I'm looking for a 4x4 ATV that has a manually locking front diff. I've seen some Kawasakis that have a cable operated one, there's a lever that controls it on the handle bars. Anything else like this?

 

Arctic cat - I dont know about the new ones
Bomb - no diff lock
Honda - no diff lock
Kawi - you already know
Polaris - no diff lock
Suzuki - twin peaks, same as prarie
Yamaha - push button diff lock

 

Don't the Bomb and the Polaris have a diff. that works something like the DGL??

 

Polaris 4wds don't need a diff lock.. Each front hub will lock when in 4wd and the rear tires spin 20% faster then the fronts..

giving you true 4 wheel drive when needed....

 

Both bomb and polaris have an "AWD" system. They do not engage into full diff lock under any condition.

 

I've looked at some Polaris parts diagrams and the front differential is just a spool, both tires spin at the same speed. I don't know how the front-rear engagement is, though, there may be a viscous coupling setup or something.

 

The front tires only spin at the same speed when 2 things happen 1.Its in 4wd(that don't mean they will spin) 2. the fronts will only get power when the backs lose traction,and they will spin at the same speed..

It engages via of electro magnets in each of the front hud,when the 4wd switch is in the on position and the rear tires lose traction, power is set to the elector magnets thus causing the inner hud plate to lock with the outer hub plate...

 

Oh, I didn't know about the locking hub setup, sounds pretty cool. I thought it was weird that they would just put a spool in there, would make turning a pain.

 

not at all, thats why both front tires don't engage till the rears lose traction. so you can drive in 4wd and steer normally,,, when you hit mud etc the 4wd comes on without notice(during this time you can feel a difference in the steering) then when you regain traction the fronts automatically disengage and you on your way...

 

But it's a far cry from a locking front diff. The Suzuki king quad (not yet mentioned) has a manually locking front diff. here's an example. you are crossing a tree across the trail that is big enough to high center the bike. You lock the front diff and pop the machine over the log and as the front touches down you lean forward and bunp your thighs against the handlebars making the locked front end grab and drag you over the log and you are on your way. The Polaris system that waits until the back slips before giving you front drive will do nothing in this situation. You will be sitting high centered on the log like a turtle on its back.