plowing with an atv/utv

txcwgrlmom · May 30, 2012

I saw a plow for the utv that had decent reviews for about $250. I was thinking this would be nice for a garden and tilling up a couple of acres for rye grass. Has anyone used one? Comments and suggestions welcome.by the way I am using my kubota rtv 500. Thank you.

RickB · May 30, 2012

Sounds like a prime way to trash a UTV driveline.
Just because it seemed like a good idea to build and sell such an item doesn't mean it is a good idea to buy it and use it.

Martian · May 30, 2012

I've never heard of something like that. Heard of snow plowing, but not garden plowing with a UTV. Do you have a link or pictures? Not sure I would try it, but if a UTV is all you got, then it might be worth a shot. If you have a tractor, they are definitely a better option.

KentT · May 30, 2012

There's no way that I would ever try to use a garden plow with my UTV. It is simply geared too high, even in Low Range, to pull hard at low speeds....

I even question how well the food plot discs would work, without running over it a dozen times (packing it back down on each pass) because of the higher ground speed....

txcwgrlmom · May 30, 2012

Go to amazon.com and type in tiller to see different models for utv,s and atv's.
. How will this trash a drive line if the utv will pull a 1,000 lb pay load? I am just trying to figure this out. Thank you.

timswi · May 30, 2012

txcwgrlmom said:
Go to amazon.com and type in tiller to see different models for utv,s and atv's.
. How will this trash a drive line if the utv will pull a 1,000 lb pay load? I am just trying to figure this out. Thank you.

Pulling a tiller doesn't really stress the machine beyond what it was designed for....Some non-powered impliments certainly will depending on the UTV..An RTV500 is a very good machine, but I wouldn't go out of my way to beat it senseless.

I used a plow on an RTV500 to move snow (excellent) and some loose material but not for ground work. Wouldn't try that with my RTV1100 either...We're just giving the warnings.

RickB · May 31, 2012

txcwgrlmom said:
Go to amazon.com and type in tiller to see different models for utv,s and atv's.
. How will this trash a drive line if the utv will pull a 1,000 lb pay load? I am just trying to figure this out. Thank you.

The question was about a plow, not a tiller. UTV's aren't designed for high draft loads, and probably won't stand up to the demands of a moldboard plow. Not quite like pulling a half ton on a cart.

KentT · May 31, 2012

ATVs/UTVs are simply not designed to pull hard for extended periods of time, at 1-2 MPH, which is the speed you need to be working at when pulling EITHER a plow or a tiller...

They'll pull hard at 5-10 MPH, for long periods of time, perhaps, but not at 1-2 MPH...

They'd likely overheat, and it certainly can't be good for their transmissions, regardless of what type of transmission they have. ATVs and UTVs have high-RPM engines, in comparison to tractors. They like to run at 3500-4000 RPM or higher, not work all day at 1600-2000 RPM...

timswi · May 31, 2012

KentT said:
ATVs/UTVs are simply not designed to pull hard for extended periods of time, at 1-2 MPH, which is the speed you need to be working at when pulling EITHER a plow or a tiller...

They'll pull hard at 5-10 MPH, for long periods of time, perhaps, but not at 1-2 MPH...

They'd likely overheat, and it certainly can't be good for their transmissions, regardless of what type of transmission they have. ATVs and UTVs have high-RPM engines, in comparison to tractors. They like to run at 3500-4000 RPM or higher, not work all day at 1600-2000 RPM...

I was thinking under an hour with a tiller..Your right, an extended run woud be tough on the machine...A run of the mill garden or a small lawn repair would be OK...not 10 acres of tilling with a UTV.

Alan L. · May 31, 2012

txcwgrlmom said:
I saw a plow for the utv that had decent reviews for about $250. I was thinking this would be nice for a garden and tilling up a couple of acres for rye grass. Has anyone used one? Comments and suggestions welcome.by the way I am using my kubota rtv 500. Thank you.

I'm sure there are stronger UTVs out there but our little Mule 550 won't pull my drag, no way it would pull a plow.