Bill Hughes

So the function of oil filters in small engines is to catch any junk that is inserted into the oil by sloppy oil change or other maintenance procedures. Don't put junk into the oil fill tube and you don't have to worry. 

Anything can be done with enough time and money, but it's totally unnecessary for a small engine. By the time a piece of the engine large enough for a filter to worry with gets in the flow, the damage is already done. There's a magnetic trap that collect very small metallics and this should only occur during break in. 

Electric power comes from mechanical power. The charging system is small so it doesn't rob too much horsepower, not because it's cheaper to do it this way. 

1. Its' not a car, this is a motorcycle engine with a small stator charging system. You can't expect to run high wattage accessories like a heater or huge light bars on these things . That will overwhelm the charging system, drain your battery an stop your engine. Could damage the charging system and voltage regulator too. You only have about 10 amps extra to run any accessories including lights. 

It's not important to get every drop of oil out of the engine during oil changes. You won't anyway regardless of method. That's why most modern brands use the quick method with oil extraction pumps. That will get all but an ounce of oil. If you got sludge in the engine oil, you have bigger problems than an oil change will fix. If you change your oil every six months and haven't abused the engine or have engine issues the extracted oil should be pretty clean. You're changing oil because it wears out and ages not because it gets dirty. 

23 hours ago, RDK said:

I just bought a Massimo Buck 450 and need to do the first oil change and I am getting conflicting information on certain things. If I am seeing the owner's manual correctly it says the oil capacity is 1.48qts so, is it that or 2qts also if I read it right the 450 has no oil filter but has a screen on the drain plug. I need to do the oil change but want to get it right!

The best way to change the oil is to use an oil extraction pump and pump the oil out of the fill tube with the engine warm (not hot). Fill with new oil in the amount you extracted then check the level and top off if needed. This will be close to 1.5 Quarts. When used properly the extraction pump will remove all but a teaspoon of the old oil (not enough to worry about. 

Done in 5 minutes and no mess. Even Mercedes and BMW do it this way these days. No real need to clean the screen and no need to worry with the sealing ring on the plug. If you had chucks of metal big enough for the screen to catch, you have much bigger problems than an oil change. 

you won't feel a difference, you might hear a difference. If the octane is too low, then the engine can "ping" that's a bad thing and could damage your engine. 

An octane booster can make a difference. In case you're unfamiliar with octane boosters, they're designed to improve fuel  stability (less explosive) under high compression by increasing the octane rating of the fuel you're getting at the pump. While they certainly aren't necessary for all engines, those that call for a higher octane level than is readily available will see significant improvements in performance and efficiency when octane boosters are used.

Boostane octane booster is a reliable brand and is available at Amazon. 

See this chart for mixing levels. 

doesn't take much , about 1 ounce does 3 gallons of 87 regular fuel for 91 octane application. 

As I said. Compression does not dictate octane. Go with the manufacturer recommended fuel or use standard 87 and add octane booster. Same same 

You'll get all kinds of opinions. Just remember they are uninformed opinions because none of these people will know the specifics of the engine design. Required octane isn't based purely on static compression ratio. There are many factors such as valve timing and piston shape . The only thing higher octane provides is the ability to compress the fuel more without pre detonation. It doesn't improve power. Go with the manufacturer recommend fuel. They designed the engine. If you can't get that fuel, use 87 and add an octane boosting additive. Cheaper than unobtainable fuel and just as effective. There's absolutely no good reason or benefits to run 93 octane in these engines 

There are many reputable brands. Most people don't understand what raising the octane does and its often mis advertised as a performance booster. It's not. It simply makes gasoline less explosive to allow for higher compression for engines that need that. Most modern engines are not designed for higher octane. I can't directly comment on the t410 engine design. I don't have one. 

Typically higher octane is required for higher compression engines. Higher octane retards premature detonation of the compressed fuel. If you can't get it at the pump, there are octane boosting additives at the stores. 

22 minutes ago, Mark Bruce said:

Yes pretty much what your saying  does hisun put in some funky oil at the factory 

Don't know, I bought mine from Massimo and it came with nice clean 10-40w synthetic. 

2 minutes ago, Mark Bruce said:

What I'm really trying to find out is if anyone has ever had this experience with machines from TS 

Tractor Supply is just a retailer. It's unlikely they have anything to do with checking or filling the oil. Did you ask them?

3 minutes ago, Mark Bruce said:

My bad I should of said it looked gray and kinda foamy after I drained it it looks greenish thanks 

Check again after you change and run for an hour. If it's clean then the original probably just sitting around in storage for awhile, if its milky, you have a gasket probelm. 

22 hours ago, Mark Bruce said:

I just bought a Coleman outfitter550 from tractor supply when I got it home I checked the oil and it appeared to be kind of waterery like it had water in it. Has anyone ever seen this before? 

Water in oil doesn't look watery, it looks like milk. If you aren't used to 10-40w at room temperature, its quite thin. 

No. these vehicles are not meant to be used on public highway for extended times. Street use should be limited to necessary transit between off road use which means short periods on lightly used public highway. NOT in place of a personal car or truck. 

What are you talking about? 

I was hoping there would be a removable panel on the dash, but there isn't. You have to access from the underside. Far easier if you remove the right front wheel /tire 

4 hours ago, Michelle Holmes said:

I’ll add a little more today and hopefully will turn over.

DO NOT OVERFILL.    Over filling WILL damage your engine.  Take heed. 

Are you properly checking the oil level on the dipstick? The level is checked with the dipstick unscrewed and just placed on top of the threads. If you screw in the dipstick you'll get a full indication but actually be low on oil. 

DO NOT OVERFILL.   Whatever amount your drained out at the change should have been the amount you replaced. 

DO NOT OVERFILL.    Over filling will damage your engine. 

Make sure you check the level properly. 

Love mine.

Great success dealing with Massimo getting parts. 

Go to any manufacture's forum and you'll run into same thing... the whinners. Just like here. 

No one has yet made an indestructible machine. I once worked in a music store and the manger used to say "put a cast iron anvil on the demo floor and someone will make music with it and someone else will break it" 

23 hours ago, TapBoss said:

Bill, I installed another usb/battery meter in the open spot in the bottom left of your pic this weekend.  Took the front tire off for more room and used a flexible grab tool I had on the bench to pull wiring up to the battery.

 

Thanks , yes I wound up doing a similar process. There's no easy access, but the panel is reachable  by putting the front end up and removing the tire.  I added a voltmeter/charging port and a rear light bar switch. 

Doesn't really matter what battery you use since with this heater you are only running the fan from the battery. The heat comes from diesel fuel. Seems like way overkill for a UTV.

Multiple users have reported that the Kolpin ATV Switchblade Plow –  Model #17-0000 fits and works well on Massimo T-Boss 410 and Buck 450 UTVs.

This item is available for ~$350 with free shipping from Amazon, Cabela's and Bass Pro, 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0745HWB3N/ref=sw_img_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1