ATVPT

All Terrain Vehicle Product Tests ATV Technical Magazine

Warn Winch Multi-Mount System. All products used in these long term field tests are supplied courtesy of Warn Winch.

Warn Winch Multi Mount System.

Warn Winch Multi Mount for the front. Ready to be installed on the Kawasaki 700 Prairie here at ATVPT.

Rear Receiver Mount

I thought it would be a bit easier to loosely assemble the rear mount before I installed it.

Rear mount ready to be installed.

Winch-Carrier Plate Installation.

1. Attach the Ducks Unlimited Warn winch and the associated fairlead to the Winch-Carrier Plate, using the fasteners that were included with the winch. Make sure that the 5/16-18 bolts that attach the winch to the Winch-Carrier Plate are torque to approximately 20 ft-lbs.

2. Install the Winch-Carrier Plate into the rear-receiver and secure with a Hitch-Pin and Clip.

Caution:

It is recommended that the winch is stored in the rear-receiver when not in use. It has been determined that the winch is less likely to be damaged while it is stored in the rear than in the front receiver. This is because the winch tends to "stick-out" and is not protected as is the permanently-mounted-winch systems.

Warn Winch installed on the Winch Carrier Plate. This is so nice a set up. This allows you to put the winch in the rear or the front of your ATV to winch in any direction. Or just keep it in your rear box until needed. Take it off to go racing.

Front Receiver Installation:

1. Remove the four screws holding the side plastic housing onto the frame as shown below.

You need to take the screws out that hold this shroud in place. Then pull it back to insert the Front receiver in position. I pulled back both sides for better access so it was easier to tighten the bolts.

You need to remove the four skid pan bolts and remove the front skid plate. This will give you room to install the bolts in the front receiver.

Front Receiver Installation

2. Place the front-receiver into position as shown below.

The front receiver fits in snugly. Warn did their engineering for this one.

Front-Receiver Installation

3. Fasten the front receiver to the frame using the four supplied 5/16-18 x 3/4" bolts, 5/16 lock washers, and 5/16-18 nuts. Replace the skid pan that was removed in step 1 and reattach the side plastic housing to the ATV frame. Tighten all fasteners at this time.

Front receiver bolted in place.

Front receiver ready for the Winch Carrier and Winch.

Rear-Receiver Installation:

1. Remove the two bolts shown below, on both side's of the ATV.

2. Before placing the side support brackets into position, brake off the spacers using pliers.

3. Place the removed spacers between the frame and side support brackets on the rear bracket bolts. Using the supplied M8 X 1.25 X 25 mm and M10 X 1.25 X 30 mm bolts, bolt the side brackets into position, repeat for opposite side. [Do not tighten at this time.]

3a. It may be necessary to space out the muffler away from the support bracket ( I had to do this, by placing the spacers between the muffler and the frame, using the longer bolts supplied with your kit.) This may not be required to do on all applications. However if the muffler is making contact with the side support bracket use the large spacers and longer hex bolts and lock washers in the fastener kit to space the muffler away from the bracket.

Right side of the rear receiver mount with the spacers between the frame and the 2 rear bolts. Make sure you don't pinch the vent line that is between the frame and the mount.

You will need to install the 2 large spacers between the frame and the muffler, so it will not rub against the mount. It comes with the large spacers and also the longer bolts & lock washers that you will need.

Left side of the rear mount attached to the frame. Make sure you install the 2 spacers on the rear bolt on both sides. I bolted the mount together loosely and slid it into position and then tightened all the bolts.

Rear-Receiver Installation

4. Position the rear-receiver between the left and right side brackets as seen below [ I loosely pre-attached the brackets to the rear receiver. It seemed easier to install it as a whole unit.]. Attach with four supplied 5/16-18 x 3/4" bolts, 5/16 lock washers, and 5/16-18 nuts.

5. Check to make sure the rear-receiver is approximately level and then tighten all the fasteners.

Rear receiver for the Ducks Unlimited 2500lb Warn Winch.

Side view. Pretty slick set up, eh.

Winch installed on the front of the Kawasaki 700 Prairie. Talk about easy to get at your winch to operate it.

Ducks Unlimited Warn Winch Rear Mount. I am liking this set up. Up and out of the way. Just put your winch cover on and you will have no mud in your winch. If you need to winch out backwards, not a problem with the Warn Winch Multi Mount System.

Side view of rear mounted Winch. You still have plenty of room to hook up your trailer.

My Impressions:

Pros:
This is the very best multi mount system available for your money today.

Every multi mount system I have installed fit with out any hitches.

Cons:
Absolutely none. Improve your winching, install a multi mount.

Bottom Line:
I have been using the Warn Multi Mount for over 2 years, and I will run this system on every ATV that I personally own.

This system simply makes winching easier for you.

You can switch the winch from the front to the rear depending upon your stuck situation. You may want to winch out from the rear. If your winch were permanently front mounted, you would be hosed.

If you want to go racing, you simply remove your winch to conserve weight & balance.

I run the winch on the rear with a warn neoprene cover, and have never had a winch failure while running this system.

I highly recommend checking out what Warn Industries has to offer you.

Warn Winch Contact Info:

Warn Winch to view all of the Warn Products.

Warn Products Dealer Locator to find a dealer near you.