Anyone use ATV to plow snow?

[PapaPerk]

Hello, I'm interested in any pics and feed back on using an ATV (4wheeler) to plow snow.

I have a Honda Foreman 450 I'm planning to install a plow on. Any brands better than others?

Thank u!

 

[ovrszd]

I used to have a Kawasaki Prairie 650. I bought a Warn plow for it. You're not gonna bust any huge drifts or cut packed snow. But they are fast. I have a 200yd long driveway and could remove 6" of fresh snow in just a few minutes. Once I got a blade for my SCUT I gave the ATV blade to a friend. He still uses it.

 

[PHPaul]

Better than a shovel, but that's about all I can say for my experience with them.

Fresh, relatively light snow - no problem.

As soon as you have to put any real effort into moving it, one of two things happens:

A) The ATV spins out, or

2) The angle of the plow pushes you off track.

Just my experience, and I was spoiled by much bigger equipment before I tried it with an ATV. I know several folks around here that use their ATV's exclusively and seem satisfied with them.

Edit to add:

Some summer folk I used to caretake for loaned me their Honda with a straight plow on it for one winter so I could see if I wanted to spend the money to put a plow on my King Quad. Based on the results of the straight plow, I didn't bother, but I think a Vee plow would be the answer to the side loading problem.

 

[B8FISH]

Yep--better than a shovel, for sure! I find that if I can get moving and then drop the blade it does a better job--momentum definitely a plus. I most dislike using the front winch to raise and lower the plow blade--my drive is relatively short--so I do a lot of back and forth which increases the raising and lowering--currently looking to relocate the switch for more convenience than where the dealer mounted it. Downside--it would then be in the way for all of the other ATV stuff--trail riding etc. (maybe just a winter placement will work). Also, it is faster to hop on and get to plowing than having to plug in the tractor and wait for it to warm up after it starts. FYI--Grizzly 550, Warn winch and Moose (I think) plow.

 

[joeyd]

I use a Country Cycle plow on my 750 Brute Force ATV. I chain all 4 tires to prevent heavier snow "pushing" me around when angled. I have used it for 5 years now and it's great when the snow is light, not as good in heavy wet snow. When it is really deep I use the tractor and blower, you have to get the snow off the side of the driveway.
I have a gravel drive and parking area so I have a 2" piece of sprinkler pipe cut down one side and slipped over the cutting edge. This keeps me from gouging the gravel when plowing. If you are going to plow on asphalt or concrete they recommend using a rubber edge, easily found by google search, also lots of threads here if you search on DIY options.

 

[Oaktree]

I have a Cycle Country plow on my early-90s vintage 350 Polaris. As others have noted, it's not for heavy wet snow, or for accumulations over 6" or so, but for lesser storms it's quicker & more maneuverable than the tractor. My blade just has a mechanical lever lift. I welded on an extension to the lift arm to get a bit more lift range on the blade. I also welded up a frame under the rear luggage rack to allow for a car battery...starts a lot easier, and runs the lights better if I need to plow after dark...lasts a lot longer than the little motorcycle battery it came with. The battery is one I replaced in my wife's car, still works great for this, extra weight over the rear wheels doesn't hurt either. Chains on the rear wheels and I'm ready to go!

 

[dzlaxer10]

I always plow with my Kawasaki Bayou 300 4X4 and it is a beast. Its smaller than other quads, but has enough power to push snow about one foot of wet snow. I am going to start using my 6x4 gator. i have a strobe light that i rigged up using a 2X4 and a metal plate on top. used U bolts to mount it on the back racks

 

[PHPaul]

Oaktree, I LIKE the idea of the car battery. I keep my Zook on a tender, but it still eats a battery every other year or so. (Doesn't get used much...)

 

[dzlaxer10]

if you get a plow get a warn plow and if you have a winch they are great, easy to mount. i use the mid-mount and i don't mind it, but the ground clearance is a problem. the mount for the mid mounts are usually easy to instal and the plow mounts with just 2 pins and one pin on the winch cable. i would never use a different plow

 

[KenB2920]

I have a Yamaha Kodiak 450 with 4' warn plow. Works pretty good. A couple things, I added a 25 lb weight from a weight bench and it slides in there perfect for some extra scrape. If you have lots of bumps and the plow "trips" the weight will fall off so I took a wire to tie it on. I said one day Id bolt it on but as soon as I have the tractor blade setup this blade will stay in the garage. The other thing I did was when the cutting edge of the plow wore out, I took a 4" piece of flat stock and drilled holes in it. I feel warm wants to much for replacement cutting edge. I think the plow works great all in all.

I have a Ariens 9526DLE pro sno-thrower and the plow is way faster. With that said, the Ariens will chew threw any compacted snow or ice thrown at it. Each tool has its place.