Could use some more information from someone who has one. My Rancher see's deep water use occasionally, and I don't want to mess up the internals.

A few questions:

1.Is it a "permanent" plate? I assume once installed, you have no way of re-attaching the pull starter without an involved teardown and reassembly?

2.Cost?

3.Where can I get one?

4.Is it absolutely necessary? What will get water in it, and what damage are we talking about ?

A pre-emptive thanks to all replies!

 

I was wondering the same thing. I think I will pull my starter off and look. From the manual the only thing I can see gettting ruined by mud id the spring and rope in the pull starter it's self.

 

Get a 400ex

 

Highlifter makes one. Click the link to read about it.Highlifter

Hope this helps,

Cirviver

 

I can not say for sure on the Rancher but I am looking at the service manual right now for my Foreman 500 and I DON'T think you really need it. If you are down south and in the swamps and such all the time and really in the water I doubt it. On the Foreman I noted that you have the cover and recoil starter (make sure the rubber boot of the rope is over the hole where the rope goes in - a piece of elec. tape or duct tape could really help seal this. Anyway after that cover ypou hhave the pulley coverthat has a bolt then an "O" ring sealing that. After that you have the alternator, then another oil seal. I doubt it is really that common for dirt and water to get buy all of them and then into the moter. I was also thinking about the block off until I looked at the entire break down. You could get crap in with the rope (Tape it to help further prevent that) but if that is all I really "hurt" I am not too worried. To get inot the motor would be some work. like I said if you sure the ATV as a make shift submarine, maybe, other wise I am not too worried. Overall it really does look like a decent design, at least on the Foreman 500. If you have or can get a service manual for your machine I would try and look at the rebuild section on the starter pull rope and see if it is close to the Foremans then make your choice. Good luck!

"crazyfor4wheels, Trailblazer from Dum F*ucks, Nebraska" - why say get a 400, if the person likes his/her quad lets help them and post something productive and not silly. I also would not say where I was from if you feel that way about it....

 

Code54,

Good reply. I was thinking the same thing but I didn't have time to type it all. I have a snorkel on my Rubi and I have been in water up to the handlebars. After every ride, I check the engine and diff fluids for water and I have not had a problem yet! Like you said, if the worst thing that happens (and the only thing that has so far) is that my pull starter cord gets a little wet and muddy than I can live with that. The one thing that I don't like about the Highlifter shield is that you can no longer use your pull starter. If your battery dies while ridding, you are screwed.

 

After having some recent battery trouble (battery is 7 years old and jsut needs to be replaced) I would not consider this mod at all. The block off plate replaces the pull starter assembly entirely so you only have electric start. Good idea if you wanna be like your sportsman 700 buddies, stuck waiting for a boost, but not good if your by yourself where a 3 second pull on the cord gets you back in shape!!!


I do alot of deep water riding and I periodically take off the pull starter to inspect it and I've never had a problem.

 

I agree, I rather clean it now and then and have a backup starting system, than not have to clean it and lose the back up. I have replaced batterys in the past due to failure but never had to replace an engine or pull starter so I think I will stick with Honda's org. design myself.

 

Thanks for the advice all, I can see both the pros and cons. I think I'll check out the Highlifter site, see what the cost is.

Aloha