I was able to test my new moose 5' straight plow through all its paces this past weekend with the 2+ feet we received here in central New Jersey. The Polaris Sportsman 500 and the Moose plow setup with the manual lift works like a dream. It was not easy plowing driveways with so much snow, and in addition having to deal with the higher ridge left by the plow trucks. After plowing for a few hours, and having to lift and lower the plow, lifting the plow starts to become a bit more difficult, but nothing the regular utility ATV owner can't handle. The plow is very rugged. Snow covers curbs and mis-aligned concrete slabs, and the plow and frame never received any damage after coming across such obstacles. The moose plow frame offers five positions to angle the plow. This might not seem important at first, but you will find that having all the positions is very convenient after plowing for a number of hours. Before purchasing the straight plow, I strongly considered the Moose County plow. After going through this nor'easter, I am convinced that there is no need for a county plow. It adds unnecessary weight to the set-up, and will be very difficult to lift with the manual lift. It will toll on your front suspension too much, providing less clearance with the plow up, and I cannot see it rolling the snow any better than the straight plow, which does a beautiful job. I did have some problems however:

1.Most of the cotter pins that came included with the set-up fell off while plowing - i recommend that all the included pins be replaced with heavier duty pins to avoid leaving you dragging your plow around on the ground;

2.My manual lift handle bent out of shape by pulling it back a tad too much (with both hands) - if you think you're one of those brutes like myself, take time to solder a piece of steel to the inner curvature section of the lift handle, near the bottom. Trust me on this one, once you bend it, you won't be able to lift your plow unless you tie the plow to something on the front of your quad.

If you would like to invest in a winch, go for it, but I honestly don't find it necessary for plowing. It adds even more weight to the front end, which is something you will find wears your suspension and arms. Snow chains are not necessary either, unless you know you will be riding on a layer of ice, or your tires have little, if any tread. If you're shaky on whether or not to buy a plow for your quad, and live in the northeast, I recommend you buy one asap. You will make your money back the first day it snows. I'd stick to the Moose setup, although I haven't used the cycle country or warn, I have seen it on other quads and find the Moose setup to be superior.

99 Polaris Sportsman 500

 

Thanks for the review! I was going to purchase a plow for the Prairie this year but (regretfully) I`m waiting until next season since it`s so late in this one. I was looking at the same set-up as you (Moose or Warn) but with the electric lift so my wife would be able to use when I`m not home.

 

I must concur with your review. The Moose plow is awesome. I've spent this last weekend plowing 29" of white crap and I could not come up with a complaint about this plow if my life depended on it! I was also in the company of 2 Cycle Country plows. I hate name brand wars, but I hit piles a lot harder than they did this last weekend and they both have bent plows right now. No damage at all to my Moose. Side by side to their plows, my Moose seemed to be a lot stronger built than theirs.

I do lift my plow with a winch. You probably wouldn't have to do it that way, but it did make it nice to lift heavy piles of snow with the muscles in your thumb instead of your arms and back. Just my opionion.

 

BTW....When they tell you not to drive fast with your plow on, you should listen. I hit an unseen snow pile at approx. 40mph with the plow up. I found I could fly just like superman, but my landing still needs some work! All in all, still no damage to the plow or the bullet-proof Honda![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I have a 48' cycle country plow thats been in use for 5 years now and has outlasted the winches on my sportsman.

I would have to take my mortar sledge to it in order to get mine to bend, its that durable. I use it to plow about 8 different peoples driveways and sidewalks along with moving some dirt around in the summer. Only thing I am starting to notice about it is the springs are getting a little soft, kinda like me truck!