New to AATV's

[suntiet]

Hello, I am new to AATV's and this sight. Just got my first one home last night. It's a Hustler 900 HK. Has a new Honda close 18 hp motor, new bearings and recently rebuilt T-20 tranny. So far it's a lot of fun. Going to go put it through it's paces tomorrow. it's been raining a lot here so i should get some mud and water.
What i was wondering is what sort of spare parts should i be taking along with me? I plan on using it mostly for remote moose hunts. 30+ miles off the road. What do most guys take along with them? I assume some chain, chain tools (what's the best chain tool out there?) maybe a tension er wheel? Not sure this is my first AATV and any help in building my tool/spare parts kit would be awesome. Also what's the best way to attach a winch and maybe a tow ball? this thing has zero tie down/cleats. I assume i would have to weld something up to the frame and extend it up to the body or is the body strong enough to attach stuff to? Obviously with some big backing plates?

Thanks in advance.

[Mike]

Hi suntiet, welcome to the site. Congratulations on picking up your first AATV. For spare parts, there are some good threads here on the site with recommendations beyond what I could list. Here is one to get you started: http://www.6x6world.com/forums/gener...ing-aatvs.html Beyond the parts/tools to carry with you, proper maintenance before you go is really key. Have fun with your Hustler.

[whistlepig1]

Hi, suntiet . Take some time to look through the site. the answers to all your questions have been dealt with before. Theres probably more info to be found here than anywhere. This forum has helped me greatly since I became a 945hk owner. As far as mounting and or attachment points the first thing in my opinion would be fab a body band and work from there.

[suntiet]

Thanks guys b ill look around. Took it out today for the first ride. It did very well. Got stuck in the muskeg a couple times but nothing bad. I think new tires would help. Maybe a set of tracks.

[BadBradII]

Hi, suntiet . Take some time to look through the site. the answers to all your questions have been dealt with before. Theres probably more info to be found here than anywhere. This forum has helped me greatly since I became a 945hk owner. As far as mounting and or attachment points the first thing in my opinion would be fab a body band and work from there.

Second the body band. There are some good aluminum fabricators down in your area. I see their posts on Craigslist all the time. My rig has a aluminum band and rack and its light yet strong and allows me to use a jack-all to pick it up from any corner

[suntiet]

I have tried searching spare parts and emergency parts, but i am not finding anything. Any ideas for search words to find some ideas as to what parts to carry with me into the field?

[Mike]

I have tried searching spare parts and emergency parts, but i am not finding anything. Any ideas for search words to find some ideas as to what parts to carry with me into the field?

The link I posted above has a pretty extensive list. For more threads try this: site:6x6world.com spare parts carry - Google Search

[suntiet]

So i got out to run the new hustler through it's paces

Well i took it up in hatcher's pass behind a buddy's house yesterday.
First time I've ever been out in an AATV. First trail we went up I kept getting stuck in mud holes between tree roots in the trail. It would high center and turn off into the hole stuck. Of course i haven't added the body band yet or a winch so there was no where to hook up to so it was all me and my buddy pushing and lifting. After two or three times of that we decided to try a different trail. Mostly washed out dirt road with big rocks everywhere. Kind of challenging to drive up being my first go at this machine but as i got better at driving the ride got better. We got pretty stuck a couple times in the peat bogs but i guess that is to be expected. Ran 15-20 miles total had a great day in the rain and brought back a gracery bag full of fresh salmon berries. So over all i can't complain.



Now for my results about the machine..

Front axle left (driver's side) bent

Rear axle right is in farther than the other two and the chain is running on hte frame.
I am assuming this is bearings? Ideas?

The hand brake doesn't work at all, wasn't really a big deal but i can see there would be times i'd want one.

It felt to me like the tranny needs to be adjusted so the lever feel the same, I had to left off on the right stick to keep it straight down the road. and they feel different, felt like i had to apply more forward presser to get the right wheels to engage, not sure just a feeling.

Not sure about them but I think i would benefit from new tires. I have old runamucks now. I don't know how much bigger i can go but more ground clearance the better? Or maybe tracks? What's the downside to tracks? Does anyone have any experiances with the composit tracks that richardsrelics.com has? I like the half track idea. I'd have to cut some tub out to put full tracks on or wheel spacers, but i don't like the idea of having longer axles?

Anyhow I was hoping someone could help me find some parts. I am going to need a new front right axle and bearings at least. And new chain tensioners for sure. And probably some chains.

[suntiet]

I guess i need to work on my picture posting??

[spookum]

There are two ways to post up picture. Use the forum and post the link, or click "go advanced" and on top you see an "A" then smiles face and the. A paper clip on paper. Click the paper lip and you can do it that way. Personally, I use photobucket :$