It only took me one day's worth of usage to tear the seat on my 2010 550 X2. Where the dump bucket touches the back of the seat, there are two metal latch prongs that stick out. Opening and closing the dumper causes the prongs to come close to - but not actually touch - the seat. At least unless you're actually sitting on the seat... at which time the seat crushes down a bit more and causes it to flatten out against the prongs. One opening of the dump mechanism, and I've now got two holes in the back of my seat.

Question #1 - is it my own fault? I assume there's something somewhere that says I should never use the dump bucket while sitting on the ATV. If so, I completely ignored that rule, and I can't imagine I'd be the first or last. Why get up when the dump controls are in arm's reach when you're sitting on it?

Question #2 - can it be repaired (well) without actually replacing the whole seat? Assuming it's not covered by warranty anyway...

 

I don't know about the new X2. I guess I usually get off when I'm dumping something. I found this in my 2006 X2 manual:
OPERATION
Hauling Cargo
Dumping Cargo
1. Select a level site to dump the cargo box. Do not attempt to dump
or unload the vehicle while parked on an incline.
2. Place the transmission in PARK.
3. Lock the parking brake.
4. Dismount the vehicle.
5. Lower the tailgate.

 

I didn't look just because I figured it had to be in there. Doesn't make me any happier about it though. It's that step 4 I missed. Ok, to be honest, I cheated on step 1 just a bit too. And I tend to drive up hills steeper than 15 degrees. Call me a rebel...

 

There was some posts about 1-1 1/2 yrs ago concerning this. Poster's name was Blue ssomething or other. Apparently seat came loose & dumped his rider off.

 

Pesronally I'd call that a design flaw..what if you were riding 2up and you had your passenger get off lift the bed while you sat on the seat?
Unless the manual specifically says dismount operator from seat before lifting dump box or damage may occur or something similar to that...it is a flaw..even if it did say that I'd call that "cheesy".

 

That would be a blatant operator error - the dump bed can't be lifted in 2-up mode, so that would mean you had to be using two riders in a seat intended for 1. I'd have a really tough time arguing that one.

 

Oh ok..On the Polaris website the pics look like the passenger seat back is just attached to te front of the dump box? Doesn't look like it "coverts" quite like the older ones did?

 

We all exceed the lame limits listed in the manual.

 

Check my pics here - I made a point to get some in 2-up mode and some in dump-box mode:
http://forums.atvconnection.com/pola...ml#post2851989

 

I do have to wonder about that 15 deg warning... I took mine up some in the 40-45 degree range and had no issues at all. Maybe it would be different if I had a passenger or cargo or something, but none the less - 15 seems extreme.

So that's sort of why I didn't follow the manual (or memorize every little detail) when putting it to use. I never expected it to go into self-destruct mode just because I use the dump box while sitting on the seat. Maybe it's a poor excuse... just doesn't seem right though not being able to.