I just had the GLACIER II with 60" Razor Blade and the 3500lb winch installed on my 2010 850xp. The front end squats significantly, and when I brought my concern up to the service manager he stated it is normal and that I need to just stiffen the front suspension with the supplied tool. Also the actual frame of the plow sits only a 1/4" off the ground level. If you anyone has photos that would be great, also does the ATV naturally sit forward slightly even with out the plow attached??

Is this normal???

 

its completely normal for the front end to squat supporting the weight of the plow... you can either install heavy duty springs or turn up the preload (probably wont make a huge difference).

 

Here is a picture of my 550XP with the Glacier Plow System. I only have a 2,500# winch and a 52" blade so I don't really notice any front end sag.

 

It is normal for the quad to have a bit of a rake to it with the front end sitting lower than the back end probably 2"? The instructions on the plow frame install say to crank your factory pre-load all the way up and pump your front tires to 7psi but don't worry about adjusting the back end. Unfortunately HD Springs aren't yet available for the XP's as I am concerned about the same thing. Have a great day and enjoy the bike.

 

Hi KWhitelaw. I'm both new to this forum and to the 550XP. I will take some side view pitures later of the full length of my quad both with and without the plow along with a tape measure to see how much front end sag there is with the plow. My quad is set on the softest settings in each corner, and it sits lever (to the naked eye) without the plow attached.

 

Not the most scientific measurement method, but here's a rough estimate of the plow sag I get. I came up with 5/8" sag with the 52" plow. I never measured with and without the 2,500# winch.

This new Glacier Plow System seems like it might be less heavy duty than the one I had on my 800, but I sure like a few things better about it...much quicker connect/disconnect, much higher clearance at the bottom of the blade for getting snow up and over already piled snow, and the mount does not take away any ground clearance like the old one did.

 

And Richie...sorry if this doesn't help you at all, but I just wanted to share what I was seeing with my new set-up. Another thing I just thought of that I like better about this new system over the one I had on the 800 is that the angle of the winch cable is much less severe. I broke my steel cable a couple of times on with my old Glacier, but I can attribute some of that to the power I had with the 800! Man that thing was a beast!! I can hardly wait to see how this set up works, once the snow arrives.

And BTW, "Hi" to all on this forum. I've been a faithful reader for sometime but just decided to register today. I've learned a lot from the various folks here, and I certainly do appreciate it.

 

I cranked up the front suspension and I have less suspension sag with the g2 and 72" plow on the xp than with the moose 60" on 05 800 sportsman.

 

Thank you everyone for their input and pics, a great help. I've attached a few pics of what mine looks like.. How much heavier is a 3500lb winch vs a 2500lb? Also my winch cable is not a steel cable it is like a blue rope material (not very technical but that's what best describes it). Does anyone else have the same?

Let me know what you think about the pics...

I attached one and for some more just go to the link below, they were to large to attach..

Dropbox - Photos - Secure backup, sync and sharing made easy.

 

When I measured the top off my front rack to the ground it is 34" if that helps at all? Not sure on the weight difference between the 3500lb with the blue synthetic rope and a 2500lb winch with steel cable I would bet minimal?

You will be very happy with the synthetic winch rope it is much nicer to work with and one of the best upgrades I did with my old machine and the first thing I did when I got the XP.