Winch & Plow for '08 400 HO

[stmar]

Do any of you have a winch and/or plow on the small frame '08 Sportsman 400 HO? I am having a problem when I try to put together a system and I am a little gun shy after my skid plate fiasco. It seems like this unit is missing from a lot of manufacturers that sell aftermarket accessories. I understand that it is not the most popular machine and is not the workhorse 500, 700, 800, etc. but it would be nice to know my options.

[1of7627]

I have a winch on my '09 model. I don't have a plow, but have seen a couple of them that were genuine Polaris accessories. My winch is an inexpensive "Master Lock" model I bought at Wal-Mart. Though functional, I don't recommend it for continuous service as is needed in plow work. I bought an aftermarket winch mount from an eBay vendor and it fit fine. (Just search ATV parts using the "Hawkeye" keyword.) I've also seen several Polaris winches for these models listed on eBay.

Just so you know, the winch mount uses the four bolts that hold the black metal guard in front of the radiator. These bolts don't go all the way through the frame, rather just thread into it. It doesn't look like the most robust arrangement, but it does work and I believe they'd be fine for normal use. The biggest problem with these models is that they're not nearly as robust as the larger frame models, and they don't have a dedicated low-range gear in their transmissions which is desirable for plowing. They'll do well generally in medium service, but I'd recommend a smaller plow and a better winch than mine. - MarkC

[1of7627]

Forgot to say...

These models are also NOT pre-wired for winches. The winch I have has a wired remote and doesn't use a contactor or relay as more expensive winches do. Mine is direct wired to the battery using the terminal on the starter solenoid (through a circuit breaker) and the frame ground. The likelyhood is that you'll have to devise your own wiring depending on the winch you use, though using a Polaris winch would likely be easier as it should have all the parts needed. - MarkC

[stmar]

Thanks, that is the feeling I was getting. I think I will use the wife's 400 as the runabout and use my Foreman as the workhorse. No use stressing a nice little machine and trying to make it something that it is not. The 400 is fun to zip around on, the 455 has plenty of power and the small footprint lets you maneuver.

[1of7627]

Originally Posted by stmar

The 400 is fun to zip around on, the 455 has plenty of power and the small footprint lets you maneuver.

I totally agree and these are the features I've enjoyed most on the two I have. I also like that they'll fit in my compact pickup (one at a time, of course) and go anywhere I ask of them. I've added the flimsy front boot protectors Polaris left off, small heat shields between the oil filter and exhaust pipe, some good heated grips, additional storage and backup lights to both of mine. And, I added a recoil starter and am in the process of adding the Hi/Lo headlight switch the '08's have to my '09. I've also found a number of parts on eBay that I've stockpiled away for the future. I've bought a couple of CV boot kits, a couple of replacement axles (they're the same as the '07 Hawkeye) and a couple of the silly proprietary $30+ headlight bulbs (from another eBay vendor for $20). The longer I've had these machines, the more I've become acquainted with their poor servicability due to having the 455 single shoe-horned in. (We've talked about the battery. You don't want to know about the valve adjustment procedure.) In spite of it all, it's really a shame Polaris dropped these models as I feel there's a niche for them in the market (now occupied only by the Asian machines). Hopefully there will be enough parts left in inventory to last as long as I have them. - MarkC

[stmar]

I got those guards also and it does fit in my F150 6.5' bed with the tailgate up, makes for a secure feeling when hauling. They did put a lot of motor in that small frame, good for power but tight on some of the maintenance issues. We are in it for the right price so will keep it healthy and if things get too dicey we can always trade it in.