My kids and I went for a ride Saturday. We rode up the north fork of Fillmore UT over and down into Kanosh on the Paiute ATV Trail. On the north fork trail you cross the same river about 10 times. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] My cat swam really well and made it accross with no problems. We stopped for lunch and played in a big snow drift. We slid down the hill on plastic bags. (lots of fun) After about an hour we decided we had better get going. We were riding along when we came to a snow drift still covering the road. It was about 30 yards long. I had seen where some other ATV's had come across so we proceeded on. The cat didn't climb out on top of the snow like the other ATV's. She dug in and we hi-centered. I backed out and got a big run at it. this time she popped on top and started across. I made it about 3/4 of the way when the tires broke out of the other tracks and proceeded to slide off the drift. I ended up down off the road in the trees. I parked it and looked to see how I was going to get out. I found a way that I could make my way around some of the trees except for one spot just before the embankment of the road a tree had fallen down and I needed to go over it. The ground was muddy, I was heading uphill and no room to really get a run at things. As I crossed the log the front popped over nice but I didn't carry the front as long as I should have and the rear frame caught the tree and we were hi-centered. As I hi-centered on the tree the ATV slid to the right and pinned the rear rack up against another tree. I couldn't back down and I couldn't get any traction to push it uphill and over the fallen tree. Even with my 7 year old diving we still couldn't get enough leverage to push my cat up and over. My kids and I searched for some small rocks and logs. I lifted the ATV up and we placed the rocks and logs under the wheels. I also noticed my front right tire was pushing into another tree that ahd fallen. After several attempts of trying to move this tree it finally broke from the trunk and I was able to push it out of the way. Once we got enough logs under the tires I put my 7 year old on and I pushed. The tires grabbed enough traction and we finally made it over the log. This was the only incident we had and the rest of the day was fun and enjoyable other than the two rattle snakes on the trail. I hope they learned that sunning on an ATV Trail isn't an appropriate place. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

I guess you just never know when you are going to get into a little trouble. I tried to take all the precautions. I called the forest service and asked if the roads were clear. They told me affirmative. I have tried to follow the common sense rules of ATVing and not riding alone but when no one wants to come I am not going to stay home. I begged my wifes brother and sisters to ride with me. I was even providing the ATV, gas, and lunch all they had to do was come. no takers!!!! I carry all the emergency supplies. The only things I didn't have with me was a hand saw and a winch. either one of those two things would have saved me a lot of sweat and work. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] I know that I wouldn't use a winch very often but when you need it you really need it. I also realize that if someone else had came with me we could have used my rope and another ATV to pull me out. Anyway we had a good ride and enjoyable day with my kids. My only other regret was we left the camera sitting on the kitchen counter. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img] I will be looking for a winch for my ATV!!!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] Just thought I would share my weekend riding experience. We rode 93 miles on Saturday. Not bad for a good days ride [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

TTaylor, sounds like a great ride, glad to hear you and the Cat made it home in one piece. A winch is the very first thing I put on my machines. You're right that they don't get used a whole lot, but the one time you need it is well worth the cost.

In spring of 2001 I went on a ride up Lake Fork, above Thistle, with my father in law. There was a couple of feet of snow on the ground at the higher elevations, but it was easy going in the morning because it was crusted over, coming out was different story. The sun had softened the snow to the point we couldn't move only a few feet before sinking waist deep in snow. We spent nearly 3 hours lifting, winching, and moving snow by hand. I was wet from head to toe, mostly from sweat, and I was completely exhausted. This was by far the worst ride I've ever been on. If it weren't for our winches, ****** blocks, and tow straps we'd probably still be there. Luckily there were enough trees along the trail that we could leap frog the machines.

 

I think the same kind of thing happened with the snow. the tracks were from early in the morning when the snow was frozen. We tried crossing in the middle of the day and the snow was very soft. It is a lot of work lifting these machines around. I think if I had a more aggressive tires than the Titan 489's I might have gotten out a little easier too.
When I bought my ATV the dealer was going to put a winch on. When I got there he said he was out of the promotional winches. I decided to go ahead and get some other accessories instead. To make up for the winch he gave me a tank bag and a set of shock covers for free. He also told me that the next time that Arctic Cat was having a winch promotion to come back and he would allow me to get one. I have never gone back because I didn't want the extra weight and didn't really see a need for them. I have changed my mind. I doubt since its been a year that the dealer will honor the deal. I really don't expect him to either. I will just go and see what I can work out. I will make sure on my next 4X4 that the winch is installed before I leave the dealer.

 

Hay "T" at (harbor frate) they have a portable winch for about 90 bucks it slips over a ball on your hitch, they are 2000 lb you can take them when you need them and in the summer just leave them home, I got one on sale for 69.99 and it works, to test it I lifted my cat about 3ft off the ground in my car port. my brother got one 2 weeks ago for the same price and were not even on sale any more he talked to the store manger told them I had got one for 69.99 and they went ahead and gave it to him for that price you mite give it a try... sound like a fun ride.

 

I have not noticed any signifigance to the weight of my winch. I had to use it about two weeks after we got it and plan to use it for other things as well. I think they are the best investment you can have on a sport/utility machine! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

BIGDCRED,
Do you have a part # on the winch from Harbor Freight? Is it an electric or manual winch?

MountainCat,
I agree winches are a nice feature to have on a quad. I just feel that it is one thing that, for me, would be seldom used. But, when I do use it I would really need it. I am sure once I have one I will be able to find other uses for it.

 

I got stuck in a bog on Saturday (no need of it...i could have went around but i just HAD to try it....sheesh, i'm always at that crap!!)...to make a long story short, i had to walk out (about 2 miles), borrow a come-along and walk back in....seeing that a winch is quite expensive, i'm gonna buy a come-along and keep it on the bike...lighter than a winch, and did a heck of a job getting me unstuck....i needed a coil of rope too as the nearest tree was over 50 feet away, and the cable ain't very long on a come-along...not as good as a winch, but the next best thing maybe.

 

Hi the best thing you could do when buying an atv is adding a winch on . If your going to put one on consider a2500 lbs one instead of a 2000 lbs one. that winch will save the next time your out plus if you ever sell the machine you,ll get your money back or you can take it off for the next one. I would never leave home without it.It,s my insurance package. I went for a ride one sunny summer day an decide to follow the ditch line. off the highway.I came up to a spot which i didn,t no was there i sank my machine so deep the only thing sticking out was the corner off my accessory box which is 14 inchs higher than the rack. it took me 2.5 hours,a new set of sunday close, shoes and my wife wouldn,t let me in the house because i was so dirty.That winch and 3 foot long crow bar and axe i carry save me. So thats what happens when you go on leisurely rides.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

heheheh....good story....i guess you were by yourself, as i was!!!...i like riding by myself sometimes, but don't like it too much when i get stuck and noone to help me!!...gives ya something to talk about though hey!!

 

electric portable. it is not the best one you can get but for an electric winch it work great, Bossarcher got one to he mite still have the box with the # on it. one cool thing with it is you can use it electricly or it has a handle to use it manualy. here is the address they have it listed for 89bucks but you mite try to talk them down.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=39997