Plug It On Poly Tech Add-Ons Improve Our Hunting Quad

Other — By ATV Mag on April 4, 2006 at 12:00 pm

The Georgia-based ATV accessory company helped turn one of our quads into a versatile, carry-it-all machine. Now we can hunt more efficiently. We can also conveniently haul more gear and supplies, while maintaining our available rack-lugging and towing capabilities. And that’s something we appreciate.

We Added . . .

We needed to make our Honda Foreman 450ES more versatile. For one, we wanted to haul more hunting supplies and utility-type tools. We also wanted to protect our face and upper body from mud and debris. We usually hunt in wet and wooded areas, and find it hard to maneuver our ATVs around. Because of that, we wanted storage boxes on either the front or rear of our quad, while keeping the rack space open for hauling other devices or hunting trophies.

We asked for the Carry-All all-purpose carrier, Cooler/Gas Can Carrier, front and rear H Receivers, and Dry Box because they all work in conjunction with the Plug N’ Play system. We also asked for the Brush Buster windshield.

The Carry-All tool — measuring 30” x 30” — adapts to the Plug N’ Play, and is designed to hold chain saws, tree stands, hay bales, and more. We had the optional mudguard installed to help keep our cargo clean.

The Cooler/Gas Can Carrier also works easily with the Plug N’ Play and is available in two sizes (12 1/2” x 18” and 12” x 16 1/2”). This rack-like box is ideal for carrying a fuel tank, cooler and other products you may need for your adventure. It extends out in front and beyond your front rack out of the way.
The “H” Receivers mount inside your bumper and frame, with the receiving end protruding out for easy connections. These two mounts fit snug on the Honda and can remain on the unit even if you aren’t using the other add-ons. It’s simple. You insert the Dry Box, for example, into the H Receiver, then lock it in with a hitch pin and you’re set.

The Dry Box offers 2.5 cubic feet of additional storage space. The container is designed to keep items dry, and is lockable. This box can fit on the rear rack of an ATV using either the H Receiver — the method we selected — or by using the EZ Mount system (a quick and easy mounting device for ATV racks).
The Brush Buster is a heavy-duty ATV windshield with ABS Fairing (both high-impact resistant and UV protected). We like how the Brush Buster mounts cleanly and easily to an ATV’s front rack. The Lexan windshield also offers ample protection from trail debris, low-hanging limbs and branches, wind and mud splatters. Dash accessories are also included with the Brush Buster. Accesory containers let you store your truck keys, pad locks, water, and more. They attach easily and strongly, using double-sided tape and a hook-and-loop closure strap.

The Results
To test all the accessories, we took our Honda Foreman 450ES to one of our favorite farms and deer hunting locations in northwestern Minnesota, near Alexandria. This land is filled with old-growth trees, corn fields, grassland, bogs, streams, and more. It’s an ideal testing ground for the Poly Tech equipment.
We headed out to check some of our deer stands. We decided to take some extra fuel, a chain saw and a tow rope along for the ride. We also attached the Cooler/Gas Can Carrier, Dry Box. Because the rear rack was open, we were able to attach our chain saw to it. We took the quad through tight wooded sections, maneuvering through the mud and bogs like a monster truck. Yet we came out clean as a whistle, thanks to the Brush Buster windshield. It did a great job stopping the splashing water, tall weeds and tree branches from hitting us.

We were impressed with how well the quad was able to maneuver in the thick woods, despite how far the Gas Carrier and Dry Box extend. Each piece of equipment makes the quad more than seven feet long. That could be a problem in extremely tight mountain corridors, but with the H Receivers, you ultimately could remove one of the racks (or both) if you really got into a pickle.

The Dry Box is one of our favorite Poly Tech pieces. It sits high enough, using the H Receiver, to act as a small prep table. We used it to inspect our chain saw before and after we worked in the woods. Plus, with its dry storage, taking additional clothes, supplies and ammunition with us is easy.

The initial installation process is the hardest part. It took us close to three hours to install every piece of equipment we were sent. But, once we were finished doing that, adding the accessories or flip-flopping devices from front to rear was quick and painless. All the pieces are very durable and resistant to the environment. We’ve had the gear installed for about five months, and everything is holding up.
We can’t wait to put this Honda and its new Poly Tech gear to the ultimate test this fall. We plan on utilizing these accessories to tote all the supplies we’ll need, when it comes time to haul out that mega buck.

Contact:
Poly Tech Industries, Inc.
P.O. Drawer 349
238 Industrial Park Dr.
Monticello, GA 31064
(800) 542-7659