 

[whistlepig]

Exactly.

In the polaris front end there is a series of roller pins (sprag) that engage the hub to drive the wheel. This is driven by an electromagnet to move the sprag clutch into place or pull it back.

This causes intermittent 4wd engagement. Engagement of one wheel. or none at all.

This sprag is also held in a plastic cage on newer machines or aluminum in older ones. Plastic breaks, $300 fix. Aluminum also can break and cause either a front wheel jam (resulting in accident) or destruction of the hub assembly ($1000)

A pic of the sprag cage

On early models, this was at the wheel hub. Due to issues with reliability this was moved to the diff. The mechanism of engagement (electromagnet and sprag clutch) remains. The issues of durability, while improved, also remain.

Rancher's Traxlok is a similar system, however im unaware of these issues in Traxlok equiped units and have no hands on with them.

Without derailing the OP's thread any further, a search for "Polaris AWD hub issues" will shed lots of light, as would a search for "Honda ES shifting problems"...

As i said, all bikes have issues, just polaris chose to overcomplicated their AWD system. Its been a known issue with poo for many, many years and their attempts to address it have somewhat failed.

I give up. I will put my Polaris out with the garbage. There seems to be no other option for me. I appreciate your help.

 

[Axe Man]

Thanks for the responses gentlemen. Not married to Polaris or any other ATV. The Trail Boss I have now was purchased used just for the convenience of getting to where I"m cutting, carry gas and saws, and pull a small wagon with split wood in it. Not into dragging logs out of the bush. I cut, buck and split right there and throw the splits into a trailer.
The 325 being 2 wheel drive leaves me a little short on the hilly terrain of my property, and I have some concerns about the auto transmission being over worked, as I do about any auto trans. doing heavy pulling. As previously stated, the Trail Boss is my first ATV, and I am by no stretch of the imagination a mechanic.
Having said that, are gear drives more dependable than auto and are they cheaper to repair? Are there noted problems in the electronics in one brand over the other etc?
Thanks for the responses so far.

 

[Scooby074]

I give up. I will put my Polaris out with the garbage. There seems to be no other option for me. I appreciate your help.

Not advocating that.. But if you want to get rid of it ill pm you my address ...

You may never have an issue depending on YOUR usage and the number of times you engage awd. Obviously the more you engage the system and/or the terrain you drive in (deep mud for example) has an effect on the system's durability.

Polaris are alright machines. I would pass on them based on experience with the AWD system, Just as some might pass on a Honda ES based on issues with the ES and deep mud/water and the crank angle sensor.....

 

[Scooby074]

Thanks for the responses gentlemen. Not married to Polaris or any other ATV. The Trail Boss I have now was purchased used just for the convenience of getting to where I"m cutting, carry gas and saws, and pull a small wagon with split wood in it. Not into dragging logs out of the bush. I cut, buck and split right there and throw the splits into a trailer.
The 325 being 2 wheel drive leaves me a little short on the hilly terrain of my property, and I have some concerns about the auto transmission being over worked, as I do about any auto trans. doing heavy pulling. As previously stated, the Trail Boss is my first ATV, and I am by no stretch of the imagination a mechanic.
Having said that, are gear drives more dependable than auto and are they cheaper to repair? Are there noted problems in the electronics in one brand over the other etc?
Thanks for the responses so far.

Call me old fashioned, but I like the pure manual or semi-automatic (Honda ES) gear systems. Theyre tougher in my experience and are cheaper than hydrostatics to repair... its all relative though as splitting a case on either style will get pretty expensive. Hondamatics (HST) are nice, but there were issues particularly with the first series. If water gets into the crankcase (where the HST is) it can cause issues $$$. I pass on belt drives for similar reasons. Water can enter the belt compartment and cause slippage.. Plus there is an ongoing maintenance issue there with future belt replacement.. Belt does have the advantage of smooth,continuous power though.

Define electronics. Honda ES has an issue with the crank angle sensor and the ES system when running in deep (well above the footpegs) water and mud. Packing the connections with Dielectric grease fixes this. Even if you need to replace the angle sensor its about $80 and 1/2 an hour. I believe honda was doing a redesign on this and the defect might not apply to current models.

The rest of the electrics are good. Some corrosion on plugs in the batterybox is possible after ~8-10 years.. again depending on use/abuse of the machine.

 

[dfkrug]

I don't depend on magazine reviews, but I do read them. I also read the
ATV forums. An owner's bad experience is more likely to be posted,
versus his good experiences with a particular make/model.

I have never owned or ridden a Polaris, but on balance, I like what I have
read in the forums. I do not want one of their old 2-stroke models, but
I do want to try the CVT (PVT) belt-driven ATs, and the AWD system.

It is hard to get technical info on many ATVs without the service manual.
I end up going thru the free parts diagrams to see what kind of
system is employed. Still, it is hard to find some answers, e.g. does
Polaris use plastic gas tanks now? I don't want any more ATVs with
steel tanks. Hopefully, I have welded up my last leaky steel gas tank.

Finally, if you go mudding with your ATV, it is likely that you will ruin
it if you don't do substantial maintenance as soon as you get home.
My current ATV project was ruined by mudding, and the parts to repair
it are so expensive (used!) that I see why many usable ATVs are
bought up by the recyclers and parted out.