1998 Honda Foreman 450ES, more info

[bcsman]

I forgot to mention in my first post but it also came with a mid mount snow plow which I have removed for the time being.  I mainly bought to use as a work machine, plowing snow and hauling wood that I have cut from back in my 10 acre woods.  Maybe haul a mid range log or two also so this won't be for show or trail riding.  I might add a winch also for snow and wood hauling.

Edited September 2, 2018 by bcsman
added to title

[MtBob]

Hope you enjoy it,they are good dependable machines.Just some words of advice,dragging logs is very hard on a atv,especially a smaller one,hard on the clutch and drivetrain.A loaded trailer is easier on it.If you are thinking about adding a winch to lift the plow,you will run the battery down very fast,and put quite a strain on the stator.Just some food for thought.

[bcsman]

I wouldn't be pulling anything huge, I understand this is not a 4 wheel drive truck.  I mostly cut the wood to length back in the woods and wagon or trailer it up to my pile.  Sometimes there is wood not next to my trails that I can maybe pull to get closer.  As far as a winch unless I am using it it shouldn't drain the battery I would think.  If I'm using it to raise and lower the plow the ATV will be running so should be ok??  Maybe I'm wrong, not very versed in these vehicles...

[MtBob]

Depending on how much you plow,if other things are on(lights,etc).ATV charging systems are generally just big enough to charge battery,while lights are on,while being at a higher rpm.Every time you hit the winch button,the drain on the battery is more than what the atv starter draws.Some people do fine with a winch for the plow,but they generally have a battery tender,or float charger to plug in,after they are done,so atv will start next time.You may be fine,I was just warning you.You can also find atv plowing info on snowplow forums.Lots of businesses use them for driveways,now.

[bcsman]

One thing I discovered about this model there is a clock displayed in the dash that runs all the time and may help drain the battery if not run in awhile.  Wonder if there is any way to shut it off??

[MtBob]

First,call a Honda dealer,with your serial number,there was a recall for some models,I seem to remember.Yes, there is a power memory wire that could be cut and rewired to switched power,but,i think,you might loose trip mileage everytime unit is restarted.I think the drain is so small it would probably take 3 months or more to run battery down enough electric starter would not work.

[bcsman]

Thanks for the info, if the draw is that small I probably won't fiddle with it.  I should be running this at least a couple times a week if not more.  I don't anticipate it sitting for any length of time .

[MtBob]

LOL more than I run my rig,sometimes mine does not move for 2 months.But it does not have a digital clock.A note,if you buy a winch,the newer ones have a "sensing' or control wire,to be switched on and off by the key,follow the directions,there are all kinds of stories out there that people wired that wire directly to battery(because it is easy) and their batteries would go dead in 2-3 days.

[bcsman]

I took my rig down to a neighbors today to show him and we were talking about winches.  He said the problem he has run into with plowing is your plow will float sometimes depending what you run over.  Then it puts slack in the winch cable and can bunch and pinch.  Everything has good and bad points so have to pick your poison.

[colin james]

I put 26 miles on my 13 rancher plowing the first year I got and had now problems with it. I even managed to get the 4 wheeler out after a 24 to 30 inch snow storm and plow. My family's big plows were having a hard time with  the snow but my little honda managed I just took my time. I had the last laugh after the storm.

Edited September 14, 2018 by colin james

[bcsman]

Wow thats pretty amazing, do you use chains?

[Cjames58]

no just take it slow