I just got a 2006 Polaris sportsman 450 4x4 and want to put a plow on it for winter. My question is that I dont have a winch on it now so should I put one on and set the atv up that way to plow, or get the manual levered one. I've seen people use both and figure the winch plow would be easier but cost wise if the manual works just as good and is probably cheaper should I just go with that, or spend the money and go for the winch one??? I'm new to the whole plowing with a atv thing so any advice would be great.

 

I use the manual. It's easy enough to lift as a rule and since I have a gravel driveway and lane it is easier for me to get a "feel" of so I can just scrape the gravel without digging too much of it up. This is especially useful for the first snow or two before the gravel has had a chance to freeze down.

It does have some drawbacks. Sometimes you will wish you had an extra hand when you need to push the <expletive redacted> reverse override button as well as lift the plow and operate the throttle.

If I had a winch on it I'd probably use it instead but as it is right now the manual lift works fine. When I put a winch on this in a few months I'll probably do away with the handle and lifting mechanism.

 

I've never owned a manual lift and have used a winch when plowing for the last 11 years. Just push a rocker switch with your thumb. If the snow is super deep you can raise the blade and take the top 1/2 or 1/3 off the top. The winch will hold the blade in that position and it leaves both hands free to steer, and as the Captain said, to hold the over-ride button.

A side benefit is having a winch all the time to pull youself or other people out when you get stuck. If you never got stuck or had a friend get stuck you must not go off-road much. I've had to use all 50 feet of cable, some ropes, a ****** block, clevis, etc., to pull one of my friends out. I used to ride alone a lot too, and had to winch myself out when no-one was around to help me. It works great for raising the front end to change a tire too. I've pulled fence posts and small trees with my winch also. Using it on the plow is just a side benefit for many of us.

 

i use a winch for plowing and wouldent use a manual lift if i had too.. for the money i would go buy a gorilla or viper winch off e-bay... around 130 worst case for a 2500 lb winch with everyting and a mounting plate... mounting the winch is pretty easy but if you intend to use the winch for more than plowing i might suggest buying a warn...

 

Synthetic rope is better than wire rope because the constant up and down at a 90 degree angle doesn't put a kink in it.

 

Mine is kinked for that reason. Suppose I should fix it before I really need it.

 

My first machine had a manual lift on it used it for 5 years. Next had a winch, would not go back to a manual after. The winch comes in mighty handy when you get stuck, when pulling trees, when someone else gets stuck. IMHO go for the winch.

 

new to atvs, but in the 2 weeks ive had it ive already used the winch twice. once to get an old coal stove out of the yard and the second time to put the dock back in place after the ice moved it out into the lake during the winter. the winch is pretty handy to have.

 

The only reason to buy a manual lift IMO is because you don't have the money for a winch yet.