I am purchasing a 2012 Sportsman 500 H.O., I am looking to put a winch and plow on it to just push some snow out of my driveway. I will not have any other use for the winch, I won't be riding anywhere I would get stuck. So basically I am just looking for a winch that will lift the blade up and down.

I'm really looking to keep the price down on this setup, what is the best option?
Thanks

 

Moto alliance, their viper classics are really cheap, however they aren't really waterproof. I have the mid grade and they have been flawless.

 

What is the smallest lb winch I could get?

 

Why not just order the plow with the hand lift if that is the sole purpose of the winch??

 

This is my first quad purchase, so I am quite the newbie. I considered buying the manual one, but I wasn't sure how much trouble it would be lifting it by hand, I have a pretty big driveway(over 300' long).

 

I have a winch operated and my father-in-law has the hand lift...I think that actually the handlift isust as fast or faster!! The hand lifters are very simple cam design and very simple to install and operate! I really think that if I had no use for the winch other than the plow, I would spend the 40 extra bucks or whatever it is on the plow and be done with it!! As far as choosing a winch if you go that route, I think there may be some cheap brands that make 1000 lb ones but for the most part you are looking at 1500 lb. Another thing to consider is that buying the cheap winch is going to leave you with a cheap winch-hopefully it lasts an entire winter!!

 

winches are like anything else, you get what you pay for

 

Here's a pretty good deal I think...All said and done with rebate under $200...Also if your doing alot of plowing I would get the short piece of synthetic plow rope...The wire wears rapidly when plowing and eventually breaks...

Warn RT15, Warn RT15 ATV Winch

John

 

My Dad tried the hand lift Polaris OEM plow it worked OK ,the handle is long with lots of leverage. The only thing is even with the plow off for trail riding the the handle stays on the ATV.

If your just using it to lift a plow, a 1000lb would be plenty. At least get a 2000 incase your ATV or you have to get another ATV out of a spot.

 

There are a few companies that make electric plow lift kits but they cost almost as much as a good winch.