Just pick up my new Pioneer

nc redneck · Mar 23, 2014

I just pulled trigger on camo Pioneer 4 on Friday. It is my first S by S . I have dirt bikes and tractors, years ago when I was young and dumb I did the off road 4 wheel thing. I have limited areas around my house to test it, about 2 miles of power lines. I have been up every hill and ditch close by and have been very impressed with its ability. Long term goal is to travel and go on trails like Hatfield and Mccoy in WV after daughter goes to college. Also will be a asset on 25 acre farm we intend to retire to.
Looking advice on Winches on SbyS. I like the factory mount position but have concerns about water intrusion. Also sometimes you need to pull backwards as conditions only get worse as you go forward. Also availability of something to chain to. I plan on taking 50 foot chain that I have from my 4 wheeling days.
Any thoughts or advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Scott

bucktaker · Mar 23, 2014

Congrats on the honda... I tested one a week or so ago , it was too tall and wide for my purposes. but nice machine. I just purchased a Polaris Ranger 570 midsize. Hoping it will be reliable like my honda's atv

I just mounted a HF badlands 3500 winch with a kfi mount

HF has a coupon online for the 3500 winch for 79.99 bought the winch mount at Rural king for 40.00. I dont plan on running through deep water or mud. planning of a roof with front and rear shields.

foggy1111 · Mar 23, 2014

I own a Pioneer 700-4. Pretty happy with it. I put a KFI winch plate and a Viper 4000# winch on it. Seems good. Also have a HD cast-iron come-along which I can take on wilderness trail rides. HEAVY....but can really pull too. Kinda wish for a winch that would fit front and rear receivers......and stow in a compartment under the drivers seat......but they don't make it.

I did get mine stuck in the mud before getting a winch installed. Was a bad day. Getting a UTV stuck is a real downer without good equipment.

I have a glass windshield, 4 place hardtop roof, canvas doors, wiper, and a Honda heater. Also some LED lights front and rear (Amazon) and a few other options. Pretty sweet machines.

The Honda Pioneer site has pretty good info on accessories.

Congrats on the new machine. Good choice.

Hiptfarms · Mar 25, 2014

Just put a Superwinch U3000 on my Polaris Ranger 500 4X4 EFI. Bought a KFI mount from Ruralking online. I thought about the 2" receiver mount. They have a front receiver you can buy to be able to move the winch from front to back. You'd just need to make your wiring "mobile" so to speak. I just decided to go with the permanent mount for my application. The winch was a good buy on Amazon ....only 110.00 dollars. It's working great so far.

motoalliance · Jun 17, 2014

Thanks for the support of our VIPER winches. They do work with the KFI mount plate and we are hoping to engineer our own this fall in partnership with a local dealer. Have a good week....and remember to get your forum discount on our winches now that we are sponsors here!

jimgerken · Sep 9, 2014

I chose to purchase a manual chain-based come-along and put it in a plastic toolbox in the cargo box of my Gator. Much cheaper, ALWAYS works. I can use it on either end of the machine, as well as to move obstacles on the trail. So many of these electric winches hang on the front of ATVs until they are damaged electrically or rusted from water and lack of use. I figured for as seldom as a guy actually needs a little tug, this manual chain come-along is a minor inconvenience. Basically I know from experience, since I no longer play in the deep mud (did that when young and dumb), there is almost no way to actually get the Gator stuck in summer. Winter is a bit different, because I run tracks and groom some remote areas with trails on shelves of steep hillsides. If I slip a bit off-trail, I want to be able to pull the machine sideways to get back to safety. Also, since I am alone most times, I feel I am better off being out of the vehicle and doing the winching, in case it slides off the trail. I can always walk home. I do make sure I have a drawbar and clevis along, so either receiver front or back, can be used to drag the machine.