i have a 00 sp500 and am debating on getting a plow.i have 2 questions. 1-is there any aftermaket mounting units or should i just stay with the polaris brand? 2- are the polaris plows any good? any recommendations would be great since this is all new to me.

 

tmbwn

Welcome to the fun of atving. Plowing snow is actually fun on an atv. There are several aftermarket Plows and mounts for the Sportsman. I use a CMP plow and mount on my Magnum. I got it from Shadetree outdoors (1-888-shadetree). Cabelas also carries the CMP brand. Cycle country also makes plows and mounts. I think their website is www.cyclecountry.com. Dennis Kirk carries Moose plows. You can see them at www.denniskirk.com. I really like the CMP plow and it works good. I use a winch to lift it up and down. I am not sure how the aftermarket plows compare to the Polaris plow. My dealer jacked me around getting the Polaris plow in so I ordered an aftermarket. I do know that Polaris is offering a new plow mount system that mounts to the rear hitch and does not require a mount that remains on the underside of the vehicle. Very important if ground clearance is an issue when not plowing. Hope this helps.

 

I have a 99 Sportsman 500 and bought a 60" Moose county plow for it. I checked around and found that Moose makes a tough, heavy duty unit for about the same price as others. The county plow has a tapered blade with a rubber snow flap bolted along the top edge. Moose offers a 50" version too which is better if you're plowing sidewalks. If you don't want or need the tapered blade they also make a 50" & 60" straight blade.
Now.... let it snow so I can try it out!

 

I had a 60" Moose plow on my 98 Sportsman 500. I had no problems with it. It was made very sturdy. The only this I wasn't crazy about was the reduction in ground clearance. I ride on rocky trails and the mounting bracket really took a beating. I recently bought a 2001 SP500HO and this time I ordered the new style Polaris plow that was designed for the Sportsman. It's in the Polaris 2001 catalog. Unfortunately, it's on back order so I can't comment on it yet.

 

tmbwn
i have been looking at plows also.
i ordered a moose "county" plow.
however, i am not able to get the mounting bracket for a couple weeks. they are on backorder.
so are the polaris mounting brackets and they haven't even began production of the "deluxe" push frame that a221221 is speaking of.
it's already snowed about 5 inches here this year and i WANT MY PLOW!!!!
good luck.

 

I plowed my driveways(2) for three years. We get alot of snow up here and I would like to give you guys some tips. Make sure that the plow you purchase is adjustable up to a 45 degree angle in both directions. The adjustment should be of the slip-in pin type.(nuts bolts and wrenchs in freezing temps along with ice and snow are a pain)The one thing nobody seems to realize is that a plow is a heavy piece of equipment and that it hangs off the front of your quad. The first time you lift that newly installed plow you will see the front suspension lower several inches before the plow lifts off the ground. I highly recommend replacing the front strut springs with heavy-duty ones.( I killed my front shocks after one season of plowing ) You will most likely be using the plow when its dark outside. (in the morning before work and/or the evening after work)The lights and winch combined with the slow plowing speed (very little charging output)will lead to a dead battery very quickly.(don't forget, when the batt is low you will not be able to pick up your plow)I would also recommend the mechanical lever style plow lift.It is faster and it does not add the extra weight or cost of a winch. The last thing that should be done, is to bypass the overide 4x4/rev-limiter. You will need the power and 4x4 in reverse when you have 100lbs hanging from your front bumper. I hope I have helped a few of you out there and happy plowing.

 

I have the Cycle Country 48 inch plow on both my Sportsman and Xplorer.I loved both of them.I certainly agree with whoever said to make sure that they 45* to either side.I plow every chance I get in the winter,it is fun to me.Good luck with your plow purchase,
Bill