I'm looking for feedback on which atv would be the best at plowing snow on a moderately steep driveway in Fairbanks, Alaska and hopefully for a moose hunt in the hills in the fall.
Last ATV I bought was a 1984 Honda 3 Wheeler. I need to get caught up on the best transmission, engine, etc. Thanks for your input. Zeke

 

I think the best rig for plowing and moose hunt would be the Polaris Big Boss 800 6x6. It has true 6wd for more traction than you would probably ever need with an automatic transmission, low and high range, and a good ride. Also pretty much any of the major brands (Arctic Cat, CanAm, Honda, Polaris, Suzuki, Yamaha, and Kawasaki) make good 4x4s with high and low ranges that would get the job done. I would recommend anything above 400cc or so. You are more likely to run out of traction than to run out of power if you have a 4x4 in low. Honda is weird in that they don't have a full locker in the front like every other maker does.

 

I've got 800cc on my belt driven sportsman ... and I can tell you ... there is more power than I need to push a 5' plow in deep (at least a foot of fresh) ... traction is another matter ... it lacks the weight to put that power to work in deep (or moving snow banks) ... and thats with the standard 489's

tracks are supposed to be nice ... but out of my price range ha

 

The Honda automatics suck for plowing snow, and don't have front diff lock. My Polaris Sportsman 500 H.O does a really good job with plowing snow. Any Arctic Cat, Can-Am, Polaris, Suzuki, Yamaha, or Kawasaki 400cc's and up with a locking front diff will do the trick. Good luck.

 

I would go with a 500 class machine and a 60" plow. Traction is the key. Good tires (with chains if possible) and some weight on the racks if necessary. Plow with the storm if you are expecting a lot. Don't wait for 12" of snow to pile up before you start plowing... especially with wet snow.

 

Also I you can buy chains that wrap around your tires that increase traction.

 

My sportsman 800 was unstopable in the snow with the chains on the tires- I actually removed the chains once I put on the 28" xtr mud tires- didn't need them.

My driveway is a bit steep, about 100' x 25'- and I had a 60" plow on it. I've plowed 18" of the white sh*t with a slushy icy base and it never let me down.

As far as the hunt, that 6x6 atv moose was talking about would be the absolute *****! My second choice would be a polaris big bore (600cc minimum with what ever you buy) with some aggressive tires on it. Just about all atv's now are EFI, and have a locking front diff (awd or visco) except honda for some reason. The only nice thing about the honda rincon is it's not a cvt- but I don't think that reason alone would make me buy a honda- the polaris has true awd, efi, most usable storage and is big & heavy- things you'll want for plowing and such.

Man- you're in for a real treat if the last atv (atc) you rode was an 84 honda