Help a noob! (Rancher ES won't move)
 

My dad just passed away and I inherited his Rancher ES.

How do I find out what year it was? Model number? (is ES the model?)

I just charged the battery.

I got on it, started it (hasn't ben used for quite a while) and when I put it in gear (forward or reverse) it won't move. I give it throttle (it will rev up in neutral just fine). I try to go forward or backward and it's like the brakes are locked on.. Is there some master safety switch or something to flip?

It sure tries to move, and it sort of "jumps" but it just won't go anywhere.

Also, what is the lever on the right side by he pedal? It looks almost like a clutch lever? Doesn't seem to do anything. I thought maybe it was a safety switch to make sure you didn't fall off or something?

Any help much appreciated.

mcmunn

Sorry for your loss, and welcome to the forum.

Anyway Rancher is the model, and ES indicates it is equipped with electric shift buttons, as opposed to foot shift.

They came with a temporary manual shift lever that could be used if the ES system failed. Could that be the lever? Other possibility, was it set up for a plow?

Anyhow, there is a parking brake feature built into the left side hand brake. You squeeze the brake, and there is a little lever that then locks it on.

Do you know what year the Rancher is?

I am wondering if that lever on the right side foot platform is the manual over ride? It does have a plow and I checked to make sure that was up in the air. The parking break is not on, I figured that mechanism out.

What does the plow indicate? Where exactly is the manual lever? If it is in neutral, should i be able to push it?

I will take the seat off, look around some more for something that indicates the year. I looked for an owners manual in the garage/house and the little compartment behind the seat, but nothing.

Thank you so much for responding. I don't know if i want to keep this thing or not, but I sure can't sell it or use it if it doesn't move!

mcmunn

I was wondering if the lever is a plow lift...

Anyway, the other thing I was wondering is what gear it might be in. If you were trying to start out in 4th or 5th, it would just slip the clutch and kind of bog.

Does the N light come on? or R?

Generally on hondas there is a red button on the brake, that you have to hold in and then pull the brake to shift down from N into R (a safety feature to make sure you don't hit reverse while traveling forward).

When it starts, it's always in "N". By pushing the red button in and hitting the "down shifter" button, it goes into "R". The controls for the blade are mounted up on the console near the breaks. Just a push button up or down, which controls the wench, which is hooked to the blade.

mcmunn

I see. It must have an electric lift, or a winch.

Anyway, does it roll when it is in N?

Nope, won't roll at all. I was wondering if the brakes are seized.

Could be, it happens when cars and trucks sit for too long. Is the Parking Breaks on? (Left break handle).

Jack up the rear and make sure its in 2wd and see if the wheels turn, just don't go full throttle.

You can find the year and model on a tag attached to the frame... usually one under seat or on the front end above the tires. Post a pic and we can help you ID the model and year. Plus we love pics of Quads!

I'd also look at the rear drum, and see if the pivot where the two cables attach (one is for the hand lever and one for the foot pedal).

Could be a cable has seized up.

I finally got it figured out! Thanks everyone for all the help.

The brake was sort of "locked in" and I was able to release the cable. That combined with letting it sit at high choke for about 5 minutes to warm up sufficiently was the trick. I had never ridden one before, so i had no idea it had to warm up for so long.

Thanks everyone for helping me out. I'm still a noob, but at least i'm mobile!

mcmunn