New '11 500 EFI, Eagle River, Alaska

[redmoose]

Just bought a 2011 500 EFI, waiting for the dealer to get the plow, top and heater delivered and installed before I take delivery. Should be in the garage before the last week of September. Hopefully that'll be BEFORE the first snowfall. Researching good trails to ride in my area, I see Eklutna and Bird Creek. Any other great suggestions or local Ranger owners?

I plan to keep it under cover or garaged, but when outside this winter I plan to install an engine and battery heater. I have ordered a Glacier II 66" snow plow, and have read both good and bad reviews on that system, but since learned that the mounting has been strengthened by 40% for 2012. Any advice or words of wisdom?

[redmoose]

We mounted a 60" Polaris steel plow blade on my 2011 Ranger 500 EFI yesterday. Today I used it to level ground adjacent to our sidewalk in preparation for winter snow-plowing. Last month I figured out that I needed to pull an embankment back about 8 inches so I'd only be plowing snow and not soil all winter. I did the first 4 inches by hand with a shovel a few weeks back and it took 90 minutes or more. The second 4 inches of embankment were higher and looked like twice as much work so I put it off. Today the Ranger and I finished the job in about 2 minutes, including clearing the ground I'd leveled with the Polaris blade. What a joy!

[redmoose]

Finished installing rear-view mirror and battery minder on the Ranger. I think we're ready for the winter cold and snow now, and I've plowed twice with my Glacier 60" steel blade, but it would be nice if the 66" Sno-glide plow blade would arrive before the first big snow! I've been told it shipped yesterday, so maybe by next week.

[redmoose]

Today my Ranger 500 EFI pulled a 6,000 pound loaded delivery van 150 feet up my snowy driveway. He'd spun his tires until he almost wore the studs down and gotten 20 feet or less. Hooked up the Ranger in AWD-LO and didn't spin a tire all the way to the top. The two delivery guys were impressed. My tire chains are still in the box they came in, in the garage!

Ron

[redmoose]

OK, the delivery guys had to come back today... same truck, same two guys, only this time I sanded the driveway for them. They still couldn't drive up a driveway that I walked up and down in my dress shoes! Polaris Ranger to the rescue - again! Towed them to the top without slipping a wheel - again. If you are a company that delivers things in Alaska, please put snow tires on your delivery van, and make sure it is 4WD!

[redmoose]

Polaris apparently completely dropped the ball on my 66-inch Sno-Glide plow. After confirming two weeks ago that it was shipped to Alaska on a pallet of parts and accessories, the pallet arrived a few days ago WITH NO PLOW BLADE. Now Polaris is trying to tell my dealer that the blade shipped and my order was fulfilled. My dealer is fighting that and trying to get me moved back to the top of the order cue - if there is one. I understand the factory can't keep up with the orders, but I ordered mine in EARLY SEPTEMBER!!!

Thank goodness I bought the 60" as a "back-up" - looks like that will have to do for now.

Grrrr!

========== UPDATE ==============
After some phone calls to other dealers I have NO confidence that the 66" Sno-Glide will be available this year. I ordered a 60" two-way snow plow designed for the Ranger and Razor that should do a better job then the straight 60" I have now.

This blade is taller than my current general-purpose blade, with higher ends, a larger scraper/wear bar, and a better shape for throwing snow. It will also fit the Glacier push-bar I already purchased for the Sno-Glide. Now I have another two week wait for delivery, but at least this one's available! Arghhh!

Ron

[redmoose]

Here are some photos plowing with the straight general-purpose 60" plow. As you can see it doesn't take much snow depth to over-top the short, straight blade.

[garmin220]

Nice pics. A lot different than down here in Florida.

[Russ Chastain]

Originally Posted by garmin220

Nice pics. A lot different than down here in Florida.

That's for sure. I'm in Marion County - grew up in Hillsborough.

[redmoose]

I'd imagine the demand for most of the equipment I've added to my Ranger - like the full cab, heater and snow plow - isn't very high down in Florida!