Question for those who plow with RTV

Excellent pictures and instructions zoom, I think this will help a lot of people. Good point on the length, if the blade isn't wider than the tires you will have tight windrows very quickly. My driveway is 3/4 mile long and if I don't have more than 8" of snow I use my ATV rather than the tractor especially early season. I have the 60" blade on my Polasis and it lets me ride the tires on the edge of the ditch but the blade is slightly over the ditch, thus throwing the snow off the road and into the ditch. The tractor tends to just push snow off the end of the blade whereas the ATV can travel a little faster and throw the snow away from the blade.
 
Thanks Brian. Awesome info. I will be getting one set up for sure. Snowing here now ...4 to 6 by tomorrow predicted. This has sure been a white February for us.
 
I checked around and found I liked the 4wheelonline prices and FREE shipping on all the stuff I needed to add a blade to my ATV. I had trouble finding the right front mounting plate so I called and found out I had to use the mid mount so I could also use the winch for lifting. No problem. I went ahead and ordered the whole shebang. 800 and change. Not bad. I can't wait. I've procrastinated for years on getting a winch for the ATV and RTV. I got a winch for the RTV for Christmas, and now I have one on order for the ATV. Awesome. I feel like a kid at Christmas ....can't wait to get this plow stuff for the ATV.


http://4wheelonline.com/atv/Warn_ATV_ProVantage_Snow_Plows.104741.0#
 
OhioTC18 said:
that's not bad at all Doc. You know it won't snow any more now........
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Yes, exactly Jerry. I did it for the good of all. :yum:
Now if we don't have snow like this year again for 5 or 10 years I will be upset. I want a little fun time in the snow. :D
 
Doc spend sometime as soon as you get your plow and winch set up; so you know how high you can to lift your blade. If you don't pay attention or get excited and lift it too high you will bust your winch cable. You can buy a cable saver or Just add something rubber at the end of your cable just behind the hook for a buffer (an old roller from a boat trailer works great, cut it about 1 1/2" think). Blade markers work good as well, bring your blade up to maxiumum height and put something on the markers to give you an indication of blade height.
 
BaiJiu said:
Doc spend sometime as soon as you get your plow and winch set up; so you know how high you can to lift your blade. If you don't pay attention or get excited and lift it too high you will bust your winch cable. You can buy a cable saver or Just add something rubber at the end of your cable just behind the hook for a buffer (an old roller from a boat trailer works great, cut it about 1 1/2" think). Blade markers work good as well, bring your blade up to maxiumum height and put something on the markers to give you an indication of blade height.
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I have a cheesy winch on my ATV. It bogs down when the winch is at max. As soon as I hear that, I stop. Probably works for good winches as well.

PS. I have a spare cable if someone breaks there's.
 
I was just trying to give some advice so someone new to the situation hopefully can save themselves some grief and some money.
 
Got ya Mark, typically we all have enough going on without having to unnecessarily repair our equipment.
 
Yeah that I know Mark, both front hub seals are gone on my tractor right now, I bought the parts $170 plus diff lube, ouch! but I can't get at them until the weather warns up a bit. Kubota is famous for this problem, particularly when working in 4 wheel drive.
 
Doc said:
Yeah, I have a 4x4 ATV. Honda ES 400. I got it as electric shift so the wife could drive it easier ...but shifting from forward to reverse you have a button pushed and a brake on before it will shift. Kind of a pain.
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Bought a new Rancher ES this fall. I came across some internet info on disabling the button/brake combo and I will look more into it come spring. I think it was as simple as tightening up one of the cables going to the left brake handle.

Google Honda reverse mod. It should show up.

Norb
 
NRBSR,

Here is the simple solution. See my album for pictures.

Pull back the rubber lever cover to expose the brake and reverse cables/lever assemblies.

Install device by engaging the red reverse button and pulling on the brake lever.

While holding the brake lever, insert plastic clip on exposed reverse lever cable between lever mount and lever.

DONE!

This removes or disengages the reverse lockout mechanism. Moving from forward to reverse and back is now as simple as pushing the shift buttons.

Warning: Doing this WILL damage your transmission if you shift from forward to reverse or reverse to forward while moving or if the tires are spinning/turning.

You have been warned.

I used this for 6 winters with no problems. My son and I were the only operators and it was removed whenever the plow was removed.
 
SpudHauler said:
NRBSR,

Here is the simple solution. See my album for pictures.

Pull back the rubber lever cover to expose the brake and reverse cables/lever assemblies.

Install device by engaging the red reverse button and pulling on the brake lever.

While holding the brake lever, insert plastic clip on exposed reverse lever cable between lever mount and lever.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Definitely on my to do list in the spring.

I believe that shifting into neutral and reverse with ES can only be done when the machine is stopped but I will look into it further before I damage anything.

Norb
 
""I believe that shifting into neutral and reverse with ES can only be done when the machine is stopped but I will look into it further before I damage anything.""

Norb,
It's a fact that you can only shift into reverse when stopped, much like any standard 4 speed car transmission. You grind gears all day trying to shift into reverse while moving forward.

The electric shift in the Honda just replaces your foot lever and actually there is one in you tool kit for times your shifter doesn't work, low battery voltage. When that happens you use the pull starter to get her running and the auxiliary shift lever to shift until repairs can be made.

Anyway, lots of people are fooled by the electric shift as if something magical happens. But in fact it just moves through the standard transmission the same way you would if you were foot shifting.

That is why Honda designed the little Red button for engagement of reverse. You have to use the brake lever, thereby stopping the wheels before ever engaging reverse.

Cool eh!
 
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