The front drive axles, as for as I know, will not engage on a downhill grade unless the rear wheels are turning faster than the front (an unlikely situation if you are braking on a steep grade). There is no way to force the front Hilliard drive unit to lock in 4wd...it would have to be replaced with a true locking differential and I have yet to see someone perform this modification. It has been discussed but I have seen so reports of a solution. Engine braking can be added by a simple, cheap clutch modification but it will only provide braking to the rear wheels.

 

Thanks for the info...that kinda sucks! I saw on the Polaris web site that an Engine Braking System advertised on the blue Limited Edition...and the "Active Descent Control" advertised on the 850XP ATV. Any idea how these work???

Also, another newbie question...does the parking position of the trans only lock the rear wheels? And is there a parking brake that locks all 4? I've been in many places where all 4 wheels need to be "locked" to hold a stopped vehicle on steep hills, with 2 wheels locked you go sliding. It's easy to say park somewhere else...but when you're in a tough spot and need to get out and hook up a winch, having the ride start sliding because you put it in park and let off the brake isn't a good thing at all.

 

The Sportsman's now have EBS ( engine braking system), clutch components that give engine braking to the rear wheels at all times( ie even at very low speeds) and ADC..that gives simulated engine braking to the front wheels via an electro hydraulic brake in the front drive, activated below 15 mph when the throttle is released iirc. The RZRs( minus a couple select models have neither, I think maybe the 2013 570 has EBS? But none have ADC. Possibly the weight of the machine has detered them from using both in the RZR.

 

The web site says "Engine Braking/Active Descent Control" available on limited editions. But I don't see pricing, and I haven't found it when you go into "build". I just noticed this after posting. I'm going to call my local dealer, he's a good guy that has done a lot to support our local clubs. I don't want to spend the coin on a new machine, but real engine braking with 4x4 is a pretty big deal to me. It's been a dealbreaker on their quads for many more adventurous riders in my area.

 

the park trany position only locks the rear, as there is no way to keep the front dif engaged. but there is a range of aftermarket park breaks, most of them push the brake pedal locking all four wheels. I think the new 2013, 570rzr, comes with the clutch mod that has downhill breaking, but none of the others. but you can get the aftermarket clutch kit for all of them. you can solve the park break and downhill breaking for not much $. but so far you will be stuck with the crap AWD system, it does work for many situations. I need the 50", so am stuck, and enjoy it for now. you are doing well to know what you are getting up front.
Frank

 

As said Park only locks the rear wheels, the front drive is sort of an overrunning clutch. You'll want a parking brake anyway, using Park on hills makes it hard to get out of park and probably isnt real good for the transmission. Most of the popular aftermarket ones work by locking the factory brake system mechanically, ie hold the brake pedal down.
I prefer a drive system like can-am uses, well the Visco QE anyway..all wheel engine braking but if you want a RZR you have to live with the Hilliard drive unless you do some serious modification. At least it engages AWD quickly when the rear wheels slip.

 

Where are you seeing that? The only thing I see is EBS listed for the 570 LE's.

 

2013 Polaris Trail RZR 800 EPS Blue Fire LE SxS: Specifications

I called my dealer and asked them to confirm if it actually had active descent control available. He said the blue (EPS) one did come with EBS std, but it only worked on the rear wheels.

 

I have the same concerns as you have. I have had rangers and a rzr4 and have had some scary downhill situations. I didn't even know they were offering engine braking on the 800 till read your post. I do know that the limited edition 570 has engine braking, turf mode and power steering. I thought i read that it also has active decent control. I agree if its only two wheel engine braking not gonna work very well. The rear is so light on steep grade if you get engine braking the rear tires just start sliding.

 

First ride on my 2013 LE and the EBS is GREAT! My daughter had to ride her brakes down some hills while I was able to creep down without touching my brakes.

 

This is not intended as a smart a*s question.
Why not just use the brakes?
I am a Trials rider and go down nearly vertical rocks on a regular basis.
The brakes are the only thing we use as the fine control you have is much more predictable.

 

I think it's more about what people are used to..most motorized vehicles have engine braking in some form..with the PVT and no EBS you have engine braking until the RPM drops enough that the primary clutch disengages and then it freewheels rather suddenly. Even with EBS and ADC (on the ATVs)you need to use the brakes on steep hills..it just has a more natural feeling than engine braking then sudden freewheeling. Most get used to it and it's no big deal..but many would prefer engine braking that doesnt fall out. JMO

 

The EBS does most of the work and if I have to use the brakes they are there. I drove my daughters 2012 and I didn't like how it free wheeled down the hills. I am used to down shifting a bike on hills.

 

Installing EBS on my 2011 STD on wednesday, tired of bumping first the accelerator then the brake to get down steep hills.

Should have a good review by this time next week..

 

I had a 06' Arctic Cat 400 4X4 and it's engine braking was so good, I could go down the steepest hills and I would have to actually use the throttle to get it to move faster.

 

Hey olddog, any reviews yet on the engine braking on your RZR? Also, what parts did you have to install to convert to EBS?

 

Yes, I want to know this too!

 

Has anyone put a Can-Am or Yammie front diff in a RZR? I ran into a situation over the weekend that the Polaris 4x4 system made kinda tough, whouldn't have been an issue with another machine. It was a narrow trail with a couple downed trees, cut just wide enough at a turn for an ATV to get through. I had to k-turn a couple times, left my front tire up against a log, with no room to back up. Log was against one tire, about 8-10 inches dia...I only had to partially climb it to make the tight turn, then drop back off, on the same side. Any other machine in 4x4 would just have cimbed and gone. Even Visco Lock...once one tire climbs off the ground, the other would spin half a turn or so, then both would lock in and go. With the RZR, I'm jammed against this thing, and have to get my damned rear tires to spin before the fronts hooked in (or that's what it seemed like). Lots of power at zero speed...and a little belt smoke even in low before it would climb out. After that, a long downhill, loosing 3000 feet or so in about 2 miles...a little engine braking sure woulld have been nice...not sure what my brake pads look like. Love the RZR, I'm having a lot of fun with it...but not happy with the 4x4.

As far as the Yammie vs Visco-Loc...IMO it depends. The Yammie is nice in that when you push the diff lock button, it's locked right away. OTOH..you have to be stopped to engage it. In deep snow riding...this usually means you're getting stuck. Yet you don't want to be in diff lock until absolutely needed because it makes the steering much heavier. VL requires one tire to spin part of a turn before it engages the other front tire. I've never seen it as a problem, and like it better for snow riding. The Yammie system might be better for rocky, technical terrain.