Nyroc, thanks for the input about the Prairie 650. Just checked out your web page earlier today....pretty cool. I've ridden Salamanca myself several times and its always a blast. Ever gone on the Cochranton poker run? Used to be awesome, but so many people were showing up for it in recent years it got ridiculos (like a constant ATV traffic-jam from start to finish). Salamanca's more open with less people.

 

Alltoys--- Funny you should mention the freezing rear brakes on a 450-S! I rode my '00 450-S off the side of a trailer BACKWARDS, because of that little flaw!!!!!!! Not much damage, other than my pride! LOL
INSANE APE-- Do you ride Wayne Nat'l. Forest down in S.E. Ohio, near Nelsonville/Logan areas? I "live" in that place, most every w.e. that it is open 4/15 thru 12/15.

 

I'll throw my $0.02 in even though it looks like you've got your answers.

Last spring, just after I got my Praries I did a snow run with my Uncle. I'm a novice rider, was on a new machine that wasn't even broke in, on stock dunflops. My Uncle and cousin were on Sportsman 500s. Did just fine. Wasn't totally fresh snow, we were following some snowmobile tracks for the most part. Really no difference between each of us, we all took our turns getting stuck. However, I do think that with some proper tires and a little more experience (i.e.: when I get a chance to go this year), I'll be blazing the trail for the Sportsmans.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

Also, here's a little clearer definition of the front diff operation. It's a limited slip differential. The amount you pull on the cable determines just how much slip it allows. The effect is linear. Somewhere I even found a graph that gives hard numbers. When you have it pulled all the way in, requires maximum torque for slippage (something like 135 ft. lbs. if I recall) which is effectively "locked" considering the size/weight and power of a quad. Since all you're doing is adjusting the amount of friction on the clutch packs, you can do it at any speed. The exact mechanism of how you're adjusting it involves a ball/cam mechanism that is so simple it's ingenious. Engaging it at a higher speed won't add any extra wear, other than on your body because of what it takes to try and steer. The "extra" wear in fact is in letting the differential slip (just think of slipping the clutch in your car).

When I was in the snow, I was constantly working the front diff lever. I quickly learned that for the most part, I just kept it pulled all the way in since steering in the snow can best be described as "controlled chaos" anyway. It was late in the season though so we were occasionally hitting dry spots on the trail so I was sure to let off the diff lever when I hit those so I could steer, then back on it when we hit up the next bank.....all the time never even slowing or losing momentum (which is the real key to riding in the white stuff). Can't wait to make a run again this year. (3 kids under the age of 4 tends to put a damper on this activity)

 

howdy, Tractoy have you seen the kits avalable at atvtracks.com they already make one for o'l prairie dog. they look like snow is no problem.

 

I went to the site and all I found was a site about Wisconsin ATV riding? Could you check the address?

 

I did was a search and I think this might be the link he was talking about..

ATV Track Conversion kit....also for other vehicles.


I looks cool but quite pricy. You Canadian fellas might have more use for this equipment.

Matthew

 

Yeah those tracks kits are rip offs!!! thats like $7000 canadian! I can buy a snowmobile for that, and it'll go further anyways. But i have seen 4 or 5 of them around here (rubicons and p650's) they have unbelieveable GC though, looks realy cool, but i noticed that the rubicon was missing some of those pop rivets though. (i think over bumps the tracks hit the fenders! not good for $7000+machine)