Do you actually plow snow with your UTV? for multiple seasons?

[milkman636]

No machine is good, or perfect at all jobs and UTV's or ATV's with pods on them are the same with snow. Nonetheless, after lake snow kicks in here and we start receiving a little snow on most days, by spring its over 200" worth. Our little 6x6 (1600lb with pods) can push it into piles in far less time while making me less wet, than blowing it does. It can't push everything but still does good job in less time. I should add, we had the drive belt replaced this summer and my mechanic said it looked good after 4 years of operation with pods on and in deep snow.

Hope that helps! Oh and if possible, get a machine with power assist steering. Pods are harder on the operators upper body.

Thanks Arly A. Power steering will be included on whatever I get. I even had it on my quad, and my wife will also be driving whatever I get too. I've been researching CVts more the last couple of days. There some differences in how the clutching and engine braking happen between brands. I even found that polaris has its own specialty shop (SVI) that offers upgrades(duraclutch) to their own clutches to provide better performance and belt life. It kinda sounds like they're making theirs work more like the Yamaha Ultramatic. I'm not quite as concerned about the belts as I was previously. I'm gonna keep trying to learn a little more about CVTs that I'm considering.

 

[ArlyA]

I'm no atv/utv guru since we only use them for work.... Seems like most manufacturers have gone to having the CTV belt that's engaged at all times, then they add a wet clutch to the system so the engine can freewheel when needed. Our 2014 machine has a system like, so when we go down a hill, the engine is connected to the drive and it brakes. Maybe some of these atv/utv fellows will chime in who are more knowledgeable than I. That wouldn't take much! :laughing:

 

[ruffdog]

A person should test drive a few different models before buying and drive it in conditions that mimic your plowing. If you will be shifting between forward/reverse quite a bit, test drive it and do the same. If it is clunky now, it will be much worse when it is freezing and blowing in January.

 

[milkman636]

A person should test drive a few different models before buying and drive it in conditions that mimic your plowing. If you will be shifting between forward/reverse quite a bit, test drive it and do the same. If it is clunky now, it will be much worse when it is freezing and blowing in January.

Good suggestion, I haven’t really been simulating plowing in any of my test driving. So far all I’ve tested have been the RTV, a Viking and a Ranger. None of them has stood out as being clunky yet. Sounds like a good reason to go back and drive them again.

 

[mbergeon]

Good suggestion, I haven稚 really been simulating plowing in any of my test driving. So far all I致e tested have been the RTV, a Viking and a Ranger. None of them has stood out as being clunky yet. Sounds like a good reason to go back and drive them again.

I'm south of Lansing, MI - own a Honda Pioneer 1000 with a denali plow. In 20 years I've plowed with an old Landcruiser, a 963 bobcat, a Honda Foreman, a 50 HP 4wd tractor and for the last 3 years the pioneer. My parents live 1/2 mile away, if I wasn't plowing them out I'd probably still be plowing with the quad, I bought chains for the quad, but radial tires work almost as good as chains. The pioneer works great, pushes fine, could use a little more down pressure. I do have glass windshield with wiper, soft upper doors and a heater.

Let me know if you're in the area and want to check it out.View attachment IMG_20171225_121724567.jpg

View attachment IMG_20171225_121648626.jpg

 

[workinonit]

I have a Polaris Ranger I bought new in 2007. 700 XP. I'm luke warm on Polaris and (U), (A), (R) TVs and all TVs in general. I can't see putting 20 to 30 grand in something you have to work on all the time when you can buy a new tractor with that money. If you are interested in Polaris here is a forum that you should go join. Lots of good information there regarding purchases, maintenance and upgrades. prcforum.com

 

[ArlyA]

Gee, we must get more snow than 99% of the folks on TBN! :laughing:

 

[mbergeon]

Gee, we must get more snow than 99% of the folks on TBN! :laughing:

Houghton? YES, yes you do. I think we got 3 foot total last year, with some good melts in between. I can't imagine some of the roads with hills in Houghton and Hancock in the winter.

 

[ruffdog]

Once you get good equipment, it seems the snows get wimpier. I miss the Mega Blizzards.

 

[grsthegreat]

Gee, we must get more snow than 99% of the folks on TBN! :laughing:

we can get 10 feet over season, but you get lake effect snow i bet...that really sucks. ours gets spread out.