I have plowed more snow than I ever have this year,with my 450es and it works great,I don't even have to take my hands off the handle bars,since it has es shifting and I bought a thumb toggle switch for my winch.I also fixed the reverse so i don't have to push the red button and pull in the brake lever.My question is, does the Ruby shift smooth going from low to reverse when your plowing,and what mode do you run in esp or auto.Im looking to buy a Ruby this spring,and I want to know if it's going to be as user friendly as my 450 is. Thank you Ruby owners for your help and information.

 

Farmking asks?
How does the Rubicon plow snow?

Well first off,you must buy a snow blade for it and install it!Than either lower or raise the blade using your handle or winch,drive in forward to push the snow ahead of you,use reverse when backing up,its really that simple.

Farmking,im just teasing you[lol],and I really dont know the answer,however,im sure one of the Ruby guys will give you a very good answer shortly,just hang in there,
Have a super day,
Bill

 

That Bill is a funny guy!!

I don't have a plow on my Rubicon but I have wondered the same thing. At first, the shifting was a little stiff. I sort of had to rock it to make it shift. It also seemed a little slow going into "gear." I would have to give it a little throttle to make it engage. I always worried that if I gave it too much throttle it would grind or mash the "gears." Since I've put about 600 miles on it, the shifting seems to be loosening up a little. I still don't just shift and hammer the throttle though. It seems to me that if you didn't want to beat on it, plowing with the Rubicon would be a little slow, waiting for it to get into "gear."

Like I said I really don't have an answer and am curious. These are some of my observations from just regular riding.

 

My Ruby does just fine. My shifter was a little notchy, so I removed some of the body panels, and sprayed the shifter mechanism with some silicon spray, which has made a significant difference. Don't think about it much now. I have a Cycle Country snow, with the manual lift. I got a winch later, but still use the manual lift. You kinda get into a rhythm with the shifter, manual lift, etc. It plows great! I have been able to move a 18" pile of snow, with no slippage or wheel spinning. But about 4" is the most we've gotten that I have plowed.

 

I have a Rubicon with a Cycle Country plow and eletric lift. Like the guy above said the shiftings a little tight going in and out of gear. Only have 13hrs and around 40 miles on it thats all plowing snow. The shifting seems to be getting a little smoother. No complants though very nice machine. Way to go Honda!

 

I have not had any problems plowing with my Ruby with a 50" blade on the front and a manual lift. I have used it quite a bit this winter for plowing at my business, have even done some of the roads surrounding the business when the township didn't get too them quick enough for me. It is able to push a fairly large amount of snow without breaking loose, in fact the biggest problem has been that the blade springs aren't strong enough to keep it from flipping under while pushing around alot of the white stuff. I put alot of hours and miles on mine over the summer and have yet to have a problem with the shifter it seems very smooth and precise to me. I owned a 2000 450s which I used last year and believe me the ride and steering differences are what I consider huge, the 450 is a great machine but the Ruby is a little more user friendly in my humble opnion.