Is it safe to lay an atv on its side? ATV Work

[Soldier88]

Is it safe to lay an atv on its side. I have a 2005 Polaris Sportsmans 700 EFI. 

[Ajmboy]

I changed your topic title to generate more replies by having what you are actually asking about in the title. 😁

I don't recommend it unless absolutely necessary. If you are working on your ATV, you should raise it up. As far as if it's safe, I would disconnect the battery so you don't get any ignition starts accidentally and the other safety issue is rolling over on someone, so make sure it's well supported. 

[Frank Angerano]

I agree with @Ajmboy it’s not really good to lay it on it’s side. Circumstances permitted ideally on all fours or up in the air. 

[davefrombc]

It is really  no more safe nor  unsafe to lay a quad  over than  it  is  any  other  4  wheeled  vehicle .. The  question is  why? 

If  the  battery  is removed,   and  fluids   such as  the coolant in liquid cooled machines oils in the  motor  and drive train  are removed there  shouldn't  be a  spillage problem .

About the  only reason  I  can see to  lay one over  would be  to  weld up  cracks  in the frame that  laying one  over  would  make for easier access.  If it  is  just for storage,  I'd  say  it  is  not a good idea  at  all.

Laid  over  properly to  protect the  plastics  and  other exterior  parts won't  hurt  anything though.

[Mocnyang]

When I replaced my stator and pickup last year on my big bear 400 the pickup coil started making contact with the flywheel. instead of draining all of the oil I put in it after the initial install I leaned it over on a stack of pallets I had. I did brace the upper wheels with blocks so I wouldn't fall on me.

I Wouldn't put it fully on its side because oil can seep past the piston rings if it sits to long that can lead to hydro-lock.  I did however pull the spark plug and crank it when it was back on all 4 tires to ensure that there was no oil trapped in the compression chamber.

[Wiebe WoodProducts]

not sure

[Race333]

I wouldn't do it on purpose thats for sure.

[Hank Montgerard]

The fluids will be the biggest issue. If it's just for a quick activity you'd probably be fine (aka, less than 15min.) but longer would pose all the concerns above and just get worse. I had a rider roll one in the woods and it took us about 45min to get out there and stand it back up. Fortunately with giving it a burst of full-throttle it fired right back up with nothing notable as an issue.

(That said it was an air-cooled Kawasaki so fewer 'things' to drip/settle out that could cause damage...)

[Tim-ANC]

Some four wheelers are designed so they can be stood up on their as* end for transport. Check your owners manual to see if it's an option.