I have a 04 SP500HO with a Glacier plow system on it. The plow system has a large receiver plate (resembles a skid plate) mounted to the underside. I believe that this is blocking the drain hole for the front gearcase. Can anyone confirm this???? I hate to remove the plate if I don't have to. The only other hole I can find is one on the right side - about 1/2 way up - which would be used to check the level.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

first off, is your atv an 04 model or an 04.5 model... the 04s have outboard hubs while the 04.5 have the centralized hubs

 

Well, if you have an 04.5, then yes, your mounting plate is blocking the drain hole. Some dealers/people drill holes in the plates to make it so you don't have to remove them.

 

The unit is a 2004 with the older-style outboard hubs. Matter of fact - I changed the hub fluid, but couldn't find the drain hole for the Front gearcase - only the fill / level check hole.

I'll have to check out how the plow attaches to see if a hole will interfere with it "sliding into the receiver".

 

Huh, I don't know about an early 04, but if you have to drill that hole, it will not interfere, as it is in the flat part of the plate that is parallel with the ground. Just make sure it is big enough to fit a socket through, not just the bolt.

 

I'll check it out next weekend - when I get back to the location where my ATV is. Good suggestion about making the hole big enough for the socket too !! Thanks.

 

Hey Tyler711 - how does that Sportsman 400 handle the 60" Glacier plow?? I debated between the 48" and the 60" - but went with the 48". My 500 just plays with the 48" inch - plus it fits into my shed eacsier than the 60 would.

 

No real problems with power. With no chains, the tires will spin before the belt does. With the chains on and plowing pavement, I can tell that I'd run out of power before traction (with no snow under the tires). But it pushes it no problem. ATV's are so light that traction becomes an issue long before power.

I haven't gotten a winch or a mount for the 500 yet, maybe I will this year and see how it plows. I just got it a month ago, it hasn't seen snow yet.