RTV 900 winch mount

[Stoweski]

Hi everyone. I recently purchased a Viper Max winch for my RTV 900. The problem I am having is trying to find a winch mount that will allow me to mount the winch to the front guard instead of in the 'standard' location. I believe mounting it in the standard location is absolutely useless as I can't freewheel the winch without opening the hood and reaching down to the winch... unless I'm missing something.

I have the KFI winch mount for the 900 (2010 year model) and the winch mount that came with the Viper Max but it looks as though they use the bolts on the frame... which means the winch can only be mounted behind the front grille.

Would anyone out there have an idea of where I could get a winch mount that would fit my needs? Also, if you have a 900 and a winch... and took pictures of how it is mounted to the front guard, that would be appreciated. I'm just getting frustrated at not finding a solution online tonight.
thanks!

 

[plykins]

Hi everyone. I recently purchased a Viper Max winch for my RTV 900. The problem I am having is trying to find a winch mount that will allow me to mount the winch to the front guard instead of in the 'standard' location. I believe mounting it in the standard location is absolutely useless as I can't freewheel the winch without opening the hood and reaching down to the winch... unless I'm missing something.

I have the KFI winch mount for the 900 (2010 year model) and the winch mount that came with the Viper Max but it looks as though they use the bolts on the frame... which means the winch can only be mounted behind the front grille.

Would anyone out there have an idea of where I could get a winch mount that would fit my needs? Also, if you have a 900 and a winch... and took pictures of how it is mounted to the front guard, that would be appreciated. I'm just getting frustrated at not finding a solution online tonight.
thanks!

I installed a Warn winch with the KFI winch mount. The winch sets outside the front guard. It mounts to the mount and in turn the mount is mounted to the base of the opening in the front guard. If I get a chance, I will take some pics tomorrow. :thumbsup:

 

[DT86]

What about a removable mount to fit both the front and rear receiver hitch? I'd bet it would make the winch twice as handy.

 

[plykins]

What about a removable mount to fit both the front and rear receiver hitch? I'd bet it would make the winch twice as handy.

Wiring might be a problem. Have to wire in a solenoid to fire the voltage to run the winch.

 

[DT86]

Wiring might be a problem. Have to wire in a solenoid to fire the voltage to run the winch.

It's not that big of a deal. If I wanted or needed a winch on my 900 that's how I'd do it. Alternatively you could build a receiver mount and leave it on the front all the time.

Honestly you lost me on the whole "solenoid to fire the voltage" part.

 

[Stoweski]

I installed a Warn winch with the KFI winch mount. The winch sets outside the front guard. It mounts to the mount and in turn the mount is mounted to the base of the opening in the front guard. If I get a chance, I will take some pics tomorrow. :thumbsup:

Would like to see picts... thanks. I can see how the mount hooks onto the front guard but it only hooks on with two bolts (unless others are drilled). I don't see how the mount can be bolted to the frame (adding another two bolts to secure it to the RTV). I also tried lining up the holes on the winch after putting the mount in place and it hits the black plastic grille.

So yea, picts would be nice.

My guess with the f&r receiver hitch is that the winch would need power wires run from the contactor to both the front & back of the RTV. Then some kind of quick attach plug would have to be used. Good idea. Something I'll look into as an option. I do not want to modify any part of the RTV for a winch so that may be the way to go.

 

[plykins]

It's not that big of a deal. If I wanted or needed a winch on my 900 that's how I'd do it. Alternatively you could build a receiver mount and leave it on the front all the time.

Honestly you lost me on the whole "solenoid to fire the voltage" part.

On my Warn RT30 winch there is a contactor(ie solenoid) that is mounted in the battery compartment and connected to the battery. From this there are heavy wires that run to the winch and small wires that run to the dash winch switch. I guess you could buy a cheaper winch that plugs into the acc. plug, but you would be risking the chance of burning up your wiring from too much current passing through it. Not something I would do.

 

[plykins]

Would like to see picts... thanks. I can see how the mount hooks onto the front guard but it only hooks on with two bolts (unless others are drilled). I don't see how the mount can be bolted to the frame (adding another two bolts to secure it to the RTV). I also tried lining up the holes on the winch after putting the mount in place and it hits the black plastic grille.

So yea, picts would be nice.


My guess with the f&r receiver hitch is that the winch would need power wires run from the contactor to both the front & back of the RTV. Then some kind of quick attach plug would have to be used. Good idea. Something I'll look into as an option. I do not want to modify any part of the RTV for a winch so that may be the way to go.

Here are a couple of pics.

 

[Stoweski]

Looks like a 2 piece winch mount. The mount I have is only one piece but includes two spacers (probably for the bolt heads underneath. That was the one they had listed for a 2010 RTV900. I assume based on the pictures this is for a later model but still works on the front grille.

Thanks for taking the time to snap a couple of pictures. Does help. Now off to search and find those parts (and compare to the receiver hitch suggestion).

 

[Stoweski]

Ok. Still having a hard time finding a model # for the KFI winch mount that bolts to the front guard... at least one that will accept a Viper winch. The winch mount on orangeaftermarket is made for the winch cubby or inside of the hood. That just seems like a dumb idea... how does one go about changing it from lock to freewheel?
Anyone have a model # of a mount that will fit the front grille? Looks like it needs to be a 2 piece system similar to Plykins post above. Heck, I can't even find a similar model to his.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Fits in Reese hitch front and back. Get some electrical plugs (found some for electric boat motors/trolling that will work) and plug it up when needed and unplug and remove when you don't.
.Hitch Receiver Mount for Winches

 

[DT86]

On my Warn RT30 winch there is a contactor(ie solenoid) that is mounted in the battery compartment and connected to the battery. From this there are heavy wires that run to the winch and small wires that run to the dash winch switch.

.

Well yeah but you'll have to include a solenoid anyway. I still don't see why that makes having the ability to swap ends any harder.

 

[kubota 105]

the only problem with mounting winch up front you have to be carefull when going through ditches etc,i mounted mine in original holes and made up a winch on reciever for the back that i can take on and off,i just clip wires to battery and run remote through window.

 

[GolfAddict]

Ok. Still having a hard time finding a model # for the KFI winch mount that bolts to the front guard... at least one that will accept a Viper winch. The winch mount on orangeaftermarket is made for the winch cubby or inside of the hood. That just seems like a dumb idea... how does one go about changing it from lock to freewheel?
Anyone have a model # of a mount that will fit the front grille? Looks like it needs to be a 2 piece system similar to Plykins post above. Heck, I can't even find a similar model to his.

The one for a little older 900 is two piece, but must be it doesn't line up correctly or something with newer model RTVs??

2004-2008 Kubota RTV900 Kubota Winch Mount (Standard) - Winch Mounts - KUBOTA - RTV900 - 2004-2008 Kubota RTV900 Kubota Winch Mount (Standard) - KFI ATV Winch, Mounts and Accessories

 

[kubota 105]

my superwinch is mounted behind the grill and i have to open the hood and winch access door to free wheel the winch,it is a liitle awkward,but for the amount of times i use iti'd rather have it there than up front where you could damage it if you hit something hard enough.

 

[Stoweski]

Well, had some time today to go out and mess with the winch. Didn't get anywhere. I wanted to try and mount it behind the grill and see how much of a pain it would be to access the freewheel dial. After bolting the winch down I tried turning the dial but it was wedged tight up against the side metal panel. Guess that's not an option unless I drill new holes in the mounting plate.

Plan B is to find a two piece mount that I can bolt onto the front guard. Anyone know what the purpose of the threaded holes in the front guard are for?

Plan C is to pick up a hitch winch mount and go with that. Still not sure I want to wire front & rear. Just got done with my rear lights (Hella worklights) and I am sick of wiring now.

 

[kubota 105]

the holes in the front of the guard are for the fairlead,my superwinch is a 3500lb model and bolted into the back just fine with room to reach freewheel dial.i carry my hitch winch for the back on machine and connect to battrey when needed.

 

[kubota4me]

Ever consider having a machine shop or fabricator making one for you that works for your situation? What you're looking for may not exist.

 

[westbrooklawn]

my superwinch is mounted behind the grill and i have to open the hood and winch access door to free wheel the winch,it is a liitle awkward,but for the amount of times i use iti'd rather have it there than up front where you could damage it if you hit something hard enough.

I have a viper on my RTV 900 and it is mounted the same way... The freewheel dial is against the side metal panel but it still can be turned easily. I wonder if there is some way you can pry the side panel out a bit... it wouldn't take more than a 1/4" of movement to allow you to turn the dial.

 

[kubota 105]

looks like a good mount and is nice to be able to pull yourself backwards.