[rmk700]

Ok I know the pioneer has absolute true FWD.

My question is, how exactly does Polaris's on demand AWD work? From my understanding when in FWD, if the rear wheel slips it immediately engages both front tires. So with it having turf mode (differential) in rear, then Polaris's 'on demand awd' is really only 3 true wheels spinning. The two fronts and one rear. Unless I'm missing something but I've read nothing where it indicates the rear diff locks as well as the two fronts.

 

[skorp1702]

on the ranger it is a 1,3,4 wd if im not mistaken. ill have to check with my old boss. he has a 12 800 ranger. im not sure what or how it works but i do know that he could lock all 4 but i don't think he could just have the back 2 tires. pretty much like the big red

 

[Moose]

ON-DEMAND TRUE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD)

True AWD keeps you moving, automatically engaging all four wheels when you need more forward traction and reverting back to 2WD when you don’t. When in 2WD, the VersaTrac Turf Mode switch unlocks the rear differential for easier, tighter turns that won’t tear up your lawn.

 

[Moose]

it has an electronic diff lock in the rear

 

[skorp1702]

elect lock on the rear hmm. glad i got the pioneer

 

[Moose]

You may be glad, but your lawn won't be. hahaha

 

[skorp1702]

it never really sees my lawn so far its been on the trailer and in snow today. i think i need to lower the pressure in the tires though they seem stiff

 

[DG Rider]

When Japan inc. started putting lockers in their machines, Polaris lost any advantage with this system, and they need to admit it. It works great for traction, but a lack of engine braking to the front wheel is a major flaw...

'Course, Polaris has their "Active Decent Control", which is a overly complicated attempt to fix the shortcomings of the On Demand system. Techno band-aid.

 

[rmk700]

So will it kick in AWD if the rear tires spin in reverse also?

I think I'd prefer controlling my own FWD actions.

 

[nnewstrom]

Problems I have

The problem i have with the polaris 4x4 system is there is no 4 wheel drive with the front diff unlocked. When 4 wheel drive engages the front diff is always locked. When i plow i need 4 wheel drive but i dont need the front diff lock. With the front diff locked turning is crazy hard especially with a plow on the front. The front diff lock just makes it too hard to maneuver in my plowing situations. Another problem i encountered with a ranger was fishtailing in snow because front wheel drive will not always be engaged. Check this out about how this polaris ranger fishtails.
Fish tailing in light snow..? - RangerForums.net - Polaris Ranger Forum

 

[soapy]

I posted in another thread about a problem the Polaris system has with their 4x4 system. It does not engage the system sometimes. I have been climbing hills before and found that the front wheel drive does not engage like it should. It has lead to a few dangerous situations for sure. It happens rarely but enough to be frustrating. At least with Hondas system you know it always works.

 

[RacerX400600]

The Polaris system uses a ball ramp style system to engage the "diff lock". When you engage 4wd it activates an electro magnet in the front diff. This allows the ball ramp system to be able to be engaged. However in order to engage the ramp the rear tires have to slip slightly. So in dry conditions the rear tires are basically pushing the front tires due to a difference in gear ratios. So when the rears slip the front tires slow to a speed difference that engages the ramp and the system spins the tires. That is why they do not work in an engine braking situation and they have to use a braking system to engage their hill decent control on the ATVs. With this system you don't need a differential setup in the front since when turning the outside tire spins faster than the inside tire and disengages. It will only engage if the speed difference is achieved between that tire and the rears and then you do start to feel the engagement a little in the steering. I especially feel this in snow riding. It's really a pretty ingenious system. Light weight with very few moving parts. With the electronics just being a magnet that system is pretty simple too, no servos or rotating parts. If you get the chance to tear one apart it's pretty interesting to put together how it functions! Hope this helps.

 

[Tritonman]

This is the reason I sold my ranger. I hated driving it on ice. It would fish tail like crazy.

 

[Shaun387]

Follow up...

I have a 09 Ranger 700XP. I guy is picking it up from me next week, and I'm either buying another Ranger, or possibly the Pioneer. I love the Ranger. I have turf mode where one rear wheel turns, 2wd (both rear) and awd where all 4 wheels pull. I pretty much ride in the mud and swampy areas. Does the Pioneer have it setup that all four wheels can pull? My old Foreman would only turn one of the front wheels (usually the one that didn't need to be turning). Does the Pioneer still use this technology?

 

[Dick]

The Pioneer has 2wd , 4wd and full diff lock which locks all 4 wheels up, makes a big difference in mud and snow.

It doesn't have turf mode though, rear is full time posi lock which is hard on lawns.

 

[Doc8404]

When you say FWD do you mean 4WD ,or all wheel drive or front wheel drive?

 

[Shaun387]

So the "diff lock" on the Pioneer means that it locks the front diff up, rear diff or distributes the power front to rear 50%?

This is the main issue that's keeping me from switching over to the Pioneers. I just want to make sure I have the option to turn all four wheels at the same time...

 

[rmk700]

The Pioneer has an option to lock all four wheels at the same time.

 

[Doc8404]

But normally it is REAR wheel drive and not FRONT wheel drive, correct?

 

[binfordw]

But normally it is REAR wheel drive and not FRONT wheel drive, correct?

Yes, Rear wheel drive in 2wd, 2 rear with open front diff in 4wd, and all 4 locked and pulling equally in 4wd diff lock.