According to Kawasaki, the Prairie is supposed to have a front dif. that works in the same fashion as the sure-trac. design available on Honda's Rancher and Rubicon. In other words, it is supposed to transfer the power to the wheel WITH traction. However, I have read magazine articles that claim the Prairie's work just the opposite, or like the old standard limited slip design. Sometimes the ATV mags. report things incorrectly though. Anyone have some input here???

 

My Prairie is a 1997 and has a standard limited slip front differential, and as far as I know the new Prairie's have the same front end.

 

I believe you mean "open" differential, in contrast to a "limited-slip" one.

A functioning limited-slip differential (e.g., "Posi-Trac," etc.) biases a portion of the torque from the spinning wheel to the one with traction; an open differential does not.

A limited-slip differential contains a mechansim for biasing torque, usually a clutch pack; an open differentail has no such mechanism.

The chief complaint about ATV differentials appears: they function like "open" differentials, the limited-slip mechanism is ineffective.

Tree Farmer

 

My 99 400 sure likes to show off it's three wheel drive any chance it can get. I'm thinking about putting in new thicker clutches so it would do better, but not be totally locked. The shop quoted me ~ $250 to do so. How hard is it to chang the clutch pack?

 

Looks harder than changing a spark plug, for sure, DaveC!

I've been told you can over-torque the clutch springs by adding shims, instead of "thicker plates." However, maybe you could slickee a couple of extra plates in there; hmmmmmmmm.

Anyway, increasing the LSD (limited-slip differential) clutch torque will have an effect on steering; with "infinite" torque, you have a locker.

I think a front conventional (clutch-pack) limited-slip differential for quads is ultimately doomed; the clutch disks MUST wear down from the nearly continuous friction of extreme turns. By contrast, automobiles and pickups usually have limited-slip differential in the REAR, where the tire rotation difference in turns is minimal (compared to the front), where the service life should be longer . . .

Tree Farmer

 

Tree Farmer---you're definitely right about affecting the steering if you stiffen the tension on the clutch pack. With a limited slip differential both wheels are locked together by the tension on the clutch pack until there is enough resistance on one wheel to cause the clutches to slip and allow the power to go to the other wheel (the one probably in the air or the one with the lightest load on it in a turn) If you make the tension on the clutch pack stiff enough, then like you said, it is locked up. This would also be really hard on tire wear. I guess that is why Kawasaki has come up with their new locking lever instead of a limited slip setup. Hopefully the steering will be really light with this front end.

 

I must say that I am new to the four wheel drive area, as I am and have always been acustomed to the more simple models with full time positive traction in the rear and full free wheel spin in the front. However I must say we will find out soon how well the new 2001 Praire 300 works as we traverse the soggy creeks and bayous of Louisiana this winter.......will keep you posted.

 

KaptnNemo has arrived!

 

I have a '98 Prairie 400 4X4. Yes, it has a Limited Slip front end very similar to the ones found in autos. It uses clutch packs.
I've got quite a lot of heavy duty time on mine, I probably ride more than the average guy and generally push it pretty hard.
I have noticed that the clutches have started to slip a little more as the quad is getting older, in contrast it is easier to turn than when it was new.
It's a trade off....

 

Does at least one of the front wheels HAVE to turn when the clutches wear out?
Is their always at least one front tire pulling?