[Ketchn]

All winter I have been trying to figure out why I was losing power the more I was snow blowing. A couple of weeks ago I figured out it was snow clogging the engine air intake behind the drivers door.
Today I was out snow blowing 7 driveways, took me 3 hours. I had to get out and scrape snow off the air intake screen with my fingernails about 15 times. We had about 8 or 9 inches of snow with some blowing winds. When clean it had great power and threw snow a long way, but when clogged it would start losing power.

Does any know how I might move the air intake so it's more protected from the blowing snow?

 

[KeviNH]

Might be easier to heat the intake?

I had the same problem this winter. I think it's both too small, and in a bad location.

 

[Interceptor]

The Ranger 900 has the same problem. Some guys are removing the pipe that connects the side vent and installing a Ranger 800 intake baffle behind the seat. This puts the intake inside the cab and will create more noise inside, but it won't clog with snow. Part #5437950, under $20.

 

[Ketchn]

Thanks, that sounds great, I'll have to look into that.

 

[Interceptor]

That number I posted previously is just the baffle. There is a kit that comes with all the installation parts and a cap to close off the original inlet, #2205192, about $40. It's designed to also take care of the CVT intake on the Ranger, so it will have some extra parts you don't need. I haven't heard of these being used on the Brutus but I assume it will work since it's basically the same chassis.

 

[KeviNH]

Cool. Too bad about the increased cab noise, good thing I have a way to make that more bearable.

Seems like it's a design issue common to several models based on the Ranger/XP900, to the extent that the kit gets backordered and people make their own workaround.

 

[KeviNH]

After considering the homebrew PVC option, I just ordered Polaris "SVC,INTAKE,SNOW,TTN" Part # 2205192, should be here next week.

 

[Ketchn]

I need to order that part also.
I need to get off my butt and tear apart the snowblower also and replace the key that sheared in snowblower gear box, winters coming.

 

[KeviNH]

I installed the Polaris air intake kit.

You will need two torx drivers for this install. You need a T40 bit to remove the large bolts, and you will also need a long T20 screwdriver to remove the two screws that hold the seat back on. You can try to do it with a T20 bit and bit driver, but it goes a lot easier if you purchase a magnetized T20 one-piece screwdriver.
First, lift the rear box and inspect rear panel of the cab from the outside. you will see two rubber plugs behind the driver's seat. Remove both:

Behind each plug you will find a screw. use the T20 screwdriver to remove both screws. Now you can remove the back of the driver's seat. Loosen the hose clamp below the driver's seat and wiggle the bottom of the air intake connection free.

You might be able to remove the intake house duct, now, but I found it easier to remove the B-pillar plastic cover. Removing the B-pillar plastic rrequires a T40 bit and also removing plastic push nuts..

Use the included red plastic plug to cover the original air intake opening on the B-pillar cover. You may need to remove the existing rubber ring from the pillar-side part of the intake for the plug to fit, I used tape to keep the plug on, and stuffed the intake with foam material for soundproofing.

This is the baffle you will be installing behind the driver's seat:

Insert the black foam filter material, then seat the baffle on the opening below the driver's seat, and tighten the hose clamp. I faced the open side of the baffle towards the back of the cab, but I think it would work either direction:

 

[Ketchn]

Thanks for the great updat with photos.
Now I have to put my snowblower back together as the shaft that goes thru the fan to the auger gear case sheared inside the gear case where it was machined to a smaller diameter. I'll try to get pictures as I put it back together

 

[KeviNH]

Air intake verdict: Definitely worthwhile, my second best mod so far.

Instaling the Polaris air intake kit has really helped, no more snow on the intake.

This week we had about a foot of wet, heavy snow, so I did a run with the plow last night, and then ran the snowblower today.

Usually the snowblower would clog the air intake if I directed the output chute to the driver's side at all, but with the relocated intake, not a bit of snow on the now cosmetic-only external filter material, and no engine strain on the hills.

Definitely worthwhile, my second best mod so far (light bar comes in first)

 

[GlennP]

How much difference with the interior noise? Not that it was ever reasonably quiet by any standard. Has anyone ever considered some kind of "snorkel" DIY?

 

[KeviNH]

I've always worn noise cancelling headphones or earmuffs

How much difference with the interior noise? Not that it was ever reasonably quiet by any standard.

Since I relocated the intake to the cabin, have used it for 3 snow storms. Any difference in interior noise is hardly noticeable, about as loud as before, I'll try to get some dB meter measurements from the driver's seat.

Has anyone ever considered some kind of "snorkel" DIY?

There are Polaris Ranger snorkel kits, but they aren't compatible with the full cab.