New Toy!

New to me anyway - 2006 Honda Rancher 350. My dad bought it from a neighbor a couple years ago but he didn't end up using it much. I was in the market for one cause I've got about 50 trees down in my woods and my trusty JD mower just wasn't going to cut it anymore. So I offered to buy his. I'm hoping to be able to pull 8-16' logs with an arch; hopefully it's enough.

It's got a winch and a pretty cool receiver hitch but neither seem to be the best setup. The winch doesn't stop immediately when you release the button, and the hitch is mounted to the axle. So I'm thinking about some upgrades there.

I gave her a spin around the trails tonight but haven't tried pulling anything yet. I'm excited to see what she can do.

 

Probably a custom weld job, I'm not even sure yet.

I really like this arch: ATV LOG SKIDDER ARCH HAULER,HEAVY DUTY | eBay

 

Nice score! You'll be shocked how much you use it for general chores also. Taking trash to curb, moving heavy beer coolers, looking for runaway puppies, blowing leaves (passenger on back facing rear wearing backpack blower), and obviously fun trail rides!

Iirc those are shaft driven torquey sob's!

Btw, a tank bag is a great place to store your necessary blue lites

 

Cant really go wrong with a honda atv. From what ive heard the 350 rancher is very dependable.

 

OK Shawn needs a gun rack on 1 side chain saw rack on other and a few other mods.. you got great talent with wood a real artist... so now are we gonna see your metal skills..

 

The only thing that matters is.....will it do awesome wheelies?

They are awesome tools that you'll wonder how you got along without.

Arch design and terrain will make the difference on log size. Length to me isn't a big deal as is weight and its distribution.

People often say quads are limited or traction limited when it comes to pulling in which they are.
I built my arch to put weight over the rear axles.
It differs from the logosol? Units that lift as it drags.
If milling is the goal cleanliness is in my opinion a major goal. So dragging is a no go.

A set of chains goes a long long way too. Not just for pulling but for getting around in heavy snow and mud.

 

You'll find many things to do with the new donkey!

I can't help but ask though...why wouldn't you want the hitch attached to the axle?

 

Nice machine you have! I have a 2001 Foreman 450 and love it. Enjoy

 

Well if I'm yanking on logs and so forth I'd hate to damage the axle - I'd rather it bend the frame. The manual says max tongue weight 30 lbs, and max pull 850. I ended up ordering an aftermarket receiver that bolts to the frame from Kolpin, who also made the 3-way hitch that's on there now.

I don't have much "terrain" here at all; it's very flat. So I was hoping I could get by with a smaller cc unit. Milling is definitely the main goal, but this time I'm going to hire a guy from Eden NY with a wood mizer LT70. When all is said and done I'm probably going to be looking at well over 100 saw logs in the yard.

 

I see what you are getting at but if the hitch is on the frame, wouldn't it be taxing the bike's suspension? The axle will still be bearing the load, albeit with fully compressed suspension?

 

Well I guess I don't know. I think I'll feel more confident in a straight pull if it's attached to more than just the axle. And I think the suspension would take a lot more than the rated 30lbs tongue weight before fully compressing the springs. The factory mount just seems rather light duty. I won't have the new receiver until next week though and I know I won't be able to resist playing in the log pile this weekend, so hopefully it's stronger than I think.

 

Please post up some pics of the hitch when you get it installed. I have not seen it done that way other than on the IRS units, where there is no axle to mount to. I'm not being critical, just curious.

Do you have plans for all that lumber??

 

well Shawn if ya gotta drag them then get a hose and rinse them off before milling...

 

After looking at the log arch hitch again, its not real HD, so apparently it doesn't place a huge vertical load onto the ATV, I'll think you'll be fine absolutely with the factory hitch...which is the piece bolted to the axle housing. That aftermarket 3 way receiver hitch that is bolted to the factory hitch needs to come off...the leverage from the 3 way will put an awful lot of extra stress on the hitch/axle housing...I personally wouldn't use that on an ATV. As far as the 850# pulling rating...you won't hurt that factory hitch...you'll lose traction before you hurt that hitch...unless you are on dry pavement or something...even then you'd probably do a wheelie before hurting the hitch. Again, this is the Honda hitch only...3 way/receiver removed.

 

As for the winch not stopping immediately when you leave off the button, it should...so either the button is sticking, or the winch motor power relay is faulty in some way...pretty much the only two options.

 

I think your right on track.

Have fun skidding! Before ya know it you'll be looking for more to haul!

 

Didn't take it that way at all. This is all new to me and I appreciate the input. I'll post pics of the new hitch when I install it.

Yeah lots of plans for the lumber - I'd like to build my new pole barn with the pine, or at least part of it. There's a lot of maple too which I'd like to use for some new kitchen floors. Plus the cottage needs some furniture.