| Ok here's the drill. To add the
BRP plow mount over the Ricochets. This is NOT a mod for the
mechanically uninclined or klutz around tools. It requires some welding
and a few more tools than your kitchen drawer holds. Please
consider this essay as a prototype endeavor. It would be easier to
just remove the skids and mount the plow, but I'll save a few minutes in
the future by being able to slap the mount over the skids.....Here's
proof it CAN be done. I will say though by adding the plow mount
to the Ricochet skids will make the SST frame on the 800 BULLETPROOF. |
| Here's the problem...The way the plow mount
is made, it requires you to be able to hold the nuts while you bolt the
mount up. Obviously you cannot reach the nuts on top while you have the
skid plate attached. In general terms we need to weld the nuts to the
frame and add longer bolts to allow for the thickness of the skid
plates. The mount involves the front skid as well as the middle section. |
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| Here is the mount on the plow. Picture is
for orientation. All pics can be clicked on for a larger image. |
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| The front of the mount has ears on it that
has a cross bolt that you have to match drill the frame. NOTE: I do NOT
like the idea of drilling the frame, particularly at this spot directly
behind the lower a-arm which seems to be the weakest point in the frame
to begin with. Note: After I finished the project I realized that the
mount really strengthened the frame at this point, due to the ears and
bends in the mount. Doesn't do much after you remove the plate though. I
think I'll fashion something like a channel or U to continue to use the
side thru bolt after I remove the mount for the summer. |
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| Note where the hole is drilled, not a good
spot to be weakening the frame at. BUT, the reason I got the BRP mount
was to insure my warranty would be honored should there become an issue
with the frame and an aftermarket mount. |
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| Here is where I marked the front Ricochet
skid for notching out. |
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| Here I show where the actual mounting bolts
supposed to go. |
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| Front skid notches. Ok, I could have done a
little better job with this, but essentially at this point you remove
both skids attach the mount temporarily to get a mark where to drill the
mount to add a longer bolt -M8-1.25X70MM (center) to the front skid
plate.
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| Hole drilled in the center of the mount to
allow a longer bolt to go through frame, front skid and frame. |
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| Now that the notches are there and the skid
center bolt is attached, you can now drill the frame for the mounting
plate ears. |
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| Drill the middle skid mounting bolt holes
(4) using the mount as a template. |
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| I used a step drill bit to enlarge the
holes. |
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| Yes the Ricochet Skids catch TONS of debris!
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| Here you see where the BRP Plow Mount bolts
and nuts fit in holes in the frame. |
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| Another obstacle...jeezzz....There are motor
mount bolts almost directly in line with where the plow mount front
bolts go. You have to cut the excess bolt off or the bolt for the plow
mount will hit it. Also remember to get new plow mount bolts
(M8-1.25X40MM) or they will bottom on the motor mount bolts before
tightening up the mount. (I told you this job was not for amateurs!) |
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| Here I have welded the nuts to the washers. |
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| Grind off the paint cause next you weld the
nut/washers to the frame holes. |
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| Ready to weld |
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| Nuts/washers welded in place and a nice coat
of paint to resist rust and tidy up the new welds. |
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| Skids mounted back on the ATV, ready to
attach the plow mount. We're having fun now..... |
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| Plow Mount Mounted. Use M8-1.25X40MM bolts
and washers. This is important as the front bolts will bottom out on the
motor mount bolts directly above them. |
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| View from the right side of the skid/Plow
mount bolt (under the drive shaft) and the through the frame side bolt .
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| Pic of how I lifted the ATV. I have an 8"
I-beam with a trolley in my garage. |
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| I used the winch to lift the bike. duh |
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| Plow finally mounted! BUT, look at the way
the cable is paid straight out. This will not do.... |
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| Full lift was about 9" with the winch cable
connected directly to the plow. |
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| View from right side of mount and plow push
bars. You only have about 4" of clearance here. BUT the good news is the
mount is within the front tire wheelbase, so it isn't such a problem as
some mounts that are centered on the bike. The front wheels will keep
you from high centering on the mount. Not sure if that was planned, but
it's a nice touch! |
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| SOLUTION to the limited lift of a direct
cable connection. I used a snatch block from a cheap come-along. I
ground out the hook to match the diameter of the upper bumper bar
(1.25") |
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| Here we are with a nice coat of paint on the
snatch block. The pulley has a pin that you can pull to route the winch
cable over. |
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| NOW we have 15" of lift! Tubes lift all the
way to the skids and to the bottom of the winch roller fairing.
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| Dam I'm good...and humble! The plow pulls
the front end down less than an inch when suspended. Shocks are
currently on the middle setting. |
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 UP |
DOWN |
| And there you have it! One 800 Max XT with
Ricochet Skids and a BRP 54" plow mounted. I'm guessing it would be
about a 4 to 6 hour job if you know what's coming next. It took me a lot
longer of course. In the future I only have to lift the bomb and take
out or put in 6 bolts. And am never without the skids. |
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