GROUNDHOG LOADER ATV
ASSEMBLY/OPERATOR/PARTS MANUAL
330 6th St., Suite B, PO Box 581, Hawley, MN 56549
Phone: 218-483-1000
Website: www.wildharemfg.com
ATV Groundhog Loader
WARRANTY REGISTRATION FORM
WARRANTY REGISTRATION
This form must be filled out and signed by the customer within 7 days of the time of delivery and
before the loader is installed. Mail completed form to:
Wild Hare Manufacturing, Inc., 330 6th St. Suite B, PO Box 581, Hawley, MN 56549
Customer’s Name________________________________________________
Address________________________________________________________
City, State, Code_________________________________________________
Phone Number (____) ________________________
E-Mail Address __________________________________________________
Model Number ___________________________________________________
Delivery Date ____________________________________________________
The above equipment and Operator/Assembly Manual have been received by me and I have
thoroughly read and understand the manual and its contents regarding care, adjustments, safe
operation and applicable warranty policy.
Date____/______/__________
Owner’s Signature________________________________
STORAGE SAFETY
1. Store unit in an area away from human activity.
2. Do not permit children to play on or around the stored Groundhog Loader.
SAFETY SIGNS
1. Keep safety signs clean and legible at all times.
2. Replace safety signs that are missing or have become illegible.
3. Replaced parts that displayed a safety sign should also display the current sign.
4. Safety signs are available from your distributor or the factory.
How to Install Safety Signs:

Be sure that the installation area is clean and dry.

Decide on the exact position before you remove the backing paper.

Align the sign over the specified area and carefully press the small portion with the exposed
sticky backing in place.

Slowly peel back the remaining paper and carefully smooth the remaining portion of the sign
in place.

Small air pockets can be pierced with a pin and smoothed out using the piece of sign backing
paper.
MAINTENANCE
Oil Level – With all cylinders retracted, oil level should be about ¾” from the top of the oil
reservoir.
Oil Type – Dextron III ATF
Check for loose bolts periodically and tighten when necessary, especially after the first week of
operation.
MAINTENANCE SAFETY
1. Review the Operator’s Manual and all safety items before working with, maintaining or
operating the loader.
2. Follow good shop practices:



Keep service area clean and dry.
Be sure electrical outlets and tools are properly grounded.
Use adequate light for the job at hand.
3. Before applying pressure to hydraulic system make sure that all connections are tight and that
all hoses and fittings are in good condition.
4. Keep hands, feet, clothing and hair away from all moving and/or rotating parts.
5. Clear the area of bystanders, when carrying out any maintenance and repairs or making any
adjustments.
TRANSPORT SAFETY
1. Read and understand ALL the information in the Operator’s Manual regarding procedures
and SAFETY when operating the Groundhog Loader in the field and/or on the road.
2. Check with local authorities regarding transport on public roads. Obey all applicable laws
and regulations.
3. Always travel at a safe speed. Use caution when making corners or meeting traffic.
4. Make sure all the lights and reflectors that are required by the local highway and transport
authorities are in place, are clean and can be seen clearly by all overtaking and oncoming
traffic.
HYDRAULIC SAFETY
1. Make sure that all the components in the pump system are kept in good condition and are
clean.
2. Do not attempt any makeshift repairs to the hydraulic lines, fittings or hoses by using tapes,
clamps or cements. They hydraulic system operates under extremely high pressure. Such
repairs will fail suddenly and create a hazardous and unsafe condition.
3. Wear proper hand and eye protection when searching for a high pressure hydraulic leak. Use
a piece of wood or cardboard as a backstop instead of hands to isolate and identify a leak.
4. If injured by a concentrated high-pressure stream of hydraulic fluid, seek medical attention
immediately. Serious infection or toxic reaction can develop from hydraulic fluid piercing
the skin surface.
GENERAL SAFETY
1. Read and understand the Operator’s Manual and all safety signs before operating,
maintaining or adjusting the Groundhog Loader.
2. Only trained competent persons shall operate the Groundhog Loader. An untrained operator
is not qualified to operate the machine.
3. Do not allow riders.
4. Wear appropriate protective gear. This list includes but is not limited to:
 Helmet
 Leather Gloves
 Protective Clothing
5. Place all controls in OFF or neutral, unplug power cord and wait for all moving parts to stop
before servicing, adjusting, or repairing.
OPERATING SAFETY
1. Read and understand the Operator Manual and all safety signs before using.
2. Keep all guards and shields in place when operating.
3. Keep hands, feet, hair and clothing away from all moving and/or rotating parts.
4. Check for and stay away from underground and overhead power cables before digging or
operating.
5.
Clear the area of all bystanders before starting.
6. Do not allow riders on the machine or in the bucket.
7. Do not smoke when refueling.
8. Be a courteous driver.
9. Do not drink and drive.
10. Carry the load as low to the ground as possible.
11. Always operate from the operator’s seat.
12. Do not exceed 5 MPH (8KPH).
13. Remove suspension locks before any recreational riding.

Think SAFETY! Work SAFELY!
REMEMBER – If safety signs have been damaged, removed, become illegible or parts replaced
without safety signs, new signs must be applied. New safety signs are available from your
authorized dealer.
SAFETY
YOU are responsible for the SAFE operation and maintenance of your new Groundhog Loader.
YOU must ensure that you and anyone else who is going to operate, maintain or work around the
Groundhog Loader be familiar with the operating and maintenance procedures and related
SAFETY information contained in this manual. This manual will take you step-by-step through
your working day and alerts you to all good safety practices that should be adhered to while
operating the Groundhog Loader.
Remember, YOU are the key to safety. Good safety practices not only protect you but also the
people around you. Make these practices a working part of your safety program. Be certain that
EVERYONE operating this equipment is familiar with the recommended operating and
maintenance procedures and follows all the safety precautions. Most accidents can be prevented.
Do not risk injury or death by ignoring good safety practices.

The most important safety devise on this equipment is a SAFE operator. It is the operator’s
responsibility to read and understand ALL Safety and Operating instructions in the manual
and to follow these. All accidents can be avoided.

A person who has not read and understood all operating and safety instructions is not
qualified to operate the machine. An untrained operator exposes himself and bystanders to
possible serious injury or death.

Do not modify the equipment in any way. Unauthorized modifications may impair the
function and/or safety and could affect the life of the equipment.

Think SAFETY! Work SAFELY!
Wild Hare Manufacturing, Inc.
PRODUCT WARRANTY
WILD HARE MANUFACTURING, INC. warrants to the original purchaser
(Purchaser) only, each new item sold by WILD HARE MANUFACTURING, INC. to be
free of defects in workmanship or materials for a period of twelve (12) months from the
date the product is delivered to the Purchaser (Warranty Period).
The sole obligation of WILD HARE MANUFACTURING, INC. is limited to the
repair or replacement, whichever WILD HARE MANUFACTURING, INC. chooses, of
those parts which WILD HARE MANUFACTURING, INC., in its sole discretion,
determines to have failed as a result of a defect in workmanship or material occurring
during the Warranty Period. Such defective part will, at the option of WILD HARE
MANUFACTURING, INC., either be repaired or replaced to the Purchaser through an
authorized WILD HARE MANUFACTURING, INC. dealer. The Purchaser must, within
the Warranty Period, give written notice to WILD HARE MANUFACTURING, INC. and
allow reasonable time to repair or replace the defective part.
This Warranty does not cover damage to other parts of the product caused as a
result of delay by the Purchaser to repair or replace defective parts. WILD HARE
MANUFACTURING, INC. will not be liable for direct or indirect costs other than those
specified, and this Warranty specifically excludes loss of use, transportation expense,
service calls, normal maintenance and upkeep costs, overtime labor costs, and any and
all other injuries, claims or consequential damage or other economic loss. This
Warranty does not cover damage caused to or by any equipment, accessories or parts
attached to or used in connection with WILD HARE MANUFACTURING, INC.
equipment. This Warranty shall be void if alteration, modifications or additions are
made to WILD HARE MANUFACTURING, INC. products without the written consent of
WILD HARE MANUFACTURING, INC., or if in WILD HARE MANUFACTURING, INC.'s
judgment, the failure was due to abuse or neglect in the operation or maintenance of the
product. This Warranty shall only apply if WILD HARE MANUFACTURING, INC.
equipment is used for its recommended purpose. No dealer, salesman, or agent has
any authority to alter or amend this Warranty.
THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED
OR IMPLIED, AND THERE IS NO WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
WARRANTY VOID IF NOT REGISTERED
SAFETY SIGN LOCATIONS
The types of safety signs and locations on the
equipment are shown in the illustration below.
Good safety requires that you familiarize
yourself with the various safety signs, the type of warning and the area, or particular function
related to that area, that requires your SAFETY AWARENESS.
TOOLS REQUIRED
2 – 7/16” Wrenches
2 – 9/16” Wrenches
1 – Pliers
1 – Hammer
1 – 3/8” Hand Drill
1 – 13/32” Drill Bit
1 – Utility Knife
Some Blocking
Tape Measure
Step 1) Unpack carton, and using the parts lists, separate and identify all the different parts.
Read all the instructions thoroughly before you start. This will be a big help as we move along.
Step 2) Locate part 1040622 (Legs) and place it on the
Front Rack of your ATV as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1
Step 3) Locate Plate (1019513), two u-bolts
(1040437) and 4 nuts (1011576) and fasten to back
rack as shown in figure 2. DO NOT TIGHTEN UBOLTS AT THIS TIME.
Figure 2
Step 4) Locate part 1040626 (Bottom Plate) and
place it under the Frame of your ATV as shown in
Figure 3, using equal blocking to keep it snug and
in approximate alignment with Legs.
Figure 3
Locate part 1040624 (Feet, 2 pieces) and set them
in place as shown in Figure 4 using the holes
provided in both Legs and Feet for adjusting. Put
1014174 (bolt, 2 pieces) through adjustment
holes and fasten 1011586 (washer, 2 pieces)
and 1011576 (nut, 2 pieces) to bolts as shown
in Figure 4. DO NOT TIGHTEN BOLTS.
Figure 4
Repeat process on opposite side. Using 1011600 (bolt, pieces) and 1011586 (washer, 2 pieces)
attach Feet to Bottom Plate as shown in Figure 5. DO NOT TIGHTEN BOLTS. Repeat
process on opposite side.
Throughout the assembly process, ignore
alignment and gaps. Final tightening will
automatically align and bring parts together.
Figure 5
Step 5) Attach part 1040623 (Arms) to
Legs
using 1040611 (pins, 2 pieces) and 1040616 (clips,
2 pieces) as shown in Figure 6).
Figure 6
Step 6) Then using 1040613 (pin, 2 pieces) and
1040616 (clip, 2 pieces) attach Lift Cylinder to Arms
as shown in figure 7.
Figure 7
Step 7) Using 1040613 (pin, 2 pieces) and 1040614 (clip, 2
pieces) attach Lift Cylinder to Legs as shown in Figure 8.
Figure 8
Step 8) Adjust loader back or forth on ATV
making sure Arms are no closer than 2” from
the front of the ATV, as shown in Figure 9.
Also, center the loader on the ATV.
Figure 9
Step 9) Now we want to fasten Bottom Plate to the ATV.
Having adjusted the loader front to back and side to side,
check to see that your Controls (shifter, brakes, etc.)
operate properly. You may need to cut holes in Bottom
Plate or add Risers to lower Bottom Plate. (If you do this,
you need to adjust Legs and Feet again). Having made any
modifications necessary, drill two holes through the Floor
Figure 10
Board of the ATV following through part Bottom Plate as shown in Figures 10 and 11.
(Make sure there is nothing that will
interfere with the Riser, (Braces, Wires,
etc.)
Figure 11
Step 10) Check to see that you have done all the previous steps correctly. If so, then TIGHTEN
ALL FASTENERS.
Step 11) Mount pump on back rack.
Step 12)Install battery box on back rack of ATV as
shown in figure 12. Follow instructions found inside
box for installation. Place deep cycle battery in box
Step 13)Locate part Power Cord attached to hydraulic
unit and attach to the Battery as shown in Figure 12, Red
to + positive and Black to – negative. Also include the
white (positive) and black (negative).
Figure 12
Step 14) Attach white (+) and black (-) cords to ATV
battery. This will allow the ATV battery to charge the
deep cycle battery.
Step 15) Locate 1040633 (Switch Set) and using
1013122 (zip-tie, 2 pieces) attach Switch Set to
handle bar as close to the grip as is feasible as shown
in Figure 13. Find corresponding Plug at the power
unit and plug it in.
Figure 13
Step 16) Bolt hydraulic manifold to
front loader frame as shown in Figure
14, using 2 5/16 bolts, nuts, and lock
washer.
Step 17) Attach hoses from the bottom
valve on the power unit to the bottom 2
fittings on hydraulic manifold. Attach
hoses to from the top valve on the
power unit to the top 2 fittings on the
hydraulic manifold as shown in figure
14.
Figure 15
Figure 14
Step 18)After you have drilled your holes, measure the
distance between the bottom of the floor boards and the top of
the Bottom Plate and select the Riser, or combination of Risers
to within about ¼” and put them in between Bottom Plate and
the ATV as shown in Figure 15. Now select the proper length
bolt and using 1011586 (lock washer, 2 pieces), 1014608(flat
washer, 2 pieces) and 1011576 (nut, 2 pieces) fasten bottom
plate to ATV. DO NOT TIGHTEN BOLTS. Repeat this
process on opposite side.
Locate 1040625 (Bucket) and attach it to Arms using
1040612 (pin, 2 pieces) and 1040616 (clips, 2 pieces)
as shown in Figure 16.
Figure 16
Step 19) Attach Cylinder to Bucket using 1040614 (pin, 1
piece) and 1040616 (clip, 1 piece) as shown in Figure 17.
Figure 17
Step 20) Fill hydraulic reservoir with fluid provided.
Now using the two switches, cycle hour loader up and
down and tilt your bucket up and down. As you raise
the loader the first time you will have to add more fluid
to fill the hoses and cylinders. Lower the loader and let
the hydraulic fluid settle and let all the air escape.
Repeat this process a few times to let the air out of
hydraulic lines. When all the air has been worked out
Figure 18
of the cylinders (fluid will not be foamy) retract all the
cylinders and check the fluid level. The reservoir
should be between ½ to ¾ full. Do not fill the reservoir full to the top, this will cause fluid to
leak out of breather plug. Now place shield over power unit and bolt in place using the ¼” bolts,
flat washers and lock washers provided. Figure 18
SUSPENSION LOCKS
Step 1) Slide 1040697 (Upper Fork) into 1040698 (Lower
Fork), and using 1016853 (bolt) and 1013240 (nut) adjust
lock for spring height as in Figure 1.
Figure 1
Step 2) Using 1040699 (Chain), and 1029142 (cotter pin)
adjust for diameter of spring being careful not to get it too
tight as in Figure 2.
Figure 2
When it is adjusted, bend cotter pin as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3
You may need to adjust chain length by adding or subtracting links.
Figure 1
ATTENTION!
Some Honda, Arctic Cat, and Bombardiers (the models with aluminum spring retainers) require
the use of part #1040812 (clamp).
Position clamp directly under spring retainer as shown in Figure 1 making sure that it will not
interfere with anything and tighten securely. This will keep the retainer from falling and causing
damage to your suspension.