I’ve carrying the saw for years either in a box bungied in the trailer or on my lap while I drove with one hand. And I’ve been looking for years for a saw holster that fits this ATV as is. Mostly looking a Kolpin and Polaris after market, but I came up with nothing. I picked this up the other day on CL, NIB. Figured for $20, I can make it work or I’ll be out 20. Got it to work, so far. No road test yet. Had to lift the poly deck to get a backing plate in And the adjuster knob won’t work because the whole thing is too far inboard and too close to the deck. Used an equivalent nut. I am a little Leary. This happened torquing the compression plate closed. Glad the other one wouldn’t fit. I hoping it’s a nice cheap win. Anyone else have on of these MadDogs? And are you happy with it, wish you never had, or something else?
I use one similar. The Kolpin saw press. I mounted it with some Lock and Ride expansion plugs so it can be easily removed. Solid unit.
It's working nicely and I'm told that Santa is bringing me a second one for Christmas. I mean... you can't go into the woods with only one saw right...
that’s one reason I got the atv 10 years ago, so I could rush back to find another saw. I wasn’t aware of those plugs. If the Mad Dog doesn’t work out, I’ll look harder at a Kolpin with the plug adapters. Thanks for the info.
Here are the plugs. You can see in my pick the round holes Polaris provided for them all over. My rear one is in the appropriate place. The holes in the saw mount didn't line up with a second hole so I just put it in the gap in the rack and it tightened up just as well. Here's a link to the plugs I used. They also make looped ones to hook straps to.
Hmmm, trying to post a link but it won't show up. Search Grip Pro Sportsman on Amazon and they will pop up.
See if you can put a scabbard on that saw. In case you get dirt from the wheels kicking up onto your chain. That could dull it. Other than that, looks good. M2theB looks good from here. Are you worried about the strength of the bracket to hold the saw? Did it wobble or flex much? I think I'll be making a box from plywood for my sportsman. I can add slots and partitions the saw(s) don't move. Latex paint should keep it waterproofed.
Here's the hooks. I think my 2003 sportsman has these wells in the composite racks too. That's was before they came up with the lock and ride jingle. here's the other ones
I can and Kolpin even recommends it. On my property I don't even get the ATV tires dirty so I'm pretty safe there though. However, if anything changes I'll def put the scabbard on to be safe...
Left the house with one saw and made it back with the same one on the maiden voyage. Quarter mile in, over some pretty rough terrain. Definitely made life easier. I don’t expect the vinyl sheath to have a long life though.
SawGrip Pictures are from when I had it setup for our 600 mile, 5 day ATV ride. Held the saw perfect over the whole ride. Never had to touch it. I now have a IsoCore in place of the shovel for my winter wood gathering.
The Mad Dog mount looks pretty similar to the Moose chainsaw holder I have. (First pic is just a stock photo.) I installed the Polaris metal rack on the back of my Sportsman so it was a bit easier to install the saw mount. It's worked ok however you're correct that the vinyl bar sheath won't last long. Mine already has some wear marks showing through. Overall though, after trying multiple different options I'm pleased with it. I don't drive long distances with the saw mounted so I can't comment on how it will hold up for that.
I just took a piece of wood and notched it enough to accept bar and chain and keep it off the front rack. Couple bungies and off ya go. The big saw will catch on a branch or brush occasions but works well enough and cost me nada.
