I tried using my '02 Kawasaki 300 Prairie 4x4 to pull a utility trailier out of the woods; however, it seemed to have no pulling power even in 4-wheel drive. It runs great while on open road when I open her up, but has no pulling power.

I noticed smoke coming out from underneath, and smelled the rubber burning. I assume a loose drive belt, but wonder if it might be something else since it runs great without a load.

Any suggestions?

 

If it's on the original belt, I'd suspect the belt needs to be replaced because of age.

If the machine has a lot of miles, I'd next suspect the primary clutch and since these things are like voodoo to me, it could be the spring, weights, rollers, bushings.

Next in line would be the secondary clutch.

 

what did you have in the trailer? 300 are not going to have a lot of pulling power. Also were you in low range? One thing you can try before putting out money on a new belt is blow your clutches out. when i did their was a huge amount of dust and it was more responsive when i was done.

 

I ended up taking everything off my trailer and still had no luck. I ended up taking the trailer off and leaving it in the woods.

I will try that once I go retrieve the trailer and 4-wheeler... hopefully both are still hidden deep within woods.

I will try cleaning the clutches, then go to replacing belts, then....

Thanks a lot!!!

 

Your probably over due on a belt with a 02 ATV.
But once a belt is glazed or burnt there is no going back and it will need a new one now.
A 300 4x4 should pull in low range a 1300lb load.
My 350 4x4 has no low range yet is rated for 1100lbs but it cant do much with a bad belt for sure.
That's why I change a belt every 2500 miles if it needs it or not since its a easy and cheap thing to change every 3 years or so. Its just a good piece of mind.

 

Cheep? where you get your belts? i was quoted around $100 wen i went and priced one

 

$100 dollars every 3 or 4 years is cheap for a part that drives power to your wheels . But the Belt for my 500 Sportsman is only $65 I never looked at the belt on my 350 Grizzly Yet.
My 165hp Ski-doo 800 E-tec belt cost $150 and I change that every 2nd season.

$100 would not buy my fishing trip beer or gas. LOL

 

I used a Carlisle belt from the auto parts store. I know it was less than $80, maybe even less than $70. Been about 6 years or so and I can't recall.

 

I have took the belt off after 2500 miles and the belt looked and behaved good, but since I was already into it and had the belt cover off and cleaned the clutches with brake cleaner I sure was not putting a belt with 2500 miles back on at that point.
I have no doubt the belt may of went another 3000 miles but for $70 I was not going to find out.