You want to plow snow easily? Get a Brute Force 650. We got a snow storm of 2' 10" of snow average, and hooked the plow up to the Brute 650. Let's just say that close to 3' of snow was no problem at all. I had it in 2WD most of the time, too. I only put it into 4WD when I got stuck, and that was because I was playing around with huge snow banks from the town's trucks that plow the streets. If you'll be plowing lots of snow, definitely get something over 500cc's.

 

It really depends on the depth of snow...if you don't get much snow over 12 inches a Polaris Sportsman 500 would plow with ease b/c they are sooo heavy and they come with more aggressive/bigger tires in stock form than a BF 650 so they get great traction....but the 633cc V-twin (BF 650) would make a ton more power than any 500cc single so that's something you'd have to decide. if not the Polaris 500 check the AC 500 b/c they are both heavy, and weight is a VERY important thing when plowing snow.

 

Yes but if you need more weight you can always throw some salt bags on the wracks.

High snows aren't necessarily the issue. Yes, deep snow is heavy but so is even a modest wet snow. My Polaris Magnum with the same 425cc engine went through some deep, wet snows last winter with no problem. Yes, it struggled a bit more than it would in a normal snow but it got the job done.

 

You should easily be able to find a machine for less than 4000 used to plow snow. What your going to want to be concerned with is that it either has TRUE 4wd or a differential locker so that ALL 4 wheels are pushing, I'd look for a maching that has 2wd /4wd (leaves out the Rubicon), has low range (leaves out the Rincon), weight will help but that can be easily added, ground clearance (AC or Polaris are good maybe a Grizz). Once you start talking EFI you might want to forget about the $4000. lol. But it is a nice feature. Hope this helps.

 

Seriously though.... How often does anybody use diff lock when plowing snow? You can probably count the number of times on one hand.

 

It helps at the end of the run when you that little extra to push up.

 

I had a 2004 Arctic Cat 400 auto and used it while we were up in Alaska to plow snow. I never need a diff lock for that, and I never wished I had a bigger maching as it always got the job done. I used a 60" plow as well. I even busted up drifts that were up to my front rack. 15" of snow was no big deal either. It may take longer to do, but that is the fun part. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] Traction, not power, was always my limiting factor.

 

HENCE............................AWD or differential lock.

 

Even without diff lock all four of my tires would spin. Limited slip differentials do work good MOST of the time. Chains were probably the most help during the mid to later winter months.

 

Your ideas are great.

Like kapttap, I'm no mechanic. With differential lock, does that mean all four wheels are pushing? How else would you get 4-wheel drive? EFI is electronic fuel injection? How important is that?

Any other thoughts around used or new?

I want enough power for the snow, but because of the incline, I think traction is most important. Any particular tires that help with this? I would think some tires can't have chains.

Thanks.