(Msg. cross posted from Utility ATV forum.)

Say hi to the newbie Sorry, but this post will be rather long-winded. Essentially, I am just looking for opinons (good and bad) from people who have used an ATV in the manner I am hoping to do.

I am looking for a utility ATV for snow plowing or snow blowing, grading my driveway and mowing my lawn. I live in northern Minnesota, have a 250 to 300 yard driveway and a 3 acre front lawn.

ATV's under consideration (no particular order): Polaris Magnum 500, Polaris Diesel (if I can find one), Yamaha Grizzly, Polaris 6x6, Arctic Cat 500. Additional suggestions welcome.

I realize I probably won't find a perfect machine to do all this... just want to find one that is close

Questions I have: Does anyone besides Polaris make a snowblower unit for an ATV? (I would prefer a blower due to the length of my driveway). Is a blower overkill? Currently, the driveway is plowed via truck.

However, I am tired of spending $600/year getting crushed concrete hauled in every spring because it was plowed into my yard the previous winter. Will a 60 inch plow do a "good" job or am I going to feel like I am trying to move an iceberg with a 14 ft Lund?

Are there any pros/cons to using a front mount mower vs. offset? (I have another rider mower to be used in tighter areas)

I appreciate any input or thoughts from those who are experienced. BTW... I am not completely stupid to motorized equipment. I use to race motocross (Go Big Green ) and snowmobiles (TX-L)

Thanks all

Eric

 

My dad actually plows his drive way with a short plow using his old polaris 325 4x4. Its
a 2 lane straight in driveway with a swing out section. I would then say that all the larger atv's will work. My y2k expedition 425
cc is rated for hard work. ITs a 5 speed. My dad dont cut grass with his atv. He does use a grass sweeper behind his atv. his yard is 1
and 1/2 acers. According to him the snow plowing works great and I have done the grass
sweeping for him. It works fine. chet lake

 

Eric,

I live in the South so I don't know much about plowing and, contrary to the norm of these forums, won't even try to give advice in this area.

Mowers, on the other hand, are something that I've looked into. If you have a little bit of money and already have another mower for the tight spots, you might want to consider reel-type gang mower. You pull them along behind your ATV and can mow a path up to 7 feet wide in a single pass. You can't go over 5mph with them and you have to mow more often because they don't like tall grass. But if you can mow 7 feet in one pass, it won't take very long.

BTW, I'm partial towards Polaris, but just about any ATV will pull one of these gang mowers. Check out reel-type gang mower. It's about $1200.00 and will mow 3 acres per hour.

See, I told you I wouldn't talk about snow plowing!

------------------
Kevin Staton
Y2K Polaris Magnum 325 4x4
<a href="www.korrnet.org/watvclub">Windrock ATV Club</a>

 

Sounds like you're in for some fun atv work. I would say stick to a Polaris product.True push button AWD,full floorboards,one hand brake operation, ease of operation,etc. etc.
For mowing I suggest an automatic-Sportsmen,Magnums,Xplorers.For plowing, you have several options:Magnum,Sportsman,Xpedition.
For both plowing and mowing: Sportsman-automatic,great power, easy maneuverability.

If I were you, I would get a front and side mounted mower. The front mount can get into tight places and the side mower in large;plus,you can run the two together and have twice the cutting swath.

 

Thank you all for your input. I was hoping for this kind of feedback.

Kevin- thanks for the info on the gang mowers... I am considering it since the gang mower could still be used behind my rider mower if I don't like mowing with the ATV. However, since I am out of town for periods up to 8 days... the lawn could grow out of hand in that time... hmm, decisions, decisions

Bushhog- yes... I was considering getting both a front and side mount. I just didn't bring that option up because people may think I was crazy . I do appreciate the model suggestions as well

Thanks again

Eric

 

the explorer will plow a lot of snow cause i live in canada and know about snow. besides a 2 stroke is more fun nuff said

 

Eroc,
One thing you might consider, Make your choice a shaft drive model, whether its a Sportsman or Magnum. (Im kinda partial to Magnum 500 since I own one!!) Chain drives DO transmit more power to the wheels, but under continous heavy stress., They WILL stretch. I own a Scrambler 500 that has chain drive, and I LOVE it, but the chain IS ALOT more maintenance.

 

think about it. you don't want a diesel because it won't start..(its a diesel) not in the winter anyway, unless you have a heated garage. You don't want anything but a polaris because of their 4 wheel drive systems and I f I was you I wouldn't want a sportsman for all of the added maintence it requires. In my opinion you need a magnum 500.