Using an ATV for Snow Removal

[scaredychicken]

I was just coming here to post a question (new thread), but first I'll respond.

One of the main reasons that I bought my 2006 Arctic Cat 400 4x4 automatic ATV with snowblade (when brand new) was for snow maintenance. Great machine and adequate CC size for my purposes, it has a LOT of ground clearance, and I have a 54" snowblade. 90 percent of the time it is perfect for pushing the snow clear so that we can get in/out, and clear the roundabout. We tend to get wet, heavy snow in 4 - 8 inch typical snowfalls. I was brand new to ATVs and did not want anything bigger than a 400 - 500 cc machine... and at the time the larger CC machines (700 cc +) were just starting to be revealed.

rarely do we get a snowfall that exceeds a foot, but then I just raise the blade and chip away at it. I once cleared a 4 day snowfall (over 3 ft) by steady progress. The snow plows that do the roadways usually forget about us / low priority route until 4-5 days go by and they have time.

Glad that I have that machine and blade. I am trying to improve the snow blade ATTACHMENT pins so that the heavy snow doesn't dislodge the blade.

Have fun.



Thinking of a front snow-thrower attachment in future... but will probably put that money into a tractor instead.

 

[ike]

I had a 2003 Rincon with 27" ITP 589 tires with city plow. It was the best plowing setup I have had yet. Once the transmission warmed up, it did a great job. I paved my 340' stone driveway with it for several years. I switched to a Bx1500 with 4 way hydraulic blade. It is much slower than the Rincon. I plowed with a 2009 big Bear for awhile but the foot shifter was a pain and made the process much slower than the Rincon. The Big Bear also was air cooled and the fan was annoying. I have a 2013 Rubicon now that someday may put a blade on.

 

[Paystar]

Used my 2004.5 Polaris Sportsman for 8 years to plow my yard before I got my Kubota. Incredible how much snow they will push. But you have to keep your banks back right from the start, or basically overplow the area. Because once they are packed and froze, you aren't moving them.

But I used to be able to slope my banks and push right up them. I've never changed a belt or broke anything on this atv. And the quick attach is nice. Polaris had a nice plow setup. Not sure how the newest ones work.

This one came with Carlisle Badland's XTR radial tires and they were awesome for plowing. Never had a traction issue. Currently has Reptile Radials on it, more aggressive for my play riding, but not as good as the Carlisle's for plowing on ice.

If I didn't have a tractor, I'd go back to using it. I had plow trucks that stayed parked and I used this. Better visibility and the ability to get into any spot.

Attached pics of area I plowed all those years. Had to be big enough to park dump truck and turn my tractor/53 foot trailer around.

 

[SJay]

I have a John Deere Buck 650 with a factory plow on it - plows likes crazy. I plow 250' of driveway. I have been using it for years - love it.

 

[scaredychicken]

correction - I have a 60 inch snowblade on the Arctic Cat 400, (can't find the edit button)

 

[knukey]

Ignore the slams on the Rincon. It'll do fine.

ONE NOTE: do NOT let the snow get too deep with ANY ATV! I got snowed in because I let it get 18 inches before going out (overnight with drifts). Don't let it get over 8"-10" between passes and you're golden.