| There's snow falling from the mountains in California, | | | | sort of like anti-scalping devices for snow plows. |
| over the plains states and moving towards the East | | | | They prevent the plow from digging too deep and |
| Coast. The weather channel is calling it a BLIZZARD. | | | | keep it floating across the surface. Wear bars add |
| Those who live in the snow belt know what this | | | | strength to the plow blades and are designed to cut |
| means... it's time to shovel the drive. But there is an | | | | a better path. They come in both steel and plastic. |
| easier way. | | | | End shields reduce the amount of snow from |
| That's with an ATV. We can hear some people | | | | escaping from the plow blade and produce more |
| saying, "What about a lawn tractor?" We usually | | | | efficient plowing. Those rubber flaps on the top of |
| come back with something like, "How much | | | | some snow plows are good because they prevent |
| suspension travel does your Cub Cadet have?" Or | | | | flying snow from hitting the operator or allowing |
| "What's its top speed?" That usually quiets the critics. | | | | snow and ice to pass over the plow and coat the |
| Even small skid loader fans can't argue with an ATV's | | | | radiator. |
| versatility or affordability. | | | | As we said before, traction is important for plowing |
| We compiled a few tips and tricks for ATV owners | | | | snow. Some underpowered ATVs or 2WD quads will |
| who plan to use their quad for plowing snow. From | | | | require the addition of tire chains. These will give the |
| choosing the right size and style of snow plow blade | | | | rear wheels more traction and prevent them from |
| to lifting choices to other parts and accessories, we'll | | | | slipping on the slick snow and ice. For super slippery |
| help you move more snow. | | | | spots or driveways with hills, you can even add tire |
| Machine | | | | studs. We found it best to add the small, sharpened |
| It's pretty obvious in the snow, where traction is a | | | | sheet metal screws to an old set of stock tires for |
| necessity, four-wheel drive is an important feature | | | | winter use. Be aware, both of these methods could |
| for plowing. However, even some 4×4s | | | | do damage to your driveway, depending on the |
| struggle with stock tires (more on that later). And | | | | conditions and the type of surface it is. |
| we've heard from some owners that in light, fluffy | | | | A few ATV owners we know with large driveways |
| snow conditions their 2WD ute has performed | | | | use a pull-behind broadcast spreader filled with salt or |
| flawlessly. However, in most cases a 4×4 quad | | | | ice melt to keep ice from forming once they've |
| is the best choice. Some of these models now have | | | | plowed. This is especially important if the surrounding |
| a locking front differential that can improve traction, | | | | snow piles melt back on to your sidewalk or |
| too. And some manufacturers have released models | | | | driveway. |
| with power steering, which they claim will drastically | | | | Procedure |
| lighten the steering effort of a 4×4 quad when | | | | One way to determine you are plowing your |
| plowing snow. That's especially important when you | | | | driveway correctly is to watch someone who has |
| factor in the extra weight that's added by bolting on | | | | experience doing it. Of course, you could learn by the |
| a snow plow kit. | | | | seat of your pants, but watching someone else do it |
| Plow Choices | | | | could pay off. Watching snow plowing could mean |
| For the snow belt, moving snow with an ATV is a | | | | watching that diesel truck push snow across the |
| big deal. First of all, it replaces shoveling. Secondly, it | | | | bank parking lot, or it could mean watching your |
| proves to your spouse the ATV was a sensible and | | | | neighbor use his ATV. The goal is to learn what not |
| useful purchase. | | | | to do. |
| ATV snow plow blades come in all sorts of shapes | | | | Don't plow fast! This can be dangerous because the |
| and sizes. From 42-inch blades to 60-inch DOT-style | | | | blade could catch on an edge or rock or curb and |
| designs to V-shape configurations, it can be confusing | | | | force the ATV to a jarring halt. Typically, you'll want |
| selecting the correct plow for your ATV or UTV. | | | | to drive at a pace that both pushes snow |
| Yeah, that's right, some plow manufacturers are | | | | effectively, yet is not so fast it damages the blade |
| even producing snow blades for side-by-side utility | | | | or any of its parts. Practice makes perfect. Plus, your |
| machines. | | | | quad's speed will be determined by the amount of |
| Our rule of thumb is, for any 4×4 less than | | | | traction it's getting and the type of snow you are |
| 500cc displacement, select a plow that's smaller than | | | | trying to move. |
| 50 inches. For quads with engines larger than 500cc, | | | | Don't tear up your lawn. A smart move is to push |
| you can go with a 60-inch blade or larger. The largest | | | | the snow further than to the edge of your |
| big-bore utility quads should be able to handle 72-inch | | | | driveway, if possible. That way, when the |
| blades as well. Keep in mind, most quads are roughly | | | | temperature warms up, the snow won't melt on your |
| 48 inches wide and to plow a path equal to the width | | | | driveway and form patchy ice. The theory is, if you |
| of the ATV, you'll need at least a 50-inch blade. The | | | | push it far enough away from your driveway, it will |
| smallest blades, those 42 to 48 inches wide, when | | | | melt into the ground and not on the driveway. |
| angled, will make paths smaller than 48 inches wide. | | | | Don't push all the snow in your driveway to the end |
| Most blades are steel and powder coated in a variety | | | | of the drive, especially if it's a wet, sticky snow. All |
| of colors. Depending on the size and design, | | | | this will do is create one large, firmly packed wall of |
| obviously, some are heavier than others. One of the | | | | white stuff. Your ATV is not powerful enough to |
| lightest snow plows is the heavy-duty aluminum | | | | move it and that means you'll have to bust out a |
| SnowSport by Agri-Cover, which has been anodized | | | | shovel. |
| and hardened. It's different than most blades | | | | We've tried several methods over the years and a |
| because its lighter and does not need to be lifted off | | | | down and back method seems to work for us. It |
| the ground. | | | | creates less snow build up or deep spots. We've also |
| Blades can be used to cut straight paths or angled to | | | | pushed one direction to the edge of a driveway and |
| push the snow to the side of the ATV, much like a | | | | then stopped, reversed the quad and created a new |
| DOT dump truck does on the highway. Some of the | | | | path in the same direction. However, you must lift |
| heavier plows will require you to tune your quad's | | | | the blade off the ground before you back up, unless |
| front suspension (read: up the preload). The additional | | | | the manufacturer says it's not necessary. |
| weight of a winch, plow, plow tubes and more will | | | | Some professional snow plow operators have learned |
| make the front end squat when the blade is | | | | the skill of lifting the plow blade as they approach the |
| attached and especially when lifted in the air. If the | | | | pile. This has a couple advantages. The first is it lifts |
| stock shocks don't offer enough preload adjustment, | | | | the snow to new heights and helps you push it |
| though most should, you can explore purchasing | | | | farther off your driveway or open lot. The second is |
| aftermarket shocks. A few preload devices exist for | | | | it prevents you from smashing into the wall of snow |
| machines with struts up front, too. These bolt-on | | | | and possibly damaging the blade or its parts. |
| suspensions will help during plowing and while enjoying | | | | This is far easier to learn and accomplish with either a |
| trails. It's a win-win. | | | | winch-operated plow or with an electric lift device. |
| Lifting Choices | | | | You only have to master the toggle switch. While |
| When it comes to lifting the plow, you basically have | | | | you are doing this, carefully inspect the winch or lift |
| three choices: Hand, winch, electronic actuator or | | | | cable for any ice/snow dams or pinching. |
| similar device. The manual lift is the most affordable | | | | Don't assume your plow will always work perfectly. |
| design, but it's also the most cumbersome to operate | | | | Regardless of which system you select, you must |
| and difficult to lift. The winch-assisted lifting is ideal | | | | examine it before, during and after each usage. Look |
| for many ATV owners, because they already have a | | | | at it before you plow for loose parts or winch cable |
| winch installed for other reasons. | | | | damage, for example. Inspect it while you plow to |
| Finally, the most expensive method is the electronic | | | | prevent ice build up, which can make pushing snow |
| actuator. It actually has an auxiliary motor and does | | | | more difficult. Finally, examine after you plow so you |
| all the plow lifting and lowering via a toggle switch. | | | | know it will be ready to go the next time you need |
| Snow plow enthusiasts love it because it saves their | | | | it. Plus, if you find any damage, you may have time |
| winch cable and simplifies the operating process. | | | | to order new parts before the next massive snow |
| Parts & Accessories | | | | storm hits. |
| For plowing snow, some people want every | | | | Despite being called snow plows, the majority of |
| accessory they can get. This includes parts such as | | | | ATV owners find other uses for the blades. From |
| blade markers or those yellow or orange sticks | | | | working on the farm to cleaning stables to pushing |
| marking the edge of the plow blade. This helps to | | | | dirt, sand and rock around a landscape site, ATV |
| avoid hidden landscape blocks, because the operator | | | | plow blades are extremely versatile. |
| can always see the edge of the blade. Foot skids are | | | | |