j.fulciniti
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Posts posted by j.fulciniti
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Hi Gang - on Black Friday I purchased the Massimo Universal 60" Snow Plow. https://www.massimomotor.com/Massimo-UTV-ATV-Universal-Snow-Plow60. It was on sale for 599 plus tax, free shipping.
Here's a YouTube video my buddy made of the install -
Here's a few thoughts regarding my purchase and install.
THE GOOD
I ordered online on the Massimo website on Black Friday. The plow arrived promptly the following Thursday via UPS ground. The box was neatly packed and all the parts were included. The directions are sketchy so I did refer to the Massimo videos for help in assembling the plow. One man job, took me about 1.5 hours to assemble. If you are fairly handy, this was not too bad, even with the shoddy directions.
THE NOT SO GOOD
The directions suck. They were written by someone whose first language is NOT English. (made in China). The cover page described a "SONW PLOUGH". MY buddy and I got a good laugh. There was really no directions on how to install the frame plate to mount the "PLOUGH" to the frame of the UTV. This set up did come with 2 Frame brackets. One was for Massimo UTVs and the other was a universal mounting bracket. Both had tons of screws, bolts, mounting hardware. The universal had 4 different sizes of u bolts which really came in handy.
WHAT WE DID
My buddy has a lift in his garage so we jacked up the 400 to investigate how to install the bracket. We removed the first 3 screws that held the plastic skid plate to the frame to reveal the frame. At that time we realized the Massimo bracket was not going to work so we opted for the universal frame. After taking a few measurements to insure the blade could be rotated without hitting the front wheels, we decided we would install the bracket just behind the 2nd screw that holds the skid plate in place. We put the plastic skid plate back on with only the first 2 screws but did not use the 3rd one in order to keep the bracket flush. Using the universal brackets and some quick grip clamps, we staged the bracket and marked a hole to drill thru the skid plate to feed the u bolt down. The 2020 Buck frame tube is square VS round so we used the longest u bolts for a square frame. Note - the kit came with 16 u bolts. 8 long bolts ( 4 rounded and 4 squared off) and 8 short bolts (4 and 4 as well)
Once we drilled the 4 holes , we slipped the u bolts around the frame with one side on the outside of the skid plate and the other on the inside where we drilled. We connected the washers / nuts and secured the plate to the frame.
We then lined up the plow to connect to the frame mount using quick release pins to attach the plow arm to the frame plate. Of course it was not a perfect fit so we had to beat the hell out of the plow arm connector to get it inside the frame plate connectors. After that minor fiasco, we ground off the end of the u bolts that extended down from the frame. It stuck down about 1.5 inches and we did not want to risk them catching on to any debris if we were off road in the future. After that, we released the winch and hooked it to the O Ring Pin on the plow frame. The winch lifted and lowered the plow with ease.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Massimo should do a little QC on their directions for this "SONW PLOUGH". It appears to be a solid unit and I look forward to using it in my driveway. I am concerned that taking it on and off the frame mount with be a little difficult. I forsee us manipulating the quick release mounts so they go on and off much easier. We may need to grind them down a tad so they slip on and off without beating the hell out of it.
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1 hour ago, Mackc said:
This is the oil change pump I have:
Ha - I did a search earlier and saw that one. I just put it in my cart.
To be clear, you do not remove the drain plug, you just do that extra 1/2 quart "rinse / remove" to get out any residual.
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I like the idea of the transfer pump. That sure would reduce the mess of a drip pan. Just pump it into an old container. Those pumps are dirt cheap on Amazon or at Harbor Freight. I use a battery one to pump gas to my tractor. I was always spilling from a 5 gal container and 15 bucks changed all that.
SIDE NOTE: I wonder if this thread could be moved to the Massimo section of the Forum? There's some good info here. -
This oil meets the standards and you can pick it up at your local Wally World.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvoline-4-Stroke-ATV-Conventional-10W-40-Motor-Oil-1-Quart/19514362
I did my first oil change on Sunday - way too late (260 miles). My manual has conflicting info. Under break in, it says to change the oil after 20 hours or 500 miles. In the chart, it says 20 hours or 200 miles. Then I read some posts that say change after the first 25 miles.
It was a bear getting off the drain plug. Luckily, my buddy is a mechanic and has a lift in his garage.
FYI - take a look at your owners manual in the maintenance schedule. Be prepared to change your gear oil in the final and differential cases at 20 hr / 200 miles. We ended up replacing the gear oils in both. The oil in the final case was funky and had some metal shavings in it.
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Well. yesterday I was able to get my oil changed and it was a JOB. My neighbor has a lift in his garage so we put it up and used an impact driver to get the drain plug out. That spring shot out and we made a mess.
Lucky for me, he's a mechanic. We found this manual online
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1356653/Bennche-Bighorn-400.html?page=104#manual
We ended up changing the gear oil in the final and differential cases per the manual. The final had some nasty gunk in it.
If you are not mechanically inclined, I suggest taking it to a service center and have them do the required maint.
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12 hours ago, T-boss 410 said:
Lol, thanks. Had me scared for a minute there. But, I have read a few posts where the complaint was that the drain plug was so tight it couldn't be removed. You didn't have that problem?
I could not get mine loose / off. I was not able to get any leverage. My unit will sit until Sunday when I can take it to my neighbors house, use his lift and "real tools".
Funny / not so fun story - while pulling hard my socket slipped off drain bolt and I cut my hand on the edge of the skid plate. Then turned my head around and skinned my nose on the other side of the plate. Nothing bad but I looked like some one beat my ass in my garage. I still look pretty stupid with that scrape on my nose today.
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2 hours ago, Joe Toup said:
Did you drive down the hill in low at all?
Fired her up, put it in low, drove around and up and down our steep hills 4X. Never took it out of low and NEVER saw the CEL.
Prolonged downhill in N or L does not set off the CEL but H does.
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36 minutes ago, Joe Toup said:
Did you drive down the hill in low at all?
I'll try that tonight if the rain holds off.
Say I use Low to go up and down the steeper roads with no CEL issues.
I read your post earlier that given my driving habits, I should be driving in low way more than I do.
Perhaps the CEL issue is -------- Operator Error.
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I like the idea of the Fumoto Valve but got to thinking - which is dangerous for me.
Since this unit does not have a filter, one would still have to remove the entire valve to access the screen to clean it. Other than a much easier and cleaner oil drain, do you think that defeats the purpose on this particular engine?
After I do my first oil change and make a mess, maybe I'll appreciate the valve A LOT more. I have plenty to learn as this is my 1st UTV so I truly appreciate all the feedback and posts.
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After busting my knuckles 12 times, I could not get the drain plug off. Of course, my ramps are at my brothers house 40 miles away. I'll have to table this issue until later next week as I'll be out of town for several days.
Thoughts from the posts above. I do not believe the 2020 Buck 400 model has the Hisun engine mentioned above. It's Chinese for sure but I read that Massimo ditched that engine in 2018 or 19. There is some mention of belts which I gather means drive belts. This unit has a shaft drive.
Drove up 2 steep hills in low and came down both in neutral. NO CEL.
Drove up a steep a 3rd time in High and came down in neutral - NO CEL.
Hill #4 up in high and down in high - you betcha - CEL came on.
Drove back to the garage, let her sit running for a few minutes, CEL went off.
To be continued ............
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Well then their owners manual is full of POOP.
Page 9.1 Vehicle Break in Period.
Several comments about taking it easy and checking oil daily. I followed every one of their 7 recommendations.
Item 7. word for word below
Please replace the engine oil and filter, after driving for 20 hours or 500 miles.
I'll get that oil changed asap.
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11 minutes ago, Joe Toup said:
However, I would need more information to continue troubleshooting.
1) Are you in high gear or low gear when this happens? Does it happen in both gears or only one? Knowing this would help isolate it to more of a belt issue.
2) Have you tried applying throttle when going down hill instead of coasting to see if the light comes on? If so, did it make a difference?
3) How many miles are on the machine? The belt might be worn already if you are riding it to climb hills in high gear only...with heavy loads and/or towing. If it is loose, you may have all kinds of slop in the driveline that is causing strange things to happen when going down hill. Just a hunch.
4) Does it backfire when going down hill? Try putting it in neutral and see if the light comes on while going down hill. If you have a problem with the angle of your engine and suspect oil starvation, it would most likely still do it in neutral. I doubt it will in neutral.
As for the fault code reader and reading live outputs, that is tricky. There are some methods out there that allow you to observe functions with your laptop. Most are new and still being payed with. The one I did find seems to be promising but the USB to 6-pin connector under the seat is the hard thing to find. I will see if I can locate a source and the software needed. The reader I built works but only to see and clear codes. Does little else. You can do the same thing with the key sequence on-off-on-off-on (3 times - leave on) to get codes....then on-off-on-off-on-off-on-off-on-off (5 times - fast - turn off) to reboot the ECU.
Hit me back with the extra info and I will see if I can help you peel the onion back a little further.
- JT
Thanks JT Answers below
1 - I only drive in high, all we do is cruise around our community roads at varying speeds. 2 are rather steep
2 - I have not as I did not want to build too much speed
3 - 268 miles no heavy loads
4 - no backfire - I'll try neutral today if I can.
Ran around the lake last night 3.8 miles on basically flat roads - just 2 small hills. (I can easily avoid the steeps) with flawless performance.
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I talked to my boat guy today. He services my Mercury 90 HP four stroke outboard. I totally forgot he services ATVs, jet skis and other small engines.
He said the same - use a 10W40 synthetic blend that meets the criteria in the manual. He uses a Mercury Marine oil on my boat. He suggested trying this product -
It's a division of Mercury Marine and the specs meet the requirements in the manual. It also is formulated for wet clutch engines.
I grabbed 3 quarts at lunch. It was on sale, 2 for 16.
I agree, better to resolve this sooner than later.
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Talked to the Tech at the local service center. He suggested I change the oil and use a quality 10W40 oil made specific for wet clutches. He said the units he's worked on have a break in oil with gas in it. He could not understand why they do that.
He said he's worked on many of these Massimo SxS so that gave me mixed feelings. 1 - he's experienced 2 - why is he working on many of these .....
I hope I get lucky and this solves the issue. It's 2020, the year of hell on earth, so my expectations are VERY low.
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Some of this pump stuff is out of my league. I'll most likely end up at the service center. It's under warranty but just PITA to get it there.
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8 minutes ago, kenfain said:
How long after the vehicle hits level ground, till the light goes off? Is the oil topped off with the right oil?
Not sure. There are 2 large hills close to my house. Once the CEL shows, I drive right back to my garage and shut her down. I've never continued more than a few minutes and less than a 1/2 mile.
Perhaps I hit the hill first then continue on the flats and see what happens.
I've checked the oil every day and it is full with the factory installed oil. It's parked in the same spot each night - no drips or spots.
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I plan to still use it but I'll avoid the steep hills until I can get some resolution to this issue.
I found the oil pump here --> https://www.scautosports.com/Massimo-Parts/BUCK_400_OIL_PUMP
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5 minutes ago, T-boss 410 said:
Yeah, sounds like an oil pump issue.
Your buddy hasn't looked at it yet?
He was out of town this past weekend and he works 4 12's Mon - Thu so I'll try and catch him next Sunday
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Follow up on my CEL.
Saturday I took the 400 out on some back country roads with a few small hills and plenty of long straights. I ran that thing fairly hard topping out at 37 MPH a couple times but still not full throttle. I ran it long and hard (30 minutes +) and there was NO ISSUE with the CEL.
Sunday, I took my grandson on a very short ride (5 minutes max) up a steep road near my house and then down the steep backside. Damn CEL came on descending down the road.
I'm convinced that driving down a prolonged steeper hill is causing that thing to go off. I'll have to find some time and take it to a service center while it's still under warranty.
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The more I think about it, it seems to happen on the decline VS incline. But the same principal. I've always gone straight home once the light comes on. I parked it the other day, removed the seat and left it running. The light did go off that day.
I have yet to set off the light driving on flats only but I've yet to push full throttle. Our lake community has 25 MPH limit .
I'll continue to trial and error this before I take it for service.
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Buck 400 underhood.- reverse alarm is the square box on the lower left. Hopefully the 410 T Boss is the same - I mean why recreate the wheel????
A closer look
Alarm after removal
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I have a 2020 buck 400. The alarm is under the hood. Super easy to remove / cover. I opted to remove it. I'll post a few pics to help others.
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I noticed the coolant was below the low line. I filled it. The unit seemed to run cooler but about 20 mins into last nights cruise, the check eng light came on coming down one of the larger hills. I hope to hear back from @strike250 with his service manual offer.
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1/2 hour (I need to confirm they still service Massimo) but it's the borrow my neighbors trailer, drive out there on Sat, let it sit for XX days and go pick it back up. That's the PITA factor I'd rather avoid. I posted in that other thread to get a copy of the service manual. I'll have my buddy take a peek first. He can literally fix just about anything. Oddly, he's an airplane mechanic by trade but works on cars, boats, etc
2020 Massimo Buck 400 Snow Plow
in Massimo UTV SxS Forum
Posted
we sort of laid it out on the floor and took some measurements to make sure the blade could rotate without hitting the tires. Then we made sure there was an area to connect the u bolts to then frame.
It took some trial and error before we drilled