With encouragement from the folks here on this forum we bought a Sportsmen 500 for use around the Ranch. This is strictly a work machine, not used or intended for pleasure…y’all believe that right?…We were forced to get a 500 H.O. as the dealer didn’t have anything else. This is the wife’s machines and she let’s me ride it for honey do’s, which I find time to do more often. A husband’s responsibilities never end…

We have one problem that we are only moderately concerned about, but are wondering if we should be more concerned.

This new machine has less than 50 miles on it and we have metal on metal wear between rear shock spring upper inner shock housing. We told our dealer and they contacted Polaris. Polaris said no problem, that’s just one of those things.

Anyone else have this problem? What’s the chance of spring/shock housing wear-through?



Douglas from the Double D Gopher Ranch in Big Sky Country

 

Have you been hauling heavy loads on it or trailers with a lot of toungue weight? If so, maybe you should try adjusting the springs on the rear shocks.

 

mine does it also.
seems fairly minor to me.
i haul a spray trailer around most of the summer and ride the crap out of it the rest of the time.
i also jump mine more than most people i know.

 

It may seem minor now, but it won't seem so minor in a few years when it rust through. You can turn the spring until it no longer rubs, and paint the affected area with a good rust resistant spray paint. I have never carried a load and my 4 month old SP500 is doing the same thing. I guess I should have bought a Honda. (LOL)

Greg

 

Mine too. Have two buds with SP's, theirs do the same thing. My dealer says that it's very common. I think I will try turning mine.

dave

 

Thanks Folks for the responses. I am not worried about rust out here on the Montana Prairie. We get so little moisture. Beside it looks like the housing is aluminimun.

I only have a moderate conceren about wear through on the spring. We are quite dry and things are a bit dusty here so there is always that possibility.

I have pulled a few trailer loads of manure, but had the rub before that. Throwing my 200 lb body on the seat seems to get more suspension travel than pulling trailers and plows.

Why if it wasn't for the fact that this is a great little farm tractor a guy just might be able to have some fun with it. The neigbors even accept it when I tell them it's green. They say "oh a Deere!" and I say "yep it's a dear"

I think I need to go get a helmet and goggles and see if it's possible to cross the coulee out back of the place... Lets see how do I justify that to the wife. Oh I know. I need to practice my riding skills in case I have to fix the fence over there or help the neighbors round up the cows. Yep this ain't no fun machine, strickly for work.

Douglas from the Double D Gopher Ranch in Big Sky Country