Educating myself getting ready to buy my first 4×4 and have some questions.
1 – Engine size. One of my wants is to be able to pull a trailer up a trail with a decent amount of camping gear piled in, so I’ve been told to either look for a good size motor or one with hi-lo gears. From what I’ve learned so far it seems that something like a Sportsman 500 HO or 550 Griz would do that job fairly well. But for the sake of opening up my options could I possibly look into a smaller engine than these if it had hi-lo? Put another way…what’s the smallest engine size I should be looking for on a machine that has hi-lo considering my pulling needs?
2 – Can add power steering? Is it possible to add power steering to a model that didn’t come with it, but other versions of that same year’s model did? For example some of the 2008 Griz 550s came with PS and some didn’t. If I found one that didn’t have it could I reasonably assume I could add it later considering the frame and equipment has probably already been designed to work with it?
3- Mileage and age. Most of the machines I’m seeing have between 500-1200 or so miles and I’m wondering how many is too many? Seen some with 2-3000+ and I’m most def staying away from those. But whats the mileage limit where you can expect major things (read expensive) to start going wrong with the machine? I’ve heard someone generally speaking say they would rather take a 2006 with 1000 miles on it vs a 2012 with 2000. Would most people agree?
Educating myself getting ready to buy my first 4×4 and have some questions.
1 – Engine size. One of my wants is to be able to pull a trailer up a trail with a decent amount of camping gear piled in, so I’ve been told to either look for a good size motor or one with hi-lo gears. From what I’ve learned so far it seems that something like a Sportsman 500 HO or 550 Griz would do that job fairly well. But for the sake of opening up my options could I possibly look into a smaller engine than these if it had hi-lo? Put another way…what’s the smallest engine size I should be looking for on a machine that has hi-lo considering my pulling needs?
2 – Can add power steering? Is it possible to add power steering to a model that didn’t come with it, but other versions of that same year’s model did? For example some of the 2008 Griz 550s came with PS and some didn’t. If I found one that didn’t have it could I reasonably assume I could add it later considering the frame and equipment has probably already been designed to work with it?
3- Mileage and age. Most of the machines I’m seeing have between 500-1200 or so miles and I’m wondering how many is too many? Seen some with 2-3000+ and I’m most def staying away from those. But whats the mileage limit where you can expect major things (read expensive) to start going wrong with the machine? I’ve heard someone generally speaking say they would rather take a 2006 with 1000 miles on it vs a 2012 with 2000. Would most people agree?
The first time I start my 2000 sportsman 500 during the day it cranks right over and runs like a champ. If I shut it off and go to crank it back up it just keeps turning over but won’t start. It just started doing this yesterday and I have already rebuilt the carb, fuel lines, fuel filter, new cdi box, and fresh oil and filter. I don’t know what it could be.
The first time I start my 2000 sportsman 500 during the day it cranks right over and runs like a champ. If I shut it off and go to crank it back up it just keeps turning over but won’t start. It just started doing this yesterday and I have already rebuilt the carb, fuel lines, fuel filter, new cdi box, and fresh oil and filter. I don’t know what it could be.
Well I’m assuming there aren’t many of ‘us’ out there, judging by the lack of response to the search queries I’ve tried…but I’ll throw this out to the general Sportsman 850 group and perhaps someone will ‘know someone’ who might be able to direct me to what I’m looking for, namely, accessories for the front and rear deck areas.
I bought this machine to complement my primary gardening/landscaping workhorse, the Kubota RTV1200C. We have a large property which requires a fair amount of maintenance this time of year, and for some of the areas, ( like the smaller pathways in the evergreen plantation ), the RTV is just too big to take thru without causing damage to the surrounding installations. The ATV is just the right size, and the NPT tires are fairly easy on the turf with their low tread/flat profile. It also has to be able to pull a 225 gallon water wagon, which it does without too much effort, ( the RTV does it effortlessly…).
BUT…I need to be able to pile equipment, ( pruners, shears, shovel, chain saw(s), etc ) on the rear deck…hence my question.
Does anyone know of a source of accessories that would add to the functionality of the rear, and/or front deck on this machine? The dealer said I could use the 850XP stuff, it would require some drilling and adapting but could work…I was hoping for something more efficient than an a ‘Mc’Giver’d’ solution.
96 400 2 stroke. I found the fill hole for the balance shaft but for the life of me I can not figure out where the drain plug is. Can someone explain where it is or a pic would be even better!
