BAD WEEKEND!

[RockinMntKing]

Well this is just kind of a thank you/warning. I was riding my 08 700 163 in the mountains at Lookout Pass between Idaho and Montana and it was a cold powdery day and my throttle froze without me knowing it and as i started the sled it reved up and shot out from underneath me, no tether and the sled under power ghost rode down off the trail and smacked a tree at 55+ mph. And without the help from my friends with me and several guys who saw us trying to work this thing out, the sled could still be sitting there!!! Its nice to know that we are such a tight nit family of riders these guys took HOURS out of a GREAT day of riding to help me slide this pile off the mountain. So if any of you that helped are out there reading this THANK YOU! And for those IQ riders out there make sure you check that throttle, im starting to hear lots of these throttle sticking stories. My buddy almost had the same thing happen to his last weekend with his 08 800 but luckly it was while he was going down the trail so he was able to bump it loose.

Here are some pictures of the sled in the mountain and in the trailer. It ended up being totaled by the insuance company of course, i bought it back and am now parting it out, not how i wanted the end of my season to go, but heres looking to the winter of 2011 and possibly if everything goes well a new Pro-RMK!

 

[mountainhorse]

Wow that sux... Good that you have insurance and they paid... and fellow sledders to help out

Did you somehow disable the throttle safety switches?...Curious as to how it stuck open but did not kill itself... Unless it was the lefty that froze open??

 

[jkruse]

same thing happened to me, i was unloading my sled after a day of riding 3-4ft fresh pow. started it and went to drive it off the trailer and took off into slip tank on the ground luckily it was only 5 feet away. 2008 dragon 163

 

[94fordguy]

Glad to hear that nobody was seriously injured and you got the sled back out









Perfect example of the value of installing and using a tether.

 

[raptobob]

Friends 2010 800 did that...luckily he noticed it before starting it up!

 

[Mag]

Is the motor for sale?

 

[RockinMntKing]

ya its insane how many of these stories are starting to come out about the throttle block freezing open, and no i had not disconnected any of the throttle saftey switchs, or whatever that lil deal is that is part of the throttle block there. And i did have a lefty BUT, it was a snowbunje brand and you can disconnect it where it hooks to the original throttle (the cable slides into a spring loaded keeper) and i had it disconnected because i never used it and had heard the horror stories of these freezing! So no the actual throttle lever froze open and all i can think of that caused it to be open and freeze that way is possibly my helmet hanging on the handle bars but i can't remember for sure if i did hang it there or not!

And yes thank GOD this sled wasn't pointed at a group of people infront of me or something or had i hung on not got the kill switch hit and been hurt. In a horrible situation it turned out to be the best possible outcome!

Also Mag, the motor is already sold the week after the wreck my friend siezed up his 09 800 for the third time this season, so he bought my 700 and we dropped that baby in there this week before he headed to McCall, ID for the weekend. Polaris has done alot of good and bad things but that 700 is for sure one of the good, i geared that sled to 18:43 and it ran so strong, kept up with all the 800's no prob, i was super depressed to see it go like that, just glad someone else is having fun with it.

 

[tangogawd]

This happened to me yesterday, greatest snow ever. but mine just made it rev up to about 4k. now I alway clean out the throttle before starting. My buddies 600 throttle bodies froze open from snow ingestion.

 

[mountainhorse]

I always check for proper throttle return before starting...

The owners manual and warning decals on the sled point checking the throttle before starting.

I'm truly glad that you and your friends were not hurt in the accident.

From the owners manual and warning decals provided by Polaris when the sled is new.

WARNING
• To avoid serious injury or death, read and understand all warnings
and the Owner’s Manual before operation. If manual is missing, contact
a Polaris dealer for a replacement.

• Before starting the engine, check throttle, brake, and steering for
proper operation. Make sure hood is latched. Be seated and in position
to control the vehicle

PRE-RIDE INSPECTIONS

Before Starting the Engine

Before starting the engine, always refer to all safety warnings pertaining
to snowmobile operation. Never start the engine without checking all
vehicle components to be sure of proper operation.
Read and Understand Your Owner's Manual
Read the Owner's Manual completely and refer to it often. The manual
is your guide to safe and enjoyable snowmobiling experience.

Throttle Lever
The throttle and brake are the primary controls of your snowmobile.
Always make sure both are functioning properly.
Squeeze the throttle lever to make sure it compresses evenly and
smoothly. When released, the lever should immediately return to the
idle position without binding or hesitation. If the throttle does not function
smoothly, or if you discover excessive lever freeplay, DO NOT start
the engine. Have the throttle serviced immediately.

Throttle Safety Switch
Test the throttle safety switch system before the snowmobile is operated.
See page 63 for procedure.

....

 

[fonetikal]

do you guys usually kill your engine while holding the throttle? wouldn't you notice it sticking if you let go to stop before you hit the kill switch?

 

[R44guy]

I always check for proper throttle return before starting...

The owners manual and warning decals on the sled point checking the throttle before starting.

I'm truly glad that you and your friends were not hurt in the accident.

From the owners manual and warning decals provided by Polaris when the sled is new.

MH, good post, I know I read this warning at one time but that was a very long time ago.

Consider this to be like a aircraft preflight, I bet 99% of us snowmobile riders do not check this before riding unless it had happened to you? I know I haven't!

I think anytime your machine cools off after a long powder ride or after being outside in the cold overnight are the 2 biggest risk factors but there are still others.

I have not cared for teethers in the past but it is a good consideration that may save you and your sled one day?

 

[mountainhorse]

Heres the "Pre Flight" list from polaris... I know of VERY few that actually check even half of this... me included... but I'm doing it more often in the last few years... Probably more now.

Pre-Ride Checklist
Inspect all items on the checklist for proper operation or condition
before each use of the snowmobile. Procedures are outlined on the referenced
pages. Look for a checkmark on the referenced pages to
locate the pre-ride inspection items.
Item See Page
Drive Belt Condition 95
Steering System 53
Recoil Rope 51
Parking Brake Lock/Brake Lever/Brake System 51, 52, 89
Throttle Lever 50
Throttle Safety Switch 50
Auxiliary Shut-Off Switch (Engine Stop Switch) 55, 65
Ignition Switch 55, 65
Taillight/Brakelight/Headlight 55
Coolant Level 84
Gearcase Oil Level N/A
Engine Oil Level 77
Suspension Mounting Bolts 54
Skags (Wear Bars) 105
Ski Saddle and Spindle Bolts 54
Hood Straps/Latches 50
Seat Latches (if equipped) N/A
Rear Wheel Idler Bolts 54, 101
Tether Switch/Strap 55
Track Alignment/Condition 53, 102
Rail Slide Condition 106
Chaincase Oil Level 77
Oil Level 62

 

[RockinMntKing]

MH,
Ya that is true it does say that in the book and warnings, but just like R44guy said its definatly not checked by many people, until it happens to them or a friend. Hence, why i was posting this to try and get the word out to remind people that it does happen and actually fairly often, thank goodness not to the xtreme like my situation. But yes, i and all my friends now definatly check the throttle and break before pulling the rope or turning the key each time.

 

[mountainhorse]

I never used to check... till people like you with REAL world stories of what can happen opened my eyes.

 

[modsledr]

sorry for the accident...but another great reason to GET A TETHER AND USE IT (this is directed at everyone...not just the OP).

 

[RockinMntKing]

AGREED

 

[richracer1]

sorry for the accident...but another great reason to GET A TETHER AND USE IT (this is directed at everyone...not just the OP).

For reasons like this, I just installed a tether on my 09 700 today. Big question; why doesn't Polaris put these on from the factory??????? It only makes sense IMO.

 

[diamonddave]

For reasons like this, I just installed a tether on my 09 700 today. Big question; why doesn't Polaris put these on from the factory??????? It only makes sense IMO.

$$$$$$$$$$

 

[coyoteman]

Damn MH, I knew I shouldn't have removed the safety decals from my sled.

 

[Eli]

We just may find a huge increase of insured 800 sleds hitting trees at WOT due to Polaris' lovely 800 piston/cylinder issues.

Come on people, show us some video of how to solve the Dragon 800 engine issues and get a hefty payment toward a new Pro!

Glad nobody was hurt!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk