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Wildlife Commission To Meet In Nashville
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission (TWRC) will hold its next regular meeting at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) Region II Office in Nashville next week.
Recent stories
For Orange County resident Bob Terry, there's nothing better than taking your grandson for a spring turkey hunt. Some things that happen are so bizarre, they're hard to explain.
Great shark hunter Mundus is a Quint-essential legend
MONTAUK, N.Y. - (KRT) - In the cold mist, the stoop-shouldered old man with the crushing grip looked out from the dock over the ocean and chuckled deeply.
Jawing with the 'Jaws' guy
In the cold Montauk mist, the stoop-shouldered old man with the crushing grip looked out from the Montauk, L.I., dock over the ocean and chuckled deeply.
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Watertight Power
The engine and transmission case on the 500 automatic is a solid monoblock that also houses the magneto. The clutch cover is cast aluminum and seals fully - in a word, waterproof. This 493cc engine is a fully sealed, liquid cooled, single cylinder, four-stroke engine, and is available only as a 4[Symbol Not Transcribed] [times]4 in an automatic configuration or as a manual. The Duramatic automatic transmission has a Hi-Lo range shifter (easily reached high on the left-hand side of the fuel tank) and a start-in-gear feature. The tranny is a CVT type with an EBS (engine braking system). The unit does not free-wheel.
It will carry 100 lb on its front rack, 200 lb on the rear, and its towing capacity is rated at 1 050 lb. Yet my boat weighs twice that, and I had no problem pulling it out of a gravel launch, up-hill, and manoeuvring it into winter storage last fall. Since then I have also been pulling sawlogs out of my woodlot with the 500, attached simply to the tow ball.
That little "i" in the name stands for "independent." That's fully independent suspension both front and rear, using double A-arms and giving the rider 10-inches of travel while keeping all four wheels on the ground and the frame relatively level. While fully sprung, the ground clearance is 12 inches, and with the addition of pre-load spring adjustment (five positions in the rear and three in front) you can set up the ATV to accommodate rider weight and load.
Though common sense, it doesn't hurt to mention that, advantages aside, independent A-arm front suspension will also dive in sharp turns. The greater the load, the more sudden the dive. This point of caution also highlights the benefit of the selectable two and four-wheel drive. By unlocking the front differential (2WD) - particularly in tight spaces - the torque steer eases up. When you need 4WD, it's as easy as flipping a switch.
Stopping power comes from front and rear hydraulic disc brakes with stainless steel braided lines that operate off a single-lever control, featuring an integrated brake lock. The Duramatic automatic transmission also offers stopping power, with positive engine braking during deceleration and while running downhill.
Auto Towing
This automatic also showed another benefit during testing. For frequent towing, the automatic was preferable to shifting gears manually while hauling heavy loads. The latter strains engine components, sometimes causing premature part failures. Plus, a steady uninterrupted powerband while under load is the most predictable and safe way to move heavy items, up and down hill.
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On uneven terrain I found that the independent suspension put more rubber in contact with the ground, giving me more grunt and firmer steering control. This system virtually eliminates tire lift and off-camber tilt. Of course with four independent wheels you have to provide individual drive shafts, creating more mechanical components that have to be serviced or that may fail.
Taking this into account, Arctic Cat is pushing the power through CV (constant velocity) joints to the four tires. These tend to be more efficient than U-joints and require less maintenance. They also added "Stick Stoppers" to protect the CV boots that cover the joints. Under it all is a high density plastic skidplate that doesn't rip, offers some give, and tends to slide off stumps and rocks - and it doesn't rust.
Nice Rack
Using the 500 as a duck blind allowed us to test Arctic Cat's newest feature - the MRP system (Multi-Rack-Platform). This innovative idea uses open-channel receiver racks, front and rear, to accept over 40 different slide-on accessory racks and specialty items. The concept is to offer, from the factory, what you used to get only from aftermarket suppliers. Arctic Cat-built components are sold individually or as "sets," with descriptions like: Fishing; Camping; Waterfowl; Big Game; Construction; Farm&Ranch.
These add-ons (unlike bungee-corded milk crates) fit well, hold tools securely and offer things like a workbench with a vise, wire dispensing reel, chainsaw clamp, and holders for axes, and the like. One of the most attractive features of this system is that the work features of the MRP are quickly converted to the sport features.
For this year, the MRP system continues to add items that can be bought in sets or as individual pieces. Among the most innovative are fabric shells that can be used as deer and duck blinds, and in winter as mobile ice fishing huts. The blinds come with their own internal frame system that can be collapsed and stored for easy and secure transport right on the ATV.
Officially called "Rapid Blind," these tents measure 89 inches high by 88 inches wide and 100 inches long. That's enough room for two hunters. For easy access, there is a front door and multiple zip-out windows that provide viewing in all directions. For waterfowlers, there is a skyward opening that can be covered with camouflage netting that pulls back with a quick-release system when it's time to shoot.
The blind is made of a heavy duty Cordura fabric and is available in several camouflage patterns. The Cordura fabric is windproof, water resistant, rot proof and fire resistant. The ice fishing "Rapid Shack" will also house two, has a front door and is a highly visible blue to stand out on the snow.
For 2004, the 500 again gets several upgrades, but the basic unit remains the same. There will be an electronic "no-touch" choke feature, along with an electronic 4[Symbol Not Transcribed] [times]4/2[Symbol Not Transcribed] [times]4 switch located on the right handlebar for easy shifting in and out of 4WD. For towing, the hitch ball is being replaced with an automotive style 2-inch square receiver.
This will allow quick changeover using hitches from other vehicles or ones with different ball sizes. The front plastic flares, on the wheel wells, are being extended 2-inches on each side to better protect the rider from mud and water spray. After some criticism about premature tire wear, it's good to see that Arctic Cat has changed to 25-in Carlise tires for next year. These "Badland XTR radial tires" should improve traction, ride, and tire life.
The seat latch, which often was caked in mud - being adjacent to the frame and under the rear wheel well - has been moved to a more convenient location. The master brake cylinder is now made of aluminum - better overall quality. And finally, platinum coloured racks (front & rear), wheels and springs are now available on all non-MRP lime green and red models. Those should look sharp.
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2004 500 4[Symbol Not Transcribed] [times]4 Auto MSRP $9,199
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2004 500 4[Symbol Not Transcribed] [times]4 Auto MRP-ready MSRP $9,299
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2004 500 4[Symbol Not Transcribed] [times]4 Manual MSRP $8,899
Howard J. Elmer is a woodlot owner and experienced freelance journalist specializing in off-road vehicles.
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