I have 8 hours on my Twin Peaks. I was trying to pull a 500# log in reverse on hard packed dirt. I had to use the override. I put it in reverse and hit the throttle and the belt started smoking. Then there was a loud bang from the front end. I was in 4-wheel drive with two people on the machine for traction weight. I had tried pulling the log before and just spun. Did I do something wrong or is this machine not a utility machine? I'm still not sure what the bang was. I'm going to take it back to the dealer on Monday.

 

Yeap , you did several things wrong , first you should have been in forward , LOW range and 4-wheel drive, reverse is like high range , never pull a load in reverse.

 

Was it in 4X4 before you pulled up to the log or did you put it in 4X4 just before you started the pull? The bang you heard might have been the fron end locking in and yes, you may have damaged it.

 

The dealer most likely will not fix it under warranty because they will claim misuse. Hopefully they will fix it for you and nextime don't pull in reverse. Good luck!

 

Yes, reverse is bad. Generally, front diffs aren't as strong as rear diffs, I guess mainly because of weight transfer while going forward. By pullin in reverse, you were putting almost all the stress on the front diff[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]

 

That makes sense, however the winches are put on the front. What if you have to pull someone out of the mud? I have seen numerous times someone pulling them out using the winch as a tow cable and nothing seem to go wrong. I will however pull forward from now on. I'm use to pulling with a truck and pulled in reverse no problem.

 

the correct way to use the winch is hold the brakes and let the winch do the work , if you are driving the ATV in reverse instead of letting the winch pull, you are again asking for trouble.

 

I called the dealer and he said he had to measure the belt width to determine whether warranty will cover. I'm hoping so as the belt is rather pricey. The machine had to go in. There is a leak at the rear of the motor where the rear shaft exits the motor. We found that when removing the bolts to the stock swing arm skid plate. That is why I posted that if you put on an aftermarket skid that doesn't utilize the stock mounting holes (like the ricochet system) that you put replace that two bolts that go into the swing arm or foreign matter will enter the swing arm. I will drop off the wheeler Monday. I'm hoping to hear it's all covered or I guess there will be a charge for this one.

 

WARN will tell you not to use the winch to pull like that. You are trying to pull the winch and mounting system off the Quad like that. The cable spool shaft ends,bushings and gears are not designed for this type of load.

 

Well, I guess it's going to be an expensive lesson. Warranty will not cover the belt. I am waiting to get a price. What should an OEM belt cost?