I was wondering the EXACT same thing!!!!

Rhino, you going back to Tellico anytime soon????? We should go ride!!! Grizzly Verus Rhino!! LOL!

 

Yep, thats what I'm saying. In certain circumstances, far superior. In certain circumstances, it's inferior. I posted those circumstances about so I won't be redundant. The ultimate thing to have would be to have each wheel recieve 99% of it's traction power independently of every other wheel. They do that with ABS; in reverse though. They do that to some extent with traction control systems in high end cars. A long time ago I saw an old beat up quadra track Jeep with 7 inch tires outclimb 4 other 4X4's with big swamper tires and some even had lockers. A friend of mine lost some money on that deal!!!

 

I've already outlined when a AWD is superior to a locked axle. If you rock crawl or pull in a straight line, cool, a locker or spool is the best you can get. The thing that is bad about them is when you are locked in and turn, it shortens the radius on one side and that drags one tire and pushes the other. They loose optimum traction when this happens. I see that I won't convince you that lockers arn't superior in every condition. Thats fine, you win.

 

"IMO, the viscous lock that the Bomb's use is the best all around locking differential on any ATV."

"are you actually suggesting that bomb's limited slip locker is superior to a real locker???"

Please read what I posted. I did not say "superior to a real locker". I said, "best all around". Huge difference.

I did not say it is more aggressive, but a "better all around system." If I had my choice, I would take the viscous lock over a locker.

Lockers have their advantages and disadvantages and for me their advantages just don't justify having one in the front differential.

"im talking in terms of capability. if i were concerned with steering effort and comfort id lay around on the couch. i want to find big nasty rocks and then i want to prove to myself that im good enough to climb over them so for me its all about capability. limited slip systems do not provide the same level of traction as a real locker and if you think otherwise youre either fooling yourself or youre most unfamiliar with rock crawling."

Where did anyone say a limited slip provides the same or more aggressive traction as a locker????? The point is, not everyone is out trying to prove to themselves that they are good enough to climb over some big rock. Not everyone needs or has a use for a locker. If you do, then you had better have one.

I guess for the rest of us might as well stay home and lay on the couch because not everyone is trying to prove to ourselves that we can climb over that big nasty rock. I too have done a lot of rock crawling in Moab and Colorado in past years and very well under stand the differences in limited slips and lockers. Good and bad. Lockers can be your worst enemy in some circumstances and your best friend in others. Only lockers “lock”, and limited slips allow for “limited slippage”. Kind of funny where they get their names.

If I want to go rock crawling, i will take a rock crawler, not an ATV.

"matter of fact, just look at my jeep rubicon as a perfect example of the topic at hand!"

Rubicon Jeep? Below is a link to my daughter’s “real rock crawler”. I believe this is the "perfect example". You're killing me!!

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...hreadid=225352

 

In this debate is were I think the Prairie system really shines. I need the lock up I pull on lever and can adjust how much I want it to lock. I used this not too long ago on a muddy hill just like someone was describing needed the locker for traction coming up the steppest part of the hill just before it turns, as I get to the turn and start to ease off so the wheels can turn easier. Then as soon as it is headed straight grab the locker to finish clearing the top as it gets steeper just before topping over.

 

What gets lost in the translation though is the fact I beleive ( correct me if I'm wrong ) is that most if not all full lockers have to stop, hit the full lock or lock diff button, then continue. I guess this would be similar to some other kind of action where you have to stop and put the condom on---BORING,BORING. Guys like me or Torbo Doctor with Visco lock are PRIMED, ready for action, and don't quit till job is done!

 

I don't know for sure on the Grizzly if you have to stop or not. On the Arctic Cat 650 and the Prairie you don't have to stop you just apply pressure to the lever and ease off when you don't need it anymore.

 

I looked at that lime green artic cat with the bush guards and all. The dealer told me you had to stop hit the button for the front axil to fully lock. He said you could hit the button on the move but the axil would not fully lock till you stopped for a moment.

 

I was understood that the Arctic cat had the the same locker set up as the Prairie. The difference being the Arctic cat lever does not release automatically you have to push the lever back off. I know that on my Prairie you just apply it when you need to and release when you don't if I start slipping a wheel I grab the lever and pull over or through then release. The Prairie is normally in a limited slip mode that works really well but when the situation gets really tough it has the locker at the pull of a lever. I don't know why it would be any different on the Arctic Cat the locker is still the kawasaki design. I would have to ask a owner of an Arctic Cat but I would wonder if the dealer just didn't take the time to learn about the new quad. I have been into dealers and asked questions about their newest quad and had them have to go ask the mechanic or go find a brochure to answer me. I have had others tell me something that was completely wrong when they didn't really know and couldn't bring themselfs to admit it.

 

To Dirt vh OK, on page 15 of the 2004 brochure it shows a lever. I think its a electrical type of thing and you have to stop. Where as what you seem to be describing on the prairie is some sort of a mecanical thing like maybe a hand brake arraigment. I don't know never been around a praire. And since I bought a bomb I'm not gonna go back and ask the Cat dealer whats up[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]. So we have to look for a 2004 cat owner to comment. I'll go over and put a post on the cat fourm.