I just got a 60" plastic plow from Cycle Country for my AC250 4x4 (2003). This was based on their recommendation. I was hesitant because it's plastic, but they reiterated that if it should ever break, I can just return it and they would replace it under warranty, no questions asked. lifetime warranty. They also told me that it weighs nearly the same as the 48" steel blade.

Not that I have it almost assembled, I've very impressed with it. It really feels like a quality product. Both ATVGear and Cycle Country were very customer friendly, and that makes a big difference to me.

The only thing I have left to do is get some tire chains! I've got 80lb bags of salt to weigh it down if I need. I'm more worried about traction than power (especially with the 3-range manual transmission).

Let's hope we have a good winter! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

memento,
Hey good luck with it.After it snows give us an update on how it works.I have a Warn 60" and it works great,it just wieghs alot.

Vince

 

Memento,
I wouldn't get to worried about chains. I have been pushing snow with my 4X and a power V since 98 and have not needed the chains yet!! I have a set of chains that I purchased from the John Deere dealer, they have cross links every 3 inches allot more than atv chains I have seen, but when I ran them the cross links would slide between the lugs even on the stock dunflops!! Needless to say I pushed snow just as well without them. JMO.

 

I'm thinking about the chains because of the weight of my "little" 250. It's got a dry weight of 560#. The 400 has a weight of 644#. I guess now that I check the numbers, the difference is only 84#. That's one salt bag. Plus I weigh 250#. ok. I feel better now. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

BRING ON THE SNOW!

 

memento:

The chains are useful dependent on your driveway and the type of weather you get... Up here in northern New Brunswick, Canada., we get quite a bit off snow. If your driveway is relatively horizontal, I don't think you'll need chains, but if its like mine with a good slope, chains help. Also, once you plow and then company or yourself drive on the remaining snow with cars, it packs and depending on weather, it can ice up, now the next snow fall you go to push the fresh snow, you may be on an icy base...

As for the plastic plows, we've been building them up here for years... most of the boys use an angle iron frame with plexiglass or teflon (if they can find it cheap enough and the snow just slides right off) for the cover plate. We also use power window actuators mounted on a plate and u-bolted to the racks for lifting and lowering ( get them at the scrap yards from old 2 door cars - lots of power, really cheap) if you don't have a winch.

If you do have a winch for lifting/lowering, just use about a 3 foot length off cable instead of the 25 or 50 foot lengths that came with the winch ( your only going up or down a short distance and will ruin your good cables). Some of us just take a short length of chain with a short length off cable tied to it. the cable wrapped on the winch drum is used as filler material.

As for getting snow...NO DOUBT WE'LL GET SOME!!!!!!!!

Checked your pics... nice toy!

....Honcho

 

Thanks honcho. I'll have to see how it goes. I've only been in my current house for 2 winters, but I've always gotten buildup on the driveway. Maybe with the plow, I can plow close enough to the surface. It's gravel, so I never really tried to get too close with the snowblower. It's also pretty steep, so I'll probably get the chains anyway. I have 2 driveways, but only use 1 in the winter. Hopefully now I can keep both open.

Godd idea about the power window motor. that's cool. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] I have the manual lift kit for it - no winch.

 

I got the Cycle Country 60" plastic blade last year, to replace the power-V blade, it does great cleaning large lots and driveways, but I miss the V-blade for sidewalks. I've had zero problems with the plastic blade, pushing gravel, snow and cars, (yes cars). If it gets icy or the snow is very heavy then I put some sand bags on the racks, 2 on the rear, one on the front, 80lbs, each.

 

momento, albany area here. im in the market for my first quad. What do u think of your ac? im looking at an ac 400 4x4, what is your opinion, is it a quality bike with little repair issues? ill be plowing too and looking for quality trails.

 

For trails, check out http://www.trailpass.com or talk to your nearest dealer. Trails are difficult in NYS. I have trails on my land.

As for my quad, it's my first also. I went into evaluating every manufacturer without bias and the Cat was a clear winner. Bombardier was second if I wanted an auto and didn't mind a little extra $$$. I don't regret my decision AT ALL. This quad is nimble and powerful. I'm not even going to try to push it up to 50mph, so top speed is not a concern to me. Quality is important to me because the dealer is 30 miles away and I don't have a trailer. So far it has been without repair (10 months old) and I've worked it hard and played it "semi" hard. I don't have any jumps, but I have tight winding trails. I have hit a tree with it - no damage. I'm very happy with it. But long term reliability, I believe, is very dependant on how you maintain it.

I don't know where you are (and please don't say specifically), but the Arctic Cat dealer, Herba Motor Sports, was excellent to me. Best price and delivered it to my door for $25. They are in Amsterdam.

 

My 375 (same engine as 400) has over 600 miles and has been perfect, save a minor tranny adjustment, which didn't effect drivability. I've run it hard, too. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the Cats, or most other ATV's for that matter. I've ridden with all of the brands, and no one has had any major problem. I chose the cat for the suspension, ground clearance, and toughness of the chasis. I have never regretted it.