P500 A-arm Guards: Yay or Nay?

[futzin]

Recently bought the SSS Offroad skids and A-arm guards. Installed the skids, but not sure about the guards now that I see them. I ride Kentucky woods, dirt, rocks, mud, little sand and a little corn/soybean fields in deer season. Where do the veterans stand on this? Do they do as much harm as good due to trapping debris, or are they a valuable addition?

 

[Admin]

 

[Mudder]

They do trap mud, but haven’t had a problem of that affecting operation. Have all four for rocky trails. Spraying them out hasn’t been an issue for me.

 

[Mopower58]

They do trap mud, but haven’t had a problem of that affecting operation. Have all four for rocky trails. Spraying them out hasn’t been an issue for me.

Same here, I agree. However there aren't large rocks around here to beat them to death.

 

[KYhillbilly]

I ride KY/WV as well and like the protection of the A arm boots especially when riding grown up fields.

 

[trigger]

A arm guards are a must IMO. They do trap small sh** but it's still better than a torn boot or bent axle.

 

[J80]

Recently bought the SSS Offroad skids and A-arm guards. Installed the skids, but not sure about the guards now that I see them. I ride Kentucky woods, dirt, rocks, mud, little sand and a little corn/soybean fields in deer season. Where do the veterans stand on this? Do they do as much harm as good due to trapping debris, or are they a valuable addition?

I bought the sss a-arm guards with the sss skid plates and I’ve already bounced them off rocks so I say there a good thing and as far as trapping mud they do but a pressure washer makes quick work of that problem

 

[futzin]

Thanks guys. Very helpful as always.

 

[Smitty335]

Recently bought the SSS Offroad skids and A-arm guards. Installed the skids, but not sure about the guards now that I see them. I ride Kentucky woods, dirt, rocks, mud, little sand and a little corn/soybean fields in deer season. Where do the veterans stand on this? Do they do as much harm as good due to trapping debris, or are they a valuable addition?

I had them, sold them even when I had the stock A Arms, they packed with mud and rubbed the boots, but that's on a P1, don't know how they would be on a P5?

 

[NitroxDiver]

I have only had one machine with a-arm guards and that’s also the only machine I have ever torn a boot on.

 

[JCart]

At issue is running over sticks and have them flip up and get caught between the A arms tearing the boots. Least that’s what has happened to me. Stick stoppers prevent that, on mine as I made them from UMHW I drilled holes in the bottom to drain the keerap out. So occasionally throughout the season I’ll hit them with the hose or intentionally Ford a deep stream. Only ever torn two boots so far, one from poking the front ent into stick, rear flipped up stick. Nothing since installing stopper. Mind you I also pay attention now too.
I say install them.
j

 

[futzin]

I thought about drilling holes as well. Appreciate everyone's input.

 

[JCart]

Probably not a lot of snow in Kentucky? Up North here in freezing weather (mud and Keerap) and/or winter snow will pack in around the axles boots with stoppers on. Typically when I park it I’ll clean all the snow and keerap out so it doesn’t freeze to the boots. Can be a bit of a hassle but just part of the game, mine never gets parked inside.
When I drilled holes in mine think I used a 3/4” hole saw and only places holes at the wheel end as that’s the lowest point, for the keerap to drain to. Never have had anything poke up into the holes either....
Cheers,
j

 

[futzin]

Appreciate the input, J. Not too much snow here, correct. I'm thinking a couple of smaller holes drilled. I rinse after a messy ride, but if it's late it may get done the next day, honestly. Currently able to keep it in neighbor garage at my little lake place (not heated).

 

[MidTN]

They are a must for me. I have wooded trails with lots of sticks and branches. I have the Aluminum products model which calls for removing the factory plastic boot guards due to rubbing at full steering extension. Well, much to my pleasant surprise this is not an issue on mine I'm assuming thanks to my 5+2 offset rims. So I get to have my cake and eat it too. I still get nervous a stick is going to get one of my boots if I haven't cleared the trail in awhile though.

As far as collecting debris, yes they do but I keep a leaf blower handy to blow the crap out. I mostly use the blower for my tractor to blow it off after bush hogging. A lot of people wonder why their tractor runs hot in the summer but they don't think to check the front grill for grass and debris from mowing. It seems I use my leaf blower for just about everything but leaves