OK....I know this locks up the front tires allowing for both to get equal power. My question is when and why would I need to do this? I would think I need to be in 4x4 and the way I ride stuck in something to use this bennefit. I have never had this feature before and would like it explained if possible so I can use without hurting machine. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

i have the 04 650 with locking front differential. I mostly use the locker when i must go over a large log in the trail but dont have enough room to get enough speed to just blow over it, and when u get the front end over its not able to pull the rest of it past the log, just flip the switch and both fronts get instant power, just make sure you are in 4x4 already. Anytime you have to haul something heavy through nasty terrain would be a good time too, i needed to haul firewood through a swamp one time, we built a custom wooden sled that held 300 pounds worth of wood, not even a front end loader was able to get through the swamp, but a locked front on an AC did.

 

I find the locker is great for the mud and snow and ice. You will get to where you can't go in 4X4 and flip the locker on and the front end start hooking up one side or the other and you go. I was on a hill climb in the snow a few weeks ago and picked 3rd instead of 2nd to try it. Ran out of engine and stopped. Went to 1st and all it did was spin the front tires. Flipped the locker on and the 400 pulled itself up the hill. When doing this you can tell the front is locked as the steering keeps jerking side to side as one tire the the other pulls and the one in the air just rotates with it instead of stealling the power. It's like having a 2X4, a 3X4 and a 4X4. The open diff in the front makes it easier to steer in straight 4X4, but in locker you can feel the locked diff. The locker was on of 2 reason I got a 2005 and not a 2004.

 

ya its amazing how much more traction you get when you were currently stuck then it just starts pulling itself out. But steering is a serious workout in locked mode. Staying in 4x4 is great for tough fast trail riding when u cant stop or slow down to engage 4x4 when u need it, b/c its still easy to manuever and u still have great traction thanks to the limited slip diff that transfers power back and forth between the wheels.