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Want to Learn about ATV – UTV Snow Plow kits?

Recently, I had the privilege of comparing several manufacturers of ATV/UTV snow plow equipment side by side: Warn, Cycle Country and Quadboss. Each company gives you the option of choosing your equipment, but Cross Country also had a nice kit for the “just send
what I need and let’s get-r-done” crowd.

“What components do I need? How do I know what to buy?”
Well, these were my same questions until I had the benefit of having reps from each company demonstrate the installation and use of their products. Most catalogs say choose your blade, your arm, your mount – making it more difficult than it needs to be. While they all “appear” different, they all mount the same way. Choosing the mount is my preferred starting point, so here goes.

First, you need a mounting plate.

Your plow system attaches to this plate so you want the strongest location. Generally speaking, the strongest mounting locations are under the ATV or UTV on the frame. These are called forward mounts and mid-mounts and are simply attached to the underside of the ATV or UTV frame.  The mounts are somewhat universal in nature between models and attach using U-bolts. The best part is you can install these yourself with basic tools in about 10-15 minutes! Front mounts are also available and mount on the front of the ATV. However, many of them must mount onto a pre-mounted winch mount or receiver as extra reinforcement is usually necessary for many front mounts.

Second, you want a push tube. 

The push tube easily attaches to the mount by way of pins or latches, extending under the ATV/UTV and extending out the front for blade attachment. The push tube detaches just as easy for snow plow system removal. Generally speaking, there are two kinds of push tubes –straight and articulating. A straight push tube keeps lifting until the push tube is stopped by the bottom of the ATV/UTV’s frame.  

                                                               If you need more lift height, consider an articulating push tube. When this type of tube is stopped by the frame, the blade will continue to rise because this push tube has a hinge just past the front of the frame that comes into play –
giving you more height for going over obstacles.

Third, choose your blade!

Blades come in a variety of widths. For an ATV mounted snow plow system, you need 500cc to push a 60” plow blade. 72” blades are for UTV’s. Your straight blades are more universal and out-sell the rest. Blades are available in poly, steel, straight, tapered and the rail road track clearing type “V” blade. In comparing the poly blade against the steel, the rigidity was not lacking in the poly blade and it was surprising stout! Don’t doubt the poly’s ruggedness! Most people will choose the straight blade for its versatility whereas tapered blades are directional. Also, the standard blade mount allows for manual left-right adjustments for angling the blade various degrees. 

Finally, how do I lift the plow blade?

If you already have a winch, just hook the cable to the push bar. If you don’t have a winch and don’t want one, you can get a manual arm that works much like ones on lawn tractors. Though not as fancy, they work well and mount either on the front luggage rack or go under the frame.

Many of the ATVs I saw simply used tie-down straps running from the front luggage rack to the push bar. Riders would lift the bar, yank on the strap and go. Want it down?  Push the button and let it fall. So, you have three lift options: winch, manual lift bar or tie-down straps. Each method works well. The only difference is convenience and how it affects your pocketbook.

Now, how are you going to get all that power to ground to push all that snow? Well, tire chains, tracks… but that’s another story.